FAQ
This FAQ provides answers to common questions about the Function Network, covering general information, provider-specific details, gateway operations, and future incentives like points and airdrops.
General Questions
What is the Function Network?
The Function Network is a decentralized platform for AI inference, enabling seamless connections between developers and AI compute providers. It leverages FUNC tokens for staking, rewards, and potentially governance, ensuring a trustless and scalable ecosystem for AI workloads.
Why is this important?
By decentralizing AI inference, the Function Network reduces dependency on centralized providers, offering greater accessibility, censorship resistance, and cost efficiency. This empowers developers, businesses, and individuals to access AI compute resources securely and affordably.
What are FUNC tokens used for?
FUNC tokens are the native currency of the Function Network, used for staking by providers and gateways, distributing rewards for compute contributions, and potentially enabling governance participation in the future.
How does this benefit me?
Whether you're an AI developer, model creator, compute provider, or end-user, FUNC tokens incentivize participation. Early adopters may gain additional benefits through staking rewards, potential airdrops, or future governance influence, fostering a vibrant and rewarding ecosystem.
Will there be points or airdrops for early users before onchain incentives begin?
Yes, early participants engaging in inference requests, compute provision, or FUNC staking may earn points. These points could translate into future airdrops, staking bonuses, or governance influence, with details announced via official channels.
How can I participate?
Engage early by using the network for AI inference, staking FUNC tokens, or providing compute resources. Active participation increases your eligibility for points and potential future rewards.
How does the Function Network ensure security and reliability?
The network employs decentralized consensus mechanisms, staking requirements, and penalties for malicious behavior to maintain security. Providers and gateways are incentivized to uphold high standards, ensuring reliable AI Inference services.
Why does this matter to me?
A secure and reliable network protects users from disruptions and ensures consistent access to AI compute resources, fostering trust and encouraging widespread adoption.
Provider Questions
What is required to register as a provider?
To become a provider, you must register with metadata (typically your node’s URL), stake the required amount of FUNC tokens, and obtain whitelist approval from the network.
Why should I become a provider?
Providers with idle GPUs or compute resources can earn rewards by contributing to AI inference workloads. This creates a revenue stream while supporting the decentralized AI ecosystem.
What happens if I don’t claim my rewards?
Unclaimed rewards remain available indefinitely but are subject to an epoch-based delay before they can be accessed.
Can I lose unclaimed rewards?
No, unclaimed rewards are safe and won’t expire. However, claiming them promptly allows for reinvestment or additional staking to maximize your network participation.
What is the penalty for being jailed?
Jailed providers are temporarily barred from staking or claiming rewards during the jail period, which is triggered by network rule violations or insufficient performance.
How can I avoid being jailed?
Ensure high node availability, maintain correct configurations, and adhere to network protocols. Avoiding malicious or unreliable behavior is critical to staying active and earning rewards.
What does provider metadata represent?
Provider metadata typically includes the URL where the provider’s node can be accessed for inference requests, along with other relevant details like supported models or compute capabilities.
Why is metadata important?
Accurate metadata ensures gateways can efficiently route requests to your node, maximizing your compute utilization and reward potential.
What types of compute resources are most valuable to the network?
High-performance GPUs, reliable network connectivity, and optimized software stacks are highly valued, as they enable efficient and scalable AI inference.
How can I optimize my setup?
Invest in robust hardware, maintain low-latency connections, and regularly update your node’s software to align with network requirements, ensuring competitive performance and higher rewards.
What is an epoch, and how does it function?
An epoch is a fixed time period, measured in blocks, during which staking, reward distribution, and network updates are synchronized. Epochs ensure consistent and predictable operations across the network. Understanding epochs is essential for participants involved in staking, providing compute, or receiving rewards. Epoch cycles determine the timing of reward payouts and network updates, helping users plan their participation effectively.
How are rewards calculated and distributed?
Rewards are calculated based on the shards (units of computational work) contributed by providers during an epoch. These rewards are distributed proportionally from the epoch’s reward pool, incentivizing active participation.
How can I maximize my rewards?
Providers can increase rewards by maintaining high node uptime, optimizing compute efficiency, and ensuring reliable infrastructure. Consistent participation and high-quality service lead to greater reward allocations per epoch.
What is the significance of
minEpochsLocked?The
minEpochsLockedparameter specifies the minimum number of epochs that staked FUNC tokens must remain locked before they can be unstaked, ensuring network stability and commitment from participants. Participants should plan their staking duration carefully, asminEpochsLockedimpacts liquidity. Longer staking periods may offer additional incentives, but users must balance this with their need for token accessibility.
Gateway Questions
How do gateways interact with providers?
Gateways aggregate client requests for AI inference and route them to suitable providers based on availability, compute capacity, and performance metrics. Gateways optimize the distribution of AI workloads, reducing latency, minimizing costs, and ensuring efficient resource utilization across the network.
Can gateways unstake immediately?
No, gateways must initiate a wind-down process and wait through a staking delay period before unstaking their FUNC tokens, ensuring network stability.
What are the risks of unstaking?
Unstaking resets your current burn discount tier, which may reduce future incentives. Long-term staking often provides better rewards, so plan your strategy accordingly.
What metadata do gateways need?
Gateway metadata includes routing-related information, such as endpoint URLs, supported regions, and availability details, to facilitate efficient request handling. Accurate metadata ensures gateways can effectively match client requests with providers, improving network performance and user experience.
How can gateways optimize their operations?
Gateways can enhance performance by maintaining robust infrastructure, minimizing latency, and supporting a wide range of providers and regions. Optimized gateways attract more client requests, increasing their influence and potential rewards within the network.
Additional Questions (Airdrops, Points, and Future Benefits)
Will there be a points system, and how does it work?
Before onchain rewards are fully implemented, the Function Network may introduce a points system to track user engagement and contributions. Points could be redeemed for future rewards, airdrops, or governance influence.
How can I earn points?
Participate in AI inference tasks, stake FUNC tokens, provide compute resources, or use Function Chat to qualify for points. Early and active engagement maximizes your point accumulation.
What is the difference between points and rewards?
Rewards are onchain incentives paid in FUNC tokens for contributions like compute provision or staking. Points, however, are offchain metrics of engagement and may qualify users for future onchain benefits, such as airdrops or governance roles. Points reward early adopters and active participants, potentially unlocking exclusive benefits as the network grows, giving you a head start in the ecosystem.
When will airdrops be distributed?
Airdrop eligibility criteria and distribution timelines will be announced through official Function Network channels. Stay updated to ensure you don’t miss opportunities. Early adopters who engage through inference, staking, or compute provision have the highest likelihood of qualifying for airdrops and other incentives, maximizing their long-term benefits.
How can I stay informed about network updates and opportunities?
Follow Function Network’s official channels, including the website, blog, and social media, for the latest announcements on airdrops, points, and network developments. Timely updates ensure you can take advantage of new features, incentives, and governance opportunities, keeping you ahead in the decentralized AI ecosystem.
For further questions or support, contact the Function Network team through our official channels or refer to the Terms & Conditions.
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