• Farmers, or Cloud Service Providers, provide the infrastructural foundation of the ecosystem. Without the farmers, there is no ThreeFold.

• Network Bridgers, or Providers, bridge the new and the old. They ensure that ThreeFold can communicate with the existing Internet in a safe and secure manner – and provide bandwidth to our grid.

• Farming Pools exist to support farmers in being more effective, to improve uptime, and to deliver a service level to the community. This means more reliability for all.

• Node Suppliers build and sell nodes and provide an adequate level of service and support.

• Guardians protect the network, keep all relevant services up and running, validating the soundness of the technology being used.

• TF Dubai is the original company out of which the ThreeFold project began and is now developing commercial services on top of the grid. TF Dubai is a big sponsor of the grid and will continue to be. It wishes to hand off the day-to-day management to the ThreeFold cooperative, and the digital tools have been set up to do so, including the forum, websites, manuals, and web management tools.

• TF9, previously TF Tech, is a Belgium-based company playing a key role in the ecosystem. They have been developing the technology behind the TF Grid and are 100% committed to keeping it open-source. TF9 will be licensing the software to organizations who need commercial support and customizations.

• The ThreeFold Cooperative is our governance layer; it gives everyone in the ecosystem a voice and an environment from which to operate.

• OurWorld Digital Free Zone, which is in the process of being created in Zanzibar, allows the ecosystem to structure digital assets and some of our future digital projects.

But it does not stop there. More solution and technology providers will create and provide services and open-source technologies that can be used on top of or as part of the grid. DePIN partners are coming, to launch us into that space. And ThreeFold Chapters will come alive to promote and grow the ecosystem organically, with local context, driving maximum reach and adoption of our project.

It is easy to see that each of these roles plays a crucial element in the larger ThreeFold ecosystem, establishing a type of equilibrium and resilience that can be found in natural systems as well. All participants with their own unique purposes – self-organizing, interconnected, collaborating towards a common goal. Together, let us strive to emulate the harmony of natural systems as we move into this next phase of ThreeFold.

There are many ways to get involved:

• Join our main chat, talk to humans
• Learn about expanding the grid or deploying on top of it
• Buy and hold the token to provide fuel to the ecosystem
• Stay tuned for news, updates, and community calls
• Take part in the feedback about the next steps for ThreeFold

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” - Albert Einstein

🔗Compute & Storage

What it is:

Compute is responsible for processing data. It runs programs and applications by leveraging computational resources like CPUs (Central Processing Units) and GPUs (Graphics Processing Units). It handles the calculations, logic, and running of software that users depend on. Compute resources are provided by servers located in centralized data centers and cloud platforms.

Storage is about saving and retrieving data. It provides a persistent way to store data so that it can be accessed in the future. This encompasses various types of storage media, such as hard drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), and distributed storage systems that span across multiple locations. Storage ensures that data is kept safe and available for when it’s needed, either for immediate use by applications or for long-term retention.

The problem with the current model:

A key problem with the current compute & storage layer lies in its centralized structure, which creates vulnerabilities, scalability challenges, and performance issues. Relying on centralized data centers and cloud platforms leads to single points of failure, which increases the risk of outages and cyberattacks, thus heightening concerns about service disruption and data security. Scaling this centralized infrastructure to meet increasing demand is costly and not straightforward, while latency issues hinder real-time data processing.

The concentration of the compute & storage within data centers primarily located in Europe, North America, or China raises significant concerns. This geographical bias in Internet infrastructure keeps data, jobs, and economic benefits centralized in certain regions, putting developing areas at a disadvantage and raising concerns around data sovereignty and autonomy.

For example, when two people in Zanzibar undertake a video call, their call data is sent to a data center in Europe via costly fiber optics, wasting resources and diminishing performance. This scenario represents a broader problem affecting various locations and use cases. This inefficient and inequitable system can be changed.

The ThreeFold model:

ThreeFold decentralizes compute & storage by distributing it across a global network of independent nodes rather than concentrating it in large data centers. Autonomous technology allows us to remove most human involvement from the equation. This approach allows anyone, regardless of technical know-how, to contribute compute & storage to the network or utilize it for their own applications. In essence, the compute & storage layer becomes co-owned, allowing anyone to become a cloud provider.

