Skip to content
Chad Feierstein

Linux - Cardano Node Installation

Complete guide for installing a Cardano Node on Debian 12 with the NIX package manager, including service configuration and monitoring.

Debian 12CardanoNIXBlockchainCryptocurrencyNode

Setup Steps

1

Install System Dependencies

Installation of required system packages for the NIX package manager installation.

Install system dependencies

sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y git tmux curl
2

Install NIX Package Manager

Installation of the NIX package manager for managing Cardano Node dependencies.

Install NIX package manager

sh <(curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -L https://nixos.org/nix/install) --daemon

Restart system

reboot

A restart is required after NIX installation

3

Configure NIX for Cardano

Configuration of the NIX package manager with official IOHK binary caches for optimized downloads.

Edit NIX configuration

nix.conf
1
2
3
build-users-group = nixbldexperimental-features = nix-command flakestrusted-users = root cardano

Restart NIX daemon

systemctl restart nix-daemon.service
4

Create Cardano User

Creating a dedicated user for Cardano Node operation.

Create Cardano user

sudo useradd -m -s /bin/bash cardano
5

Install Cardano Node

Installation of Cardano Node and CLI tools via the NIX system.

Switch to Cardano user

sudo -i -u cardano

Clone Cardano Node repository

git clone https://github.com/IntersectMBO/cardano-node

Change to Cardano Node directory

cd cardano-node

Display available versions

git tag | sort -V

Checkout current stable version

git switch -d tags/10.4.1

Install Cardano Node and CLI in NIX profile

nix profile install .#cardano-node .#cardano-cli

This can take 30-60 minutes as all dependencies are compiled

6

Create System Symlinks

Creating symlinks for system-wide access to Cardano tools.

Create symlink for Cardano Node

sudo ln -sf /home/cardano/.nix-profile/bin/cardano-node /usr/local/bin/cardano-node

Create symlink for Cardano CLI

sudo ln -sf /home/cardano/.nix-profile/bin/cardano-cli /usr/local/bin/cardano-cli

Adjust the path according to your NIX profile

7

Download Node Configuration

Download of official Cardano network configuration files.

Switch to Cardano user

sudo -i -u cardano

Create configuration directories

mkdir -p ~/cardano-config ~/cardano-db

Change to configuration directory

cd ~/cardano-config

Download official configuration files

curl -O -J "https://book.play.dev.cardano.org/environments/mainnet/{config,db-sync-config,submit-api-config,topology,byron-genesis,shelley-genesis,alonzo-genesis,conway-genesis,checkpoints}.json"
8

Setup Systemd Service

Configuration of Cardano Node as systemd service for automatic startup.

Create systemd service file

cardano-node.service
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
[Unit]Description=Cardano NodeAfter=network.target [Service]User=cardanoGroup=cardanoWorkingDirectory=/home/cardano/cardano-configExecStart=/usr/local/bin/cardano-node run \  --topology /home/cardano/cardano-config/topology.json \  --database-path /home/cardano/cardano-db \  --socket-path /home/cardano/cardano-db/node.socket \  --host-addr 0.0.0.0 \  --port 3001 \  --config /home/cardano/cardano-config/config.jsonRestart=on-failureRestartSec=10LimitNOFILE=32768 [Install]WantedBy=multi-user.target

Reload systemd manager

systemctl daemon-reload

Enable Cardano Node service

systemctl enable cardano-node

Start Cardano Node service

systemctl start cardano-node
9

Setup Node Monitoring

Monitoring node logs and synchronization process.

Follow service logs

journalctl -u cardano-node -f

Check synchronization progress

cardano-cli query tip --socket-path /home/cardano/cardano-db/node.socket --mainnet

Initial blockchain synchronization can take 24-48 hours

Additional Tips

Useful commands and tips for better management

Synchronization Monitoring

Check synchronization status

systemctl status cardano-node

Display current blockchain size

du -sh /home/cardano/cardano-db

Service Management

Restart Cardano Node service

systemctl restart cardano-node

Stop Cardano Node service

systemctl stop cardano-node

Troubleshooting

Display full logs

journalctl -u cardano-node --no-pager -l

Check Cardano Node process

ps aux | grep cardano

Additional Resources

Official documentation and helpful links

NIX Download

Official NIX package manager website with installation guides

Cardano Installation Guide

Official Cardano Node installation documentation

Running a Node

Official guide for operating a Cardano Node