Base Node

Base is a secure, low-cost, developer-friendly Ethereum L2 built on Optimism's OP Stack. This repository contains Docker builds to run your own node on the Base network.

Quick Start

1. Ensure you have an Ethereum L1 full node RPC available

2. Choose your network:

   • For mainnet: Use .env.mainnet
   • For testnet: Use .env.sepolia

3. Configure your L1 endpoints in the appropriate .env file:

   OP_NODE_L1_ETH_RPC=<your-preferred-l1-rpc>
   OP_NODE_L1_BEACON=<your-preferred-l1-beacon>
   OP_NODE_L1_BEACON_ARCHIVER=<your-preferred-l1-beacon-archiver>

4. Start the node:

   # For mainnet (default):
   docker compose up --build
   
   # For testnet:
   NETWORK_ENV=.env.sepolia docker compose up --build
   
   # To use a specific client (optional):
   CLIENT=reth docker compose up --build
   
   # For testnet with a specific client:
   NETWORK_ENV=.env.sepolia CLIENT=reth docker compose up --build

Supported Clients

• geth (default)
• reth
• nethermind

Requirements

Minimum Requirements

• Modern Multicore CPU
• 32GB RAM (64GB Recommended)
• NVMe SSD drive
• Storage: (2 * current chain size + snapshot size + 20% buffer (to accomodate future growth)
• Docker and Docker Compose

Production Hardware Specifications

The following are the hardware specifications we use in production:

Geth Full Node

• Instance: AWS i4i.12xlarge
• Storage: RAID 0 of all local NVMe drives (/dev/nvme*)
• Filesystem: ext4

Reth Archive Node

• Instance: AWS i7ie.6xlarge
• Storage: RAID 0 of all local NVMe drives (/dev/nvme*)
• Filesystem: ext4

[!NOTE] To run the node using a supported client, you can use the following command: CLIENT=supported_client docker compose up --build

Supported clients:

• geth
• reth (with Flashblocks support option, see Reth Node README)
• nethermind

Configuration

Required Settings

• L1 Configuration:
  • OP_NODE_L1_ETH_RPC: Your Ethereum L1 node RPC endpoint
  • OP_NODE_L1_BEACON: Your L1 beacon node endpoint
  • OP_NODE_L1_BEACON_ARCHIVER: Your L1 beacon archiver endpoint
  • OP_NODE_L1_RPC_KIND: The type of RPC provider being used (default: "debug_geth"). Supported values:
    • alchemy: Alchemy RPC provider
    • quicknode: QuickNode RPC provider
    • infura: Infura RPC provider
    • parity: Parity RPC provider
    • nethermind: Nethermind RPC provider
    • debug_geth: Debug Geth RPC provider
    • erigon: Erigon RPC provider
    • basic: Basic RPC provider (standard receipt fetching only)
    • any: Any available RPC method
    • standard: Standard RPC methods including newer optimized methods

Network Settings

• Mainnet:
  • RETH_CHAIN=base
  • OP_NODE_NETWORK=base-mainnet
  • Sequencer: https://mainnet-sequencer.base.org

Performance Settings

• Cache Settings:
  • GETH_CACHE="20480" (20GB)
  • GETH_CACHE_DATABASE="20" (4GB)
  • GETH_CACHE_GC="12"
  • GETH_CACHE_SNAPSHOT="24"
  • GETH_CACHE_TRIE="44"

Optional Features

• EthStats Monitoring (uncomment to enable)
• Trusted RPC Mode (uncomment to enable)
• Snap Sync (experimental)

For full configuration options, see the .env.mainnet file.

Snapshots

Snapshots are available to help you sync your node more quickly. See docs.base.org for links and more details on how to restore from a snapshot.

Supported Networks

Network	Status
Mainnet	✅
Testnet	✅

Troubleshooting

For support please join our Discord post in 🛠｜node-operators. You can alternatively open a new GitHub issue.

Disclaimer

THE NODE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. We make no guarantees about asset protection or security. Usage is subject to applicable laws and regulations.

For more information, visit docs.base.org.