Abstract:
The TON (The Open Network) Blockchain, known for its advanced sharding mechanism and high transaction throughput, currently processes approximately 70 transactions per second.
Despite its robust architecture, the network faces challenges, notably with the functionality of Liteservers and the heavy API request load on platforms like getblock.io. This article delves into the intricacies of mining on the TON Blockchain, specifically targeting the mining of Gram tokens. It outlines the mining process, identifies key challenges, and proposes solutions to optimize mining efficiency.
1. Introduction
The TON Blockchain, with its capability to handle a significant number of transactions and its split into two chains, represents a formidable platform for developers and miners alike. However, the efficiency of mining operations, particularly for individual miners, is compromised by several factors including the reliability of Liteservers and the operational load on API service providers.
2. Mining Process Overview
Mining on the TON Blockchain involves a series of steps initiated by acquiring a mining task from a target smart contract. This task is then processed by a POW (Proof of Work) miner, typically within a one-minute timeframe. The challenge arises when a solution is found and submitted to the smart contract after another miner has already submitted a solution, leading to wasted effort and resources (burning GAS) on outdated tasks.
3. Challenges Identified
- Liteserver Dependability: The near inoperability of Liteservers across the globe significantly hinders the ability of miners to obtain and submit mining tasks.
- API Load: Heavy reliance on external APIs, such as those provided by getblock.io, introduces additional latency and reliability issues.
- Task Freshness: Delays in receiving mining tasks and in halting the mining process for outdated tasks reduce the probability of successful mining.
- Submission Reliability: The process of submitting solved tasks is prone to failures, notably due to packet loss.
4. Proposed Solutions
| Challenge | Solution |
|---|---|
| Liteserver Dependability | Establish independent nodes to reduce reliance on Liteservers and ensure task acquisition and submission reliability. |
| API Load | Diversify API usage and consider load balancing across multiple services to mitigate single points of failure. |
| Task Freshness | Implement real-time monitoring to ensure tasks are current and halt mining on outdated tasks immediately. |
| Submission Reliability | Opt for multiple submission attempts to account for network issues, ensuring that valid solutions are recognized by the smart contract. |
| Performance Optimization | Focus less on hardware overclocking as its impact on mining efficiency is minimal compared to network and software optimizations. |
5. Conclusion
While the TON Blockchain offers significant potential for miners, the efficiency of mining operations is heavily dependent on the reliability of the infrastructure used to acquire and submit tasks. By establishing independent nodes, diversifying API usage, ensuring task freshness, and adopting a robust submission strategy, miners can significantly enhance their chances of successful mining operations. This approach not only maximizes the utilization of computational resources but also ensures a more stable and predictable mining income.
This technical exploration provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and solutions related to mining on the TON Blockchain, offering valuable insights for miners looking to optimize their operations in a competitive environment.
