Network Roles
In the Qubic ecosystem, two primary node types—computors and miners—work together to support its decentralised infrastructure. These entities carry distinct responsibilities and ensure the network runs efficiently, while arbitrators play a crucial role in maintaining the network's fairness and reliability.
Computors
In the Qubic system, each computor is a node specifically configured to handle tasks that may involve running smart contracts or facilitating transactions on the blockchain. Unlike traditional blockchain systems that rely on miners for transaction verification and block addition, computors in the Qubic ecosystem perform a broader range of functions. They not only execute specific tasks but also actively participate in consensus‑based, distributed decision‑making and keep the internal economic model balanced and stable.
Key Features
- The role they play in safeguarding the network's decentralisation.
- In each epoch iteration, computors receive a share of the newly minted $QUBIC allocation to support the overall operation and participation of the network. This allocation scheme is designed to encourage active engagement in network services and contributions, improving overall efficiency and security.
- Participation in critical network voting and decision‑making processes.
Limitations
At any given time, the Qubic network runs a fixed pool of 676 computors to ensure optimal performance and smooth decision workflows. Weekly rankings, based on solutions supplied by their miners, determine that the top 451 high‑performing computors retain their positions, while the remaining 225 slots are replenished each epoch from the candidate pool or lower‑ranked computors.
Challenges of Running a Computor on Qubic
- Running directly on bare metal, which requires proper UEFI configuration.
- Regular compilation of
qubic.cppeach epoch. - Continuous system updates.
- A backup system is essential to guarantee that the tick continues to run.
- Ongoing competition: computors must defeat candidates with sufficient mining capability to keep their spots.
- Constant vigilance: computors must continuously monitor network status to ensure ticks run smoothly and respond promptly to emergencies.
Operating a computor demands specialised knowledge and technical awareness, and it must always be handled with a high degree of alertness. If you’re considering becoming a computor, be sure to prepare mentally and practically for the challenges ahead.
Miners
Miners in the Qubic ecosystem differ from their counterparts in traditional blockchain networks. They do not compete to validate and add transactions to the chain; instead, computors assign them specific computational problems or tasks. Once a solution is found, it is fed back to the relevant computor. This interaction not only helps verify the integrity of the task but also contributes to the overall handling and validation of operations across the network.
Key Features
- Receive computational problems or tasks from computors (identified by IDs).
- After successfully solving a problem, return the solution to the computor, contributing to its score.
- The core focus is on the overall task execution within Qubic's innovative system, not just transaction validation.
Potential Capacity
The Qubic network theoretically allows an unlimited number of miners, encouraging broad participation and ensuring robust computational power behind the system.
Only computors receive weekly payouts from the Qubic protocol. To maintain a spot among the 676 computors, a computor must accumulate enough solutions each epoch through its associated miners. Consequently, each computor eventually needs to develop a strong mining pool and use pool payouts to provide incentives.
Running a single miner is considerably easier, and many public mining pools are already available.
Understanding the fundamental distinction between miners and computors is essential in Qubic’s new era. As we progress into this fresh developmental phase, the role and responsibilities of computors will undoubtedly become increasingly prominent.
Arbitrators
Within the Qubic ecosystem, a key role exists specifically to resolve disputes and protect user rights. An arbitrator is an entity in Qubic responsible for settling conflicts and safeguarding user interests.
Arbitrators set parameters for mining algorithms, publish computor rankings each epoch, and can replace underperforming computors. They also accumulate the $QUBIC that underperforming, frequently failing computors are unable to capture—approximately 1 % of the effective production each epoch. Node operators select trusted arbitrators by setting the corresponding ID in the source file Qubic.cpp according to their individual needs and preferences. Computors can collectively cover or replace arbitrators through consensus processes, a feature essential to preventing any single entity from gaining excessive control over the network.
Tokenomics
The utility (or coin) that drives the Qubic ecosystem is more than a currency—it’s an “energy” unit. These units are called $QUBIC and are used as fuel for executing smart contracts and accessing other services on the Qubic platform. Unlike conventional monetary units, $QUBIC is burned upon use, a fundamental concept for understanding Qubic’s unique token economics.
Spectrum
Spectrum serves as a clear, tamper‑proof ledger within the Qubic network, maintaining a complete record of every transaction executed in each cycle. Managed by a decentralized node consensus, it showcases transparency, security, and decentralization, solidifying Spectrum’s role as a core component of Qubic and building trust and openness for users worldwide.