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NODE Info

Detailed information about Pi NODE you can read here.

Welcome to the Pi Node installation instructions

The content of this guide is a joint effort of the Pi Network community. While some steps may be useful for some, for others it will not be due to differences between operating systems, different hardware, different routers, and even due to different operators or ISPs. Needless to say, some steps require serious technical knowledge. However, I hope that these detailed instructions will help you successfully set up your NODE. Good luck!

Pi NODE application

Download a latest version of the Pi node software. After launching the Pi NODE application, you can check its version on the very bottom, in the main menu ( Ξ ) on the first page. If you have an old one, download the latest version here.

Clicking on the NODE icon in the Pi NODE Application will open the Pi NODE section. Follow the instructions and complete the necessary steps. Pair your Pi NODE App with the mobile Pi App by following these instructions. Install Docker Desktop, WSL 2 and whatever else is offered. Leave everything on "Default". Docker Desktop does not require you to register, so skip that step.

If there is a problem due to which you were not able to install Pi NODE properly, then follow the instructions that follow here.

Installing Docker Issues

Docker Desktop

Windows users, download Docker Desktop for Windows here. It is the most recent version of Docker. If the installation asks you, choose to install "linux containers" and NOT "windows containers".

Windows must have the "Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL 2)" running. Look at here for a details.

The steps for manually installing WSL 2 for older versions are here. The sixth step is not necessary.

Mac users download Docker Desktop for Mac here.

Enabling Hyper V for Windows 10 Home Users

It happens that for users under Windows 10 Home that the Docker installation process fails due to virtualization issues.

To resolve this issue, see the following link: Virtualization

or look for another solution on the Internet, for example: System requirements for Hyper-V on Windows Server

or maybe here: Enabling Hyper-V for Windows 10 home

To ensure the correct virtualization process, make sure Hyper-V is enabled in the BIOS of your computer. The setting may vary from model to computer model due to different BIOS.

Opening the Ports Issues

The task is

  • You need to open the ports on your internet router as well as enable them in the Firewall on your computer.
  • The router needs to be redirected to your computer.
  • Your computer's Firewall should allow incoming connection to Docker for the port range 31400 - 31409.

Port forwarding in Internet router

Find on internet: "Port forwarding" for Your internet router, and enable forward for ports from 31400 - 31409.

Example:

Windows firewall: How to open Ports:

  • Goto Control Panel, System and Security, Windows Firewall.
  • Select Advanced settings, choose Inbound Rules in left pane.
  • Right click Inbound Rules, select New Rule.
  • Add TCP, "31400-31409" and click Next.
  • Select Allow the connection in next window, choose Next.
  • Select all the network type and choose Next.
  • Name it "Pi Network" and click Finish.

Checking if the ports are open or listening

  • open the Command Prompt under Windows. (like this)
  • type in netstat -aon | findstr 3140 or netstat -aon
  • check if the ports 31400 - 31409 are listening

If the ports still not working, try the following:

How to use Command Prompt to find your IP addresses? (Windows)

Click Start, type cmd and click on Run as administrator to open the Command Prompt window.

Type ipconfig and press Enter. On the Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi section:

  • look for Default Gateway under your network adapter for your router's IP address (connectaddress).
  • look for IPv4 Address under the same adapter section to find your computer's IP address (listenaddress).

Finish!
Restart your computer

After restarting computer, first start:

  • (autostart) Docker,
  • then (autostart) PI Network,
  • click on Node icon in Pi NODE aplication,
  • Continue,
  • Continue,
  • leave the red switch on.

That's it!

Do not turn off the Pi NODE application, do not turn off the Docker Desktop. After checking your NODE computer, you will get a new Docker container that will include you in Pi Blockchain. The inspection can take several months. If you want to compete for SUPER Node, then don't shut down your computer either. Just turn off the monitor and let the computer run non-stop for 24 hours.

To check the ports, use the external link: Are your node ports open?

You will see all ports open, or just a few (as in the picture), if you are NODE in Pi Blockchain.

But... if you restart yor computer!?

If you restart yor computer, and don't see oppened ports in Pi Network - Node application, then do next steps:

On latest versions of Windows, netsh's port proxying is handled by a Windows service named IP Helper or iphlpsvc. Proxying will obviously not work if that service is stopped or if didn't start on a time.

To resolve this, do that in latest versions of Windows:

Click Start, type service and click on Run as administrator to open Services. In the Name column, find the service named either iphlpsvc or IP Helper. Right click on that service, then Properties, then set the Startup type: to Automatic (Delayed Start), close Services and restart computer.

On previous versions of Windows, look for Services in Administrative Tools, inside the Control Panel.

I hope you have successfully set up your computer

This was a necessary preparation of your computer to be operationally ready to accept the role of NODE or SUPER NODE. Good luck!