EDIT: Ok better moving to the thread by bitcryptex above..
Wind_Fury is right, better would have been to checkout
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5158920.0 before..
But here are some answers anyway for the record.
Hello friends,
Hello crypto_curious
So I started research on LN. I have c-lightning node already running, but not connected to anyone and no channels. Questions:
Just to mention, we just started
an FAQ, maybe it's a good place to start finding some informations.
1. How we can connect on LN? We both need to keep nodes open, or just one of us? If only one node is required, will it be me or him?
Both for the connection, none to keep a channel opened. A long absence will result in a force close, though.
2. I understand he would issue me a "invoice" every week and I would pay it each time using my LN wallet. So I don't need a node technically, he should have a node. Correct?
No. You need a LN client in order to be able to pay his invoice! (And have a channel funded so that you can find a path to him.)
3. Can I have node open and pay to his LN wallet or something? So he don't need to have a node? How he would transfer Bitcoins back from LN to his normal SegWit wallet?
Unfortunately, LN requires logic on both sides in order to make a payment ("post" it for the sender, redeem it for the recipient). So no, your business partner has to run a node. Note that he could use a mobile wallet, too (I mean it's not *that* harsh to put up a LN client.
4. I would need to replenish my LN balance every now and then, as I am only sending funds to him and he is not sending anything back. That would save amount of on-chain transactions. Correct?
Yes, actually in this specific case you could be offline as long as you want. But I'm not sure the clients take this into account.
5. When funding or opening a LN channel, can I pick amount of on-chain fee? I'd like to open a channel using 1 sat/byte, I don't mind to wait. C-lightning can allow for that?
Yes
The fundchannel command allows you to specify the feerate with the 'feerate' parameter.
6. Can I pay him passively so he doesn't need to do anything, no issuing of "invoices" or anything?
Yes, it's called keysend and is only partially supported for this release (it will be fully in the next one).
In best case scenario, I have a node, I am opening and funding a channel, all he does it to install LN wallet and give me his address. And then I need to explain to him how to transfer BTC from LN wallet to his normal Electrum wallet.
Electrum is about to integrate LN, could be a good pick for your business partner ?
