Know Your Orchestrator #4 | Joseph Kuhnsman (FTK Staking)
Introducing the technical and professional profiles of each Orchestrator in the Livepeer project
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Welcome to this Know Your Orchestrator (KYO) segment. This initiative is being led by the team here at Live Pioneers, with the main objective of introducing the technical and professional profiles of each Orchestrator in the Livepeer project, as well as highlighting any goals they may have. We hope this will help foster ties between Delegators and their favorite Orchestrators.
If you still do not know what Livepeer is, you can read our article here:
🎤 Joseph K. Interview
1/ Live Pioneers: How did you get involved in running a Livepeer Orchestrator? Do you have a team assisting you, or are you a solo operator?
Joseph K: I learned about Livepeer in 2021 from one of the crypto podcasts I used to listen to. It was described as a solid up-and-coming web3 project that was already providing a working product. At that time, the barrier to entry was low (i.e., the minimum self-stake threshold), so I decided to give it a try. After joining the Livepeer Discord and experiencing how helpful and supportive the community is, I knew I had made the right decision.
I operate as a solo orchestrator; however, I consider FTK Staking more of a private pool. Over time, I have partnered with other orchestrators to share GPU resources globally, enhancing our collective capacity and reliability. This collaboration allows us to provide more robust and efficient services within the Livepeer network.
2/ Live Pioneers: What’s your technical background? And how do you use your technical skills in your Orchestrator role?
Joseph K: I am a CPA with a career primarily focused on auditing and advisory services over IT systems and internal controls, but I have always been tech-savvy and eager to learn. My journey with technology began as a kid when I bought a book called “Game Programming for Teens”, which taught me BASIC and sparked my love for programming. Over time, I learned to code in Python, C#, JavaScript, and Go. As I got more involved with Livepeer, I expanded my knowledge of DevOps and infrastructure engineering.
Now, I use these technical skills to manage and maintain the operations of the FTK Staking orchestrator. Additionally, I own and operate the Livepeer Arbitrum Community Node, a free Arbitrum RPC service for all Livepeer participants. When Livepeer migrated from Ethereum L1 to Arbitrum L2, third-party RPC service providers faced constant stability issues, and the rapid growth of the Arbitrum blockchain database made self-hosting nodes costly for the average orchestrator. To address this, I obtained a grant from the Livepeer Grants Committee and began running geographically distributed Arbitrum nodes that were stable and free from throttling or rate limits.
Furthermore, I am a member of the Video Miner team and have significantly contributed to the development of the Video Miner Pool software. My background and technical skills enable me to effectively support and innovate within the Livepeer network, ensuring reliable and efficient services for the community.
3/ Live Pioneers: What features of Livepeer can you highlight that make a difference in the web3 ecosystem?
Joseph K: Livepeer embodies the best qualities of a true web3 project and serves as an excellent model for other projects within the ecosystem. Here are some key features that make Livepeer stand out:
- Decentralization
Livepeer champions open participation, allowing anyone with a GPU to become an Orchestrator or pool transcoder and contribute to the network. This inclusivity promotes a more democratic and resilient network. By eliminating intermediaries, Livepeer ensures that video processing and distribution are transparent and secure, akin to a decentralized co-op where everyone has a role and stake in the outcome.
- Cost Efficiency
By leveraging a decentralized network of node operators who compete to offer the best price and performance, Livepeer significantly lowers the cost of video transcoding. This competitive environment is similar to a marketplace where multiple vendors offer services, driving prices down while improving quality. Additionally, the Livepeer Token (LPT) incentivizes participants to contribute their computing resources, creating an economically efficient network where supply meets demand effectively.
- Integration with Web3 Projects
Livepeer’s ability to seamlessly integrate with other blockchain-based projects and decentralized applications (dApps) enhances the overall web3 ecosystem. This interoperability is like building blocks that fit perfectly together, allowing for the creation of complex, innovative solutions. Whether it’s for decentralized social media platforms, NFT marketplaces, or live interactive experiences, Livepeer’s integration capabilities ensure it plays a pivotal role in the broader web3 landscape.
These features collectively demonstrate how Livepeer not only advances the field of decentralized video streaming but also contributes to the growth and sophistication of the entire web3 ecosystem.
