It's been a month now I'm on this path (pt 1 here: #831203) and I feel I owe SN a small update.
The weekend project of configuring my own LND node on repurposed hardware turned into a obsession. If you ask my friends and family they probably tell you that I'm a bit psycho.
By now, on my second-hand repurposed dell optiplex I've:
- installed Linux server os
- Run bitcoin Core (Knots would have been cool too, so as to build my own block templates for my mining project, but I sadly wasn't aware at the time - not too late i guess), fulcrum server, RPC block explorer, LND, LiT, RtL, BTC Pay server, and, BoS
- proxied my connection and hardened my wifi security
- purchased and installed a UPS to protect against possible power outages.
- connected external wallet to SN @k00b
Reflection
It's relieving that im now verifying transactions on my own instance of the timechain and all of my wallets are using my node/server.
LND node actually routed a payment for the first time, which I didn't expect at all. My intention is to have a well connected node for people in my inner circle to open channels with. I'm hoping to continue to learn about the topic and establish some trust with my peers (if stackers are interested in connecting, I can share my pubkey privately). The goal for now is to be a rusted source of liquidity for my newbie friends as per the notion of being an 'uncle Jim bank.'
I think my biggest point of pride is becoming comfortable using Linux command line. This was completely new to me. It wasn't that bad with the help of some good mentors.
Next steps
- continue learning and experimenting with lightning network.
- automate my channel backups
- use my node as a tool to help onboard others to lightning
Throughout my bitcoining journey I tend to get fired up when I see other people doing things to be better self-sovereign. Setting up your own node, whether or not you configure/build it yourself is the obvious, essential thing. While purchasing the umbrel, start9 or Raspibolt is certainly the easier and probably more secure option (?), I take some pride in having set up my own. I learned a lot and probably saved a bit of cash in the meantime. The trade off is in the amount of time spent learning. Hopefully this post will inspire others who are thinking of wading deeper into financial self-sovereignty.