Easier options in running full node

[jiamijiang]

Hello, recently I've been interested in learning on how to run my own bitcoin full node. Downloading the Bitcoin Core client software from bitcoin.org seems a bit challenging and seems like it requires to understand how to use command line functions, which I don't have a good handle on. I've come across providers such as Umbrel and myNode which both requires some separate hardware to purchase, but the setup itself seems alot more user friendlier, and they both come with a friendly UI to use when accessing the node.

Does anyone have experience setting up a full node with Umbrel or myNode? What are the technical differences between using these providers versus directly downloading Bitcoin Core software?

Thank you

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[bob123]

Which operating system are you using?

If it is windows, you don't need to open the command line at all.

Running your own node is not as hard as it sounds. Just try to get it up and running. Feel free to post here whenever you don't know how to proceed or are unsure about something.

[btc123thatthere]

Might want to consider running a full node on a Raspberry Pi 3 or 4 with an external USB hard drive.
It offers an up to date full node that'll only use ~6.5 watts from the wall.
You can access the Pi itself from another machine on the network to change/view something on it.
You'll need over 330GB free hard drive space. So a one or two terabyte drive will leave plenty of room for the future.
Nice to have it kept on an external drive so you can easily copy it to another machine.

[darosior]

Downloading the Bitcoin Core client software from bitcoin.org seems a bit challenging and seems like it requires to understand how to use command line functions, which I don't have a good handle on.

You *absolutely don't* need any command line, or other typical-tech-savy-knowledge, to run bitcoin-core.
Here is for example an overview of the GUI.

In your case, i would recommend downloading the graphical (`bitcoin-qt`) client and set up pruning.
The full validation is going to take some time and the GUI will hang during that time, once initial sync has been processed
it'll be much faster to get up to date with the network when you start your bitcoin client.

You can find binaries at:

• The official project webpage: https://bitcoincore.org/en/download/
• The website (bitcoin.org) you just visited: https://bitcoin.org/en/download

Don't forget to verify the signatures

[jiamijiang]

and why do you prefer to use Bitcoin Core? What would be the advantages of using Bitcoin Core directly versus using myNode or Umbrel? Umbrel seems like it also comes with alot of other features such as the Tor network, access to the lightning node, etc.

You don't need to understand how to use command line in order to use Bitcoin Core. On windows, it's even possible to use Bitcoin Core without touching command line at all while on linux, you only need to execute few short command.
I never heard Umbrel, but i've tried myNode (software/OS) some time ago. Overall it's interesting, but i prefer using Bitcoin Core.

[Bunker Hosting]

and why do you prefer to use Bitcoin Core? What would be the advantages of using Bitcoin Core directly versus using myNode or Umbrel? Umbrel seems like it also comes with alot of other features such as the Tor network, access to the lightning node, etc.

Just an assumption but I would say the biggest advantage of Bitcoin Core is that you aren't really relying on a third party, other than your ISP to download & setup your node.

Once you get your full node setup on Windows with the GUI, you can take a look around the web and you can setup a hidden service with TOR yourself!

[BrewMaster]

and why do you prefer to use Bitcoin Core? What would be the advantages of using Bitcoin Core directly versus using myNode or Umbrel? Umbrel seems like it also comes with alot of other features such as the Tor network, access to the lightning node, etc.

if you want to run a full node and not store any significant amount of bitcoin in it and aren't going to rely on it for any kind of security-sensitive operation (eg. a merchant receiving payments) then go with whatever implementation that you feel more comfortable with.

if it is otherwise then you have to worry about security. i don't know what myNode is (do you have any links) but Umbrel is very new and very insecure to use right now. there is even a very responsible warning on their page which you can refer to for more details: https://github.com/getumbrel/umbrel/blob/master/SECURITY.md

on the other hand, bitcoin core is the reference implementation of Bitcoin and is the oldest one (started by Satoshi Nakamoto) with the most number of contributors and smallest chance of having serious bugs.

[texgeek]

You don't need to understand how to use command line in order to use Bitcoin Core. On windows, it's even possible to use Bitcoin Core without touching command line at all while on linux, you only need to execute few short command.
I never heard Umbrel, but i've tried myNode (software/OS) some time ago. Overall it's interesting, but i prefer using Bitcoin Core.

So i've finished download .ova image from https://mynodebtc.com/ and just tried it a bit.

1. By default it asks 4 processor, 4 GB RAM & 27 MB video memory
2. If you use VirtualBox, you need to install VM VirtualBox Extension Pack
3. Guest Additions isn't installed by default, so you must install it by yourself (i haven't tried it yet).
4. myNode uses Debian 10 64-bit with OpenBox desktop environment
5. The default credentials is

Username: admin
Password: bolt 

6. I don't need to configure anything, but if you need to configure anything (e.g. import Blockchain from your synced node or use Tor), you can't do it from their Web UI and must do it manually.
7. I saw Docker and Fail2Ban installed, even though there aren't images on Docker

For now it looks promising, i'll try it later when i'm not too lazy to configure it.

If you run a full node, or node, you win some reward ?

[pooya87]

If you run a full node, or node, you win some reward ?

yes but not monetary rewards. running a full node gives you more privacy, higher security and full control without relying on anybody else for validating and propagating your transactions and also since you verify everything and enforce the consensus rules you'll be part of the backbone of bitcoin network.

[jiamijiang]

If I do use a service like myNode or Umbrel, what am I exactly relying on them for? Aren't I also running my own full node as well if i use those? Just curious as to what technical aspects of the full node that I don't have control over if I run a full node through myNode/Umbrel versus downloading Bitcoin Core directly?

[jiamijiang]

Thanks for all the responses so far. Another question, would running a full node on my personal wifi/internet connection really slow down other things i'm using the internet for? What should i be aware of for this aspect?

[bob123]

Thanks for all the responses so far. Another question, would running a full node on my personal wifi/internet connection really slow down other things i'm using the internet for? What should i be aware of for this aspect?

Depends on your bandwidth.
Usually you shouldn't experience a huge impact on your bandwidth. Further, you can limit the daily download/upload rate of core or even limit the speed with 3rd party applications if you want to.

But it really depends.. you won't notice a lot with 1000 GB/s. But when using DSL, that's a completely different story.

What should i be aware of for this aspect?

Probably internet throttling from your ISP (because you use tons of bandwidth in some time)

Throttling because of downloading a few hundred GB's? This sounds a bit extreme.

[cryptomaxsun]

For the full Bitcoin node to work correctly, you also need to create bitcoin.conf in the directory where the blockchain is stored.

Code:

rpcuser=your login                                                                    
rpcpassword=your password                                                     
rpcallowip=127.0.0.1                                                                      
listen=1                                                                                  
daemon=1
server=1
port=8333
maxconnections=18

I have a full bitcoin node constantly running, this does not require a powerful computer and fast Internet, I have 596 GB of Sata3 on my old hard drive, and an optical Internet of 10 Mbps, here is the site where you can find all the nodes - https://bitnodes.io

If you want to run through the tor, then check out this topic - https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5177001.0

Almost everyone can afford to keep a full Bitcoin node.