What's your opinion on Umbrel? \ stacker news ~bitcoin

699 sats \ 33 comments \ @bitoshimaniac 28 Dec 2022 bitcoin

So I have gotten into Bitcoin noding and I have discovered Umbrel, and if you haven't heard of it, Umbrel is basically a self hosted OS that has options for everyone, first and foremost it has Bitcoin Core and Lightning Node, and tools for managing your Lightning node, such as ThunderHub and Ride The Lightning for example. IT also has the option to download even more apps from the Umbrel App store, which are all SELF HOSTED. You can get this software on an a raspberry pi, Anything running Ubuntu or Debian, RockPro, NUC and even Homelab. More info on the official Umbrel website: https://umbrel.com Obviously you need more than 600GB for the Bitcoin blockchain installation and the Lightning node and 4GB or RAM at least but I think it's easily deployable of you have the right specs and enough space. All it takes is 1 command: 'curl -L https://umbrel.sh | bash'.(on an Ubuntu/Debian Machine) Seems exciting and I'm really looking forward to stack some sats and trade. How about you guys. I really want to know your opinion on this.

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203 sats \ 8 replies \ @howard 28 Dec 2022

I have one. It’s still working 1.5 years later. It’s good for beginners but it isn’t the be-all end-all self-hosting solution yet.

It’s easy to get started and set up, but you have to understand what it is, especially if you’re going the Raspberry Pi route with the recommended specs. RPis aren’t some magic super computer. They’re tiny, hobbyist machines, not nearly robust enough for a permanent server your life depends on. You get way more power and storage with a refurbished small form-factor PC.

Umbrel isn't that customizable, and the entire goal of self-hosting is to rely less on third parties like Umbrel. Set one up and try some services, but keep learning. Jump over to Linux and find the real, self-hosting adventure.

1 sat \ 6 replies \ @super_testnet 28 Dec 2022

Jump over to Linux and find the real, self-hosting adventure.

Umbrel OS is a linux distribution

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @BloggingBitcoin 28 Dec 2022

What hardware are you running it on?

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @super_testnet 29 Dec 2022

I don't use Umbrel OS. I have a pi with raspberry pi OS, it's usually off but it has a copy of bitcoin core and LND among many other apps.

0 sats \ 3 replies \ @k00b 28 Dec 2022

It runs on Linux at least. I think calling it an OS is confusing.

It's a system that operates sandboxed apps via Docker.

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @super_testnet 29 Dec 2022

calling it an [operating system] is confusing

It's a system that operates...apps

Hmm, talk about confusing! A system that operates apps, yes, but an operating system, no.

Hey Google, define operating system for me.

"op·er·at·ing sys·tem -- the software that supports a computer's basic functions, such as scheduling tasks, executing applications, and controlling peripherals."

1 sat \ 1 reply \ @031ef7d322 29 Dec 2022

It’s an app manager.

There’s no sandboxing, and not much security in general.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @k00b 29 Dec 2022

I guess I meant sandboxing resources via cgroups, which is distinct from a security sandbox perhaps. (I actually don't know but AFAIK isolation is the default in Docker and you have to explicitly connect containers.)

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @bitoshimaniac OP 29 Dec 2022

I get that and I wasn't planning on buying a Raspi for my Umbrel. I want to actually make my node profitable and build a channel farm. I was thinking to also buy a fast personal Ubuntu server to run my Umbrel in

45 sats \ 0 replies \ @Eximpius 28 Dec 2022

There are better. You don’t have as much control with Umbrel.

22 sats \ 0 replies \ @siggy47 28 Dec 2022

I believe you have opened the floodgates. Prepare to get your wish fulfilled. You'll get many opinions.

51 sats \ 4 replies \ @ln123 28 Dec 2022

More of a fan of Start 9 myself - since v0.33 it's now available on more hardware devices and Nextcloud support is forthcoming.

0 sats \ 3 replies \ @bitoshimaniac OP 29 Dec 2022

Please tell me more about Start 9. Is it free? And what are the pros and cons of this node software and is it any good (or better than Umbrel)

130 sats \ 1 reply \ @ln123 29 Dec 2022

Yes, Start 9 is free / open source and very easy to use. The team behind it are keen to do things slowly / securely / properly, which is why it doesn't have so many apps as Umbrel right now.

One example benefit is that the Embassy works locally over https (SSL). If you are using Umbrel, you better trust your local network, as all your traffic / passwords etc are going to be completely visible to everyone else - see: https://github.com/getumbrel/umbrel/issues/546

I quote from the issue above:

This is pretty much the industry standard and how every consumer router or smart device that exposes a web interface work.

