also, is there a way to back up the blockchain info and save those so i don't have to download the entire thing each time i set up a node?
"
Blockchain info"? You're not talking about the online wallet with the same name, right?
For the blockchain and other data, just copy the entire data directory to your other computer and it should run fully synced.
The default data directory is in:
https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Data_directory#Default_Location