Running Your Own DERO Node

Run a DERO Node

Running a DERO node supports network decentralization, earns you integrator rewards (10% bonus), and gives you complete privacy without relying on third-party infrastructure.

Download: GitHub Releases (opens in a new tab)

Quick Start

Linux

# Download latest release
wget https://github.com/deroproject/derohe/releases/download/latest/dero-linux-amd64.tar.gz
 
# Extract
tar -xzf dero-linux-amd64.tar.gz
cd dero-linux-amd64
 
# Run daemon
./derod-linux-amd64 --integrator-address=YOUR_DERO_ADDRESS

Windows

# Download from GitHub releases
# Extract ZIP file
# Open PowerShell in extracted folder
 
.\derod-windows-amd64.exe --integrator-address=YOUR_DERO_ADDRESS

macOS

# Download for your architecture (Intel or Apple Silicon)
# Extract archive
cd dero-darwin-*
 
# Run daemon  
./derod-darwin-amd64 --integrator-address=YOUR_DERO_ADDRESS

System Requirements

Component	Minimum	Recommended
CPU	2 cores	4+ cores
RAM	4GB	8GB+
Storage	20GB SSD	50GB+ SSD
Network	Stable connection	100+ Mbps
OS	Linux/Windows/Mac	Linux (best performance)

Why SSD?

Blockchain requires fast random reads/writes
HDD will cause sync issues and slow performance

Configuration

Basic Setup

# Minimal configuration
./derod-linux-amd64 --integrator-address=dero1qy...
 
# With custom ports
./derod-linux-amd64 \
  --integrator-address=dero1qy... \
  --rpc-bind=0.0.0.0:10102 \
  --p2p-bind=0.0.0.0:10101

Advanced Configuration

# Production node with optimizations
./derod-linux-amd64 \
  --integrator-address=dero1qy... \
  --rpc-bind=0.0.0.0:10102 \
  --p2p-bind=0.0.0.0:10101 \
  --node-tag="MyNode" \
  --lowcpuram \
  --fastsync

Key flags:

--integrator-address - Your address for 10% rewards
--rpc-bind - RPC server address (default: 127.0.0.1:10102)
--p2p-bind - P2P network address (default: 0.0.0.0:10101)
--node-tag - Custom node identifier
--lowcpuram - Reduce memory usage
--fastsync - Faster initial sync

Full list: ./derod --help

Running as a Service

Linux (systemd)

Create service file /etc/systemd/system/derod.service:

[Unit]
Description=DERO Daemon
After=network.target
 
[Service]
Type=simple
User=dero
WorkingDirectory=/opt/dero
ExecStart=/opt/dero/derod-linux-amd64 --integrator-address=YOUR_ADDRESS
Restart=always
RestartSec=10
 
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Enable and start:

sudo systemctl enable derod
sudo systemctl start derod
sudo systemctl status derod

View logs:

journalctl -u derod -f

Monitoring Your Node

Check Sync Status

# In daemon console (if running interactively)
status
 
Output:
  Height: 6090778/6090778  ← Synced!
         ^local   ^network
  Peers: 16
  Network: Mainnet

Via RPC

# Get node info
curl http://127.0.0.1:10102/json_rpc -d '{
  "jsonrpc":"2.0",
  "id":"1",
  "method":"DERO.GetInfo"
}' | jq
 
# Returns:
{
  "height": 6090778,
  "stableheight": 6090770,
  "topoheight": 6090778,
  "difficulty": 100000000,
  "network": "mainnet"
}

Check Connected Peers

curl http://127.0.0.1:10102/json_rpc -d '{
  "jsonrpc":"2.0",
  "id":"1",
  "method":"DERO.GetPeerList"
}' | jq

Firewall Configuration

Required Ports

Mainnet:

# P2P (required for syncing)
sudo ufw allow 10101/tcp
 
# RPC (optional, for local access only)
sudo ufw allow from 127.0.0.1 to any port 10102

Testnet:

sudo ufw allow 40401/tcp

⚠️

Security: Do NOT expose RPC port (10102) to the internet unless you know what you're doing. It should only be accessible locally or via trusted network.

