[Jun-Dec 23] dApp Infrastructure Expansion Proposal
Project Proposal
Version 1.0
General Project Information
Project Name: Infrastructure Services Scaling Support
Project Manager: @claus
Team:
- @kaue Ecosystem Scaling
- @develcuy Developer Relations
Description
This proposal aims to allocate a portion of the Syscoin governance budget towards Pollum, a trusted ecosystem partner that has been providing essential services and technical infrastructure support to the Syscoin ecosystem since 2020. Pollum, a reputable software company (more about them at https://pollum.io), has been instrumental in maintaining the Syscoin network’s functionality and stability.
Up to this point, infrastructure services were handled directly with the Syscoin Foundation but, in the light of the Rollux launch and likely expansion in scope of core cloud-oriented services, we bring forth the following proposal to address the growing and elastic needs of application layer developers deploying projects on top of Syscoin NEVM and Rollux.
New dapps & developer teams are now being onboarded to Rollux and most will need core infrastructure such as high-performing RPC endpoints, archive nodes, graph nodes & other miscellaneous cloud services. The resulting increased load will have a direct impact on the costs associated with infrastructure.
In order to provide better UX, faster integration times, and less overhead for new dapps in the ecosystem, this proposal suggest directing part of masternode inflation SYS towards these costs, as this directly impacts Syscoin’s ecosystem on vital metrics such as transaction numbers, new wallets created, SYS token demand, and overall value brought to the community.
Services and Importance
Pollum has been responsible for several key services within the Syscoin network:
RPC Infrastructure: Remote Procedure Call (RPC) is a protocol that one program can use to request a service from a program located in another computer on a network without having to understand network details. In the context of Syscoin, RPC nodes are crucial for processing transactions and blocks, enabling the network to function smoothly. This includes archive nodes, more expensive clients that store historical data and allow more advanced usage on the application layer, especially regarding data indexing services.
Blockbook: Blockbook is an open-source blockchain indexer used for querying balances and transactions for different addresses. It’s essential for UTXO-based chains like Syscoin, as it allows for efficient querying of address balances and transactions.
The Graph Nodes: The Graph is a protocol for indexing and querying data from blockchains, starting with Ethereum. It makes it possible to query data that is difficult to query directly. In the Syscoin ecosystem, Pollum maintains a Graph node for indexing smart contracts on NEVM, which is crucial for dApps operating on the network.
These services are not only provided for Syscoin but are also utilized by the entire dApp ecosystem on Syscoin, making Pollum’s role even more significant.
As the Syscoin network continues to evolve and grow, it’s entirely possible that new core services may become necessary to maintain its functionality and efficiency. In such cases, Pollum, with its deep understanding of the network’s infrastructure and its commitment to the Syscoin community, will promptly identify these needs, as well as listening to the developer community in case such concerns are voiced.
Pollum will communicate any such developments to the community, ensuring transparency and fostering a collaborative approach to expanding the services as required. This proactive communication will enable the Syscoin community to make informed decisions about resource allocation and infrastructure development, further strengthening the network’s robustness and resilience.
Rationale
As the Syscoin ecosystem grows, the demand for Pollum’s services is expected to increase. This proposal aims to ensure that Pollum can continue to provide these essential services and scale up if necessary, thereby contributing to the stability and functionality of the Syscoin network.
This proposal also seeks to streamline budget reporting and management from the infrastructure side, thereby enhancing transparency and accountability within the Syscoin community. By allocating a specific budget to Pollum, we can ensure a more structured and efficient approach to managing resources for infrastructure support.
Furthermore, this proposal will facilitate the creation of direct documentation and point of contact for dApp developers interested in joining the Syscoin ecosystem. This documentation will provide clear guidelines and support, making the onboarding process smoother and more efficient. Ultimately, this proposal aims to foster a supportive and transparent environment that encourages growth and innovation within the Syscoin ecosystem.
Budget Distribution
Initially 30,000 SYS per month (current equivalent to around $3,900 at the time of this proposal), with the possibility of scaling this up if ecosystem demand increases.
Timeline
The timeline for this project is set on a monthly basis funding over the next six months, with regular reporting to be conducted every month to ensure transparency and accountability. This monthly cycle allows for timely adjustments and improvements to be made as necessary.
Furthermore, it is our intention to establish this proposal as a fixed one for at least the next six months to remove the need for monthly on-chain updates. This duration is considered optimal to assess the effectiveness of the proposal and to provide a stable and predictable framework for Pollum to deliver its essential services to the Syscoin ecosystem.
Reporting and Surpluses
Pollum must provide monthly overviews in the governance forums, every 22nd day of the month. Any surplus funds will be allocated towards future spending within their respective scopes.
In the event that there are excessive idle resources over the period outlined here, a new community vote will be initiated to decide on the best way to allocate these resources. This democratic approach ensures that the Syscoin community has a say in how resources are managed and used. It also allows for flexibility and adaptability, as the allocation of resources can be adjusted based on the current needs and priorities of the Syscoin ecosystem.
Risks
The primary risks associated with this proposal include potential price increases from service providers, increased usage leading to the need for scaling up, and downtime caused by third-party issues. However, these risks are inherent to any growing blockchain network and can be mitigated through proactive management and contingency planning.
The close relationship between Pollum and Syscoin Foundation also mitigated risks associated with budget overflow. As is, current cloud computing costs of Syscoin-related services already surpass the proposed funding in this proposal, so the funds outlined here should be considered more of a scalability add-on than the full coverage of operational cloud expanses.
With the appreciation of $SYS price, governance budget might eventually cover all infrastructure costs even with the extra demand derived from growth, but that’s an optimistic take. The inverse case should also be kept in mind.