pull down to refresh

Topic:

I was helping an associate spin up their own node (Start9) and they asked me how much data will it uses in a given month. Unfortunately I didn't have a good answer.

Questions:

  1. How to get a handle on the amount of data a Bitcoin and Lighting node is uses?
  2. What settings are best to limit data usage?

Issue:

Reason why my associate is concern with data usage is because they have a data threshold on their internet plan from the ISP. After a certain GB amount they get charged at much higher rate. They didn't want to have running a node turn in to a large extra cost each month in data fees.

Current Solutions:

  1. I can boot strap the initial blockchain download by placing their new node next to my node for the sync. So it will be LAN connection for the transfer. Then move the new node to my associates location after download. That should "save" ~600 GB

Unanswered Questions:

  1. What is the proper way to configure Bitcoin Node not to seed or be a peer to other nodes? I see a "Make Public" toggle setting. Besides setting to Make Public to off, any other settings to change to limit data usage?
  2. I don't see any data usage stats in start9 settings. Is there a built in way or maybe third party app?
Thank You in advance for any advice and expertise.
If you know how to edit your bitcoin.conf file you can adjust the settings described here. Start 9 may have a gui to edit these.
reply
A week ago, I did command “du -h” to find the bitcoin blockchain was 632 GB completely synced. This is different with LND neutrino mode (which I believe is how wallets like Zeus can fit on phones), where I have yet to see in my cloud node ($6/month)..
reply
Good to know about that command.
On going data transfer is my main concern. I can solve the initial download by bootstrapping it off my local node.
ChrisS, answered the question.
reply
I'll just add then: I had .3 GB received on one TOR node, after 2 nights
reply