Author: kopi master

KOPI Hardware

Hardware Configuration

KOPI pool runs a base-metal server for brewing blocks.

For stake pool operation, the two most crucial components are the RAM and Internet connection. As such, we have apportioned our budget accordingly.

This is our hardware setup, and it costs roughly USD700.

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This hardware configuration is a future-proof setup and should ensure reliable and consistent stake pool operation 24/7.

KOPI Philosophy

Focus on Decentralization

What is the KOPI Philosophy for operating a Cardano stake pool?

This is an important question that determines why and how do we operate a stake pool.

Why we run KOPI

The answer is one word: decentralization.
 

The goal of blockchain technology is to shift the concentration of power and wealth from centralized entities to a network of distributed nodes. Cardano aims to solve many of the world’s teething problems by becoming a new global monetary system.

This is an idealism that KOPI can identify with, and strive for.

Operating a small-business Cardano stake pool ensures that we aid decentralization by being one small but consistent participant in a giant global network of nodes.

To register a stake pool, KOPI is committed to a pledge of ADA. This pledge achieves two important causes:

  • it confirms our beliefs in the technology and potential of Cardano
  • it helps to secure the Cardano network by preventing Sybil attacks
Moreover, Proof-of-Stake protocol ensures that this Cardano global system is ran on the power requirement equivalent to that of a small village.
 
KOPI believes in doing our small part for environmental conservation.

How we run KOPI

With the focus on decentralization, KOPI has decided to run a base-metal stake pool operation.

This means that the stake pool hardware is located physically in Singapore, and not on the cloud or using any form of virtualization.

To do so, we incur the cost of server hardware and forgo the convenience of working on-the-go.

But we maintain the integrity of decentralization. KOPI will continue operating even after cloud hosts and data centers stops working.

The power of a base-metal server, coupled with high speed fiber broadband, means that KOPI ensures optimal performance and 24/7 reliability of our stake pool.

What is KOPI?

KOPI 咖啡

So what is KOPI?

In Southeast Asia, KOPI means coffee.

To be specific, KOPI refers to a type of Nanyang (南洋，South Sea) coffee, that is prepared with condensed milk and sugar.

Traditionally, the coffee beans are wok-roasted with sugar, margarine, and sometimes pineapple skin and corn, to give KOPI its distinct sweet buttery flavor. The beans are then ground and brewed with a sock-like cotton strainer in watering can-sized pots.

Freshly brewed KOPI is usually served in thick white ceramic cups decorated with dark green flowery patterns. Or, if you are feeling particularly nostalgic, you can visit one of the hawker center KOPI-tiams (咖啡店，coffee stall) to buy KOPI served in a transparent plastic bag.

And just as Westerners have their cappuccinos and lattes, Singaporeans have a variety of KOPI styles to choose from.

This is how you order your coffee in Singapore:

Kopi: Black Coffee with condensed milk
Kopi Peng: Sweet black coffee with condensed milk and ice
Kopi O Siew Dai: Black coffee with less sugar
Kopi-O: Sweet black coffee
Kopi-Kosong: Unsweetened black coffee
Kopi Kosong Peng: Unsweetened black coffee with ice
Kopi-O Peng: Sweet black coffee with ice
Kopi Gah Dai: Black coffee with extra condensed milk
Kopi Po: A weaker coffee with condensed milk
Kopi Gau: Strong coffee with condensed milk
Kopi-C: Coffee with unsweetened evaporated milk (the C is for Carnation); but they’ll still add sugar

It’s all quite easy isn’t it?

Watch the video below for a real KOPI master in action.