This guide will walk through a complete Pi Node installation. The Pi Network invites users to get involved with validating transactions and securing the network by installing nodes worldwide. Installations are available on a Windows or Mac computer. This guide is explicitly going through the steps of a Windows 10 PC. Installation on Windows 11 will be very similar. In addition, to this guide, a video tutorial is found here for a visual demonstration.
What is the Pi Network?
Pi Network is a cryptocurrency project that aims to keep mining accessible to everybody using a Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP). With this protocol, users can log in to the app daily to tap the ‘mine’ button and confirm that they are not a ‘robot’ daily. For participating, Pi Network rewards users with Pi Tokens. Currently, Pi Tokens have no value, but that will change soon.
The four roles available to Pi users:
- Pioneer. A user of the Pi mobile app confirms that they are not a “robot” daily. This user validates their presence every time they sign in to the app.
- Contributor. A user of the Pi mobile app contributes by providing a list of pioneers he or she knows and trusts. Pi contributors build a global trust graph.
- Ambassador. A user of the Pi mobile app is introducing other users into the Pi network.
- Node. A user who is a pioneer, a contributor using the Pi mobile app, and is also running the Pi node software. This software runs the core SCP algorithm gathers trust graph information provided by the Contributors.
Pi Node Minimum Requirements
Before the Pi Node Installation, ensure the computer used meets the minimum requirements so the Pi Node operates smoothly. The Pi Node Installation software does not require a high-end system, but Docker does need the below minimum specifications to run.
- Intel Core i3 or an AMD E1
- A minimum of 10GB hard disk space
- A minimum of 4GB RAM
- Windows 10 64-bit Home or Pro
- BIOS-level hardware virtualization support
- Docker for Windows 10
- Pi Network Node Software
- Active Pi Account
How to Install Pi Network Node
Create Pi Account
Before installing the node, users must have been invited to the network and signed up with an account. If you do not already have an account, use this invitation link. Next, sign up on a mobile device before continuing with the following setup. After signing up, leave the app open. We will need it for validation soon.
Install Pi Node software
Now with the Pi account created, head to the Pi Network homepage, then download the Windows installation software. Next, execute the setup file and allow it to install the software.
Once complete, a new shortcut on the desktop called ‘Pi Network’ will appear. Double click to open it. Then, click the ‘Login’ button.
You will be given a code.
Open the app on your mobile device and open the top left corner menu. In the list, select the option ‘Node.’
Now enter the ‘sign in code’ that you see on your computer on the mobile app.
The node app will automatically log in once the code is submitted to your computer. In the node app, look for the ‘Node’ icon. Tap on it to start.
Install Docker Desktop
The list of Node Technical Preparations will appear. The first step in the list is to install the Docker application. Click on the ‘Install Docker.’
Then ‘Download Docker Desktop’
Continue with the steps to download and install the Docker Desktop application.
Select both options, then click Ok
Once the installation is complete, allow the application to close and restart your computer.
After the computer is restarted, open the Pi Node app, and click on ‘Install Docker’. You should be notified that the “Docker is installed correctly.” If below states “It looks like the daemon is not running”, follow the next steps.
Run the Docker Daemon
Open the Docker Desktop application you just installed. Then accept the terms and conditions to continue.
You will be prompted ‘WSL 2 installation is incomplete’. Click cancel.
Under Step 4 on the installation page, click on the ‘WSL2 Linux kernel update package for x64 machines.’ Allow it to download, then open it.
The Windows Subsystem for Linux update will install fairly quickly, then click Finish.
Now, click start, Type Windows PowerShell ISE. Right-click and select ‘Run as Administrator.
Inside PowerShell, enter the below line to set WSL2 as the default version.
wsl --set-default-version 2
Closeout of all windows that are opened and restart your computer. Once your system has started back up. Click Start, search ‘cmd’, right-click on command prompt, and run as administrator.
In the command prompt, enter the following.
docker run -d -p 80:80 docker/getting-started
You will be asked to allow access through the Windows Firewall. Select ‘Allow Access’.
Open up Docker desktop, and you should see it running.
Next, open up the Pi Node app and confirm that ‘Docker Daemon is running’.
Open Ports on Router
In order for this node to communicate on the network, it will require the ability to send and receive through your home router. If you are not using a router, and have a public IP on your computer you can skip this step.
To verify which ports are open and which are closed, check the ‘Check Now’ button for the system to test. You will probably get the same below results.
This stage is crucial, but the user’s settings will vary. Each router, modem, or AIO is going to be different, but you need to allow a series of ports to be forwarded. Here are the general steps to take.
- Login to the router/modem
- Find Router Firewall or Advanced settings
- Locate ‘Port Forwarding’
- In the ‘Port Range’ field, enter 31400-31409
- Select both TCP UDP options
- Enter the IP of the computer
- Check to enable or save the settings
Open up the Pi Node software and rerun the test option. If all the ports on the router are open, the results should now look like this.
Active the Pi Node
The last step for the Pi Node Installation is to activate the service by turning the switch ‘on’ in Pi Node App. Once this is done your Pi Node is online. If you must turn off your computer, try to schedule the Pi Node on and off times as consistently as possible. This will help the administrators understand your availability better so you can help with network reliability. Currently, you do not earn any Pi Tokens for running a node, but once the MainNet is launch is complete and you are accepted into the program, you will start earning tokens for your node’s uptime.
- RELATED: Looking to mine Ethereum? Check out Setup PhoenixMiner – A Step by Step Guide
