bootnode

Generate a node key

$ bootnode -genkey [node.key]

$ bootnode -nodekey [node.key]

$ bootnode -nodekey [node.key] -addr [192.168.1.1:30303]

$ bootnode -nodekey [node.key] -writeaddress

$ bootnode -nodekey [node.key] -verbosity [4]

bootnode [options]

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.

-genkey file

Generate a new node key and save to file

Path to the node's private key file

Listen address (default: :30301)

Write the node's public key/URL to stdout

Logging verbosity (0=silent, 5=detail)

NAT port mapping mechanism (none, upnp, pmp, extip:IP)

Restrict network communication to given CIDR

Enable Discovery v5 protocol

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.

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.

geth(1), enode(1)