Gradient Sentry Network The Next Grass
Meet Gradient Network
The open layer for edge compute on Solana.
Over the past decade, cloud computing has profoundly reshaped the world, consolidating power in the hands of big tech companies. As we approach an AI-driven future, the risk of centralization looms larger. Now is the time to reconsider the trajectory of global compute infrastructure and explore how we can all play a role in building a more open system.
Our vision is to make compute inclusive, accessible, and affordable for all. We strongly believe that edge compute will lead the way in this transformation. We've identified AI inference, content delivery, and serverless functions as the verticals with high potential, poised to shape the future of compute consumption.
"Gradient " draws inspiration from "Gradient Descent" in machine learning. reflecting our phased approach to realizing the future of ubiquitous compute:
- Pervasive Connectivity
- Homogenized Computation
- Adaptive Orchestration
Pervasive connectivity is the cornerstone of our vision towards a decentralized compute infrastructure. By enabling direct communication, we eliminate intermediaries, enhancing system performance/robustness and safeguarding data privacy.
Our initial product, #GradientSentry, marks the first step toward the vision. It will help map global connectivity and play an important role in ensuring the liveness of computational resources. The #GradientSentry is now in Open Beta
Architecture
Basic Layers of Gradient Network
- Pervasive Connectivity Layer
A meshed network outshines the traditional client-server model, offering unmatched decentralization, resilience, and efficiency.
- Homogenized Computation Layer
Commoditize heterogeneous compute resources with different granularities into a single unified compute layer, delivering unparalleled availability.
- Adaptive Orchestration Layer
Various compute demands, regardless of their nature, can seamlessly access the compute layer via adaptive orchestration to dynamically orchestrate services efficiently.
- Oracles and Settlement Layer
Powered by the unparalleled performance and user-friendliness of the Solana blockchain, alongside a dynamic on-chain ecosystem, we push the boundaries of Web3 mass adoption with mainstream compute innovations.
Main Roles of Gradient Network
Sentry Node
Sentry Nodes set the stage for Pervasive Connectivity – the first phase towards realizing our vision. By design, they are privacy-preserving, lightweight (<1MB data usage per month), and functional efficiently with intermittent liveliness. They map global connectivity and play an important role in ensuring the liveness of computational resources.
More Roles
Sentry Nodes are just the beginning of our journey, Stay tuned for more ways to contribute to the network.
Sentry Node
#GradientSentry
Sentry Nodes set the stage for Pervasive Connectivity – the first phase towards realizing our vision. By design, they are privacy-preserving, lightweight (<1MB data usage per month), and functional efficiently with intermittent liveliness. They map global connectivity and play an important role in ensuring the liveness of computational resources.
With Sentry Nodes, you become a crucial part of a pervasive connectivity layer—the cornerstone of our vision towards an open ubiquitous compute infrastructure.
Get a Sentry Node
Step 1: Sign up on gradient.network.
Step 2: Connect your X account and follow our official X account @Gradient_HQ.
Step 3: Follow the instructions to download Sentry Node from the Chrome Store.
Jumpstart Your AccountEnter • Your friend's referral code in Step 1 for 3,000 EXP • Complete Step 2 and get 1,000 EXP
Know your Sentry Node
Taps
Peer-to-Peer connections are established periodically between two random, arbitrary Sentry Nodes to verify their connectivity. These ephemeral connections are called "Taps". A Tap is successful when a Peer-to-Peer connection is successfully established.
The success rate of Taps depends on a range of network factors such as NAT Type and IP quality.
Rewards
There are multiple ways to get rewards while contributing to Gradient’s pervasive global networking infrastructure.
In Season 0, Sentry Nodes will get:
- Network Rewards
- Proof-of-Availability (POA): Sentry Nodes receive POA rewards based on their uptime.
- Proof-of-Connectivity (POC): Sentry Nodes receive POC rewards when their connectivity is verified by the network (Tapped).
- Referral Bonuses
- Account Boosts
Node Status
- Good: The node is successfully connected to the server.
- Disconnected: The node is offline. Please check your internet connection.
- Unsupported: Your location may be unsupported, or your IP address is unsupported (Proxies, Data Center IPs, IPv6 addresses, IPs with fraudulent risk, etc.)
Manage your Sentry Node
The Gradient Dashboard is your all-in-one terminal for tracking, managing, and optimizing nodes and rewards on the Gradient Network.
It offers intuitive visualizations of key account stats, including node status, different types of rewards, and referral activity. In addition, you can also update your profile to make the Gradient experience a truly personal one.
You can track real-time node activity with key metrics like uptime and taps received, and data transmitted and use these insights to fine-tune your nodes for optimal performance. Rewards are organized into categories—Network, Boosts, and Referrals—so you can easily see how each activity impacts your earnings.
As you advance through account tiers, you'll unlock additional boosts, increasing your reward potential. The referral system allows you to generate and share personal referral codes, and follow up on your referrals.
Rewards
Season 0 marks the beginning of Sentry Node Open Beta, the first step towards pervasive connectivity. Current Season: Season 0 Product Stage: Sentry Nodes Open Beta Start Date: 12th September 2024 *Seasons are distinct periods for reward distribution. New seasons will be introduced in line with future milestones. The rewards distribution schedule may be different from season to season.
In Season 0, there are multiple ways to get rewards while contributing to Gradient’s pervasive global networking infrastructure. You can:
- Get Network Rewards by:
- Proof-of-Availability (POA): Sentry Nodes receive POA rewards based on their uptime.
- Proof-of-Connectivity (POC): Sentry Nodes receive POC rewards when their connectivity is verified by the network.
- Get Referral Bonuses with your referrals;
- Boost your rewards by completing achievements.
Network Rewards
The uniqueness of Sentry Nodes is determined by IP addresses. Sentry Nodes running on multiple browsers and/or devices with the same IP address will be recognized as a single Sentry Node, with rewards distributed among them accordingly.
POA Rewards
A Sentry Node receives 0.25 Points for every 10 minutes of Network Uptime.
POC Rewards
Peer-to-Peer connections are established periodically between two random, arbitrary Sentry Nodes to verify their connectivity. These ephemeral connections are called "Taps". A Tap is successful when a Peer-to-Peer connection is successfully established.
A Tap will happen approximately every 10 minutes. (This frequency is only an estimation and may vary slightly from node to node, from time to time.)
The success rate of Taps depends on a range of network factors such as NAT Type and IP quality.
Both Sentry Nodes receive 0.75 Points for establishing a successful Tap.
Referral Bonus
The referral system allows users to get bonus rewards by expanding their referral network and engaging with it, all while contributing to the growth and success of the platform.
There are 2 ways to get rewards from referrals:
- One-time bonus: Both parties of a referral will get 20 points when your referee reaches 72 hours of uptime.
- Perpetual bonus: Referrers will get a perpetual bonus of their primary and secondary referees' rewards：
Account Boosts
Completing achievements allows users to gain experience (EXP), which helps elevate their account statuses. As users gain more EXP and unlock higher status levels, they will receive a higher reward boost that benefits all nodes associated with the account.
Reward Boost applies to POA and POC rewards. NOT applicable to Referral Bonuses.
