ACADEMY
Computors & Quorum Consensus
What Are Computors?
In the Qubic network, Computors act as the brain of the system. They are responsible for:
Validating transactions and maintaining network integrity.
Reaching consensus on network operations.
Think of Computors as referees in a game, ensuring everything is fair, orderly, and efficient.
Unlike miners, who contribute computational power, Computors focus on decision-making and security. Together, they keep the network running smoothly and securely.
How Do Computors Achieve Consensus?
Qubic uses a quorum-based consensus mechanism known as the Quorum to validate transactions and computational results.
How It Works:
The Tick Process: Time in Qubic is divided into small intervals called ticks. During each tick, Computors process transactions and vote on their validity.
Quorum Threshold: At least 451 out of 676 Computors must agree for a decision to be accepted.
Byzantine Fault Tolerance (BFT): The network can function even if up to one-third of Computors act maliciously or fail.
Analogy: Quorum Consensus in Action
Imagine a group of friends deciding on a movie. A vote is taken, but at least 2/3 of the group must agree before a decision is final.
This prevents a small group from manipulating the decision, even if some members act unfairly.
💡 Another way to think about it:
A jury of 676 people must decide if a case is valid. If at least 451 agree, the decision is final, ensuring fairness.
The Role of Tick Votes
Every Computor casts something called a tick vote, which:
Confirms transactions within a tick.
Indicates agreement with the current state of the blockchain.
Helps decide whether the network should proceed or skip a tick if there is disagreement.
Becoming a Computor
Anyone can become a Computor, but there are some basic requirements:
Dedicated hardware – Computors must run on bare-metal servers for maximum speed and security.
Commitment – Computors must actively participate in consensus and network governance.
Rewards for Computors
Computors are paid in QUBIC coins for their work.
The better a Computor performs (e.g., reliability, speed), the higher their rewards.
Why the Quorum Matters
Computors are essential for Qubic’s decentralization and scalability. Without them:
Transactions wouldn’t be verified properly.
The network wouldn’t be secure against malicious actors.
Qubic’s vision of decentralized AI (Aigarth) wouldn’t be possible.