How to run a Lightning node?

[crypt0b1t]

I was thinking about running a lightning node on mainnet (well, maybe after a try on the testnet).

I have two questions at this point:

1) do you have any useful links about how to setup the node on a linux machine?

2) what do you think would be the minimum amount of BTC to stake in it for it to make sense to be part of the main network?

[LoyceV]

Read Anybody tried running lightning node on bitcoin blockchain?

[HeRetiK]

[...]

2) what do you think would be the minimum amount of BTC to stake in it for it to make sense to be part of the main network?

Assuming you're thinking about earning Lightning transaction fees: I don't think there will be much of a profit in running a Lightning node, so the amount you want to keep locked in a channel will mostly depend on your actual spending habits. It's still a bit early to tell though.

[crypt0b1t]

Read Anybody tried running lightning node on bitcoin blockchain?

Thanks, that topic came up with my search too but unfortunately does not contain any useful info at the moment (there was only a link to a tutorial for Windows machines).

[...]

2) what do you think would be the minimum amount of BTC to stake in it for it to make sense to be part of the main network?

Assuming you're thinking about earning Lightning transaction fees: I don't think there will be much of a profit in running a Lightning node, so the amount you want to keep locked in a channel will mostly depend on your actual spending habits. It's still a bit early to tell though.

Yes I was thinking also about earning fees, but not mainly: my main goal at the moment would be learning and helping the network. I might do that even at a (reasonable) loss for some time.

[HeRetiK]

Yes I was thinking also about earning fees, but not mainly: my main goal at the moment would be learning and helping the network. I might do that even at a (reasonable) loss for some time.

In this case I'd give Lightning a run on testnet first

A few starting points:

1) HTLC.me web wallet
2) Eclair testnet android wallet
3) Lightning Desktop App ( https://github.com/lightninglabs/lightning-app/releases )
4) yalls.org for spending testnet microtransactions
5) Starblocks.acinq.co for spending testnet microtransactions

1) and 2) are easiest to get into, but rather limited in functionality.
3) Seems to be fully fledged, but I had connectivity problems when trying to open a direct channel. Might have been a firewall issue though, since it was not my home network when I first gave it a try.
4) yalls works great so far
5) starblocks had connectivity issues last I tried

I'm sure there's more, but that's how I personally got started.