Why arent you running a full node?

[cdog]

The bitcoin network needs more full nodes. If you own a computer, and arent running a full node, Id like to hear why.

Its no secret that most people who are mining are simply submitting shares to pools, and dont actually run the full Bitcoin software (this goes for alts as well).

This declining node trend decreases the security and reliability of the Bitcoin network.

More nodes means more security. Download it here:

https://bitcoin.org/en/download

[guitarplinker]

I was running one for a month or so, but it was fairly expensive to host ($10/month and I didn't get anything out of it) so I stopped the node after a month. It relayed probably 30 transactions in that month, and I'm not sure if the contributions it made to the network were worth $10 to me and others, which is why I stopped.

I might think about starting one up again if there's a feature implemented that pays node operators - something like a masternode that Darkcoin has implemented. Then it would make more sense to me.

As for security, I think the real security issue we have right now is that Cex.io has been eerily close to having 50% of the network hashrate for months now, IMO having ~7k nodes and worrying about security on them is a lower priority than people having 50%+ of the network hashrate.

[Light]

Because it takes too long for me to download the blockchain and I don't want to be using all my bandwidth uploading and downloading on a continuous basis to other peers. Not all of us live in America where unlimited internet is a standard. Not to mention I don't want to have to run my computer 24/7 which is what you're meant to do if you truly want to run a full node properly.

[silvestar]

The bitcoin network needs more full nodes. If you own a computer, and arent running a full node, Id like to hear why.

Its no secret that most people who are mining are simply submitting shares to pools, and dont actually run the full Bitcoin software (this goes for alts as well).

This declining node trend decreases the security and reliability of the Bitcoin network.

More nodes means more security. Download it here:

https://bitcoin.org/en/download

And don't forget to forward port 8333.
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=128122.0

[_Miracle]

I thought I was by running Armory but found that I may not have the correct port enabled.

[os2sam]

The bitcoin network needs more full nodes. If you own a computer, and arent running a full node, Id like to hear why.

Virus signatures in the block chain.

[cloverme]

I run a partial node but not a full node 24/7, but it would be nice if there was a node/tip-jar/fee for running one to cover electricity and internet.

[zetaray]

This may be a wrong belief, I think running a full node exposes my home computer to potential attacks. There must be a secure way to setup a full node without sacrificing security, but I do not know how to. I will just leave it to the more able bitcoiners.

[Majixagi]

How much of an issue is this, really? Last I saw there were over 8,000 nodes.

That being said I decided to fire up my full node again at home. As far as security, I don't have any populated wallets on the linux virtual machine it runs on. I port forward manually off my firewall. I use the "connect=<ip>" configuration option on my laptop which has my real wallet so that I'm not downloading the blockchain twice on the same network connection. I feel that adds an additional layer of buffering between my laptop which is not always on and the rest of the net.

[nickenburg]

Just because my sdd is only 120gb and I already have a hard time with it.
Keeping a few gb's free so I can install anything I want.
I do however have a network hdd where I can store my download's so that makes it a little easier!
Also I didnt know that you could run a node by just having the bitcoin software open.

[os2sam]

Also I didnt know that you could run a node by just having the bitcoin software open.

Having it open and allowing incoming connections.  You know your allowing incoming connections when you have more than 8 connections.

[guitarplinker]

This may be a wrong belief, I think running a full node exposes my home computer to potential attacks. There must be a secure way to setup a full node without sacrificing security, but I do not know how to. I will just leave it to the more able bitcoiners.

I've heard that as well - I think you'd be safe though by encrypting your bitcoin wallet. I'm not 100% certain, but I suspect that would protect you from any incoming attacks.

[mintymark]

I have had a problem running a full node ever since I unblocked the port that it needs. (Before that the client always had about 8 connections.) Now the number of connections gradually rises over a period of a few days if I let it untill there are over a hundred connections, and then my screen freezes and I have to do a hard reset. This may be caused by low memory on my machine.

If I could limit it to a sane number of connections I and perhaps others would run a node all the time.

Suggestions?

[mintymark]

Its an Ubuntu 12.04 system by the way.

[os2sam]

I have had a problem running a full node ever since I unblocked the port that it needs. (Before that the client always had about 8 connections.) Now the number of connections gradually rises over a period of a few days if I let it untill there are over a hundred connections, and then my screen freezes and I have to do a hard reset. This may be caused by low memory on my machine.

If I could limit it to a sane number of connections I and perhaps others would run a node all the time.

Suggestions?

Use the command line argument "-maxconnections=n"

[mintymark]

os2sam - Thank you for that. I had looked for such a thing, obviously ineffectively!! I shall try this.

[2weiX]

there needs to be a way to run a full node on a raspberry or similar device, with little electrical cost and no space requirements.

[Farmer17]

The major reason is that I don't have a high internet bandwidth (esp. the upload bandwidth)...

[ticoti]

there needs to be a way to run a full node on a raspberry or similar device, with little electrical cost and no space requirements.

i have a raspberry i would like someone to tell me how to set it up

[zvs]

The major reason is that I don't have a high internet bandwidth (esp. the upload bandwidth)...

speaking of bandwidth, here's what's consumed by around 700 bitcoind connections after a new block (other tcp connections for p2pool/aliencoin)