Thinking About Running a Bitcoin Node but Got Questions

I've been curious about what it’s like to run a Bitcoin node. Got unlimited data, but SSD space is a problem for me right now. Can I sync my node to cloud storage, like, can that even work? Or should I be asking if I can run it from cloud storage?

If you’re looking to complete that 14-day challenge, gotta tell you it won’t work with just any setup. Better read the rules first. Honestly, sharing your PC specs could help us give better advice. I managed to run a node on a low-spec laptop, so it’s doable.

Using an HDD with enough RAM (>12GB) or a mix of HDD and SSD is a solid option if sync speed is your concern. I’ve heard you can use cloud storage that mounts as a drive, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Bitcoin Core does a ton of random writes, it’d be super slow.

Are you going full node or prune node? If it’s the full node, you’ll need about a terabyte of space. Pruned nodes just need about 13-14GB for the blockchain space. But really, cloud storage? That’s mostly for backup, not active use.

Wait, there’s a node challenge? I just wanted to do it for fun. But yeah, if I need a terabyte, that sounds like too much. Is 1TB even enough nowadays? Where can I check the current block size?

Check out the blockchain explorer charts. Currently, it’s around 730GB. A 1TB drive should hold up for a year or two unless the blockchain grows faster.

Cloud storage like Google Drive or VPS? What’s the deal? I’m kinda lost here.

You don’t need a terabyte for the challenge. A pruned node is the way to go. Remember, it’s about supporting the network after the challenge too. Prune nodes can validate recent transactions but not older ones.

Look for guides on how to run a Bitcoin node. They cover what you can do based on your resources. There’s a challenge going on too, so you can learn and participate.

You can use Bitcoin Core with pruning mode. It saves space without needing all that storage, about 50GB is enough for that.

Pruning? What’s that all about? Does it delete old blocks or something?

Exactly, it’s for those short on space. You tell the node to delete old blocks as new ones come in. You can set how much space to keep.

Good to know. Sounds like a smart way to save storage while keeping the node running.

But using a VPS? That could work better. I remember someone here had a good experience with that.

Yeah, go for a prune node. It’ll help with your storage issue while letting you validate data from the start to now. Just keep your UTXO files.

Pruned nodes don’t need the entire blockchain, it’s lighter. But both types have the same long initial download time for the blockchain.

True, but if you mount your blocks from another location and the connection drops? That could lead to a crash.

Honestly, using a VPS sounds better. If your goal is to experience running a node, go local and prune it. You’ll see how long syncing takes.

Where are you located? Honestly, 1TB HDDs seem unwanted these days. People are just scrapping those old drives.

If no one wants 1TB 7200RPM drives, then why’s the price high? I need them for files, but deals are hard to find.