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I'm gonna be a Node Runner: Start9 StartOS versus Ubuntu Server + Bitcoin Core ?
823 sats \ 16 comments \ @M_affirmed 10 Dec 2023 bitcoin
Enough with being a Bitcoin HODLer only. I'm gonna be a Node Runner too!
I made a great Black Friday deal on dedicated node hardware based on a Mini PC with Intel Processor N100 that has a TDP of only 6W, is powerfull enough, comes with 16GB of RAM and gets a 2TB NVMe + 2TB SATA SSD.
Having read good things about Start9 StartOS, this is currently my preference, so I'm wondering what others think of going the easy & quick way instead of setting up a machine manually starting with Ubuntu Server and Bitcoin Core.
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63 sats \ 0 replies \ @pillar 10 Dec 2023
You are on the right path. You will probably make mistakes on your first node and afterwards, with more experience and knowledge, wish you had done things differently. But the only way to reach your second great node is by going through your noobie first node.
The hardware you got and Start9 are great choices. Don't overthink it, just go and do it. Play, have fun and learn.
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224 sats \ 5 replies \ @DarthCoin 10 Dec 2023
The question is "FOR WHAT"? Just for running it?
I see many "node runners" but few have a good idea what really is for. When somebody say "I am going to run a node..." 1st thing they should ask themselves "What am I going to do with this node? For what I would run it?"
Please read more:
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101 sats \ 4 replies \ @chairman_pretense 10 Dec 2023
Listen to Darth.
Don't bother buying a bunch of dedicated hardware unless you've got a specific use case in mind that requires it.
Want to manage your cold storage funds? Running Core on a laptop is more than enough (you can keep the block data on an external drive, it doesn't need to stay on 24/7 -- once the initial block sync is done catching up on even a few weeks or months is quick).
Want to run a lightning node? Not worth it unless you run a business that accepts lightning payments or start an LSP which is a whole different level. For everyday lightning spending get a mobile node like Blixt, Zeus, Phoenix or even the latest Green wallet.
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129 sats \ 2 replies \ @aljaz 11 Dec 2023
there is a third reason to run a node - you want to work in the industry, build on lightning or study it. In that case go ahead.
while I agree with not running nodes for spending etc, and that most people will eventually lose money if they do, we really shouldn't be discouraging people who actually want to build proper setups instead of using completely unsuited hardware like raspis.
we as an industry need orders of magnitudes more experienced node runners and builders - we should be encouraging that while providing disclaimers of course.
what we should really be discouraging is people running nodes on shit hardware with implementations that are designed for people to lose funds
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0 sats \ 1 reply \ @M_affirmed OP 12 Dec 2023
I'm curious, what are implementations that are designed for people to lose funds?
I'm not a developer or builder, so my interest of running a node is purely personal and my intention is to add a few other services to the machine to make it worth running 24/7.
Right now I'm more leaning towards Ubuntu Server with a manual setup, simply because I like to have full control over what's going on and the available services to use.
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @aljaz 12 Dec 2023
@M_affirmed the losing funds part was a bit cheeky but lnd architecture is not really built with robust deployments in mind as primary storage option for state is boltdb which you need to hack your way around to have any way of backing up sanely - hence all the raid/filesystem redundancy talk in node runner circles. but it has significantly more tooling out there than alternatives so ppl still go for it
security wise don't run other (at least publicly accessible) software on the same machine as your node, its calling for trouble. if you want to make better use of hardware throw some virtualization in the mix to isolate the services
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20 sats \ 0 replies \ @DarthCoin 10 Dec 2023
finally somebody is paying attention to the details...
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1 sat \ 0 replies \ @shyfire 10 Dec 2023
If you want to fiddle and learn, I'd recommend going the Ubuntu server route. If you want it to just work, go with StartOS.
Just remember that running a node serves no point and doesn't help the network. Only economically active nodes make a difference - so sending and validating receives against your own node.
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @billiam 11 Dec 2023
Start9 is great. I'm running it (core and electrs) on a vmware workstation VM and boot it when needed to transact only. Takes a bit to sync missed blocks while it was offline, but that's fine. No additional always on hardware needed (unless you want to run a LN node).
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @bzzzt 11 Dec 2023
I recommend start 9 not really for the node (although very easy option to do so), but you'll be exposed to a broad range of self-hosting software that I have been grateful to learn about and would never have really gotten into without the easy to use interface of start9 + their very good community / customer service.
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @nikotsla 11 Dec 2023
easy & quick isn't the way, I like the hard way, you learn more, but before that you need to define the "why", if you already made your mind around that, go for it.
I am not digging in LN because you only point to bitcoin core.
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @derekross 10 Dec 2023
StartOS is an excellent beginner and no hassle implementation. I ran Umbrel for 3 years, Start OS for a week, and then built a node from scratch because I didn't like running software in someone else's constraints. I wanted to update when they came out. I wanted to run software that I wanted to run and configurations that I wanted to run. For 99% of people, Start OS will be the optimal choice.
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @OT 10 Dec 2023
Start9 is very easy to set up.
Then again so is bitcoin core.
If you just have the one device I'd go with core. If you have another device I'd go with start9 & use the electrum server to connect to your other device.
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @BlokchainB 10 Dec 2023
Enjoy!! I ran all the nodes the one with the best documentation and best help was start9
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @fred 10 Dec 2023
Running a node shows you as a big part of the decentralization story bitcoin is offering
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @030e0dca83 10 Dec 2023
I'd rather start with Umbrel or Star9 they work out of the box + there's easy implementation of lightning. If you had enough Linux knolley you would ask this question here, imo
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