4/ Live Pioneers: How would you describe Livepeer in simple terms?
Joseph K: Livepeer is a community-powered video transcoding network that’s cheaper, more open, and more secure than traditional web2 service providers (e.g., AWS, GCP, Azure).
5/ Live Pioneers: How did you first find out about blockchain technology, and what prompted you to get involved in crypto?
Joseph K: I first found out about blockchain technology through news articles and online forums that were buzzing about Bitcoin and its revolutionary potential. Bitcoin was becoming well-known as a new form of digital currency that didn’t rely on banks or governments. The idea of a decentralized currency intrigued me, as it promised greater financial freedom and security.
6/ Live Pioneers: What was your first experience with Livepeer like, and what convinced you to take on the Orchestrator role?
Joseph K: My first experience with Livepeer was extremely positive, largely due to the genuine care and support of the community. After joining the Livepeer Discord, I quickly realized that the community truly cares about the success of the network and its participants. At the time, starting as an orchestrator seemed fairly simple, so I decided to give it a try. During the first few months, I asked many questions in the Discord and received nothing but genuine help and support from the community, which solidified my decision to become an orchestrator.
7/ Live Pioneers: Can you briefly summarize what your daily work as an Orchestrator looks like? What types of maintenance, monitoring, and time commitments are required in running a node after the initial setup? Is it a full-time or a part-time job?
Joseph K: A lot of time and effort went into the initial setup of FTK Staking Orchestrator, but now my daily routine to monitor and maintain standard orchestrator operations is fairly straightforward. Initially, I dedicated a significant amount of time to building robust monitoring and alerting systems using Prometheus and Grafana. Once these systems were operational, I started receiving real-time notifications whenever errors occurred.
Achieving stability was challenging at first, but over time, the Livepeer software has improved and become very stable. Now, I check my orchestrator dashboard a few times a day to see how much traffic I have served and to verify that my orchestrator performance scores are within expected ranges. At this point, maintaining the orchestrator requires minimal effort. }
That said, I spend a significant amount of my spare time developing additional tools for the Livepeer community, including operating and supporting the Arbitrum Community Node and the Video Miner Pool. So, while the daily maintenance is minimal, my overall involvement in the Livepeer ecosystem is more substantial and rewarding.
8/ Live Pioneers: What changes are you eager to see come to the Livepeer ecosystem? And how could this benefit you as an Orchestrator?
Joseph K: The most exciting change on the horizon for Livepeer is the introduction of AI work. The Livepeer AI Video SPE team has been working diligently to bring AI-based video compute capabilities to the Livepeer network. Given that AI technology is currently experiencing a significant period of adoption and improvement, integrating AI capabilities into Livepeer offers orchestrators the opportunity for exponential revenue growth. This advancement could significantly enhance the services provided by the network and, in turn, benefit orchestrators like myself by opening up new revenue streams and improving overall network performance.
9/ Live Pioneers: How would you describe your long-term vision for Livepeer, as well as the web3 ecosystem?
Joseph K: My long-term vision for Livepeer involves it becoming the leading platform for decentralized video streaming, leveraging advanced technologies like AI for enhanced capabilities and widespread adoption. I foresee a robust ecosystem with diverse applications, supported by strong community governance. For the broader web3 ecosystem, I envision seamless interoperability between blockchain networks, mainstream integration into daily life, user empowerment over data and privacy, and sustainable, efficient technologies. Ultimately, I hope to see innovation and inclusivity flourish, ensuring the benefits of decentralized technologies are accessible to everyone.
10/ Live Pioneers: Now to finish, we will ask you a bonus question that could be interesting for the community… which is your favorite between beer & wine?
Joseph K: I am very much looking forward to my trip to Munich this year to attend Oktoberfest. Beer all the way, baby! 🍺
☎️ How to contact Joseph Kuhnsman?
Here you can find how to contact Joseph K:
- Website: https://livepeer.ftkuhnsman.com/
- X/Twitter: ftkuhnsman
- Telegram: ftkuhnsman
- Discord: FTK Staking
- Orchestrator’s address:
0x4a43B1D7e6227C8b0512e413F406555647ff7bdB
Don’t forget to post your question in the comment section so our friendly Orchestrator will be able to answer you. And please, remember to share this segment with your friends!
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