How to set up a Bitcoin Node with Umbrel on a Raspberry Pi 5
Run your own node and achieve unparalleled privacy by connecting your wallet directly to your Bitcoin node.
Why run your own bitcoin node?
For bitcoin to function reliably and securely, it relies on the voluntary participation of thousands of individuals worldwide. Nodes, which make up the bitcoin network and verify transactions and blocks, are crucial to this process. There are many reasons to consider running your own bitcoin node, including personal benefits and the benefits to the security and resilience of the bitcoin ecosystem. The following article explains some reasons to run your own bitcoin node:
What’s Umbrel?
Umbrel is a beautiful personal server OS for self-hosting. You can run a personal server in your home, self-host open source apps like Nextcloud and Bitcoin node, break away from big tech, and take full control of your data for free. Umbrel can be installed on a Raspberry Pi 5or any Ubuntu/Debian system.
How to set up a Bitcoin Node?
To set up a Bitcoin Node with Umbrel on a Raspberry Pi 5, you need to follow the following steps:
Step 1: Buy the parts
You will need to buy the following parts. You can buy them using the Amazon affiliate links on this article to support me.
Raspberry Pi 5 8GB + Case + Power Adapter
Pick 8 GB RAM for maximum performance. Buy on Amazon
2 TB or more is recommended. Buy on Amazon
To connect the storage drive to the Raspberry Pi via USB. Buy on Amazon
The microSD card is only used for running the firmware. All of your apps and data are stored on the storage drive. Buy on Amazon
MicroSD Adapter (Optional)
You will need to buy an adapter if your computer doesn’t have a MicroSD slot. Buy on Amazon
To connect the Raspberry Pi to your internet router. Buy on Amazon
Step 2: Assemble the Node
Assembling the node is pretty easy. You just need to:
- Put the Raspberry in its case
- Put the storage drive in its enclosure
- Connect the storage drive into any of the two USB 3.0 ports (blue colored) on the Raspberry Pi
- Connect the Raspberry to your router using the ethernet cable
- Connect the power supply to the Raspberry. DON’T CONNECT THE POWER SUPPLY TO THE POWER YET
Step 3: Download Umbrel OS
Download Umbrel OS for Raspberry Pi on your computer, using the following link:
https://download.umbrel.com/umbrel-os.zip
Step 4. Download Balena Etcher
Download and install Balena Etcher on your computer. It is required to flash the Umbrel OS file that you downloaded in the previous step onto the microSD card.
Step 5. Plug the microSD card into your computer
You might need a card reader if your computer doesn’t have one. Here’s a good one on Amazon.
Step 6. Flash Umbrel OS
Open Balena Etcher and flash the downloaded Umbrel OS zip file on the microSD card. You need to follow these steps:
- Pick the
Flash from fileoption
2. Pick theSelect Target option
3. Check the SD Card and click on Select
4. Click on the Flashoption
5. When finished, you will see a Flash Complete legend.
Step 7. Insert the microSD card into the Raspberry
After the flash is successful, remove the microSD card from your computer and insert it into the Raspberry Pi.
Step 8. Power up
Power up the Raspberry Pi to turn it on.
Any existing data on the SSD will automatically be deleted when you turn on the Raspberry Pi.
Step 9. Wait until Umbrel is accesible
After 5 minutes, your Umbrel will be accessible at http://umbrel.local on any device that’s connected to the same network as the Raspberry Pi. If you can’t access your Umbrel, you can use Angry IP Scanner to find the IP address of your Umbrel and type that in the browser instead of umbrel.local. If you’re using Windows, try accessing http://umbrel in the browser. And if you’re using a VPN, try turning it off.
Step 10. Download the Bitcoin Node app
Go to the Umbrel App Store and download the Bitcoin Node app.
This app will transform your Umbrel into a Bitcoin node. It will automatically start to download the blockchain. Take into account that this will take several days.
Step 11. Download the mempool app
Go to the Umbrel App Store and download the mempool app.
This is the private replacement of https://mempool.space/. Now you will be able to explore the blockchain using the information of your node, without depending on any third-party server.
If you want to connect your Umbrel Node to the Sentinel watch-only wallet to see the balance of your hardware wallet, please read the following article:
Visit our Website
With so many Bitcoin nodes on the market, it can be challenging to choose the right one for your needs. That’s where our Bitcoin Nodes Comparison TheBitcoinHole.com website comes in. You will find the most comprehensive and honest resource for comparing the features of the top Bitcoin nodes.
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