ThreeFold’s autonomous technology efficiently allocates compute resources, increasing performance and reliability while reducing energy consumption. The distributed storage system fragments data and stores it securely across multiple locations, ensuring that data is always recoverable. Data security is also enhanced as there is no central repository for attackers to target. In this decentralized model, individuals’ data remains within their country’s borders, safeguarding their information from being exploited as a commodity by external entities. Storing data closer to the end user reduces latency and improves access speeds.

Let’s revisit the scenario of a video call between two individuals in Zanzibar. With ThreeFold technology, call data will be sent directly between local ThreeFold nodes. These nodes are deployed locally by people and organizations, avoiding centralized ownership by major tech corporations. Instead of relying on data centers thousands of miles away, our decentralized infrastructure significantly shortens the connection distance. The pair in Zanzibar can now communicate peer-to-peer, reducing bandwidth needs by up to 10 times while boosting security.

🔗Network

What it is:

The purpose of the network layer of the Internet is to send data packets from their source (point A) to their destination (point B) across multiple networks. Data packets are small pieces of information which include the data being sent and details like where it’s coming from and where it’s going. They can be thought of as small parcels of data that travel through the Internet. These parcels can take different paths to reach their destination and once they arrive they are put back together to form the original data.

The network operates on protocols like IP (Internet Protocol), which assigns unique addresses to devices on the Internet to ensure data reaches the correct location. The network layer handles the path selection and directs data packets through various routers and networks to reach its destination. This layer enables communication between devices in different networks, ensuring efficient delivery across the vast expanse of the Internet.

The problem with the current model:

The current model of the network layer relies heavily on traditional routing protocols and infrastructure, which often lead to inefficiencies and vulnerabilities. Centralized routing mechanisms may result in suboptimal path selection, leading to longer latency and decreased network performance. As highlighted in the picture below, the path that these data packets take in the current system can be very complex and ineffective. The reliance on a centralized architecture makes the network susceptible to single points of failure and cyberattacks. Traditional networks lack inherent privacy and security measures, leaving data vulnerable to interception and unauthorized access during transmission. The lack of scalability, reliability, and security of the current network model highlights the need for a new approach.

Credit: Lazario Gamio, 2015, The Washington Post

The ThreeFold model:

ThreeFold is disrupting the network layer through its new Mycelium technology, a true peer-to-peer mesh network. It is the only overlay network in the world capable of taking locality into consideration, routing decisions based on proximity between individuals, and selecting the quickest route possible. This addresses the current system’s suboptimal path selection as visualized above. In this new model data packets take the quickest route from point A to point B. Mycelium also ensures end-to-end encryption for all traffic, enhancing data privacy and security. This new ‘always-on’ network offers continuous connectivity and seamless access to resources, even in the face of network disruptions or outages.

Credit: Haseeb Qureshi, 2019, Nakamoto

🔗Applications

What it is:

At the top of the Internet stack are applications — the user-facing software that provides the services and experiences we interact with daily. Applications range from web browsers and social media to more complex systems like blockchain platforms and decentralized apps (dApps). They are the interface through which users interact with the digital world.

The problem with the current model:

The problem with the current model is the lack of control over our digital identities. Currently, users are scattered across numerous platforms, each hosting their data separately. This means that individuals exist in multiple instances online, with their personal information spread across different servers and databases controlled by different applications (visualized in the picture below). This fragmentation not only leads to redundancy but also raises concerns about security, privacy, and control over personal data. Users are forced to trust multiple third-party applications with their sensitive information, often without transparency or control over how their data is used or shared. The centralized nature of these applications exposes users to risks such as data breaches, unauthorized access, and exploitation of personal information for targeted advertising or other purposes. In the existing system, users are at the mercy of application providers, who dictate the terms of service and privacy policies. This asymmetry in power dynamics leaves users with limited options to protect their privacy or exercise control over their data.

The ThreeFold model:

ThreeFold delivers a decentralized and user-centric approach to the application layer, empowering users and developers. By providing access to decentralized compute, storage, and networking resources, ThreeFold facilitates the development and deployment of decentralized applications (dApps) within its ecosystem. Unlike traditional centralized applications, which rely on proprietary infrastructure and are subject to the control of centralized entities, dApps built on ThreeFold operate within a decentralized environment increasing security and privacy. Users have greater autonomy and control over their digital identities and data. Instead of being scattered across numerous platforms with data hosted separately, users have one digital identity. This reduces fragmentation and eliminates the need to trust multiple third-party applications with sensitive information. In the ThreeFold model, applications are designed to serve the users rather than the other way round.

