What resources/hardware will I need to run a lightning node?

butka

full member

Activity: 434

Merit: 246

Quote from: leonair on March 20, 2018, 11:15:50 PM

If the requirement is to download then you must do it to use it. I know how frustrating the internet speed in Africa is but that's the way it is.

However, if you just want to test it first, regardless of your location and internet speed, you could use a VPS hosting service. For example, like it is described in this guide. For a couple of dollars per day, you can try it out first, and decide how to proceed from there. The money and time will be well spent, just to see how it all works even if you don't run the lightning network yourself.

leonair

sr. member

Activity: 1260

Merit: 390

★Bitvest.io★ Play Plinko or Invest!

Quote from: irukandji on March 20, 2018, 10:34:03 PM

Quote from: RGBKey on March 19, 2018, 07:33:24 PM

A full, unpruned Bitcoin node which is maintaining a transaction index, in addition to lightning node software (lnd, c-lightning, etc.). It can be done for around $100 or less by using a raspberry pi and an external hard drive to store the blockchain, although I'm not sure if I'd recommend it because running a node, especially the initial sync is very demanding.

Wow, so everyone who wants to participate in the lightning network will need to download the entire blockchain. Even someone in a village in Africa? Huh

If the requirement is to download then you must do it to use it. I know how frustrating the internet speed in Africa is but that's the way it is. There is no exception in using Bitcoin though no matter where you from or what race are you in and for me that's one great characteristic of being decentralized.

as of December 19, 2016 the size of Bitcoin Blockchain reaches 100GB based on this article http://www.coinfox.info/news/6700-bitcoin-blockchain-size-reaches-100-gb

irukandji

sr. member

Activity: 629

Merit: 258

Quote from: RGBKey on March 19, 2018, 07:33:24 PM

A full, unpruned Bitcoin node which is maintaining a transaction index, in addition to lightning node software (lnd, c-lightning, etc.). It can be done for around $100 or less by using a raspberry pi and an external hard drive to store the blockchain, although I'm not sure if I'd recommend it because running a node, especially the initial sync is very demanding.

Wow, so everyone who wants to participate in the lightning network will need to download the entire blockchain. Even someone in a village in Africa? Huh

RGBKey

hero member

Activity: 854

Merit: 658

rgbkey.github.io/pgp.txt

A full, unpruned Bitcoin node which is maintaining a transaction index, in addition to lightning node software (lnd, c-lightning, etc.). It can be done for around $100 or less by using a raspberry pi and an external hard drive to store the blockchain, although I'm not sure if I'd recommend it because running a node, especially the initial sync is very demanding.