It is true that a lot of consumer routers serve their admin panels over http HOWEVER they are not running Bitcoin or Password managers!! Nor is the fact that "everyone else is doing it" an excuse for sloppy security.

By the way, you can also run Embassy on an X86 laptop / PC, for supercharged performance: https://github.com/Start9Labs/embassy-os/releases

5 sats \ 0 replies \ @bitoshimaniac OP 30 Dec 2022

Damn I really didn't know my Bitcoin node will be visible to my local network and I will definitely try out Embassy OS on my PC. Thanks for giving me insight and I will tip you 100 satoshis.

20 sats \ 0 replies \ @modernattendant 30 Dec 2022

Second the recommendation for Start9 over Umbrel if you'd rather pay some money so things just work with minimal effort. Umbrel and Citadel are great products "for the price" I have used Umbrel, Start9, and also just a linux computer and individually ran all the apps. Start9 is best of all. Its sort of like having your tech friend set up an Umbrel custom for you and give you support if you get stuck.

20 sats \ 0 replies \ @2big2fail 28 Dec 2022

i moved off umbrel since was only really using btc apps and built it using this guide and really learned linux for the first time https://github.com/twofaktor/minibolt

14 sats \ 0 replies \ @chairman_pretense 28 Dec 2022

It was the gateway I needed to get started.

I learned it’s not very good for either super secure cold storage (you rely on the Umbrel devs for Core updates, so that’s a risk - although unlikely) and nor is it very good for running a public routing node, as backups and reliability can be a bit tricky on the Pi.

Now I run the Umbrel node pruned with LND to maintain two decent sized private channels for lightning spending and enjoy having an easy to run Jellyfin, Home Assistant and Nextcloud server. My tip would be not to get too carried away with all the dashboard apps - LNDg is probably all you need, even if the interface is a bit less slick.

Also Tailscale is the magic service that just makes it all work.

(For secure cold storage, these days I simply run Bitcoin Core with Sparrow on a normal laptop. Seedsigner handles all my keys air gapped.)

31 sats \ 0 replies \ @Tenuki 28 Dec 2022

It's amazing at making it easy for anyone to run a node and a bunch of self-hosted stuff. I think it's great.

31 sats \ 0 replies \ @Jbana 28 Dec 2022

Umbrel is an excellent gateway drug to node operation.

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @blockguard 28 Dec 2022

Been running umbrel for about year now. Super easy. Definitely can recommend.

10 sats \ 3 replies \ @phamtruax 28 Dec 2022

I wish I could plug a screen into the mini hdmi to see bitfeed or the mempool live

0 sats \ 2 replies \ @ek 29 Dec 2022

You should be able to. Is it a locked down system? Try pressing Ctrl+Alt+F2 to get a virtual console. Ctrl+Alt+F7 (or some other number) to get back to your GUI.

There you should have access to the underlying Linux system with all its power.

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @phamtruax 29 Dec 2022

What do you mean by a locked down system? Do I just buy a mini hdmi to regular hdmi and plug it into a monitor to see if anything appears?

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @ek 29 Dec 2022

With locked down I mean if you don't have root access on your own device. Since it's running Linux, you should have root access and thus be able to control everything. So you should be able to use a mini hdmi adapter and use xrandr or other programs to output something on your external monitor.

However, I never used Umbrel so don't know how they setup the system. Not entirely sure how it will work but I am 100% sure there is a way.

10 sats \ 2 replies \ @swmtr 28 Dec 2022

I chose citadel instead of umbrel, but it is not really up to par yet.

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @bitoshimaniac OP 29 Dec 2022

I have heard of citadel but I feel like I should just stick to Umbrel, because I feel like Citadel might be a liabilitybecause it's run by just 1 person. But that's just my opinion though and Umbrel is much much easier to install on any Linux device. (just 1 command) But obviously Umbrel has its cons too.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @swmtr 29 Dec 2022

You are correct

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @gandlaf21 28 Dec 2022

Not the most secure, but good for starting out and playing around

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @klaus 29 Dec 2022

I really like it - makes it easy for just about anyone to run a full bitcoin node as well as a Lightning wallet and private block explorer.

There are other options out there, however, the ease of setting it up and having automated backups is a great start.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Rex 29 Dec 2022

Umbrel is very easy to use. I use the docker version, but there are often some minor problems that need to be fixed in cli mode. It would be great if some menus could be added to allow manual upgrade or repair options. Also there are compatibility issues with the docker version, but I think it's actually better to execute the node inside the vm than inside the RPI.

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @scottathan 28 Dec 2022

Considered using it for my home server and lightning node, but it doesn't storing data on multiple drives, which is sadly a deal breaker for me. Otherwise pretty fantastic.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @bitoshimaniac OP 30 Dec 2022

👍