Nostr Web Client

#asknostr

Does anyone know how to set up a start9? I have a friend who's not very tech knowledgeable but was gifted one and wants to run it as a node in their office. I believe it's already assembled (it might even have bitcoin core already installed), but I have no idea how to "bootstrap" it (unfortunately they are also on Windows, but the question stands even if they weren't). How does one connect to it to start with? If it's on the LAN, do you search for the device by IP and then .. what? I saw some general description of steps on the net but it seems to say "access it via embassy.local" but that (unsurprisingly) didn't work immediately. BTC sessions tutorial says "put http://" at the front in the browser and it will work, but I'm having a hard time believing, is that it all it takes, if it's on the LAN? How would that name resolution work without any configuration?

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Discussion

Bitcoin Mechanic 5mo ago

Start.local

Bitcoin Mechanic 5mo ago

If not, just find the IP in your router interface or use "LAN scan" or some software like that.

Once you get that far the rest is self explanatory.

waxwing 5mo ago

Ok thanks. Unfortunately I'm not there right now, but I'll try my best to pass it on. Are there any hiccups possible that are windows-specific?

sudocarlos 5mo ago

the user interacts with start9 via browser. https://start.local should work while connected to the same network. ttrusting the self signed cert is part of onboarding and might be weird on windows, but can be skipped if the user is ok with acknowledging and proceeding past security warnings

Bitcoin Mechanic 5mo ago

Yes, Windows is a pain because all the services use mDNS instead of just IP:PORT which means installing the horrific "Bonjour Print Services" to get mDNS working.

But the main UI will still work with just IP - I'd just wait until they roll out 0.4.0 which is coming soon and then you won't need to install Bonjour.

waxwing 5mo ago

I see. So since she's using Windows she has to use ip:port to access it? Is there somewhere I can read notes on this? Maybe on a github repo or similar?

Bitcoin Mechanic 5mo ago

Doesn't have to, can use the whatever-it-generates.local but it'll only work for the main UI for now. Services won't be accessible.

FernandoTheKoala 5mo ago

Don’t give up man! I don’t remember the exact steps, but I did it and I’m no tech savvy dude. Also use chatgtp to assist you in the process

Also upload pics of where you are stuck if need support

Alan Amato 5mo ago

It is pretty straightforward. Connect the network/CAT-6 cable to your router, plug in the power cable, turn it on and wait about 5 minutes. Start9 should provide the ***.local address for you to connect to using a browser from any other computer on the same local network.

If not, you can use a tool called Angry IP Scanner to see all network devices on your local network by IP address. You can copy/paste each IP into a browser and it should bring up the StartOS login page.

The first time you come to the log in page, you'll need to download and trust your server’s Root Certificate Authority (Root CA) to establish a secure (HTTPS) connection with your server. You only need to do this once (per computer you intend to log into your Start9 server from).

Log into Start9 and under System > About, it will give you the ***.local name for that computer. To install apps, go to Marketplace, under "Start 9 Registry" change to the community registry and install Bitcoin Knots. Run Knots and it will take a couple days to grab the IBD (initial blockchain download, aka: all the Bitcoin blockchain transaction/block data). You'll also want to install electrs and Mempool, at a minimum.

I hope that helps. Let us know if you have more questions.

waxwing 5mo ago

Oh, I didn't know about the wait 5 minutes part.

Alan Amato 5mo ago

Did that work for your friend?

waxwing 5mo ago

Will report back. According to Mechanic's answer, though, I think it might need more.