All You Need to Know about 6Block and its Filecoin Mining Solutions
In last week’s sharing, 6Block Core Developer Lee White answered the questions raised by the 6Block community in the past two weeks. 6Block is a team with technology as its core. We try our best to keep the information open and transparent. We will keep updating Q&A from the community.
In the past two weeks, the 6Block team determined the final hardware configuration. We used the 3970X at the beginning, but after many tests, we found that the 3960X is more cost-effective so we chose 3960X. In addition, the supply of 3960X is relatively sufficient, so we don’t have to worry about the supply. Here are the details of the latest hardware configuration: https://6block.com/files/zh/Filecoin%20mining%20solution%20v7.5.pdf
We also published a free version of our optimized Filecoin mining software. The free community version of the mining software includes bug fixes and scheduling optimization. Later, we will release a better-optimized version. If you have machines and equipment, you can always use our free software to mine. Free Filecoin mining software: https://github.com/shannon-6block/lotus-miner
In addition, let’s talk about the Filecoin testnet incentive program. Filecoin officially released the Filecoin testnet incentive program, which will give global and regional awards to the top 100 and top 50 miners on all continents. A total of 4 million Filecoin tokens will be distributed to the top miners. It should be noted here that the testnet reward plan is based on KYC, not the miner ID. If users have accounts on different continents, they will be automatically distinguished. Miner aggregation is aggregated in units of continents. In addition, regarding the question of using a proxy, we also consulted the Filecoin official team and the official reply was that they would have the means to verify the physical address of the mining hardware.
6Block has currently started cooperation with third-party vendors to sell Filecoin cloud mining products. 6Block provides the technology and the third party handles the sales. The reason for this is that our team is based on technology and wants to focus more on what they are good at. At the same time, the third party has a professional sales team and can bring a better user experience. Regarding third-party purchase services, if you have any questions, you can specifically consult the seller.
Community FAQ:
About 6Block
1. What is 6Block?
6Block (6block.com) focuses on the “unicorn” project in the blockchain and crypto industry, providing solutions such as mining pools, customized mining software, mining machines, and wallets. 6Block is the first mining pool on the market to support HNS mining. It has also developed the first Handshake ASIC miner with a manufacturer, the first batch of which has been shipped.
Since entering the Filecoin mining field, 6Block has discovered and reported several major bugs to the Filecoin team, such as the inflation bug and hence was invited to bea member of the FileCoin Security Research Fellowship (FSRF). At present, the efficiency of 6Block’s mining software sealing speed has been increased by more than 2 times on the official benchmark, which is at the industry’s leading level and is being continuously optimized. In terms of hardware, all 6Block Filecoin miners are equipped with AMD CPUs, hosted in T3+ level IDC with a safe and stable power supply.
2. What is the capital structure of 6Block?
6Block has received an angel round investment of 2 million USD from Qtum Chain Foundation.
3. Where is 6Block based?
6Block is made up of mostly tech developers, rather distributed in Beijing, Shanghai, Yunnan, Xinjiang, etc. The two offices in Beijing and Shanghai.
4. How big is the team?
6Block is a lean team with 20 people in total, 15 of us are technical developers or engineers, and 5 of us are marketing and sales.
5. What is the vision of 6Block?
6Block focuses on blockchain projects with cutting edge tech innovations. We provide a suite of services including the mining pool, mining facilities, and mining hardware. In terms of the team, we will continue to be a lean tech team, while sales and customer service will be strengthened.
6. What is the test node of 6Block running on Filecoin?
6Block’s miner account is T021661. You can find us on the top miners list using our explore https://filfox.io/en/. We are only using a small number of machines for testing at the current stage.
About 6Block Filecoin Mining Hardware configuration and sales
1. A detailed list of hardware configuration:
The detailed list of the 6Block F3 series is displayed on our official sales page here.
2. What is the difference between F3 and F3+?
The main difference is that F3 is equipped with one computing hardware while F3+ is equipped with two. In order to match its storage capacity, the storage hardware for F3 is 168T; the storage hardware for F3+ is 336T. Based on the hardware cost of one T on average, F3+ is more cost-effective. But F3 can satisfy users with a smaller amount of funds.
