CockroachDB is pretty easy to deploy. We’ve done our best to avoid the need for configuration files, mandatory environment variables, and copious command line flags, and it shows; we’ve already had testimonials from folks who were able to deploy a 20-node cluster in just half a day. That’s something to be proud of! However, there is still one wrinkle in the fabric, and that’s our use of network ports. As of this writing, CockroachDB requires two ports, but why, and can we do better?

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