Bitcoin Forum

Hello! I have read multiple times this website https://mynodebtc.github.io/intro/introduction.html (https://mynodebtc.github.io/intro/introduction.html) but I don't understand if MyNode is a software like Bitcoin Core which can be run on Windows.

Sorry if the question is too simple. I am thinking of running MyNode on a windows machine, in order to be more feature rich than running simple bitcoin core

It's Linux based so you can't run it directly.

BUT, they have a virtual machine version of it: https://mynodebtc.github.io/advanced/install-virtual-box.html
So you install virtual box and then run the VM from there.

So long as your hardware can handle it it's fine.
Keep in mind once it's up like that you can't just reboot your PC, you have to shut down the virtual box (can take a while as everything exits) then reboot, then bring the VM back up.

You may be able to do it with the Windows Subsystem for Linux https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install   but I have never tried.

-Dave

Everything and everyone lead me back to using linux again.

I have concluded that the best way to run a node is to have a machine dedicated for this purpose.

As a person who's writing and studying software, I can tell you this: if you're used to Windows and you want to delve into software, you're sooner or later going to change habits.

Well, yeah. It has to be uptime 24/7 and the hard drive will contain coins if you extend it with a lightning node, so it's preferred to not run any other software.

Thanks, I am a developer too. I have used multiple distros (primarily ubuntu & debian) and of course I am used to using and developing FOSS.

However, currently, I have restricted my coding time to my work schedule.

My personal computer is mainly used to chill out and play games. So I have moved to Windows at home.

But! I am gonna have to go back I guess. Thanks to bitcoin, I will have to re-visit my past.

If you do not want to put together a new machine to start the WSL is a viable option at 1st.
Also, depending on where you are in the world RPi are slowly and sporadically coming back into stock if you just want to run a node 24/7 but not keep a full PC up and running.

Bit of sarcasm, but you write software for Linux to learn and contribute, you write software for Windows to make money.

-Dave

That's pretty accurate unfortunately in my case.

Anyway, can I use any of those (https://youtu.be/uJvCVw1yONQ (https://youtu.be/uJvCVw1yONQ)) alternatives instead of Rarpberry Pi?

Depends on the architecture... I know there are precompiled bitcoin core binaries for x86_64 (linux + windows) and arm (linux), and there are probably some other precompiled binaries for other common "combinations" of os and architecture. If you plan to run it on a different architecture and/or OS that the ones that have precompiled binaries, you might have to compile everything yourself... If it were just bitcoin core it'd be doable, but if it's a whole range of tools, it might not be worth your effort...

I know there are a lot of stores that sell second hand, revised mini computers that are dirt cheap, these might be a better alternative if you don't want to end up spending weeks to get things compiled and running.
Here's an example: https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Fujitsu-Esprimo-Business-Computer-Refurbished/dp/B0854LM164/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3J55WATHIU45A&keywords=general%C3%BCberholter+mini+computer&qid=1682518983&sprefix=refurbished+mini+computer%2Caps%2C80&sr=8-3
(i'm not affiliated with amazon, nor this store!!! use at your own risk!!). BTW: this particular example's HDD is to small to run an unpruned node, but a pruned node would do just fine on this hardware, 115€ delivered to your door (in the EU), just slap a linux distro on there, configure your node to be pruned and you're done :)...

Actually bitcoin core is very easily running on my machine. It's all the other features that I want to enable.

The computer that you have presented above looks good. Thanks, I will try to find one.

on your machine... yes... if i had to take a guess, i'd say odds are >90% you're using an x86_64 architecture with either windows, linux or mac OS... And for those combinations, a precompiled binary is available.
An raspberry pi has an arm architecture and runs linux (usually), this combo also has a precompiled binary available...

But when you try to switch to more "exotic" alternatives, you just have to double check... IIRC, arduino (for example) uses a different cpu architecture. I've also heared about single board computers using PowerPC, RISC-V, PIC, SPARC,... architectures. I guess most rPi alternatives will have a precompiled binary available (usually they'll have an ARM architecture), it's just something you have to double check beforehand. You don't want to buy an SBC having a PowerPC cpu architecture and then be surprised it's not that easy to install your favorite linux distro, and even harder to manually compile all the (bitcoin related) tools you need.

Now, the link i posted before has a disk that's to small for the full blockchain, but it has an x86_64 architecture. If you find one with an 1Tb disk, you're golden... It might cost you 10 or 20 bucks more, but you'll have a silent, small, reasonably power efficient device that should be very easy to slap the disk image provided by mynode onto by just following their walktroughs (disclaimer: i don't run mynode, so i have not tested this claim!!!)

I was a fan of Intel's NUC, I really appreciated them as well-build and reliable computer. It is still possible to find a good deal on computer with 512SSD or 1T, and that would be more than enough for node + electrum server etc. I do not know how it is with others ("noname?") solutions. On the other hand You may try the proposed Fujitsu and then just replace SSD (if it does not double the cost).
But for sure it is better to stay in well supported x86_64 architecture. The ideas like "hey, let's try a new mac mini with M2" would cause probably a lot of unnecessary problems.

I will search for a raspberry Pi, since I think it is the most used option. Thank you both though.

No, MyNode is a Linux-based operating system designed for running Bitcoin and Lightning Network nodes, not compatible with Windows.

Oh, it's an OS? I thought it was a simple piece of software

Thanks, I guess this means I need to have a machine dedicated for this purpose. (or a VM as people have already said)

Yes, but it does not have to be that powerful. A 6th gen i5 with 8GB ram and a 1TB SSD are overkill.
I don't know where in the world you are, but in the US that is well under $200 in a retail setup and $150 if you get it thought a Craigslist / local ad.

You can go lower, it still works just slower. Once the initial sync is done you probably would never notice a difference.

If you don't mind used mechanical drives instead of SSD, 1TB are just about scrap value now (once again here in the US) I do lots of 10 for $75 on Craigslist and usually wind up taking $50 or less. YMMV

I would go for a VM to start to see if it really is something you want to do. And if it works for you then you can always spin up a dedicated device.

-Dave

It's very cheap there haha because in my locality it will cost above $300 t $350 depending on the SSD preferred. In used components, it may cost what you said above but new components may cost even more than whatever I have mentioned.