Why aren't you running a node yet? \ stacker news ~bitcoin

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2680 sats \ 66 comments \ @DesertDave 24 Oct bitcoin

I want to hear from the stackers who have yet to set up their own Bitcoin Node. I personally have had one set up a couple times in the past and shut them down for a few different reasons, usually complications with my lifestyle being off-grid. I am starting again and I plan to keep it up this time. We all have heard that individuals running nodes is important to the network. And yet, still so few do. Why is that? I also want to hear about why it is so important. I want to hear from you all. Thanks for sharing. 💚

It's too complicated16.7%

I don't want to spend the time12.5%

It costs too much25.0%

I am lazy16.7%

It's not important0.0%

Other, explain below29.2%

24 votes \ poll ended

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52 sats \ 1 reply \ @Golu 24 Oct

I'm running it because I hardly understand what it's for. But I'll give it a shot.

1 sat \ 0 replies \ @DesertDave OP 24 Oct

I think it is the only Bitcoin way of using Bitcoin.

31 sats \ 3 replies \ @TheMorningStar 24 Oct

I don't know much but running a node will require some essentials like a computer, running it all the times incur electricity costs and you also have to give some time. The benefits of all these aren't too so big as the costs are. Unless you're getting much in fees what's the use of them?

443 sats \ 1 reply \ @DarthCoin 24 Oct

11 sats \ 0 replies \ @DarthCoin 24 Oct

More about private nodes here: https://darth-coin.github.io/nodes/private-ln-nodes-en.html

110 sats \ 0 replies \ @Solomonsatoshi 24 Oct

Running your own Bitcoin node does enhance your wallet security. You can process all your bitcoin transactions via your node rather than using one provided by the wallet provider. I have cold storage via a Linux OS on a USB stick which has never been online but it still relies upon the wallet providers node. When I get my own node I can connect my wallet via that= enhanced security for cold and hot wallets. Agree there is some cost on electric to run computer but probably only a few dollars a year or in my case now ~ free solar.

37 sats \ 3 replies \ @poe7645 24 Oct

I'm sorry I can't resist.

10 sats \ 2 replies \ @DesertDave OP 24 Oct

Better trust him. He seems like he knows what he is talking about.

11 sats \ 1 reply \ @poe7645 24 Oct

We need duh banks. Said the spider to the fly.

To be fair I do run a node, a core node to broadcast or verify my transactions on Sparrow, and a shoddy LND node for my own curiosities. It's an ongoing process.

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @DesertDave OP 24 Oct

It sure is. I have a lot to learn.

32 sats \ 9 replies \ @BTCLNAT 24 Oct

I would like to be able to run one. I don't have a full one for obvious reasons, technically it's more complicated and it would be more of a harm on my part than a help to the community. Also having a full node means 24/7 connection, I live in Cuba, here the connection is TERRIBLE and also very expensive, to have wi-fi 24/7 I would have to spend my monthly salary.

So I would like to have a simple node and believe me when I tell you that it's hard for me to do it, even though I've read a lot of guides. I hope that one day I can achieve it.

From Cuba, no AlbyHub, Zeus not even close, Blixt either. I tried Lightning.Pub and during the installation the internet went to the floor, Nodo.js was installed and during the installation of Lightning.Pub things got complicated. A real headache.

I hope I can do it one day.

11 sats \ 0 replies \ @SpaceHodler 24 Oct

No Starlink? Maybe Elon can provide it for free in Cuba like he does in Brazil.

11 sats \ 5 replies \ @DarthCoin 24 Oct

For Cubans only an Uncle Jim scenario is feasible. So I suggest to have a fellow family member in Miami or something in US running a node for you as I described in my guides as uncle Jim, offering multiple accounts for you.

Done. Case closed.

Or just use Blink.

11 sats \ 0 replies \ @BTCLNAT 24 Oct

I use Blink. Don't think it's easy from Cuba, but it can be done.

To register you must have a phone number that is not from Cuba, they don't accept it because of the StableSat issue. What do we do? VPN to download and run the wallet, when it asks for the phone number, SMSPOOL, paid with SATs, which is good, 4 people can benefit from one payment. Then the registration is done and then we associate an email, we delete the number and that's it. We do the work and get the results. PoW.

11 sats \ 3 replies \ @SpaceHodler 24 Oct

Can people in Cuba use Phoenix or Breez? And I'm not talking about app store access, but would it work on a low bandwidth connection?

