What is Chainlink?
ChainLink is a (decentralized) network of computing nodes. It provides us with information/data from off-blockchain sources to on-blockchain smart contracts with the help of oracles. It bridges the gap between smart contracts on the blockchain and real-world applications.
The data sharing between the blockchain and the real world is known as “oracles”.
Prerequisites
- Docker- CE
- PSQL Database
- Terminal (Command Line)
Installing Docker
> curl -sSL https://get.docker.com/ | sh
> sudo usermod -aG docker $USER
> Exit
# log in again
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Setting Up an Ethereum Client
To run a ChainLink full node, you first need an Ethereum client with a WebSocket connection (ws/wss).
Download the latest eth client version from docker hub:
docker pull ethereum/client-go:latest
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Run the container:
docker run --name eth -p 8546:8546 -v ~/.geth:/geth -it ethereum/client-go --syncmode fast --ws --ipcdisable --wsaddr 0.0.0.0 --wsorigins="*" --datadir /geth
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Once the Eth node is synced completely, we can run the chainlink node.
Create an Environment File
mkdir ~/.chainlink
echo "ROOT=/chainlink
LOG_LEVEL=debug
ETH_CHAIN_ID=1
CHAINLINK_TLS_PORT=0
SECURE_COOKIES=false
GAS_UPDATER_ENABLED=true
ALLOW_ORIGINS=*" > ~/.chainlink/.env
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Now run the following command to add the Ethereum WebSocket URL to the environment file.
echo "ETH_URL=ws://$ETH_CONTAINER_IP:8546" >> ~/.chainlink/.env
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Run the following command to add the PSQL Databases URL to the environment file
echo "DATABASE_URL=postgresql://$USERNAME:$PASSWORD@$SERVER:$PORT/$DATABASE" >> ~/.chainlink-ropsten/.env
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Start the Chainlink Node
Now you can run the Docker image:
While first time running this docker image (smartcontract/chainlink ), it will ask for a password. This password will be the wallet password that you can use to unlock the keystore file generated for you. Then, you'll see a prompt to enter an API Email-address and Password.
Now you connect to your Chainlink node's user interface by opening http://localhost:6688 in your web browser.
That’s it. Your Chainlink full node is all set now and you can now easily interact with the smart contracts on the Chainlink network and the Blockchain. Now, you can add some jobs and play around with the node.
For more information about your project development related to Chainlink, you may also connect with our skilled blockchain developers.