Test backup
1301 sats \ 3 comments \ @ChrisS 7 May lightning
What is the best way to test my backup of a lnd node. I have the 24 words and the static channel backup. I read somewhere that when you restore with the static channel backup it send a message to your peers to get the channel state and then closes the channel. Is this true? If so how can I test the backup on another machine to make sure it is working without closing the channels? Is there a better way to back up?
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284 sats \ 1 reply \ @DarthCoin 7 May
Yes, this is standard procedure for LND. It prevents accidental restore in another device and that could trigger a penalty.
Just make that backup every time you open and close a channel (not after each payment). Optional, if you know what are you doing you can save the channel.db and wallet.db, but depending on how you installed that LND instance it will require also other files where was encrypted the password to open the wallet.
Just the SCB file + seed is enough and safe.
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76 sats \ 0 replies \ @Hakuna 7 May
Worth noting that the backup'ed channel.db shouldn't be used to come back online, but just to use chantools to do the SCB with your channel.db instead of your SCB file.
Coming back online with an outdated channel.db imposes great risk of losing funds via penalty transactions.
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100 sats \ 0 replies \ @Hakuna 7 May
You can check the integrity of your SCB file for your node with the following command below* And yes, it triggers a signal to your peers (who are currently online) to FC your channel, which in the standard setup transfers the channel sats from your side to your LND onchain wallet. Which you will be able to access with your 24 words.
Always note that this should be something like a last resort, cause it's incurring costs for everyone. Better to mitigate risk by having good hardware, a UPS, and not mess with your production system if avoidable.
https://node-recovery.com/ is a bookmark worthy ressource, too.
*Test and verify chan-backup file
lncli verifychanbackup -h
NAME:
   lncli verifychanbackup - Verify an existing channel backup.

USAGE:
   lncli verifychanbackup [command options] [--single_backup] [--multi_backup] [--multi_file]

CATEGORY:
   Channels

DESCRIPTION:
   
    This command allows a user to verify an existing Single or Multi channel
    backup for integrity. This is useful when a user has a backup, but is
    unsure as to if it's valid or for the target node.

    The command will accept backups in one of four forms:

       * A single channel packed SCB, which can be obtained from
   exportchanbackup. This should be passed in hex encoded format.

       * A packed multi-channel SCB, which couples several individual
   static channel backups in single blob.
  
       * A file path which points to a packed single-channel backup within a
         file, using the same format that lnd does in its channel.backup file.

       * A file path which points to a packed multi-channel backup within a
   file, using the same format that lnd does in its channel.backup
   file.
    

OPTIONS:
   --single_backup value  a hex encoded single channel backup obtained from exportchanbackup
   --multi_backup value   a hex encoded multi-channel backup obtained from exportchanbackup
   --single_file value    the path to a single-channel backup file
   --multi_file value     the path to a multi-channel back up file
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