Mining on Lium Compute Subnet

Introduction

Welcome to the Lium Compute Subnet mining guide. This subnet enables GPU owners to contribute computational resources to a decentralized network and earn TAO rewards. As a miner, you'll operate a distributed infrastructure consisting of a central miner server (CPU-based) that manages multiple GPU executors.

Prerequisites

Before you begin mining on the Lium subnet, ensure you understand:

• Bittensor fundamentals: Familiarize yourself with hotkeys, coldkeys, and wallet management
• Subnet economics: Understand how rewards are distributed based on validator stake
• Technical requirements: Basic Linux administration and Docker knowledge

Security Notice

Never place your coldkey on a mining server. Coldkeys should only exist on secure, offline machines. Mining operations only require hotkeys.

Architecture Overview

The Lium mining system consists of two components:

1. Central Miner Server: A lightweight CPU server that coordinates your mining operations
2. GPU Executors: One or more GPU-equipped machines that perform actual computations

System Requirements

Central Miner Server

The central miner requires minimal resources:

Component	Minimum	Recommended
CPU	4 cores	8 cores
RAM	8 GB	16 GB
Storage	50 GB	100 GB SSD
Network	100 Mbps	1 Gbps
OS	Ubuntu 20.04+	Ubuntu 22.04

GPU Executors

Each executor must have compatible GPUs. View the current GPU rewards and compatibility matrix in the official constants file.

GPU Selection

Higher-tier GPUs (A100, H100) typically earn more rewards but require proportionally higher investment. Choose GPUs based on your budget and expected ROI.

Installation Guide

Step 1: Prepare Your Environment

First, clone the Lium Compute Subnet repository:

git clone https://github.com/Datura-ai/compute-subnet.git
cd compute-subnet

Step 2: Install Dependencies

Run the installation script to set up required tools:

chmod +x scripts/install_miner_on_ubuntu.sh
./scripts/install_miner_on_ubuntu.sh

Verify the installation:

# Check Bittensor CLI
btcli --version

# Check Docker
docker --version

If either tool is missing:

• Bittensor: Follow the official installation guide
• Docker: Install using Docker's documentation

Step 3: Configure Your Miner

Create your configuration file from the template:

cp neurons/miners/.env.template neurons/miners/.env

Edit the .env file with your specific settings:

# Your Bittensor wallet name (check with: btcli wallet list)
BITTENSOR_WALLET_NAME=your_wallet_name

# Your hotkey name (must be registered on subnet 51)
BITTENSOR_WALLET_HOTKEY_NAME=your_hotkey_name

# External IP address of this server (must be publicly accessible)
EXTERNAL_IP_ADDRESS=your.server.ip.address

# Path to your Bittensor wallet directory
HOST_WALLET_DIR=/home/your_user/.bittensor/wallets

# Network ports (ensure EXTERNAL_PORT is open in firewall)
INTERNAL_PORT=8000
EXTERNAL_PORT=8000

Network Configuration

Ensure your EXTERNAL_PORT is:

• Open in your firewall/security groups
• Not blocked by your ISP
• Properly forwarded if behind NAT

Step 4: Register Your Hotkey

If you haven't already registered your hotkey on subnet 51:

btcli subnet register --netuid 51 --wallet.name <your_wallet> --wallet.hotkey <your_hotkey>

Registration Cost

Registration requires a dynamic TAO fee that fluctuates based on network demand. Check current costs before registering.

Step 5: Start the Central Miner

Launch your miner using Docker Compose:

cd neurons/miners
docker compose up -d

Verify the miner is running:

docker compose ps
docker compose logs -f

Managing GPU Executors

Understanding Validator Assignment

When adding executors, you need to assign each one to a specific validator. Validators are responsible for scoring your work and determining rewards.

For optimal rewards, consider using a stake-weighted distribution strategy. See our Validator Assignment Strategy Guide for detailed recommendations on how to assign your executors based on validator stake distribution.

Adding an Executor

To add a GPU executor to your mining operation:

1. Set up the executor machine following the executor setup guide

2. Choose a validator hotkey based on stake distribution at TaoMarketCap

3. Register the executor with your central miner:

docker exec <miner_container> python /root/app/src/cli.py add-executor \
  --address <executor_ip> \
  --port <executor_port> \
  --validator <validator_hotkey>

Parameters:

• <miner_container>: Your miner container name/ID (find with docker ps)
• <executor_ip>: Public IP address of the executor machine
• <executor_port>: Executor's listening port (default: 8001)
• <validator_hotkey>: The validator's SS58 hotkey address

Removing an Executor

To remove an executor from your pool:

docker exec <miner_container> python /root/app/src/cli.py remove-executor \
  --address <executor_ip> \
  --port <executor_port>

Switching Validators

To reassign an executor to a different validator:

docker exec -it <docker_instance> pdm run /root/app/src/cli.py switch-validator \
  --address <executor_ip> \
  --port <executor_port> \
  --validator <validator_hotkey>

Monitoring and Maintenance

Track Your Performance

Monitor your mining rewards and performance:

• Real-time metrics: TaoMarketCap Subnet 51 Miners
• Check your UID status:

  btcli wallet overview --netuid 51

View Miner Logs

# View recent logs
docker compose logs --tail=100

# Follow logs in real-time
docker compose logs -f

# Check specific executor connections
docker exec <miner_container> python /root/app/src/cli.py list-executors

Common Issues and Solutions

Issue	Solution
Executor not connecting	Verify firewall rules and network connectivity
Low/no rewards	Check validator assignments match stake distribution
Miner container crashes	Review logs and ensure wallet files are accessible
Registration failed	Ensure sufficient TAO balance for registration fee

Security Best Practices

1. Key Management

   • Store coldkeys offline in secure locations
   • Only deploy hotkeys to mining servers
   • Regularly rotate compromised keys

2. Network Security

   • Use firewalls to restrict access to mining ports
   • Implement SSH key authentication
   • Keep systems updated with security patches

3. Operational Security

   • Monitor for unusual activity
   • Set up alerts for executor disconnections
   • Maintain backups of configuration files

Economic Considerations

Understanding Rewards

Your mining rewards depend on:

• Number and quality of GPU executors
• Proper validator assignment strategy
• Network competition and total hashrate
• Subnet emission schedule

Risks and Deregistration

Deregistration Risk

Miners with consistently low performance may be deregistered from the subnet. This occurs when:

• Your emissions rank in the bottom of active miners
• A new miner registers and you have the lowest score
• You fail to maintain minimum performance standards

ROI Calculation

Before investing in mining infrastructure, consider:

• Hardware costs (GPUs, servers, networking)
• Operational expenses (electricity, bandwidth, maintenance)
• Current TAO price and emission rates
• Competition from other miners

Getting Help

Resources

• GitHub Repository: Compute Subnet
• Discord Community: Lium Support Channel
• Email Support: support@lium.io

Troubleshooting Checklist

Before requesting support, verify:

• Hotkey is registered on subnet 51
• Docker containers are running
• Network ports are open and accessible
• Executors are properly assigned to validators
• Wallet files have correct permissions

Next Steps

After successfully setting up your miner:

1. Add GPU Executors: Follow the executor setup guide
2. Monitor Performance: Track your rewards and adjust as needed
3. Scale Operations: Add more executors as you validate profitability
4. Join Community: Engage with other miners in Discord for tips and updates

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This documentation is maintained by the Lium team and community. For corrections or improvements, please submit a pull request.