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> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.lium.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Provider Configuration

Choose how your provider is run — self-host it, or let Lium operate one for you.

## What is the provider?

The **provider** is the lightweight CPU coordinator every Subnet 51 provider operator needs. It connects your GPU nodes to validators and the Provider Portal. It is *not* a GPU machine — it just orchestrates them. See [Architecture](./architecture.md) for the full picture.

There are two ways to run one, and you choose between them on this page:

| Option | Who runs it | When to pick |
|---|---|---|
| **Self-hosted provider** | You | You already have a Linux box, or you want full control over the process and logs |
| **Lium.io Central Provider Server** | Lium | You'd rather skip the CPU server setup and have Lium operate the coordinator for you |

The rest of this page is about the second option — the **Lium.io Central Provider Server** opt-in. For self-hosted setup, see [Self-hosted provider setup](./self-hosted-provider.md).

## Key Benefits of the Lium.io Central Provider Server

### Simplified Infrastructure

- **No separate CPU machine required**: Skip the dedicated CPU host
- **Reduced setup time**: Get earning faster with minimal configuration
- **Unified management**: Lium.io's hosted instance acts as your provider for all operations

### Problem Solved

Previously, providers faced complex multi-node setups requiring both a CPU host *and* GPU nodes, manual environment configuration, and terminal-based operations that created barriers for newcomers. The Lium.io Central Provider Server opt-in removes the CPU host step.

## Configuration Options

You set your preference on the [profile page](https://provider.lium.io/profile). The portal offers two options:

### Lium.io Central Provider Server (hosted)

**Best for**: Providers who want the simplest setup with minimal infrastructure management.

- **Hosted service**: Lium.io operates the provider for you
- **Zero setup**: No CPU host to configure or maintain
- **Automatic updates**: Server maintenance and upgrades are handled by Lium
- **Reliable infrastructure**: Backed by Lium.io's managed uptime
- **Cost**: Free — there is no fee or rental-fee cut for using the Central Provider Server. The trade-off is operational, not financial: because Lium operates the coordinator, your scoring is bounded by its uptime and performance. If the central instance underperforms, your rewards are affected the same way they would be for a degraded self-hosted provider.
- **Validator scoring**: Identical to self-hosted. Validators score the nodes themselves; they do not distinguish whether the coordinator is Lium-operated or self-operated. There is no scoring or visibility advantage either way.

### Self-hosted provider

**Best for**: Providers who want full control and customization over their infrastructure.

- **Full control**: Operate your own provider end-to-end
- **Self-managed**: You handle the host, the updates, and the logs
- **Direct visibility**: Direct access to server logs and monitoring on your machine

### Switching from self-hosted to Central Provider Server

If you already have a self-hosted provider running and decide to opt into the Central Provider Server:

1. Toggle on **Lium.io Central Provider Server** on your [profile page](https://provider.lium.io/profile).
2. From the [Provider Portal Executors page](https://provider.lium.io/executors), click **Sync From Provider Server** to copy your current node configurations into the central instance.

Once the sync completes the Central Provider Server is the source of truth for that hotkey. You can shut down the self-hosted instance whenever it's convenient — there's no automatic migration of the running container, but leaving it on briefly does no harm because validators only score one coordinator per hotkey.

## Getting Started

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### Prerequisites

Before configuring your provider preference:

1. **Registered Provider**: You need to have a Bittensor coldkey and hotkey registered on subnet 51
2. **Portal Access**: Be logged into the [Provider Portal](https://provider.lium.io)
3. **Profile Access**: Navigate to your profile page

### Configuration Steps

1. **Access Profile Settings**:
   - Log into the [Provider Portal](https://provider.lium.io)
   - Navigate to the [profile page](https://provider.lium.io/profile)

2. **Select Your Preference**:
   - Find the **Central Provider Server** section on the profile page
   - Toggle on **Lium.io Central Provider Server** to use the hosted instance, or leave it off to keep using your own self-hosted provider

3. **Save Your Selection**:
   - Confirm your choice
   - Your preference will be saved and applied immediately

:::info Configuration Change
You can change your provider preference at any time from your profile page. Changes take effect immediately and will be used for all new job requests from validators.
:::

## Understanding the Choice

### When to use the Lium.io Central Provider Server

Choose Lium.io's hosted service if you:
- Want the fastest and simplest setup process
- Prefer not to manage a separate CPU host
- Are new to providing GPUs and want to minimize complexity
- Want automatic updates and maintenance handled for you

### When to self-host your provider

Run your own if you:
- Already have infrastructure and want to use it
- Need specific customizations or configurations
- Want complete control over your provider infrastructure
- Have experience managing server infrastructure

## Next Steps

After configuring your provider preference:

1. **Add Your Nodes**: Register your GPU nodes to start earning
2. **Monitor Performance**: Track your nodes and earnings through the portal
3. **Manage Operations**: Handle maintenance, pricing, and customer requests

:::info Note
If you self-host, make sure your provider is properly configured and running. Setup instructions are in [Self-hosted provider setup](./self-hosted-provider.md).
:::