Node Builder Workshop Build and customize your own Start9OS node & personal server Assert your monetary sovereignty 

Purpose & Goals Learn to assemble and install a Bitcoin node from scratch Understand sovereign self-hosting with Start9OS Leave with a fully operational node ready to sync Bitcoin Core Compare Core vs Knots and CLN vs LND Practice software verification and manual backups Agenda overview (Hardware → BIOS → Start9 → Network → Trust CA → Wrap-up) Build Your Own Bitcoin Node & Personal Server with Start9OS 

Why Run Your Own Node Verify don’t trust — enforce your own rules Avoid 3rd-party reliance & censorship by validating your own transactions Support Bitcoin’s decentralization Run Lightning, Electrum, Mempool, etc. privately Learn how nodes interact across the network 

Start9OS Turnkey sovereign server OS for self-hosting Privacy-first design with encrypted backups Web dashboard for services and updates Installs on commodity x86 hardware Perfect for Bitcoin Core + Lightning + Electrum stack 

Included in each kit (5 available): Dell OptiPlex 9020M Micro Desktop (i7-4785T 2.2 GHz) 2 × 8 GB Crucial DDR3L 1600 MHz RAM (16 GB total) Samsung 870 QVO 2 TB SSD Dell SSD caddy + 65 W power adapter You’ll also need: Laptop (Windows/Linux/macOS), USB ≥ 8 GB, optional Ethernet cable Hardware Inventory 

Assembly Overview Open case Install 2 RAM modules (first) Insert SSD into caddy & connect SATA Re-seat connectors & close case Attach power cable 

Setting Value Boot Mode Legacy Secure Boot Disabled SATA Operation AHCI Virtualization Enabled USB 3.0 Support Enabled Boot Order USB → Internal SSD Verify BIOS Settings 💡 F2 = BIOS  F12 = One-Time Boot Menu 

Item Spec Status Dell OptiPlex 9020M Micro i7-4785T 2.2 GHz ✅ Ready RAM 16 GB DDR3L ✅ Installed SSD 2 TB Samsung 870 QVO / 860 EVO ✅ Installed Power + Ethernet Connected ✅ Verified BIOS Setup A25 (legacy mode) ✅ Verified Hardware Pre-Check 

Download Start9 image file on GitHub Verify SHA-256 checksum against what is posted in GitHub for your build sha256sum startos-0.3.5.1-39de098_x86_64-nonfree.iso ------------ 29b0f1e0211568ea66d6b729536ff84aed3b6cbc1c38540a7c80a391fd01616e startos-0.3.5.1-39de098_x86_64-nonfree.iso ------------ Compare to official hash values 🔗 docs.start9.com/0.3.5.x/flashing-guides/os-x86.html Download and Verify Software 

Download & Open Balena Etcher Select startos-0.3.5.1-39de098_x86_64-nonfree.iso Choose target drive (USB stick) Flash + verify → Done Safely eject device 1 2 3 4 5 Flash Start9OS 

Install Start9OS ✅ Boots directly into Start9OS setup wizard 1.Insert Start9 USB → Power on → tap F12 2.Select USB device → Enter 3.When prompted → choose Install Start9OS 4.Select internal SSD (/dev/sda) 5.Confirm erase → Install 6.Remove USB → Reboot 

Initial Setup Wizard Follow setup steps for new install Encrypt drive with a password Trust Root CA 

Internet / Gateway │ [WAN Port] │ ┌─────────────────┐ │ Tomato Router (DHCP + Wi-Fi) │ │ IP: 192.168.79.1 SSID: Tomato 50 │ └─────┬───────────┘ │ │ │ ┌────────┐ │ │ GS105 Switch │ │ └────────┘ │ ├ Node 1 │ ├ Node 2 │ ├ Node 3 │ ├ Node 4 │ ├ Node 5 │ Networking Overview 

Test Command Expected Router reach ping 192.168.79.1 Replies ✔️ Internet ping 8.8.8.8 Replies ✔️ Node visible ping 192.168.79.xxx Replies ✔️ Dashboard Browser → https://adjective-noun.local Loads ✔️ LAN Testing 

Post-Install Overview Node ready to sync Bitcoin Core or Bitcoin Knots Access dashboard on LAN for app installs Optional apps: CLN, LND, Electrum, Mempool Perform manual USB backups to external drive (especially after opening lightning channels) 

What You’re Leaving With Fully built & configured Start9OS node Understanding of hardware, network, and sovereign stack Confidence to replicate and expand at home 

Wrap-Up & Raffle Q&A + demo of LAN access Node raffle