31 sats \ 2 replies \ @DarthCoin 24 Oct

Breez is using neutrino, so no, not good for high ping. Bandwidth it doesn't matter, but response time, ping. Not speed, not volume, but time response. Phoenix, maybe yes, because is using Electrum sync so it could work better. But is not so cheap.

More options here:

111 sats \ 1 reply \ @BTCLNAT 24 Oct

PHOENIX is a self-custody solution for Cubans. Only on the other side is ACINQ, so we already know what it means. I was asking for the community group that has a node, even if it is not complete, so they can tell me approximately something. I don't know if it can be done using mobile data. Here a data plan costs 2287 SATs, and that is 8 Gb of data. I don't know if with that you can run a node even if it is very limited.

120 sats \ 0 replies \ @DarthCoin 24 Oct

Then I don't know what to say more. Your situation is really bad and complicated. maybe you could start a local ecash mint and do something like this that doesn't even require internet.

Source here - by Calle

11 sats \ 0 replies \ @Solomonsatoshi 24 Oct

Interesting. Clearly not an easy situation. Have you tried protonmail and their VPN?

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @DesertDave OP 24 Oct

Sounds challenging in your situation..

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @Coinsreporter 24 Oct

I'm not pleb and I think Nodes aren't necessary for personal uses. If you're doing it for business, it's necessary.

1110 sats \ 0 replies \ @DarthCoin 24 Oct

Kind of incomplete question. There are many types of nodes and I explained them in many of my guides.

Seems that many people still do not know them and I will try to list them here, because are many differences:

Main Bitcoin Core nodes

Just running a Bitcoin Core on a simple PC, for personal use, with limited connections
Running a public Core node with more than 10 outbound connections, good bandwidth, stable that will serve for many other small nodes to sync

Core + LN nodes

PUBLIC routing nodes
LN banks, kind of mixed public and private LN node, serving multiple users
LSP kind of LN bank serving liquidity for private users and routing it to public channels
PRIVATE non-routing nodes

a. desktop private nodes b. mobile private nodes

I've explained the LN topology here: #486306 Do you want me to enter in more details from here ? OK but first please read all the guides I wrote about nodes: https://darth-coin.github.io/nodes/nodes.html

12 sats \ 1 reply \ @Kontext 24 Oct

Travelling, have no permanent place ATM to stay and run it.

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @DesertDave OP 24 Oct

That makes sense.

12 sats \ 1 reply \ @south_korea_ln 24 Oct

Ran a pretty active routing node in the past. Was taking me too much time and got some big hardware scares. Now, I've settled on some simpler solutions (AlbyHub, Phoenix) for personal use. Might get back to running a routine node if/when I get more time.

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @DesertDave OP 24 Oct

I don't think I want to do much routing. I just want to be able to take care of my own Bitcoin.

11 sats \ 0 replies \ @JesseJames 24 Oct

That is a good question, the sad thing is most of the people in BTC world are really from "ClickOps" world and not "GitOps" planet, that's probably why.... Give it time though.. it will come (in due time...lol)

11 sats \ 1 reply \ @itsTomekK 24 Oct

Having @Alby Hub out there, there are no excuses

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @DesertDave OP 24 Oct

That's what I am going to be using. But I see some excuses in here. Some of them pretty solid. 🤷‍♂️

11 sats \ 1 reply \ @anon 24 Oct

I shut it down, because it was too noisy as I'm living in a tiny apartment. I could not sleep properly, than I unplugged it in the middle of the night😁

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @DesertDave OP 24 Oct

I didn't know they were ever super noisy? What kind of computer was it?

11 sats \ 0 replies \ @PRA3S3NT1A 24 Oct

I have a mynode on raspberry pi 4. It makes easy to manage applications and all kinds of things.

11 sats \ 0 replies \ @Solomonsatoshi 24 Oct

It is on my list to do ~ this year and I am getting close to it ~ but need more time! I got distracted a little in focusing on solar powered mining but now a node seems like a definite and logical next step...now that I have a available solar power to power it and all I need is the external data storage (via USB stick 2TB??)

Do not believe everyone needs to establish one but the more the better and for those who want higher level of security and participation in the protocol its a good step to take in conjunction with wallet security and home mining.

As you point out you need a fairly stable location and lifestyle to house the node...not everyone might have such a place to set up.

11 sats \ 1 reply \ @cryotosensei 24 Oct

Two kids

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @DesertDave OP 24 Oct

Kids should always come first.

