# Using Node as RPC URL endpoint

### :tada: Reasons to use your own NODE as RPC URL endpoint

* **Privacy**: No spying by middleman between you and the blockchain
* **Trustless verification**: Ability to verify the ETH transaction data you see is raw and not manipulated
* **Decentralization**: No need to depend on Infura or other centralized 3rd parties
* **Coolness and credibility**: Using Ethereum as it was meant to be, a step towards being more sovereign

### :robot: How to use your NODE as a RPC endpoint

{% hint style="info" %}
Before continuing please understand the following:

* As this method uses SSH tunneling, no changes are required to your firewall or router's port forwarding
  {% endhint %}

### 1. Verify RPC port 8545 is listening

Double check that your node is listening on port 8545 

```bash
ss -ntlp | grep 8545
```

For example, here's the output for Besu with RPC enabled.

```bash
LISTEN 0      128    [::ffff:127.0.0.1]:8545             *:*    users:(("java",pid=26453,fd=433))
```

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Port 8545 is NOT listening or using Geth or Besu?**

**Note: Nethermind** and **Erigon** enable RPC by default.

The following flags on the `ExecStart` line are required to enable RPC.

**Geth**

```bash
--http
```

**Besu**

```bash
--rpc-http-enabled=true
--rpc-http-cors-origins="*"
```

Changes can be made to the **systemd unit file** `execution.service,`

```bash
sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/execution.service
```

To exit and save, press `Ctrl` + `X`, then `Y`, then `Enter`.

Make sure to reload and restart.

```bash
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl restart execution
```

{% endhint %}

### 2. Create a SSH tunnel

{% hint style="info" %}
Every time you want to use your node as an RPC endpoint, you must open a SSH tunnel connection with port 8545 forwarded.

**Exception:** **Local nodes** (i.e. using Ubuntu Desktop) - if you're accessing your wallet on the same machine as your node, skip this step.
{% endhint %}

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Linux or MacOS" %}
Example of how to create a SSH tunnel in Linux or MacOS:

```bash
ssh -N -v <user>@<staking.node.ip.address> -L 8545:localhost:8545

#Full Example
ssh -N -v ethereum@192.168.1.69 -L 8545:localhost:8545
```

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Windows" %}
Example of how to create a SSH tunnel in Windows with [Putty](https://putty.org/):

Navigate to Connection > SSH > Tunnels > Enter Source Port `8545`> Enter Destination `localhost:8545`> Click Add

![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/9KF47A90HRvVnkm4oDNF/blobs/HTRZDCcLMqguweK8gLYV/8545.png)

Now save your configuration. Navigate to Session > Enter a session name > Save

Click Open to open a connection
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

### 3. Configure wallet to use RPC URL

When configuring your wallet, you can reference the following network information:

| Network     | Chain ID | Block Explorer                                                | Currency   |
| ----------- | -------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------- |
| **Mainnet** | 1        | <https://etherscan.io>                                        | ETH        |
| **Holešky** | 17000    | [https://holesky.etherscan.io](https://holesky.etherscan.io/) | HoleskyETH |
| **Goerli**  | 5        | <https://goerli.etherscan.io>                                 | GoerliETH  |
| **Sepolia** | 11155111 | <https://sepolia.etherscan.io>                                | SepoliaETH |

Here are steps to configure popular wallets to use a custom RPC URL endpoint.

<details>

<summary>Rabby</summary>

Download from [https://rabby.io](https://rabby.io/)

1. Click **More**
2. Click **Custom RPC**
3. Click **Add RPC**
4. Select the network. If testnet, you might need to go back a menu and enable testnets.
5. Fill in the **RPC URL** as **<http://127.0.0.1:8545>**
6. Rabby will now show your balances with this RPC.

Example of Adding a Network:

![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/9KF47A90HRvVnkm4oDNF/blobs/APDprrmj6vHR26FXjMuR/rabby.png)

</details>

<details>

<summary>Frame</summary>

Download from [https://frame.sh](https://frame.sh/)

1. Open **Chains**
2. Either add to an existing chain (i.e. Mainnet) or Click "**Add New Chain"**
3. Fill in **Primary (if new chain) or Secondary (if existing chain) RPC URL** as **<http://localhost:8545>**
4. If required, fill in **Chain name**, **Chain ID**, **Native symbol**, **Native Currency Name** and **Block Explorer** with data from above table
5. Click **ADD CHAIN button**
6. Frame will now display your balances with this RPC.

Example of Adding a Network:

![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/9KF47A90HRvVnkm4oDNF/blobs/SFTuWnVRhNatNfFdYOOd/frame.png)

</details>

<details>

<summary>Metamask</summary>

Download from [https://metamask.io](https://metamask.io/)

1. Open **Settings**
2. Open **Networks**
3. Click "**Add a network**" > **Add a network manually**
4. Fill in **New RPC URL** as **<http://localhost:8545>**
5. Fill in **Network name**, **Chain ID**, **Currency symbol**, and **Block Explorer** with data from above table
6. Click **Save button**
7. Finally, click the top left button and "**Select a Network**", the network which you just added.

Example of Adding a Network:

![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/9KF47A90HRvVnkm4oDNF/blobs/Q8EBWMfNfL96FiENoe9v/meta.png)

</details>

{% hint style="success" %}
Great job! You're now using your own node as your own RPC URL endpoint.
{% endhint %}