Beginner’s Guide to Farming Crypto with Kuzco on a Rental Server

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Beginner’s Guide to Farming Crypto with Kuzco on a Rental Server

This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough for beginners wishing to utilize a rental server to farm cryptocurrency using the Kuzco mining software. It assumes a basic understanding of command-line interfaces and server administration. This guide is targeted towards those new to both server rentals *and* cryptocurrency mining. Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this document.

1. Introduction to Kuzco and Rental Servers

Kuzco is a software package designed for plotting and farming Chia and other Proof-of-Space-and-Time (PoST) cryptocurrencies. Farming, in this context, isn't like traditional farming; it involves dedicating storage space to verify transactions and earn rewards. A rental server provides a remotely hosted computer that you control, allowing you to farm without the resource demands on your home computer. This allows for 24/7 uptime and avoids impacting your personal network. A good starting point to understand the basics is the Chia Blockchain page.

2. Choosing a Rental Server Provider

Several providers offer virtual private servers (VPS) suitable for Kuzco farming. Key considerations include:

  • **Storage:** Kuzco requires significant storage space. More storage means more plots, and potentially higher rewards.
  • **CPU:** While not the primary bottleneck, a decent CPU helps with plotting.
  • **RAM:** Sufficient RAM is crucial, especially during plotting.
  • **Network:** A stable and fast network connection is essential.
  • **Cost:** Prices vary considerably. Compare providers carefully.

Some popular options include:

  • Contabo: Offers relatively affordable high-storage options.
  • Vultr: Known for its global server locations and flexible configurations.
  • DigitalOcean: A well-established provider with a user-friendly interface.
  • Linode: Another reliable provider with a focus on developer tools.

3. Server Specifications and Costs (Example)

Here’s an example server configuration suitable for Kuzco farming, along with approximate costs (as of October 26, 2023). Prices are subject to change.

Specification Value Notes
Provider Contabo Example only, explore other providers
CPU 4 vCores Higher core count can speed up plotting
RAM 16 GB Minimum recommended for plotting
Storage 8 TB HDD Crucial for plot storage; consider SSD for faster plotting (more expensive)
Network 100 Mbit/s Stable connection is vital
Operating System Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Recommended for ease of use and compatibility
Monthly Cost ~$40 USD Varies based on location and promotions

4. Server Setup and Kuzco Installation

Once you've provisioned a server, connect to it via SSH. Instructions for connecting via SSH can be found on the provider’s documentation - see SSH Access.

4.1. Initial Server Configuration

1. **Update the package list:**

   ```bash
   sudo apt update
   ```

2. **Upgrade installed packages:**

   ```bash
   sudo apt upgrade -y
   ```

3. **Install necessary dependencies:**

   ```bash
   sudo apt install -y git wget python3 python3-venv
   ```

4.2. Installing Kuzco

1. **Clone the Kuzco repository:**

   ```bash
   git clone https://github.com/Chia-Network/kuzco.git
   cd kuzco
   ```

2. **Create a virtual environment:**

   ```bash
   python3 -m venv .venv
   source .venv/bin/activate
   ```

3. **Install Kuzco dependencies:**

   ```bash
   pip install -r requirements.txt
   ```

4. **Verify installation:**

   ```bash
   kuzco --version
   ```

5. Configuring Kuzco for Farming

After installation, you need to configure Kuzco to connect to the Chia network and manage your plots.

5.1. Plotting (Optional)

Plotting creates the necessary files for farming. This is a resource-intensive process.

Plotting Parameter Recommended Value Description
Plot Size 2TiB Common plot size; adjust based on storage capacity
Number of Threads 4-8 Depends on CPU core count
Temporary Directory /tmp Ensure sufficient space for temporary files
Destination Directory /mnt/plots Where your plots will be stored

Use the `kuzco plot` command to initiate plotting. See the Kuzco Plotting Guide for detailed instructions.

5.2. Farming

Farming utilizes existing plots to verify transactions.

1. **Configure the `config.yaml` file:** Edit the `kuzco/config.yaml` file to specify your Chia farmer address and other settings. A sample configuration looks like this:

   ```yaml
   farmer_address: xch_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
   pool_url: http://pool.example.com:17840
   ```

2. **Run the Kuzco farmer:**

   ```bash
   kuzco farm start
   ```

6. Monitoring and Maintenance

Regular monitoring is crucial.

Monitoring Tool Functionality Link
`htop` Displays real-time system resource usage. HTOP Installation
`df -h` Shows disk space usage. Disk Space Management
Kuzco Logs Provides information on farming progress and errors. See Kuzco documentation

Periodically check the logs for errors and ensure your server has sufficient resources. Consider setting up automated monitoring tools for proactive alerts. Refer to the Server Monitoring page for more information.

7. Security Considerations

  • **Firewall:** Configure a firewall (e.g., `ufw`) to restrict access to your server.
  • **SSH Security:** Disable password authentication for SSH and use SSH keys instead. See SSH Key Authentication.
  • **Regular Updates:** Keep your server's operating system and software up to date.


Disclaimer

Cryptocurrency farming involves inherent risks, including price volatility, hardware failure, and network instability. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research and understand the risks before investing in cryptocurrency or renting a server for farming. The profitability of farming can vary greatly and is not guaranteed.


Intel-Based Server Configurations

Configuration Specifications Benchmark
Core i7-6700K/7700 Server 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 512 GB CPU Benchmark: 8046
Core i7-8700 Server 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2x1 TB CPU Benchmark: 13124
Core i9-9900K Server 128 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 1 TB CPU Benchmark: 49969
Core i9-13900 Server (64GB) 64 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD
Core i9-13900 Server (128GB) 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD
Core i5-13500 Server (64GB) 64 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD
Core i5-13500 Server (128GB) 128 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD
Core i5-13500 Workstation 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2 NVMe SSD, NVIDIA RTX 4000

AMD-Based Server Configurations

Configuration Specifications Benchmark
Ryzen 5 3600 Server 64 GB RAM, 2x480 GB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 17849
Ryzen 7 7700 Server 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2x1 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 35224
Ryzen 9 5950X Server 128 GB RAM, 2x4 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 46045
Ryzen 9 7950X Server 128 GB DDR5 ECC, 2x2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 63561
EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/1TB) 128 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/2TB) 128 GB RAM, 2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/4TB) 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/1TB) 256 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/4TB) 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 9454P Server 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe

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⚠️ *Note: All benchmark scores are approximate and may vary based on configuration. Server availability subject to stock.* ⚠️