Optimal setup for Start9 + Sparrow

[zman99]

Hello I am looking for confirmation that I am using my Start9 Pure in the optimal way for best general purpose privacy and self sovereignty.

• Start9 physical ethernet cable connect to AT&T modem
• Macbook is wirelessly connected to AT&T modem
• Bitcoin Core and Electrs apps both updated to latest on S9
• Sparrow updated to latest version
• Configure Sparrow to Electrs (used this guide: electrs-startos/docs/integrations/sparrow/guide.md at master · Start9Labs/electrs-startos · GitHub)
• Use VPN on laptop when using Sparrow to maximize privacy

Open questions:

• Is this proper setup for private bitcoin usage?
• Can i connect my S9 directly to my eero wirelessly instead of physical to modem? Right now I need to switch network from eero to AT&T every time I want to connect to S9.
• Can I connect to my S9 remotely? Right now I can only connect to my special “.local” address if I am on my local wireless network. If I go to coffee shop down the street, how can I connect to it?
• Can I use Sparrow wallet remotely?
• Should I connect Sparrow via Bitcoin Core directly or Electrs (as I currently am)

[1Scott1]

Hi zman, that looks like a good setup to me. A few comments:

• You shouldn’t need a VPN when making a local connection when using sparrow. Most VPNs allow local connections to pass through anyway.

• Yes, connecting Sparrow to an Electrum Server is how I use bitcoin too.

• Wired connection is optimal for a server. I would keep it off WiFi.

• Yes, you can connect to the S9 remotely when you are away from your house. I think the easiest way to do this is via the Tor address. Your sparrow wallet can use the Tor address of the Bitcoin Core/Electrs server. You can also access the GUI of StartOS using the Tor network as described here. Start9 | Connecting Remotely

• Connecting Sparrow to Electrs vs Bitcoin Core pros/cons covered here Start9 | Bitcoin Integrations