1. No and yes, depends what do you want to do. For example:
  • if you have an old alby custodial account but you want to migrate it (as is) to a self hosting node, you can link it to your new setup, self-hosted. You can keep same LN address and balance as you had before, only that from now on, you manage it yourself.
  • if you do not have an old ably custodial account, you can create a new one (no need for invitation, invitation is ONLY for those that still want to have a custodial account) and link it to your new hub node (on cloud or self-hosted, it doesn't matter).
  • if you have an old custodial account but you want a new one, only for your new hub self-hosted, you can create a new one and keep it separate from old one. You can even setup with your own domain the LN address or keep it as @getalby.com, as you wish.
  1. Yes, is possible
  2. Yes, you can link it to an existing LND node if you want and act as lndhub with accounts for your family. You can use Zeus, Bluewallet, BitBanana to connect those lndhub accounts. By default Alby Hub is going to run a LDK node (standalone local node), if you do not link it to other source. See the screenshots I posted above.
Indeed, with Alby Hub you have many options. Definitely worth trying it and understand all the features. I think is just the beginning.