Requirements
Hardware and software requirements for running Ethereum and Starknet nodes with starknode-kit.
Hardware Requirements
📚 Reference
For a detailed breakdown of node hardware requirements, see the Rocket Pool Hardware Guide.
Minimum Requirements
| Component | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 4+ cores | Intel i3/i5 or AMD equivalent. Avoid Celeron. |
| RAM | 32 GB | Minimum 16GB, 32GB recommended for comfort |
| Storage | 2+ TB NVMe SSD | Must have DRAM cache, no QLC NAND |
| Network | 100+ Mbps | Stable connection, unlimited data preferred |
| Power | 24/7 uptime | UPS recommended for validators |
Recommended Specifications
- CPU: Intel i5/i7 or AMD Ryzen 5/7 (6+ cores)
- RAM: 64 GB DDR4
- Storage: 4 TB NVMe SSD with DRAM cache
- Network: 1 Gbps fiber connection
- Backup Power: UPS with 30+ minutes runtime
Storage Requirements
Storage is the most critical component for node operation.
Storage Size
| Client | Current Size | Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Ethereum (Geth) | ~1.2 TB | ~150 GB/year |
| Ethereum (Reth) | ~900 GB | ~120 GB/year |
| Lighthouse | ~200 GB | ~50 GB/year |
| Prysm | ~250 GB | ~60 GB/year |
| Juno (Starknet) | ~300 GB | ~100 GB/year |
SSD Requirements
Your SSD must have:
- ✅ DRAM cache - Essential for performance
- ✅ TLC or better NAND - No QLC (Quad-Level Cell)
- ✅ High endurance rating - 600+ TBW recommended
- ✅ NVMe interface - SATA SSDs are too slow
⚠️ Warning
Using a QLC SSD or SSD without DRAM cache will result in poor performance and potential node failures. See the tested SSD list for recommendations.
Software Requirements
Operating System
Supported operating systems:
- Linux: Ubuntu 20.04+, Debian 11+, or other modern distributions
- macOS: macOS 12 (Monterey) or later
- Windows: Windows 10/11 with WSL2 (Ubuntu)
Linux is highly recommended for production use.
Required Software
Go (for building from source)
Version 1.24 or later required:
# Check Go version go version # Should output: go version go1.24 or higher
Install from: https://go.dev/dl/
Rust (for Starknet clients)
Recommended for building Juno and other Starknet clients:
curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://sh.rustup.rs | sh
Make
Required for building certain clients:
# Ubuntu/Debian sudo apt install make # macOS (with Homebrew) brew install make # Check installation make --version
Network Requirements
Bandwidth
- Download: 100+ Mbps
- Upload: 25+ Mbps
- Data Cap: Unlimited (or 2+ TB/month)
Ports
Ensure these ports are accessible:
| Port | Protocol | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 30303 | TCP/UDP | Ethereum execution P2P |
| 9000 | TCP/UDP | Lighthouse consensus P2P |
| 13000 | TCP | Prysm consensus P2P |
| 6060 | TCP | Juno RPC (localhost only) |
For Validator Nodes
Additional requirements for running a validator:
- Uptime: 99.9%+ availability required
- Backup Power: UPS mandatory
- Monitoring: 24/7 monitoring and alerting
- Backup Internet: Secondary connection recommended
- Dedicated Hardware: No shared resources
Tested Hardware Configurations
Budget Build (~$800)
- Intel NUC 13 PRO (i5)
- 32 GB DDR4 RAM
- 2 TB NVMe SSD (Samsung 980 PRO)
- Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
Recommended Build (~$1500)
- Custom build: AMD Ryzen 7 or Intel i7
- 64 GB DDR4 RAM
- 4 TB NVMe SSD (Samsung 990 PRO)
- 1 Gbps fiber connection
- UPS with 30min+ runtime
- Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
Pro Build (~$3000+)
- High-end workstation or server
- 128 GB ECC RAM
- 8 TB NVMe SSD (enterprise grade)
- Redundant power supplies
- Redundant network connections
- Professional monitoring and alerting
Cloud Providers
If running in the cloud, recommended specifications:
| Provider | Instance Type | Est. Cost/Month |
|---|---|---|
| AWS | m5.2xlarge + 4TB gp3 | ~$500-700 |
| Google Cloud | n2-standard-8 + 4TB SSD | ~$600-800 |
| Azure | Standard_D8s_v3 + 4TB Premium SSD | ~$550-750 |
💡 Cost Consideration
Running on dedicated hardware is often more cost-effective long-term than cloud hosting, especially for validators.