How to install ETCMCv2 Node on Headless Debian

How to install ETCMCv2 Node on Headless Debian

How to install ETCMCv2 Node on Headless Debian

Step-by-step guide to install a headless Debian 13 system, enable SSH access, install the ETCMCv2 client, and register/start your node.

Before you start: You need a valid License NFT first.
Tutorial: How to get a License NFT
Optional remote setup: In this tutorial, root SSH is enabled so you can connect later via PuTTY. This is optional — you can also continue working locally on the Debian machine (keyboard + monitor directly attached).

Table of Contents

1) Prepare USB installer (Debian ISO + Rufus) 2) Install Debian 13 (Headless base system) 3) Enable root SSH (optional for PuTTY access) 4) Install ETCMCv2 client on Debian (Linux installer script) 5) Open Web UI and register the node 6) Final notes

1) Prepare USB installer (Debian ISO + Rufus)

Debian ISO used
debian-13.3.0-amd64-netinst.iso
Type
amd64 netinst
Use case
Headless Debian base system
Download Debian 13.3 ISO Rufus (USB tool)

Write the ISO to a USB stick with Rufus (Windows) or a similar USB imaging tool. Then boot the target machine from that USB stick.

Tip: If you use a remote server / mini-PC without a monitor later, finish the Debian installation first, then continue either locally or via SSH (PuTTY) after enabling SSH.

2) Install Debian 13 (Headless base system)

The following steps cover the Debian installer flow. Some screens where you only click Continue are summarized, while important choices are shown with screenshots.

  1. Boot from the Debian USB stick and select Graphical install.
Debian installer menu with Graphical install selected
Step 1: Start the Debian installer with “Graphical install”.
  1. Select your installation language (example: English).
Debian language selection screen
Step 2: Choose the installation language.
  1. Select your location / country (used for timezone + locale defaults).
Debian location selection screen
Step 3: Choose your location (timezone / locale region).
  1. Select your keyboard layout.
  2. Configure hostname / domain (or leave defaults if appropriate).
  3. Create/set a root password.
  4. Create a normal user (if prompted by the installer).
  5. Continue through the mirror / package setup steps.
  6. At Partition disks, choose Guided - use entire disk.
Debian partition disks guided use entire disk
Step 9: Use guided partitioning for the entire disk.
  1. Select the partitioning scheme All files in one partition (recommended for new users).
Debian partitioning scheme all files in one partition
Step 10: Select “All files in one partition”.
  1. Select Finish partitioning and write changes to disk, then confirm the changes.
Debian finish partitioning and write changes
Step 11: Finish partitioning and write changes to disk.
  1. Wait while the base system installs.
  2. Continue through package manager / mirror prompts.
  3. When you reach Software selection, keep it headless: select SSH server and standard system utilities.
Debian software selection SSH server and standard system utilities
Important: Select SSH server + standard system utilities (headless setup).
  1. Do not select a desktop environment for this headless setup.
  2. Install GRUB bootloader when asked, then finish the installation.
  3. Remove the USB stick and reboot into Debian.
Headless reminder: The goal is a minimal Debian install with SSH access (no desktop UI required).

3) Enable root SSH (optional for PuTTY access)

This tutorial enables root SSH login to make remote administration easier (for example with PuTTY on Windows). If you prefer, you can skip remote access and continue working directly on the Debian machine locally.

  1. Log in as root and open the SSH configuration in Nano:
nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config
Nano opening sshd_config on Debian console
Step 18: Open /etc/ssh/sshd_config with Nano.
  1. Find the line PermitRootLogin and set it to:
PermitRootLogin yes
Nano showing PermitRootLogin yes
Step 19: Allow root login (tutorial setup for easy remote access).
  1. Save the file in Nano (Ctrl+O, Enter), then exit (Ctrl+X).
Nano save modified buffer prompt
Step 20: Save the SSH configuration changes.
systemctl restart ssh
Security note: Root SSH is convenient for setup, but for long-term production use, consider a normal user + sudo and key-based SSH authentication.

4) Install ETCMCv2 client on Debian (Linux installer script)

You can continue either:

  • Locally on the Debian machine, or
  • Remotely from another PC via PuTTY (SSH) after enabling SSH.
  1. Run the ETCMC Linux installer script in your shell (as root in this tutorial):
bash <(wget -qO- https://github.com/Nowalski/ETCMC_Software/releases/download/Setup%2FWindows/etcmc_installer.sh)
PuTTY terminal running ETCMC installer script command
Step 21: Start the ETCMC Linux installer script.
  1. In the installer menu, choose 1) Install (Main).
ETCMC Linux Installer menu in terminal
Step 22: Choose “Install (Main)”.
  1. Enter the port for ETCMC_GETH (default is 5001; example here uses 5000).
Installer asks for ETCMC_GETH port
Step 23: Set the ETCMC_GETH port (example: 5000).
  1. Wait until installation is complete and the service is created/started.
ETCMC install complete terminal output
Step 24: Installation completed successfully.
Done: Debian + ETCMCv2 client are installed. Next, open the ETCMC web UI and register your node with your license NFT.

5) Open Web UI and register the node

On a remote PC, open the browser and enter:
http://DEBIAN-IP:5000 (replace 5000 with your chosen port, and DEBIAN-IP with your Debian machine IP)

  1. Open the ETCMCv2 web UI and sign in with the default credentials:
Username: admin
Password: password
ETCMCv2 Client login page
Step 25: Log in to the ETCMCv2 Client web UI.
  1. Scroll down and click Open Registration.
ETCMC web UI showing Open Registration button
Step 26: Scroll down and click “Open Registration”.
  1. The Register Node window opens. There are two options:
    • Connect MetaMask (automatic)
    • Manual Input (manual wallet entry)
    For this tutorial, use Manual Input.
Register Node modal with Connect MetaMask and Manual Input buttons
Step 27: Choose Manual Input for this tutorial.
  1. Enter your wallet address and submit it.
Enter Wallet Address modal
Step 28: Paste your wallet address and submit.
  1. The registration form now shows available License NFTs. Select an unused License NFT, enter your email address, then click Register Node.
Register Node form showing NFT selection and email field
Step 29: Select your unused License NFT and complete node registration.
  1. After registration, click Start Node.
ETCMC web UI with Start Node button and node dashboard
Step 30: Start the node in the ETCMC web UI.
Node running: Your ETCMCv2 node is installed and registered. You can now monitor it from the ETCMC web UI.

6) Final notes

  • From step 25 onward, the process is essentially the same as in the Windows tutorial (web UI registration flow).
  • If you changed the default port during installation, use that port in the browser URL instead of 5000.
  • Make sure your selected License NFT is not already in use by another node.
  • If you prefer, you can later switch from manual registration to MetaMask-based workflows where supported.
Need a license first? See: How to get a License NFT
ETCMCv2 Tutorial: Headless Debian node installation (Debian 13 + ETCMC Linux Installer)
© 2026 — Exodus — ETCMCv2 Tutorials

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