How does it affect my node when I get the message: "No incoming connections - check firewalls/routers"

Question

I don't have any ports open and I get the message: "No incoming connections - check firewalls/routers". What does this impact on my node? Can I still connect to my node locally and use its RPC interface?

Answer 1

What does this impact on my node?

By not forwarding ports, you are preventing access for external nodes. Note however, nodes that you initiate a connection with can still sync from your node.

Can I still connect to my node locally and use its RPC interface?

Yes.