11 sats \ 30 replies \ @Cje95 24 Oct

For me it’s a mix of not knowing what I’m doing as well as life is just busy. Maybe if life slows down I’d look into it but from what I understand it takes a level of technical know how that I just don’t have. If there was a solid plug and go option than maybe I’d look into it

32 sats \ 15 replies \ @ChrisS 24 Oct

To run a bitcoin node all you have to do is download bitcoin core on your computer and open the application.

https://bitcoincore.org/en/download/

For a lighting node, Zeus embedded node on any phone is very quick and easy as well but you will need some knowledge how channels work to be able to use it effectively

https://zeusln.com/

0 sats \ 14 replies \ @DesertDave OP 24 Oct

If I wanted to run on a PC, how much does that PC need to be up and running?

11 sats \ 13 replies \ @ChrisS 24 Oct

For a bitcoin node you could leave it running for a few hours or days at the start to download the blockchain. After that you can shut it down as desired and every time you reopen it bitcoin core will download the blocks you missed which shouldn't take long as long as you open the computer every few days. Lightning nodes need to be online as much as possible.

11 sats \ 11 replies \ @Cje95 24 Oct

It seems like it would take up a ton of space does it not?

11 sats \ 6 replies \ @ChrisS 24 Oct

The blockchain is 693 GB right now but you can run a pruned node if space is a limited. A pruned node still downloads and verifies all blocks but deletes them past one that increase beyond a certain threshold that you can set base on your needs. All newer computers have more than enough space to run a pruned node.

0 sats \ 5 replies \ @DesertDave OP 24 Oct

How small can a pruned node be?

11 sats \ 4 replies \ @ChrisS 24 Oct

Last I remember you can prune the blockchain down to 550 mb, but you still have to store the utxo set which is maybe 10 to 15 GB. Looking at your other comment a 256 GB ssd would be plenty.

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0 sats \ 3 replies \ @DesertDave OP 24 Oct

I think right now it is less than 700 GB. Depends on what is a lot for you. Storage is quite cheap now. Unless you mean physical space.

11 sats \ 2 replies \ @Cje95 24 Oct

I mean my laptop doesn’t have 700 GB of storage 😂

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @DesertDave OP 24 Oct

@ChrisS says you can prune it down to under 20gb or so.

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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @DesertDave OP 24 Oct

My Mac only has 256 gb. They charge so much for storage so.i went with a smaller size. Kind of annoying..

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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @DesertDave OP 24 Oct

Good to know. I am off-grid so sometimes the power goes down and I can't run a PC 24/7.

0 sats \ 13 replies \ @DesertDave OP 24 Oct

That makes sense. I am sure that is a common answer. Its not all that hard anymore. And there are some somewhat plug and play solutions I think? I am using a umbrel node on a pi 4. I have heard of something called start 9. Not sure how easy that is.

11 sats \ 10 replies \ @BeeAye 24 Oct

start9 is awesome! click, btc node...click, electrs server...click, lnd node

🤙

0 sats \ 5 replies \ @DesertDave OP 24 Oct

Kind of pricey. I assume they are more powerful. Can they be used for things other than nodes?

22 sats \ 3 replies \ @BeeAye 24 Oct

you can buy an old mini comp and load the OS onto there since its FOSS. i got mine for $200 with 2 tb, 16 gigs ram which will be decent for running a btc stack

0 sats \ 2 replies \ @DesertDave OP 24 Oct

The start 9 os?

11 sats \ 1 reply \ @BeeAye 24 Oct

ya,

https://docs.start9.com/0.3.5.x/flashing-guides/os-x86

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @DesertDave OP 24 Oct

Very cool. I didn't know that.

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11 sats \ 0 replies \ @ChrisS 24 Oct

Yes they specialize in many self hosting apps like bitwarden next cloud and others but I would be careful running other apps like those on the same machine as a bitcoin/lightning node.

0 sats \ 3 replies \ @DesertDave OP 24 Oct

What makes that a better option than a PC or a pi? I'm assuming it's easier.

22 sats \ 2 replies \ @BeeAye 24 Oct

you dont ever have to fuck with command line

49 sats \ 1 reply \ @DesertDave OP 24 Oct

That's a big bonus. I like that.

11 sats \ 0 replies \ @BeeAye 24 Oct

the caveat to start9 is you only get local network access and tor access. the next release of the OS will supposidly provide clearnet access to services running on a start9, but details and release timeline are scant.

11 sats \ 1 reply \ @Cje95 24 Oct

I’ve always debated on getting a pi but it never quite lined up with being able to do stuff with it

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @DesertDave OP 24 Oct

I also run a home media server off a pi. And I have used one for retro gaming in the past. They are super useful and fun to play with. I am not super technical and still am able to figure it out with YouTube. I recommend it for sure. I like that option because it's always useful for something.