🔗Conclusion

Understanding the Internet’s three layers is key to grasping the current digital landscape and envisioning the transformative potential of ThreeFold’s technology. Just as tectonic forces reshape our physical world, ThreeFold is disrupting the layers of the digital world. By decentralizing compute & storage, ThreeFold eliminates the vulnerabilities in centralized models, fostering efficiency and security. Through Mycelium, ThreeFold is rewriting the rules of connectivity, ensuring resilience and security. At the application layer, ThreeFold empowers users, shifting the paradigm to user empowerment. It’s a new dawn for the Internet, one where connectivity is inclusive, efficient, and equitable, and ThreeFold is leading the charge. Let’s seize the opportunity to shape an Internet that thrives locally, serves globally, and empowers universally.

🔗The Rise of Decentralized Solar Energy

Decentralized solar energy has transformed the landscape of power generation. Unlike the centralized model, where nuclear power plants are often miles away from the end-users and controlled by large corporations or government bodies, solar energy allows for energy production right where it’s needed—at home or within the community.

By installing solar panels on rooftops or creating local solar farms, individuals can capture the sun’s energy directly. This shift not only reduces our dependency on distant power plants and the complex grid systems but also mitigates the risks associated with them.

This localized energy production model enhances sustainability by tapping into an inexhaustible natural resource and encourages a more environmentally conscious and self-sufficient society. It signifies a move away from the centralized, traditional systems of energy production, returning power to the people and prioritizing the planet’s well-being.

🔗ThreeFold: Pioneering a Decentralized Digital Future

Parallel to the energy sector’s evolution, the digital world is also undergoing a transformation, led by innovative platforms like ThreeFold. Just as decentralized solar energy provides an alternative to the centralized power generation model, ThreeFold is reshaping the cloud computing landscape with its autonomous edge cloud.

ThreeFold’s model deviates from the norm, where cloud services are dominated by a few massive data centers. Instead, we depend on our global network of independent nodes set up by individuals and businesses to contribute their own computing and storage resources to the cloud. This approach democratizes access to cloud resources, bolstering data privacy, security, and resilience against potential outages or cyberattacks.

Beyond merely disrupting the existing model, ThreeFold aims to foster a more sustainable, efficient, and user-centric internet. Distributing decentralized infrastructure worldwide reduces the environmental footprint associated with large data centers and promotes fairer internet resource distribution.

Both the shift towards decentralized solar energy and ThreeFold’s revolutionary approach to cloud computing reflect a broader movement towards decentralization. This movement is not just about bringing alternatives to existing systems but about creating a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for all.

🔗The Two Main Flaws of Existing Data Centers

🔗Inadequate Power Provision

The advent of AI has dramatically escalated power needs. An AI-centric rack can consume up to 200 kW – a staggering 15 times more than the capacity of data centers built in the conventional model. This exponential increase poses significant challenges, particularly when dissipation exceeds 50 kW per rack. Traditional designs fall short in crucial aspects like cooling and power distribution, with conventional air cooling methods becoming increasingly unviable.

🔗The Shift in Market Needs: Beyond Co-location

The market dynamics have evolved; selling space in a data center, akin to ‘advanced real estate’, is a model that is rapidly losing relevance. The traditional co-location framework, which expects customers to manage their hardware and infrastructure within leased rack space, is becoming antiquated.

In the modern landscape, the role of a data center should transcend mere space rental. The emphasis should be on providing integrated solutions – selling compute, storage, and network capacity, not just rackspace and power. It’s about delivering a comprehensive service that aligns with the complex, ever-evolving needs of businesses immersed in the digital and AI revolution.

🔗The Data Center Landscape Today

Tier 3 and Tier 4 Data Centers are classifications outlined by the Uptime Institute, which provide standards for the design, construction, and operation of data centers. The Institute defines four tiers (1, 2, 3, & 4) to categorize data centers according to their design and infrastructure capabilities. For the purposes of this article, we will focus on the top two tiers.