3. How to compare the mining output of each miner?
The cost performance can be compared with the hardware cost required for a single year of effective storage. It should be noted that the hard drives sold by various companies do not necessarily represent their effective storage capacity for one year. Our hard disk configuration is matched with a year of effective storage.
4. Can the 6Block F3 series be ready for the testnet incentive program?
The testnet incentive program will start on July 20th, so if clients put an order for F3 it won’t be able to deliver on time for the testnet incentive program.
5. Can the 6Block F3 series be ready for the mainnet?
The mainnet launch time is at the end of August, so orders placed at least before August will be ready for the mainnet launch.
6. When will the F7 series be sold?
F7 series miners, because there is no motherboard on the market, it is expected to arrive in early September. If you are interested in the F7 series machines, you can communicate with 6block VIP services on WeChat in advance.
7. What happens after the one-year contract ends?
The property rights of the miners belong to the customer. After one year, the user can choose to renew the contract, then they need to pay the hosting fee and add the storage hardware; or the user can also take it away, but after the removal, we no longer provide software services.
8. How to calculate the maintenance cost of F3+ series hardware?
The warranty period of the purchased F3 series products is based on the warranty period officially announced by the hardware manufacturer. It ranges from 1 to 3 years. If it is damaged after the warranty period, and it is still kept in the 6Block pool, 6Blockshall notify the user, and the user shall pay for the repair or replacement.
Managed operation and maintenance
1. Why does Filecoin’s machine need to be hosted at the mine site of 6Block?
Because of the consensus mechanism of Filecoin’s Proof of Space-Time, it has high requirements on the mining environment. 6Block mining facility is located in Karamay, Xinjiang, T3+IDC machine room, with the experienced maintenance personnel, equipped with 10 Gigabit network, to ensure maximum storage online. At the same time, when it is hosted in the 6Block mining facility, it is convenient for us to uniformly manage and optimize the software services.
2. How to check and verify the mining hardware?
There are two options. The user can go to the IDC facility of 6Block to personally check and accept on the spot. The operation and maintenance personnel of 6Block will guide the delivery at the mining facility, or the user can also entrust 6Block to verify via video.
Software services
1. Why not provide optimized software service alone?
At present, we are still optimizing software services internally and repeatedly testing in terms of security and permissions. After the software is more mature, we will provide the software with a licensing fee.
2. Which of the four stages of optimization is most important?
Because Precommit1 takes the longest time, optimization of Pre1 is very important. Generally speaking, except for C1, the other three stages of optimization are all very important.
3. What is the difference between F3 series optimization and F7 series optimization?
The F3 series is limited by the hardware’s memory and performance, and can have fewer sectors in parallel; the F7 series is a server-level AMD machine with more parallel sectors and more optimization space.
4. If users have their own machines, how should they cooperate with 6block?
You can use the free mining software service of 6Block.
Fil Mining Returns
1. When users buy a 6Block miner, when can they see the return?
First of all, it depends on when the user places an order. If the order is placed before August, the verified storage can start when the main network is online to start getting mining rewards. Before the main net launch, 6Block will add a user's mining interface, users can see their machine number, daily mining output, initiate withdrawal.
If users place an order after the main net launch, they will see their own miner interface within five working days after acceptance of the hardware.
2. Who will provide FIL token for collateral, 6Block, or the clients?
6Block will provide the FIL token as collateral for mining. It needs FIL token when 6Block registers a miner account.
3. How long does the collateral hold?
Need to wait for official notification.
4. Can you estimate how much return the client can generate by investing in the miners now?
Because the mining profitability depends on the proportion of your verified storage space compared to that of the entire network, it is difficult to predict total verified storage before the main network is launched. It is currently difficult to estimate earnings.
That’s all for today’s sharing. Happy mining!
6Block focuses on “Unicorn” projects in the blockchain area, providing solutions for cryptocurrency mining, including highly efficient mining programs, mining pools, hardware, cloud mining, and wallets.
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