<p>In the very same guide you linked, follow the instructions for the <a href="https://bitcoin.org/en/full-node#ubuntu-daemon" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Bitcoin daemon</a>.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>I tried to start the daemon and hope it will download the data but it seems nothing change on H.D. usage so I am guessing it is not downloading. Am I correct?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>No, you are not correct. You should check the status of <code>bitcoind</code> itself by using <code>bitcoin-cli</code> to send commands to it. You can use <code>getblockchaininfo</code> to know whether it is actually syncing by calling it twice. If it is syncing, then it will report a different block height and best block hash on the second call.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-03-17T14:55:20.813Z
it works! It is showing blockchain info. However, how can I know it is completed download the full set of data?
Kevin Chu
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-03-17T15:49:29.140Z
RTFM :-) "bitcoin-cli getblockcount" is your first candidate. See possible commands and explanation here: https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Original_Bitcoin_client/API_calls_list and here is the same question on bitcoin.SE: https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/37815/how-to-know-if-bitcoind-synced?noredirect=1&lq=1
pebwindkraft
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-03-17T03:33:01.790Z
2018-03-17T03:33:01.790Z
Ava Chow
<p>I am following the installation steps to setup a bitcoin node, at the steps "Download the blockchain" that required Bitcoin Core GUI which is not able to run on the testing Ubuntu Server without GUI. </p>

<p>The guideline I am following is <a href="https://bitcoin.org/en/full-node#ubuntu-1610" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://bitcoin.org/en/full-node#ubuntu-1610</a>. At the Ubuntu Installation, under Bitcoin Core GUI.
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/gHGEF.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/gHGEF.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>Is there any command to trigger the download without GUI? Thank you very much.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-03-17T02:28:04.853Z
Welcome to Bitcoin.SE! It would be useful to potential answerers if you could link to the setup guide that you are using in your question. Ordinarily, the blockchain download is automatic, unless something in your setup has changed that.
Willtech
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-03-17T03:18:31.253Z
Thank you so much Willtech, question edited with the guideline I am following. I tried to start the daemon and hope it will download the data but it seems nothing change on H.D. usage so I am guessing it is not downloading. Am I correct?
Kevin Chu
<bitcoin-core><nodes>
Beginner Setup Bitcoin Full Node without GUI
Kevin Chu
# Beginner Setup Bitcoin Full Node without GUI

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-03-17)

I am following the installation steps to setup a bitcoin node, at the steps "Download the blockchain" that required Bitcoin Core GUI which is not able to run on the testing Ubuntu Server without GUI.

The guideline I am following is <https://bitcoin.org/en/full-node#ubuntu-1610>. At the Ubuntu Installation, under Bitcoin Core GUI.
[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/gHGEF.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/gHGEF.png)

Is there any command to trigger the download without GUI? Thank you very much.

**Tags:** bitcoin-core, nodes

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Welcome to Bitcoin.SE! It would be useful to potential answerers if you could link to the setup guide that you are using in your question. Ordinarily, the blockchain download is automatic, unless something in your setup has changed that.  
> **username_0**: Thank you so much username_1, question edited with the guideline I am following. I tried to start the daemon and hope it will download the data but it seems nothing change on H.D. usage so I am guessing it is not downloading. Am I correct?  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2018-03-17. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

In the very same guide you linked, follow the instructions for the [Bitcoin daemon](https://bitcoin.org/en/full-node#ubuntu-daemon).

> I tried to start the daemon and hope it will download the data but it seems nothing change on H.D. usage so I am guessing it is not downloading. Am I correct?

No, you are not correct. You should check the status of `bitcoind` itself by using `bitcoin-cli` to send commands to it. You can use `getblockchaininfo` to know whether it is actually syncing by calling it twice. If it is syncing, then it will report a different block height and best block hash on the second call.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: it works! It is showing blockchain info. However, how can I know it is completed download the full set of data?  
> **username_3**: RTFM :-) "bitcoin-cli getblockcount" is your first candidate. See possible commands and explanation here: https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Original_Bitcoin_client/API_calls_list and here is the same question on bitcoin.SE: https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/37815/how-to-know-if-bitcoind-synced?noredirect=1&lq=1  

---

