bootnode
Ethereum network bootstrap node
TLDR
SYNOPSIS
bootnode [options]
DESCRIPTION
bootnode runs a bootstrap node for the Ethereum Discovery Protocol. Bootstrap nodes help new nodes discover and connect to peers in the Ethereum network without being full nodes themselves.The tool is part of the go-ethereum (geth) project and implements the Node Discovery Protocol v4 and v5, enabling peer-to-peer network formation.
PARAMETERS
-genkey file
Generate a new node key and save to file-nodekey file
Path to the node's private key file-addr ip:port
Listen address (default: :30301)-writeaddress
Write the node's public key/URL to stdout-verbosity level
Logging verbosity (0=silent, 5=detail)-nat method
NAT port mapping mechanism (none, upnp, pmp, extip:IP)-netrestrict CIDR
Restrict network communication to given CIDR-v5
Enable Discovery v5 protocol
CAVEATS
Bootnodes should have stable, publicly reachable IP addresses. The node key must be kept secure as it identifies the node. Bootnodes do not participate in blockchain consensus or store chain data.
HISTORY
bootnode was developed as part of the go-ethereum project by the Ethereum Foundation. It implements the Kademlia-like discovery protocol that enables Ethereum's peer-to-peer network to function without centralized coordination.
SEE ALSO
geth(1)
