Besu

Besu is a full-featured Ethereum execution client that enables users to run nodes on Ethereum’s Mainnet, testnets like Sepolia, Holesky, Ephemery, and Hoodi, or configure their own private blockchain networks. Created by ConsenSys and now maintained under the Hyperledger umbrella, Besu is built with enterprises in mind, supporting both permissioned and permissionless networks.

The client includes a command line interface (CLI) and comprehensive JSON-RPC API support over HTTP, WebSocket, and Pub/Sub. Besu supports all standard API namespaces including eth, net, web3, debug, miner, and integrates seamlessly with popular Ethereum development tools like Hardhat, Remix, and web3j. While key management is not handled natively, Besu integrates easily with Web3Signer to provide secure transaction signing.

Besu stands out with its dual support for public proof-of-stake Ethereum chains and private, permissioned chains, enabling developers and enterprises to tailor their infrastructure depending on the use case. From deploying decentralized applications (dApps) to launching enterprise consortium chains with high performance and privacy needs, Besu provides a reliable and standards-compliant Ethereum client.

It’s trusted by developers building on Ethereum as well as organizations needing full-node capabilities for audit, traceability, and regulatory compliance. With an active community and transparent governance, Besu plays a critical role in the open-source Ethereum ecosystem. Similar Ethereum clients include Geth, Nethermind, and Erigon, but Besu uniquely focuses on permissioned and enterprise networks while maintaining full Ethereum Mainnet compatibility.

Besu offers a rich set of features and benefits that make it a standout Ethereum client for public and enterprise networks:

• Enterprise-Grade Architecture: Written in Java, Besu is designed for stability and performance in both public and permissioned environments.
• Public & Private Network Support: Easily deploy on Ethereum Mainnet or set up customized private chains for enterprise needs.
• Comprehensive JSON-RPC API: Full support for eth, web3, net, miner, debug namespaces with CLI and HTTP/WebSocket endpoints.
• Developer-Friendly: Compatible with standard Ethereum dev tools like Hardhat, Remix, and web3j.
• External Key Management: Integrate with Web3Signer for secure transaction signing and key storage.
• Permissioning & Privacy: Customizable settings to control access, validators, and transaction visibility for enterprise scenarios.
• Open Source & Auditable: Licensed under Apache 2.0 with code publicly available at GitHub.
• Active Community & Governance: Maintained under the Hyperledger Foundation, ensuring neutrality and long-term roadmap transparency.

Getting started with Besu is simple for both developers and enterprises looking to deploy on public or private Ethereum networks:

• Install Besu: Visit the official site at Besu and follow the installation guide for your OS (Linux, macOS, Windows).
• Configure Node: Use the CLI or configuration files to set up your environment. Choose whether to connect to Ethereum Mainnet, a public testnet, or create a private chain.
• Use with Dev Tools: Start deploying smart contracts or dApps using tools like Remix, Hardhat, Truffle, or web3j—all are compatible with Besu.
• API Access: Interact with Besu using JSON-RPC API via HTTP, WebSocket, or CLI. Integrate with dApps, monitoring tools, or dashboards.
• Key Management: For production use, integrate with Web3Signer to securely manage keys outside the node.
• Join the Community: Ask questions and contribute via the official Besu Discord or explore docs and code at the GitHub repository.