I've got an old ass i5 2500k (3.30ghz) with 8gb DDR3 running win7pro sp1. I'm sure I can scrounge up a spare 1TB ssd.
Is this sufficient to run both a Bitcoin and LN node on the same machine? Do I need to separate the LN node in any way? (ie seperate partition or VM)
Also... any way to leverage a NAS that's currently in-use as active backup? Would I be potentially putting personal data saved in the NAS at risk? What if I added a VM to the NAS?
Lots of questions... pls halp!
Boosting for visibility. Not an April fools... can anyone help? Looking to eventually run a Bitcoin and lightning node in this machine. Possible?
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Can someone help this #Nostrich?
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I've heard many ppl say dont run then on the same machine. or at least have a full b node on another.
no idea what nas etc means.
someone will help you soon™ tho, im sure
Interesting - any reason why not to run on the same machine?
I wonder if separating them by putting one on a virtual machine might be sufficient? Basically raspberry pi is too hard to come by. I might have some extra (old) laptops laying around but rather not go that route if I can help it.
NAS is network attached storage. Basically a bunch of hard drives in a shell with a special OS running various backup apps etc. It's powerful though, I can create virtual machines and basically have my own cloud storage/workspace. It's great as a plex media server too.
Thanks for your reply though, any info helps!
oh nice, like start9
Kinda yeah. I'm not super familiar with s9 but they're more of a Sever as a Service I think? It's probably a lot morenpowerful in terms of actual power.
A NAS is primarily for backup but it's basically a low powered computer with a ton of hard drive space. So it can be used for some low latency server stuff as well. I like to use it for stuff you'd normally use Google drive for, sharing/storing archived family photos that can be accessed anywhere and permissioned, and some light streaming of totally not illegally obtained blu-ray rips.
Think external hard drive but connected over the interent not usb.
I asked why people suggest running them on seperate machines. I didnt get a lot of replies but it doesnt seem to be a universal thing people do. More of a personal security preference.
Yes, it is preferred to have your node one its own machine to stay on at all times and separate from your daily driver.
Which is your daily driver? Your lightning node or your non lightning?
Good question! I'd imagine if you have to run one of the nodes on a daily, I'd want my lightning node there. I would think security is more important on the Bitcoin node.
But that's a total conjecture on my part. I would love to hear what others with actual experience think.
Thats what id think as well.
Oh this machine is absolutely not my daily! This was an old old machine I dug up from the back of my closet haha. I plan to keep whatever machine I'm running my nodes on completely separate from my daily pc.
Oh you meant node seperate from daily driver computer for everyday use. Duh. Yeah def keep that seperate. I was talking about seperating lightning and non lightning nodes.
#[7] mentioned if you're running a bunch of apps you might have to open various ports.
Presumably, the more ports you open the bigger your security risk. Last thing you'd want is to compromise your Bitcoin node. I think setting up a separate VM for each of my lightning and Bitcoin nodes would be a decent compromise. Would also be able to solve my windows/ubuntu issue as well. Admittedly I have very little experience with Ubuntu so the VM route offers a bit of safety net I guess
Even that old machine is better than a pi, it should be fine to run a node from.
I keep trying to zap u but it isn't going through for some reason. It says completed on wos... but not showing on Amathyst. That or I've just zapped you a bunch of times. In that case, sry not sry for the zapspam!
Thanks for the zaps. I think it is due to zaps going direct to my node but the nostr client not seeing it? Will need to look into it.
You can probably install a Ubuntu and run a node no problem. Umbrel is pretty easy to run.
I would boost the RAM or you will be syncing forever ♾️. If you run mynode you can run both a bitcoin and lightning node in the same instance/container.
You could run 2 containers with two separate mynode instances for extra precaution.
Sorry if this is a dumb question but... what am I precautioning against by running in separate containers vs same instance?
I'll have to check the prices on DDR3 lol. Usually those obsolete architectures end up being more expensive since they're out of production!
Yes... It can be done.
Ubuntu + Umbrel and you're done.
You should be able to run Start9's EmbassyOS and run a Bitcoin/Lightning node easy enough with those specs.
EmbassyOS makes it pretty easy to backup channels to an external NAS as well. If you want the simplist setup, that's probably the way to go.
I have been buying Mini Desktop PCs off eBay with at least a 6th gen i5, 8GB RAM, and then buying a cheap 1TB SSD off Amazon. Can get total cost down to around $120 if I can find a good deal. ($80 mini PC + $40 1TB SSD)
If you want to go the mini desktop route, here is some copy/pasta I use for other recommendations...
For an easy setup/low cost Bitcoin full node:
Mini Desktop models ($80-$100):
- Dell OptiPlex [7040/7050] Micro
- HP EliteDesk/ProDesk 800 [G1/G2/G3] Mini
- Lenovo ThinkCenter [M700] Tiny
CPU: (included with mini desktop)
- i5 (min 6th gen, quad core, 2.5Ghz+)
RAM: (usually included with mini desktop or is upgradeable)
- 8GB
Storage: ($40)(sometimes included with mini desktop, but generally not 1TB)
- 1TB SSD (can be less if running pruned node)
Software:
Start9 EmbassyOS (https://github.com/Start9Labs/embassy-os)
Known working hardware by Start9:
Purchase via eBay. Can also get through Amazon and Newegg , but not as cheap.
You could just run a node as a VM on your NAS as well. Depends on how much you are running already on it and how capable it is.
I'm running a Synology DS723+. I haven't upgraded the ram so it's on the stock 2gb 🤮. But I did set up 2x 1TB read/write cache nvme drives on it.
I have an old laptop (from 2011) with 4gb ram and i5. With an 1tb ssd it runs Umbrel in Ubuntu veeery smoothly. And Bitcoin core and LN nodes in umbrel running also smoothly without issues
