Error message in Ubuntu – Running an Ethereum node -> Useful commands!

This article will be a little messy, but it will also contain some functions and commands that might help you run your Ethereum node in a more efficient way. Some of the commands might even help you even though you do not run an Ethereum node. So, no matter why you are here, I hope you will find what you are looking for.

Let me just start with a few functions that you might find useful.

ethereum node help useful commands

How to check your GETH version?

If you run an Ethereum node, it is important to run the newest version. To check your installed version of GETH, run the following command.

  • geth version check

How to prune your GETH node?

Running out of disk space? Then you better prune your database. It can be done in the following way.

  • df -h (will check how much disk space is left)
  • sudo systemctl stop geth
  • geth removedb (answer Y to the first question and N to the next)
  • sudo systemctl start geth

Getting your node fully synced after pruning can often be a question of several days.

How to update your GETH version?

Would you like to run with a newer version of GETH?

  • sudo systemctl stop geth
  • sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
  • sudo reboot (this isn’t needed, but from time to time, it can be nice to restart the server)
  • sudo systemctl start geth (unless it happens automatically after reboot).

If GETH starts automatically after reboot, you should still pay attention and check that the system has actually succeeded in rebooting.

Cerbot updating error message

Are you having trouble updating and grading your system due to a CERTBOT error message?

E: The repository 'http://ppa.launchpad.net/certbot/certbot/ubuntu focal Release' does not have a Release file.
N: Updating from such a repository can't be done securely, and is therefore disabled by default.
N: See apt-secure(8) manpage for repository creation and user configuration details.

What can you do about the error message? I managed to fix it with this simple command.

  • sudo apt-add-repository -r ppa:certbot/certbot
  • sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

In other words, after running the first command, I was able to update and upgrade the system successfully!


Those were some commands that I have found useful as I run an Ethereum node and that have helped me run the node efficiently and up to date.

If you have further commands, questions, or insight, use the comment field below!

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