Now that I have AlbyHub on my Start9 I've gone full lightning node maxi.
Streaming and Boosting from Podverse on my phone using my own node is all I've ever wanted.
Discussion
Alby Hub makes it stupid simple to run a node. Go to the Alby dashboard, click on Alby Hub, click through the steps in the setup guide, pay for a channel with Bitcoin or a credit card, and you're done. If you don't want to run it in their cloud, you can run the app and run it on your computer or on a Raspberry Pi Zero.
It works exactly the same as a custodial Alby wallet at that point, but only you have control of the keys.
I just hope the subscription rate is flexible since it's priced in sats. Otherwise it could start to get expensive during bull runs.
Question: is running a node on your own computer something that needs constant monitoring? Always listening to Podcaster talk about running nodes and there's always technical issues... crashes etc... I'd like to try running a node but I'm never home and running one in the truck doesn't seem like a good idea hardware wise...
The constant maintenance thing is complete FUD. If it has reliable power and internet then you’re good to go.
I’m running Start9 on a BeeLink mini computer and it’s been solid.
This is what I’m using but any mini pc that reaches the mini requirement for Start9 or Umbrel will work just fine.
If you can do a V4V music podcast you can run a lightning node. 🫡
Also @Spencer is working on a video tutorial for how to set up a node.
Ok thanks. I have 3 beelinks back at the house. I'll look into start9 and see what I can do. Is the software able to be controlled remotely?
Yes it is. I’ll send you more info when I get home later.
Since your new I would recommend using AlbyHub running on Start9. This gives you a dedicated machine and lets you get liquidity without needing 1 million+ sats.
Here's the guide to install Start9 and as long as you have the minimun system requirements you should be good. FYI It does wipe the PC you install it on.
https://docs.start9.com/0.3.5.x/diy/diy-x86
You want to follow the install steps and when you get to the bottom of this page
click Initial Setup then Start Fresh on the next page and follow the video and then wait for for Bitcoin Core to sync. Could take 3-4 days to sync.
This is step 1 so once you are synced we can continue.
If you have any questions just hit me up on Mastodon since that's easier than Nostr 😝
*heres the AlbyHub guide ahead of time incase you want to see what your getting yourself into.
**Take your time because its a lot to digest and I need a break now after typing this up.
I use Tailscale to connect remotely to my Umbrel. Start9 probably has something similar. My Alby Hub is hosted in Alby's cloud, which costs 10k sats/month.
Start9 doesn't have Tailscale so I have to connect over TOR. I just use Zeus to do what I need since it will do almost everything I need besides reboot the machine.
Alby Cloud is 10k for 3 months then goes to 21k
Also AlbyHub has a desktop version that you can run if you have a PC at home that’s always on.
The always being on is the key part which is why just having a dedicated mini PC for it is nice.