Running a USB node with variable OSs.

[Jet Cash]

First off, as far as I know there is no such thing as a USB node. So I had better explain what I mean by it. I have a full node on a 2Tb HDD which connects via a USB port. The drive contains all the blockchain and wallet data associated with the node, but not the program. The program is installed on a variety of notebook computers, and the same version is installed on each of the computers. Operating systems used include Mint, Ubuntu and Kali, and I'm considering using open SuSe. I just swop the drive around, and continue to sync the blockchain. The software seems to handle this without any trouble, as I always shut down the node and "eject" the drive. I'm still about 2 years behind, but this is due to slow WiFi speeds ans shorter periods in the cafes.

So fat I haven't seen any problems, but I wonder if there are any additional precautions I should be taking to ensure trouble free switching between machines.

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[philipma1957]

First off, as far as I know there is no such thing as a USB node. So I had better explain what I mean by it. I have a full node on a 2Tb HDD which connects via a USB port. The drive contains all the blockchain and wallet data associated with the node, but not the program. The program is installed on a variety of notebook computers, and the same version is installed on each of the computers. Operating systems used include Mint, Ubuntu and Kali, and I'm considering using open SuSe. I just swop the drive around, and continue to sync the blockchain. The software seems to handle this without any trouble, as I always shut down the node and "eject" the drive. I'm still about 2 years behind, but this is due to slow WiFi speeds ans shorter periods in the cafes.

So fat I haven't seen any problems, but I wonder if there are any additional precautions I should be taking to ensure trouble free switching between machines.

clone the usb drive.

flip flop the two drives until they synch.

then use drive a for a week

then use drive b for a week

rinse repeat.

I like the idea you have for a node.

[Jet Cash]

That's a concept that I use as a backup, but it isn't quite what I am doing with this experiment. I'm using one external hard drive with 3 notebook computers. It helps with things like battery and wifi adaptors that vary between the machines. It also lets me experiment with various Linux releases. One point worth mentioning. It was a mistake to use a HDD. SSDs use less power, and would therefore be more suitable with notebooks.

[HCP]

So, it's really just storing the blockchain data on an external drive?

A lot of people seem to be doing that when running on laptops that have limited storage. The only real danger would be possible corruption should the drive be accidentally disconnected, which is a (marginally?) "higher" risk than when you are using a fixed, internal drive.

Otherwise, as long as you're patient and wait for the software to exit cleanly before disconnecting, I don't see any real issues except for the already aforementioned speed/power draw issues.

[LoyceV]

The program is installed on a variety of notebook computers, and the same version is installed on each of the computers. Operating systems used include Mint, Ubuntu and Kali, and I'm considering using open SuSe. I just swop the drive around, and continue to sync the blockchain.

I'd prefer not to give more than one system access to a single wallet. With those operating systems there's not much risk, but I wouldn't risk it anyway.

[Jet Cash]

I'd prefer not to give more than one system access to a single wallet.

I agree with that, and I would prefer to use an old desktop in a fixed location as a dedicated machine for the node. Unfortunately ( or fortunately, depending on your point of view), I'm not in a fixed location, and I have quite a mix of resources that I use for power and internet connection. The HDD is really just to support an up to date blockchain, and maybe half a Bitcoin in a wallet in case I want to make a purchase. Anything else could be stored in a hardware wallet. Apart from disk corruption resulting from impatience or power failure,my worry was the possible corruption of supporting files resulting from switching between different versions of the core software. My hope is that the core programs are robust enough to cope with any incompatibilities.

[LoyceV]

I'm not in a fixed location

In that case I'd choose a different solution than running a few node. Basically anything designed for mobile will be much easier to use.

The HDD is really just to support an up to date blockchain, and maybe half a Bitcoin in a wallet in case I want to make a purchase.

Why not use a hardware wallet or even just a BIP38 encrypted paper wallet to store it?

Anything else could be stored in a hardware wallet.

I'm confused I assume you don't need half a Bitcoin for daily expenses, and even if you would want to buy - say - a used car for that money, you could pay from your hardware wallet directly. I use Mycelium on Android for small purchases on the road (usually food deliveries), I keep enough in there to buy what I need quickly, which is only a few percent of half a Bitcoin. I have an encrypted funded paper wallet in my wallet, and can arrange a $200 emergency loan as a contingency.

Apart from disk corruption resulting from impatience or power failure,my worry was the possible corruption of supporting files resulting from switching between different versions of the core software. My hope is that the core programs are robust enough to cope with any incompatibilities.

I won't expect it to be backwards compatible. If you update one of your Bitcoin Core installations, you should upgrade all of them.

[Jet Cash]

I won't expect it to be backwards compatible. If you update one of your Bitcoin Core installations, you should upgrade all of them.

That is obviously the sensible path, but not all versions of linux seem to support an easy upgrade to the latest node software.

The half Bitcoin was really for domain name dealing,but I take your point - it probably is a bit high for an online wallet.

I want to run a full node,because I like th control that it gives me - not that I know enough to use all of the features. It also helps the Bitcoin ecosystem, and we all need to do this as the central banks seem to be moving in.

[Jet Cash]

My latest plan is to install open SuSe to experiment with that. There are a lot of interesting products appearing for digital nomads. At one stage, I thought that a Raspberry pi would be the way to go, but a lot of low power single board computers are starting to appear, and most of them fit into cases with 12 volt power supplies. Obviously this is ideal for installation in a camper van.