Signum Plotting & Mining

Plotting

Plotting can be considered a modified proof-of-work component, but the process is temporary in nature as a preparatory stage and not comparable to the continuous proof-of-work methods implemented by proof-of-work blockchains.

While multiple operations are at work, such as division and string operations, the most notable calculations are Shabal-256 cryptographic hash calculations.  Shabal-256 was selected because it is relatively slow and heavy compared to other functions such as SHA256.  It slows the rate of plot file creation while remaining fast enough for live verifications.

Plot files are permanently bound to the account ID used to create them, and each ID generates unique plot files.  They can be created on a computer with a faster CPU and transferred to be mined by a slower CPU.  When using GPU-capable plotting software, reserve the GPU exclusively for plotting to avoid creating corrupted plot files.

Avoid creating duplicate or overlapping plot files by carefully entering a correct starting plot number for each plotting session.  These may go unnoticed as they will not cause a malfunction.  However, they are of no value in the mining process.

Engraver, a dedicated plotting program, and BTDEX, the perfect all-in-one solution for beginners, can be found in Signum Software.  TurboPlotter 9000 is a good option if you have an SSD drive available and want to plot an external SMD drive.  Although BTDEX can also use a staging device, the process is much easier to monitor with Turboplotter.

File Size

The maximum plot file size is limited only by storage device capacity.  A device can contain a single large file or many smaller ones.  There is a very small read time efficiency associated with large files, but there is more convenience in using smaller plot files in most cases.  With smaller files, you can delete one or more to free up disk space when needed or remove and replace a single overlapping or corrupted file without deleting the entire disk contents.  Smaller files are also easier to move among devices of different capacities.  For 8 Terabyte hard drives, an individual file size of 1 Terabyte is recommended.

Capacity

Physical mining capacity is the amount of physically stored plot files.  A small fraction (around 0.025%) of these files are read each block interval.  Mining capacity is determined statistically by the network based on the frequency and quality of deadlines submitted.

Physical mining capacity is a determining factor when choosing between solo and pool mining.  If pool mining, it can inform the choice of which mining pool to join.  However, there are no technical obstacles preventing anyone with a particular mining capacity from joining any specific pool.

Effective capacity is the result of the networks calculated physical capacity adjusted for a miner’s commitment level (amount of Signa staked).

Commitment

Miners can stake Signa to statistically multiply physical capacity, resulting in a larger effective capacity.  The chain compares committed balances with the average for all miners over the last 1,440 blocks and applies the staking benefit to the deadlines submitted.

Without commitment, effective capacity is reduced to 1/8.  Average commitment results in a multiplying factor of 1.  Committing 100 times the average increases effective capacity by a factor of 8.  There is a linear relationship between commitment and factor at all levels.

A mining proceeds calculator can be found here:  Mining Proceeds

Solo Mining

A solo miner benefits only from the plot files bound to their account.  If a solo miner submits the best deadline to the network, they alone will be credited with the full block reward and 100% of the transaction fees associated with that block.  Because the probability for any individual to forge a block is low, consistent success with solo mining requires many plot files.  With the current size of the network, successful solo mining requires multiple terabytes of storage capacity.  However, it is not unusual for a small miner to choose solo mining with the objective of network decentralization.  In this case, however, profit is not the primary objective.

Pool Mining

With pool mining, individual miners contribute their capacity to a cooperative group and share revenue according to a reward distribution policy.  Reward distribution is generally proportional based on historical share, but pools may pay a larger share to the miner that submits the winning deadline.  Most small-capacity miners prefer pool mining because it provides a regular stream of small payments.  You can join any pool by initiating a reward assignment transaction.

Please note:  Distribution methods, fees, payment schedules, and minimum payouts are set independently by pool operators.

Historical share is used to determine a miner’s share of a pool’s mining revenue.  The calculation method for this statistic is set independently by each pool operator.  It typically starts at zero for a new miner and rises to reflect total capacity over 24 hours based on the best deadlines a miner submits over 360 blocks.  Because it is generated statistically, it usually oscillates above and below actual physical capacity by about five percent.  To optimize this calculation, limit the maximum deadline submitted according to your pool’s specifications.

Anyone with technical expertise can operate a mining pool using Signum Pool Software.

Reward Assignment

Reward assignment is an on-chain transaction that notifies the network that all block rewards attributed to your plot files are assigned to another account.  This mechanism allows pools to receive the block rewards to distribute to their participants.  It grants permission for the blocks forged using the deadlines you submit to be signed by the mining pool’s account.

Find the reward assignment transaction in the drop-down menu in the upper left corner of the Phoenix wallet or behind the gear icon in Signum Node.  In BTDEX, use the “Join Pool” button in the Mining tab.  Enter the recipient account address, the minimum transaction fee (.00735), your passphrase, and click “Set Reward Recipient.”  The transaction becomes effective after four confirmations ( 16 minutes ).

New accounts created in BTDEX and Phoenix receive a small amount of Signa to cover the transaction fee.  Accounts created in the classic wallet can also receive this amount if imported into Phoenix temporarily to use that wallet’s account activation functionality.  Another option is to operate a full node and receive SNR awards to fund the reward assignment transaction fee.  You can also request the amount needed in Signum’s Discord.  Requests are usual and welcomed.

Some pools have a free option that allows you to set your reward assignment directly on their website.  This involves entering your passphrase into an online form, so it is not recommended.  After an account’s passphrase has been entered into an online form, it can never again be considered secure.  For collecting mining proceeds, this may not be a problem.  Just remember not to use the account for large amounts in the future.