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