FAQ

Hardware

What is included?

You will receive the following or better (based on inventory):

  • 1 Lenovo ThinkCentre M900 Tiny: A small-form factor PCs that is refurbished (like this).
  • 1 Intel Core i5-6500T: The original CPU is often 4 cores, 2.5 GHz, 6 MB cache, with Intel vPro (like this).
  • 8 GB of memory: The original 8 GB of DDR4 memory occupies 1 of 2 available SO-DIMM sockets (like this).
  • 256 GB or 2 TB storage: Pruned nodes will use the original 256 GB SSD drive (like this). Full nodes will have a new 2 TB m.2 drive (like this).
  • 1 Power Supply: An original 20 volt 4.5 amp that plugs into a traditional U.S. 120V residential three-prong electrical outlet (like this).

What is not included?

Bitcoin nodes are designed to run like a small server on your home network in a mode that is call headless.

  • No Keyboard, Video, or Mouse
  • No Ethernet cable

What must I provide?

To run a bitcoin node, you will provide the following.

  • Power (120V residential three-prong outlet)
  • Ethernet (CAT-5 or CAT-6)
  • Wired Network (an available RJ-45 on your home network)
  • PC/Phone/Tablet on the same home network
  • Browser to remotely visit either http://start.local or http://umbrel.local to set up your node
  • Internet connectivity to download the entire bitcoin blockchain (pruned nodes will download and truncate)

Software

StartOS or UmbrelOS is provided

Your refurbished PC will have Start9‘s StartOS or Umbrel‘s UmbrelOS preinstalled and ready for you to begin the setup process. These bitcoin node operating systems and app stores are provided freely by Start9, Umbrel, and a community of developers. Relatively Irrelevant is not a developer or maintainer. Instead, RI simply preinstalls these solutions to make your setup process easier for you.

What apps are provided?

By default, no apps are preinstalled on either StartOS or UmbrelOS. Both platforms have robust app stores with plenty of apps for you to chose from.

What apps should I install?

What you install and when you upgrade is entirely up to you. We suggest you start with the following:

  • Bitcoin Node: Bitcoin Core (S9 | U) or Bitcoin Knots (S9 | U)
  • Electrum Server: Electrs (S9 | U) or Fulcrum (U)
  • Block Explorer: Mempool (S9 | U)

May I wipe and rebuild?

Yes. You may configure the BIOS to boot from a USB thumb drive that you made and re-image the machine any way you like.

Support

Do these refurbished bitcoin nodes come with support?

Support for the physical hardware is limited to 30 days. While we expect most of these nodes to work for many more years, they are starting out as refurbished PCs that have already run for five to eight years. Full nodes with 2 TB have brand new m.2 hard drives that should last much longer than the pruned nodes using the original 256 GB SSD. If your refurbished Bitcoin node fails to run on arrival, please contact us.

Is software or application support provided?

The preinstalled StartOS or UmbrelOS software are freely provided and are supported by the community. Many of the applications you might chose to install are also made available for free and come without support.

I’d like to get to meet fellow architects, how can I do that?

Études offers comprehensive consulting, management, design, and research solutions. Our vision is to be at the forefront of architectural innovation, fostering a global community of architects and enthusiasts united by a passion for creating spaces. Every architectural endeavor is an opportunity to shape the future.

Can I apply to be a part of the team or work as a contractor?

Études offers comprehensive consulting, management, design, and research solutions. Our vision is to be at the forefront of architectural innovation, fostering a global community of architects and enthusiasts united by a passion for creating spaces. Every architectural endeavor is an opportunity to shape the future.

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