Setting up a Solana RPC node provides developers with fast, secure, and direct access to the Solana blockchain. This allows interaction with decentralized applications (dApps), processing transactions, and retrieving data from the blockchain without relying on third-party services.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

• A cloud or physical server with at least 8 GB RAM, 2 vCPUs, and 100 GB of SSD storage.

• A stable internet connection for seamless operation.

• Basic Linux command-line knowledge.

Step 1: Prepare Your Server

Begin by setting up your server environment. Install required packages like Git and curl:

Step 2: Install Solana Software

1. Install Rust: Solana uses Rust for compiling its software. Install it via:

2. Download Solana: Clone the official repository:

3. Compile Solana: Run the build script to compile the Solana node:

Step 3: Start the Solana Validator

Run the Solana validator using:

This starts syncing the node with the Solana network.

Step 4: Verify Node Status

Monitor your node’s health by checking logs:

Step 5: Enable RPC Access

Make sure the RPC port (default 8899) is open to external connections, and start using the node to query or send transactions via Solana’s CLI.