Node Operator Setup Guide

v2.9.21 — Install, configure, and start earning with your GPU.

System Requirements

Component	Minimum	Recommended
GPU	NVIDIA GTX 1070 (8 GB VRAM)	NVIDIA RTX 3070+ (8+ GB VRAM)
RAM	8 GB	16 GB+
OS	Windows 10 21H2+	Windows 11
Internet	10 Mbps upload	50+ Mbps (higher bandwidth = higher job priority)
Disk	20 GB free	SSD with 50+ GB free

16 GB+ RAM is recommended to handle larger projects and training workloads.

Important: Docker Desktop Compatibility

Simulacrum Node uses the WSL2 Docker Engine, NOT Docker Desktop. The two can conflict and cause setup failures.

If Docker Desktop is currently installed — uninstall it before installing Simulacrum Node. Open Windows Settings → Apps → Installed Apps and remove Docker Desktop.
If Docker Desktop was previously installed and removed — the Simulacrum setup script will automatically clean up leftover configuration files.
Common symptom of conflict: docker-credential-desktop.exe not found error during Docker setup.

Uninstall Docker Desktop first, then proceed with the Simulacrum Node installation below.

Installation

Download the installer from the dashboard or the auto-update prompt in the node GUI
Run SimulacrumNode-2.9.21-Setup.exe and follow the wizard
Launch Simulacrum Node from the Start menu
Create an account in Settings and set up your bank account for payouts

Docker Setup (One-Click)

Docker is required for all job execution. The node GUI makes this effortless:

Click the Setup Docker button in the Docker section of the GUI
The automated installer handles everything:
- Enables WSL2 and installs Ubuntu
- Installs Docker Desktop with NVIDIA GPU support
- Configures hardened container security (capability dropping, resource limits)
- Pulls the Simulacrum ML base Docker image
One reboot may be required for WSL2 — the installer resumes automatically

After setup, the Docker section shows a green checkmark with your Docker version and engine path. No manual configuration needed.

Security & Isolation

Container Hardening

Every job runs in a hardened Docker container with --cap-drop=ALL, --no-new-privileges, memory limits, and PID limits. These flags drop all Linux capabilities and block privilege escalation, preventing workloads from accessing your system.

Security is configured automatically by the Setup Docker button. No manual setup required.

Secure Wipe

All project data, intermediate files, and render output are securely wiped from your node after every job completes.

Earnings

You earn 80% of the flat client rate:

Client Pays	You Earn (80%)	Requirement
$0.75/hr	$0.60/hr	GPU + Docker

Earnings are tracked per-second. The GUI shows real-time stats for today, this week, and this month. Payouts are processed when your balance reaches the $50.00 minimum threshold.

Bandwidth Probe

The node automatically measures your upload and download speeds by communicating with the orchestrator. This runs in the background with minimal overhead:

First probe runs 5 seconds after startup
Subsequent probes every 60 minutes
100 KB test payload (both upload and download)
After 24 hours, if bandwidth is stable (within 20%), probing is skipped entirely

Higher bandwidth = higher priority. Nodes with faster connections receive jobs first. The orchestrator uses your rolling average bandwidth when ranking nodes for dispatch.

Proof of Compute

Proof of Compute (PoC) verifies that your node is performing real work. This protects the network from freeloading and ensures clients get what they pay for.

How It Works

Rendering jobs: The orchestrator periodically requests a frame buffer capture. Your node takes a screenshot of the active render and sends it back. The orchestrator verifies it using perceptual hashing (pHash).
Training jobs: Your node reports GPU utilization. The orchestrator checks that the GPU is actively working (utilization > 0%).

PoC is fully automatic — you don't need to configure or monitor anything.

What Happens If You Fail

If a PoC check fails (e.g., blank frame buffer, GPU idle during a training job), your reputation score is reduced. Repeated failures result in job reassignment and lower priority in the dispatch queue.

Reputation System

Every node starts with a reputation score of 100. Your score affects job priority — higher reputation means you get more jobs.

Score Changes

+1 for each successfully completed job
−10 for a failed Proof of Compute check
−5 for disconnecting during an active job

Keep your node online and let jobs complete normally. That's all it takes to maintain a high reputation.

Quick Troubleshooting

Issue	Fix
Docker shows red X	Click Setup Docker button — it handles everything automatically
Not receiving jobs	Check reputation (Settings), ensure Docker is green, verify internet connection
Docker not configured	Click Setup Docker to configure Docker automatically
Low bandwidth reading	Close other bandwidth-heavy apps. The probe re-runs every 60 minutes