Step 4: Installing Consensus Client
Overview of Beacon Node implementations and selection criteria.
Step 4: Installing Consensus Client
The Consensus Client (CL), formerly known as the "Beacon Node," is the heartbeat of your Ethereum setup. While the Execution Client handles the transactions, the Consensus Client handles the Proof-of-Stake protocol.
It performs three critical functions:
Chain Synchronization: Follows the "Beacon Chain" to determine the canonical head of the blockchain.
Orchestration: Instructs the Execution Client (via the Engine API) on which blocks to validate.
P2P Networking: Gossips attestations and blocks across the network.
🔌 The Engine API Connection
Your Consensus Client will attempt to connect to the Execution Client using the
jwt.hexsecret we generated in Step 2.
If the connection fails: The node will not sync.
If the Execution Client is offline: The Consensus Client will log "Execution Client is unavailable" errors.
Select an Implementation
Just like the Execution Layer, the Consensus Layer has multiple production-grade implementations.
SyncNode recommends the following implementations:
Client
Language
Best For
Complexity
Prysm
Go
RPC & Stability. The most widely used client with excellent documentation.
Low
Lighthouse
Rust
Performance. Highly efficient resource usage; ideal for high-load validators.
Moderate
Teku
Java
Institutional. Native support for external key managers and enterprise tooling.
Moderate
Nimbus
Nim
Lightweight. Can run on low-power devices; very stable.
Low
Lodestar
TypeScript
Web/Light. Great for JS-native setups, but less common for heavy RPC.
High
⚖️ Client Diversity Recommendation
Prysm is currently the majority client. To improve network resilience, we highly recommend running Lighthouse or Teku if your infrastructure allows it.
Beacon Node vs. Validator Client
Most Consensus Client software includes two separate binaries:
Beacon Node: Follows the chain and serves data (Required for everyone).
Validator Client: Holds keys and signs blocks (Only for Staking).
In this section, we will strictly install the Beacon Node.
If you intend to stake ETH, you will configure the Validator Client in the separate [Validator Setup] section later.
⏭️ Choose Your Path
Select the consensus client you wish to install from the menu to proceed.
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