🔗Tier 3

A Tier 3 Data Center is a type of data center facility that is designed to provide a high level of availability and redundancy for IT infrastructure and data storage.

🔗Key Characteristics

• Availability: Tier 3 Data Centers typically offer 99.982% availability, translating to around 1.6 hours of downtime per year.
• Redundancy: They feature N+1 redundancy for power and cooling systems, providing backup components to ensure continuous operation in case of failure.
• Concurrent Maintenance: Tier 3 Data Centers allow for maintenance and repairs to be performed on systems without disrupting operations.
• Cost: Tier 3 Data Centers are less expensive to build and operate compared to Tier 4 due to lower redundancy requirements.

It’s important to note that while Tier 3 Data Centers provide a high level of availability and redundancy, they are not as robust as Tier 4 Data Centers, which are designed to provide even higher levels of fault tolerance and uptime. The choice of data center tier depends on the specific needs and risk tolerance of the organization using the facility.

🔗Key Challenges

• Limited Uptime: Despite high reliability, Tier 3 Data Centers may still experience noticeable downtime, which could impact critical operations.
• Single Points of Failure: While designed for redundancy, Tier 3 Data Centers may still have single points of failure, potentially leading to downtime during component failures.
• Scalability: They may have limitations in scalability compared to higher tier data centers, potentially requiring more significant upgrades for expansion.

When a business is considering colocation or hosting in a Tier 3 Data Center, it’s important to assess its power requirements carefully. For operations with high power demands, it might be necessary to discuss with the data center provider the possibilities of allocating additional power resources or choosing a high-density zone within the data center. Data center providers typically measure power in kilowatts (kW) per rack and will have different pricing models based on the power and cooling requirements of the equipment hosted.

🔗Tier 4

A Tier 4 Data Center is the most advanced type of data center tier, as classified by the Uptime Institute. The Tier 4 Data Center is the most robust and less prone to failures. Its design ensures redundancy and reliability.

🔗Key Characteristics

• Availability: Tier 4 Data Centers offer the highest level of availability, typically guaranteeing 99.995% uptime or just around 26.3 minutes of downtime per year.
• Fault Tolerance: They feature a fault-tolerant design with 2N+1 redundancy for critical systems, ensuring uninterrupted operation even during component failures.
• Redundancy: Tier 4 Data Centers have redundant power and cooling distribution paths, eliminating single points of failure.
• Security: They often have advanced security measures in place, including biometric access controls and surveillance systems.

🔗Key Challenges

• Complexity: Tier 4 Data Centers are more complex and expensive to design, build, and maintain due to their fault-tolerant architecture.
• High Cost: The increased redundancy and fault tolerance come with higher costs, making Tier 4 Data Centers more expensive to operate compared to lower tiers.
• Overkill for Some Applications: For organizations with less critical operations or smaller budgets, Tier 4 Data Centers may be overkill and not cost-effective.

🔗Choosing Between Tier 3 and Tier 4

• Cost vs. Need: Tier 4 Data Centers are significantly more expensive to build and operate. Organizations should assess whether they need the highest level of uptime and fault tolerance that Tier 4 provides.
• Business Requirements: Businesses that can afford occasional downtimes for maintenance or those that don’t have extremely critical data operations may find Tier 3 facilities adequately sufficient.
• Industry Compliance: Certain industries may require or favor Tier 4 facilities due to regulatory requirements.

In summary, while both Tier 3 and Tier 4 Data Centers are designed to ensure high levels of uptime and reliability, Tier 4 takes this a step further with increased redundancy, fault tolerance, and a correspondingly higher price point.

🔗Introducing the Tier S Data Center

The Tier S model is designed to exceed the capabilities of traditional Tier 3 and 4 Data Centers, addressing the increasing demand for infrastructure that can support emerging IT workloads with greater efficiency and resilience. Where “S” stands for “Self-Healing,” Tier S Data Centers present a new way forward, while remaining backwards compatible.

The Tier S “circular approach” allows us to build the most reliable and redundant data centers in the world. A larger data center (typically 2-10 mW capacity) is extended with at least nine edge data centers. Key features include advanced liquid cooling technology and cybersecurity mechanisms, enhancing the center’s ability to handle complex IT workloads like AI and ML.

