I’m trying to figure out which method I want to use to start mining for BIP110 using Braiins Hashpower.
I currently have an RPi running Umbrel but I really don’t want to open ports to the outside world and I’m not seeing the benefit of using tunnels as opposed to just starting a new node (Start9) on a VPS and just pointing the hashpower to that VPS.
So I guess my question is, why are people bothering with tunnels instead of just running the node in a VPS and bypassing all the additional complexity and apps required to use a tunnel or VPS intermediary?
Technical expertise, mainly. Setting up and configuring bitcoind and Datum Gateway natively, as well as maintaining it and troubleshooting any problems that crop up over time isn’t for everyone.
I suppose if they give you the option to install a custom OS on the VPS, then that is an option. I’m not sure how common that is though. In my experience you typically must choose from a limited list of supported OS’s.
As far as using one of the standard OS’s that are commonly installed on a VPS, StartOS is by comparison a considerably easier UX for most people. In your case if you are comfortable around a Linux terminal, then just using the VPS to run Knots and Datum Gateway may be a better option.