Analysis: Filecoin storage mining cluster construction

On the Internet, "cluster" refers to the integration of software and hardware that are closely connected, layered, coordinated, and then deploy the same applications and services on multiple servers to jointly complete a task. Filecoin mining works based on this principle.

In order to maintain the longevity and stability of the network, the Filecoin team has designed a complex proof system and economic model for the entire project architecture. To process these complex data, the above-mentioned "cluster" is required. A cluster composed of multiple computers will be able to process the stored data reasonably and efficiently.

According to the design of the Filecoin team, the entire storage mining process can be divided into six parts.

■ Get storage order

■ Data encapsulation, generating replication proof

■ Storage package data

■ Verify data and form effective computing power

■ Obtain packaging rights and submit time and space proof

■ Obtain block rewards

The entire process requires a cluster consisting of three types of mining machines: Worker, Miner, and Storage. The following will explain in detail the processes that the three types of mining machines are responsible for, so as to help miners who want to enter the market better understand Filecoin's mining deployment process and avoid falling into the trap of unscrupulous miners in the market and causing economic losses.

Miner will be mainly responsible for exchanging information with the main network, namely WinningPoSt and WindowPoSt. WinningPoSt means that when obtaining the packaging right, it is necessary to provide the main network with a time-space proof to prove that the data stored by the user is still completely stored in the Storage, so as to obtain block rewards. WindowPoSt means that after the data is stored, it is necessary to generate a time-space proof to facilitate the main network to check whether the data is still stored safely and completely.

Therefore, it is best to equip the Miner machine with two graphics cards, one for WinningPoSt and the other for WindowPoSt. This will not only allow for efficient work, but also extend the life of the graphics card.

As the name implies, Worker performs data encapsulation. After Miner receives the storage order, it informs Worker of the information, and Worker starts working, receives user data, and encapsulates the user data. After the processing is completed, a copy certificate will be generated for Miner, and the encapsulated data will be sent to Storage. Since Worker plays a more important role in the entire cluster, it is necessary to choose a high-performance AMD processor because it contains SHA extension, which can efficiently complete the calculation of PreCommit1.

Three principles for building a Filecoin cluster:

■ Reasonable layout

■ Efficient work

■ Redundant design

In the entire Filecoin mining process, after the Worker completes the packaging work, it will be idle. At this time, some miners will rent out the Worker to other miners who have only purchased Storage, thereby reducing their own investment costs. If there are miners with insufficient budgets, they can also purchase Storage servers alone and then participate in Filecoin mining through leasing.

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