Check your computer

• 

  Mac

  macOS 11 Big Sur or newer, on Apple silicon or an Intel processor.

  To check, open the Apple menu and choose About This Mac.

  It signs while you are logged in and the Mac is awake.

  Download for Mac
• 

  Windows PC

  Windows 10 (version 1809 or later) or Windows 11, 64-bit, on an Intel or AMD processor.

  To check, open Settings › System › About. System type should say 64-bit and x64.

  On an ARM processor, Windows 11 runs it through emulation, which 6529 hasn't tested. Windows 10 on ARM can't run it.

  Download for Windows
• 

  Linux

  Ubuntu 22.04, Debian 12 or Linux Mint 21 or newer, on Intel, AMD or ARM. Fedora 36 or newer on Intel or AMD.

  A Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 works with the 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS.

  Older Linux releases can't run it.

  Linux, x86-64Linux, ARM64AppImage, x86-64

What each part needs

Measured on the test release on 3 November 2026.

Processor (CPU)

Any 64-bit processor, old ones included.The day's calculation takes a few seconds. The rest of the day the validator mostly waits.

Graphics card (GPU)

None needed.Nothing in the validator uses a graphics card. A computer without one uses less power.

Memory (RAM)

8 GB is plenty.The validator uses under 2 GB for the few seconds it calculates the day, and under 400 MB the rest of the time.

Storage

Any drive: an SSD, a hard disk or an SD card.It needs about 140 MB to start and adds about 25 MB a month. It writes little, so a hard disk is fine.

Internet

Any home connection. Wi-Fi is fine.It downloads about 50 GB a month, by 6529's estimate, and opens no port on your router. On a capped plan, check that this fits.

Power

On and awake for about 15 minutes a day, from 00:15 UTC.A mini PC left on all day uses about $1.60 of power a month at the US average price.

First start

Leave it on until the app says it is ready, about half an hour.A new validator downloads the network's history and checks it before it can sign. In 6529's tests of rc.10 on 7 November this took about 21 minutes through Tor, and 16 with Tor off.

When it needs to be on

At about 00:15 UTC each day, the validator calculates the day's TDH, signs it and sends its vote, all within about 15 minutes. If the computer is off then, it signs when it next starts. Signing stays open until 19:00 UTC.

Raspberry Pi

If you buy a computer for it

In the test phase, use what you have. For a computer that runs all day at home or in an office, 6529 suggests three tiers.

• Acceptable

  A PC you already own, or a Raspberry Pi 5.

  • 4 cores
  • 8 GB RAM
  • 256–512 GB SSD

  $0–300to buy

  About $7 a month for a new Pi.

• Good

  Recommended

  A mini PC (Intel N150 or a small Ryzen) on wired Ethernet, with a small UPS.

  • 4–8 cores
  • 16 GB RAM
  • 1–2 TB NVMe
  • 8–20 W

  $400–550to buy

  About $10–13 a month.

• Great

  A home server that also runs its own Ethereum node.

  • 8 cores
  • 32 GB RAM
  • 4 TB NVMe
  • UPS
  • 15–30 W

  $2,000–2,200to buy

  About $44–50 a month.

NVMe:

a fast SSD that plugs straight into the board.

UPS:

a battery that keeps the computer and router on through short power cuts.

Ethereum node:

a program that keeps its own copy of Ethereum. The validator doesn't need one.

Prices read on 31 October 2026. Monthly costs spread the price over four years and add power at the US average price.

If you can't run it at home

Computers in homes and offices spread the network across more people and places, so 6529 suggests them first. A data center works too.

• Cloud VM

  A virtual machine at a provider such as AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, Hetzner or DigitalOcean.

  • 2–4 processors
  • 8–16 GB RAM
  • 100–200 GB SSD

  $10–80a month with 8 GB

  Install it with the default settings, the same as at home.

• Rack server

  A server you rent or own in a data center, with its own Ethereum node if you want one.

  • 8–16 cores
  • 32–64 GB RAM
  • 4–8 TB NVMe

  $192a month, rented

  Install it with the default settings too. With Tor off, it reaches 6529's Bootstraps by their IP addresses, so you add no peer.

One account, several machines

For those who can afford to run multiple validators, it improves network decentralization. This is not necessary in this test phase.

1. 1

   Keep one account

   Keep your wallets consolidated. Splitting does not create any decentralization or economic benefit.

2. 2

   Run several validators in distinct locations

   One account can authorize up to 16 keys, each with its own share of your TDH weight.

3. 3

   Spread them out

   Home and datacenter, different providers, countries and Ethereum data sources.

4. 4

   One key, one machine

   Never use the same key for different machines, as it could accidentally lead to a double vote, excluding your whole account.

Questions

Can I use a laptop?

Yes. Keep it plugged in, with the lid open and sleep turned off, for about 15 minutes from 00:15 UTC.

Can I turn it off at night?

Yes, once it has signed, by about 00:30 UTC. If it's off then, it signs when it next starts, until 19:00 UTC. A missed day costs only that day's signature, and your account keeps counting while it signs at least once every seven days.

Do I need my own Ethereum node?

No. The validator reads public Ethereum servers and checks every answer itself.

Will other people see my home address?

Not with the default settings. At home the validator connects out through Tor, which is built in, and opens no port.