> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://dozza.gitbook.io/pulsechain_node_guide/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://dozza.gitbook.io/pulsechain_node_guide/part-3-configure-ubuntu-and-the-data-disk.md).

# Part 3 — Configure Ubuntu and the data disk

## 3.1 Connect over SSH

From a Windows terminal (replace with your VM's IP and username):

```bash
ssh <user>@192.168.1.***
```

## 3.2 Reserve the VM's IP on your router

So the address never changes (which would break RPC clients and port forwarding). Get the VM's MAC:

```bash
ip link show eth0    # note the link/ether address (Hyper-V MACs start 00:15:5d)
```

Then in your router: find `Address Reservation` / `DHCP Reservation`, and bind the VM's IP to that MAC. Save it as a permanent reservation (not just an active lease).

## 3.3 Identify the data disk

```bash
lsblk -o NAME,SIZE,TYPE,MOUNTPOINT
# Confirm the model too:
lsblk -o NAME,SIZE,MODEL /dev/sdb
```

The large disk (here `/dev/sdb`) is the NVMe. The 128 GB disk (`/dev/sda`) is Ubuntu's OS disk. **Verify the size and model before formatting.**

## 3.4 Format the data disk as ext4

{% hint style="danger" %}
These commands erase the target disk. Triple-check `/dev/sdb` is the large data disk and not your OS disk.
{% endhint %}

```bash
sudo wipefs -a /dev/sdb                              # clear old signatures
sudo parted /dev/sdb --script mklabel gpt            # new GPT table
sudo parted /dev/sdb --script mkpart primary ext4 0% 100%
sudo mkfs.ext4 -L blockchain /dev/sdb1               # format the partition
```

## 3.5 Mount at /blockchain and make it permanent

The node software expects its data at `/blockchain`.

```bash
sudo mkdir /blockchain

# Add an fstab entry by UUID (auto-fills the correct UUID):
echo "UUID=$(sudo blkid -s UUID -o value /dev/sdb1) /blockchain ext4 defaults,noatime 0 2" | sudo tee -a /etc/fstab

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo mount -a
df -h /blockchain                                    # confirm the disk mounted
sudo chown -R $USER:$USER /blockchain
```

The `noatime` option skips access-time writes — a small I/O saving for a database doing constant reads.


---

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