So yesterday I noticed that my @hextech node and the @town-hall node missed multiple blocks in a row, which is usually a sign that something is wrong and the operator has to go in there and tinker with it to get it working again. Best case scenario is usually just resetting it off/on like ya do but occasionally the fix is more annoying than that.
In this particular case the issue is systemic.
Multiple nodes on the Hive blockchain have been burned by this.
Looking at our witness list this is my guess as to which nodes are affected.
Based on having not minted a block in "one day":
- @hextech (me)
- @town-hall (@l337m45732, @anomadsoul, @taskmaster4450)
- @ura-soul
- @aliento
- @actifit (maybe?)
- @apshamilton
- @r0nd0n
I personally contacted three of these accounts to let them know what happened as they were not aware of the situation at that time. I shut down my node after missing something like three blocks... and then someone immediately unvoted my witness... which is super annoying because they probably wouldn't have if I had just left it on to continue missing blocks like everyone else :D... but I guess that's a whole other can of worms wrapped up in weird incentives.
What are the implications here?
I think we have to assume that someone was doing something illegal on the shared virtual server we were all using and it got pulled. These things happen. On top of that Privex is a privacy-centric hosting service which can be a magnet for criminal activity because privacy isn't the standard (even though it should be). For more context on this idea go read my post on the CyberBunker documentary.
As a reminder, in order to prevent this from happening in the future we will have to provide data to local authorities when requested, so use encryption.
I'm not 100% sure why a Hive node-runner would need to mask public data but this definitely is best practice especially for privacy-centric infrastructure and generically addressing all customers at the same time. At the same time when you run a server like this you have to obey both local and international laws and we all know how ridiculous that can get. As a noob I don't really know how to do this yet and I'll just be scrambling to get my node back online over the next however many days it takes.
Annoyance or Opportunity?
It's both really. This is the perfect time for me to upgrade my node to a dedicated server that has exponentially more resources. This is a really frustrating experience because I'm offline with my dick in my hand but at the same time it forces me to push forward and get more involved with the chain. I'm definitely going to need a refresher course to get this thing back up and running. Luckily I wrote a few posts on the process that I can look back to as a resource, in addition to various pinned Discord discussions.
Still profitable
Even at these low Hive prices and the increased cost of a dedicated server my node will still be profitable at the current rank #41 spot. Maybe I can even grab a few more votes by offering better infrastructure to the chain. Perhaps I'll go on a targeted campaign trail (aka begging rich people for upvotes, kek). We'll see.
I do have to mention that I have a lot of respect for those who aren't as fortunate as I am. Kudos to everyone running a Hive node in the red at this time. I can imagine it would be very hard to justify keeping it going even though it doesn't pay for itself.
Ultimate Future Goals:
I still very much would like to create a profitable business on Hive that revolves around gaming and potentially a connection to DEFI. It's almost embarrassing to mention a long-standing goal like this because I feel like I should have made it happen years ago but always seem to fall short in terms of motivation and access to resources. "I can't afford that until number go up," seems to be a real thing in crypto... and then when number goes up we ask, "But what if it goes up more," during the FOMO. There is definitely some personal psychology I need to resolve if I want to make progress going forward.
Decentralization in action.
It's also nice to realize that an event like this shows us just how impossible it would be to take down the Hive blockchain. The top 20 have an extreme financial incentive to keep their nodes running (most with backup contingencies). Hive would be exponentially harder to take down than Pirate Bay, and Pirate Bay is still up and kicking even with way less decentralization and incentive to keep it going.
Conclusion
Alright well this situation is not ideal but it is what it is. I probably should have switched to a dedicated server a while ago, so perhaps a blessing in disguise. I certainly don't envy Privex right now for having to deal with law-enforcement when their business model revolves around privacy.
These things happen.
Tick Tock Next Block.