Initial Sync

Sync Methods

1. Full Sync (Recommended)

./derod-linux-amd64
 
# Downloads and validates entire blockchain
# Time: 2-6 hours (depends on connection/CPU)
# Result: Fully validated node

2. Fast Sync

./derod-linux-amd64 --fastsync
 
# Downloads state snapshots
# Time: 30-60 minutes
# Result: Functional node, still secure

Monitoring Sync Progress

# Check height increasing
watch -n 5 'curl -s http://127.0.0.1:10102/json_rpc -d '\''{"method":"DERO.GetInfo"}'\'' | jq .result.height'
 
# Synced when local height = network height

Maintenance

Updating Your Node

# Stop daemon
pkill derod
 
# Download latest release
wget https://github.com/deroproject/derohe/releases/download/latest/dero-linux-amd64.tar.gz
 
# Extract and replace
tar -xzf dero-linux-amd64.tar.gz
 
# Restart with same settings
./derod-linux-amd64 --integrator-address=YOUR_ADDRESS

Pruning (Reducing Disk Usage)

# Start with pruning enabled
./derod-linux-amd64 --prunetopo=100000
 
# Keeps last 100,000 blocks, prunes older
# Reduces disk usage significantly
# Node remains fully functional

Source: Pruning implementation in blockchain/prune_history.go

Earning Integrator Rewards

The 10% Bonus Explained

Every 10 miniblocks:

Blocks 1-9:  Regular (distributed to miners)
Block 10:    Integrator (goes to your daemon address)

Requirements:

Run your own daemon
Set --integrator-address to your wallet
Have miners connected (or mine yourself)

Rewards:

Base miner rewards: 88.4%
Integrator bonus: 10%
Pool fee (you keep): 1.6%
Total: 100% (vs 98.4% on public pools)

Source: blockchain/miniblocks.go

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Sync stuck:

# Check peers
curl http://127.0.0.1:10102/json_rpc -d '{"method":"DERO.GetPeerList"}'
 
# If no peers, check firewall (port 10101)
# Try adding seed nodes manually (usually not needed)

High CPU usage:

# Reduce threads
./derod-linux-amd64 --lowcpuram
 
# Or use nice to lower priority
nice -n 19 ./derod-linux-amd64

High memory:

# Enable low memory mode
./derod-linux-amd64 --lowcpuram --prunetopo=50000

Port already in use:

# Change ports
./derod-linux-amd64 --p2p-bind=0.0.0.0:20101 --rpc-bind=127.0.0.1:20102

Performance Optimization

For VPS/Server

# Optimize for server environment
./derod-linux-amd64 \
  --integrator-address=YOUR_ADDRESS \
  --rpc-bind=0.0.0.0:10102 \
  --p2p-bind=0.0.0.0:10101 \
  --fastsync \
  --prunetopo=100000

For Home PC

# Optimize for home use (lower resource usage)
./derod-linux-amd64 \
  --integrator-address=YOUR_ADDRESS \
  --lowcpuram \
  --rpc-bind=127.0.0.1:10102

Security Best Practices

1. Firewall Rules

✅ Allow P2P port (10101)
❌ Block RPC port from internet (10102)
✅ Use SSH keys (if remote server)

2. System Security

✅ Keep OS updated
✅ Run daemon as non-root user
✅ Use strong passwords
✅ Enable automatic security updates

3. Backup

✅ Backup wallet seed phrase (25 words)
✅ Document integrator address
✅ Note configuration settings

🚫

Never expose RPC port to the internet! It can be used to query blockchain data and potentially DOS your node. Use SSH tunneling or VPN if remote access needed.

Benefits of Running a Node

Benefit	Description
Privacy	No third party sees your transactions/queries
Integrator Rewards	Earn 10% of blocks mined on your node
Network Health	Contribute to decentralization
Self-Sovereignty	Complete control, zero trust
Support Mining	Help friends/family mine
Learning	Understand blockchain deeply