Flexibility is central to the design, with each edge data center capable of housing 3-30 pods (subsections), and a versatile main data center. The innovative self-healing technology ensures continuous, secure operations, reducing downtime and maintenance needs. The infrastructure, integrating state-of-the-art hydro coolant distribution units, is designed for high-performance computing, meeting emerging technological demands.

🔗Key Benefits

• Superior Reliability: Data storage is highly secure and can’t be lost, would even be safe if quantum computing would be used for hacking.
• 100% Redundancy: Fully redundant power and network paths. All hardware is equipped with liquid cooling for enhanced reliability and energy-efficiency..
• Capacity and Expansion: A main data center with a 2-10 MW capacity, supplemented by at least 9 edge data centers.
• Flexible Configuration: Each edge data center can include 3 to 30 pods (more information below), with the main data centers configurable as pod, rack, or container-based.
• Disaster Resilience: The circular design, with a main data center and edge data centers, offers robust protection against natural disasters, war, or unrest.
• Self-Healing: Equipped with self-healing properties, Tier S Data Centers ensure that workloads can operate safely with minimal need for human intervention.

🔗In Conclusion

The existing data center model is simply insufficient for emerging demands of the IT world. Billions of dollars will be mis-spent if we continue down the existing path. This is why ThreeFold is presenting a new approach. While the Tier S Data Center is still in its conceptual phase, we are actively working with partners on implementing the first of its kind in the near future.

🔗ThreeFold x H.E.R DAO

On Monday, ThreeFold and H.E.R DAO, a women-centered developer DAO with a focus on inclusivity, joined forces to host a meetup in Dar Es Salaam, attracting over 50 students, developers, and tech enthusiasts. Read more about the event.

H.E.R DAO has already established a presence in East Africa, aiming to diversify the blockchain ecosystem and uplift marginalized communities through initiatives like Hackathons and conferences. Their mission focuses on fostering WEB 3 adoption and empowering individuals across the continent. Discover more

This collaboration sent a powerful message that diversity is not just a goal to strive for but a necessity for driving meaningful change in the tech industry. Together, we laid the groundwork for future collaborations and initiatives that will continue to champion diversity, inclusion, and empowerment in the digital space in Tanzania.

Moreover, our commitment to diversity and inclusion extends beyond partnerships; it is embedded in our initiatives like Dunia Yetu. Through Dunia Yetu, we aim to empower women and youth in Tanzania by providing access to education, opportunities, and resources in the tech sector. By fostering diversity and inclusion in Tanzania’s digital ecosystem, we can unlock the untapped potential of women and youth, driving economic growth and innovation.

Each step forward brings us closer to realizing our vision of a more inclusive and equitable technology industry, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of background or identity. Discover our Dunia Yetu initiative and follow our latest developments.

🔗Vision of Collective Empowerment

In the heart of Tanzania, a transformative movement is underway, known as Dunia Yetu, Swahili for “Our World.”. More than just a name; it embodies a vision of collective empowerment and digital self-reliance. Dunia Yetu is a beacon of unity, encouraging Tanzanians to take control of their digital destiny. It seeks to redefine the nation’s digital landscape, fostering a future where citizens are not just users but architects of their online world.

🔗Empowering Tanzania’s Youth and Future

At its core, Dunia Yetu is about empowering Tanzanians to reclaim ownership of their digital infrastructure. It envisions a future where the benefits of the Internet are harnessed by the people, for the people. For millions of Tanzanians, Dunia Yetu could represent more than just connectivity; it’s a gateway to education, opportunity, and economic empowerment. By democratizing access to the Internet, Dunia Yetu will open doors for entrepreneurship, innovation, and collaboration, especially for the youth. With this project, Tanzania’s youth are empowered to shape their digital future, harnessing technology to overcome challenges and seize opportunities. It’s not just about connectivity; it’s about unlocking the full potential of Tanzania’s next generation.

🔗Looking Ahead to 2024:

As Dunia Yetu gains momentum, stay tuned for exciting updates and milestones. In 2024, this transformative project will see the light, ushering in a new era of digital empowerment for Tanzania.

Together, through Dunia Yetu, Tanzanians are building a brighter, more inclusive future—one where the digital world truly belongs to us all.