PivxHost can take the hassle and headaches of hosting masternodes, his company offers a host of masternode hosting services. In this interview, Corey, explains what service can his clients expect and how he can help them make the technicalities involved in hosting masternodes easier.
Can you tell us more about yourself, your company and the technical background?
I’ve been into computers for over 35 years, I have been make a living at it for 20. Back in 1996 I started using linux (redhat days) and been using it ever since. I own a computer company which focuses in my local community. Hosting masternodes started off as a hobby and has become my second full time job.
What is a masternode?
As @jakiman explained, “Masternodes are nodes running the same wallet software on the same blockchain to provide extra services to the network. These services include:
- Anonymization increased privacy of transactions
- Instant transactions
- A decentralised governance
- A decentralised budgeting system
- Immutable proposal and voting systems
For providing such services, masternodes are also paid a certain portion of reward for each block. This can serve as a passive income to the masternode owners minus their running cost.”
How did your interest in masternodes start?
I’ve been into cryptocurrency for the past 5 years. The idea of masternodes really intrigued me. Started my first masternode on a raspberry pi 3, then made 2 more. Started helping a few friends out and pivxhost.com took off from there.
For which coins do you offer hosting services?
Currently I offer PIVX, Crown, Neos, Ion, Exclusive, and Sibcoin.
What is the most common problem with remotely hosting masternodes?
To be honest, helping a client make their first node. Sometimes it’s definitely harder than others. But I take the time and walk them through. Just takes a little patience sometimes.
What are the technical requirements for each type of masternode you host?
They all require a user running a wallet, mandatory. Some owners, in the beginning, think they can start one keeping their coins on an exchange, but it doesn’t work that way. Almost all the masternides are derivatives of dash, so other than the amount of coins, they are pretty much the same.
What has been the uptime for the masternodes in the last 3 months?
100%, hopefully, I’m not jinxing myself. I spread my servers over different locations and try to keep a max at any specific place. It costs me a little more to do it this way, but it keeps the liability of a single point of failure pretty low.
What are the advantages of remotely hosting a masternode?
You don’t have to worry about any maintenance or updates. No worries of your internet IP address changing. Due to the locations, I keep my servers, there are many redundancies for power failures and internet outage. Something that in the end makes my service look pretty cost effective.
What are highest risks of remotely hosting a masternode and how do you mitigate it?
I suppose it’s not having the physical server at the touch of my hand. But I have set up contracts with hosting providers that are trusted and responsive to my needs.
Are there any specific technical requirements for the end user?
All you need is a working wallet with the required coins. I can take it from there.
How easy is it for a non-technical person to use your service?
In the beginning, it could be timely, but over time I have fine tuned my end user instructions. If your setting up a PIVX masternode, I have built a form that anyone would be able to follow. Trust me, I even tested it on my wife!
How can the user of your service know that the masternode is online?
Every wallet has a section which will show their masternode status. Some coins have a website where you can see the status of your node.
Do you plan to add new masternode types in the future, if so for which coins?
All depends if someone asks. The issue arises if it’s worth the cost to what the masternode generates. Every masternode for any coin basically have the same needs. The resources include processor, memory, bandwidth, disk space, and a static IP. These resources have costs, sometimes more cost than what can be earned.
What do you do when you are not busy taking care of masternodes?
Hiking, fishing, and camping. If it’s outdoors, I’m in!
For more info please visit: Pivxhost.com
Interesting links:
