Decentralized GPU rendering made possible with the Render Network
Render Network is a very unique and welcome case of someone using decentralized technology to distribute resources and organize a mutually beneficial ecosystem focused on using advanced technology. Render, in particular, allows GPU owners to share their computational power with other people online.
It's particularly useful for 3D artists who need huge GPU resources to properly render their creations. It's a huge investment that will sit idly most of the time, making the first steps of this career not very cost-effective. Render helps resolve this issue, as well as put computational power to a better use than mining.
So, what is Render all about?
What is Render?
Render is a 2017-created network built on the Ethereum blockchain. Despite that, it also uses various layer 2 solutions that make it really an inter-chain platform with huge capabilities for decentralized distribution of resources. As mentioned, it's focused entirely on the distribution of GPU computational power.
In its natural form, it's very hard to use Render for anything besides the eponymous process. It is a platform created entirely to fulfill the rendering needs of 3D artists. In particular, it enables them to craft excellent, high-quality animations at a fraction of the usual cost. They essentially can rent piecemeal GPU power for their needs when they arise. It's a lot more cost-effective.
Render is probably the only worthwhile solution of this sort in the whole of the decentralized web, and it's very much sought after. It has a rather niche application, but among 3D artists, it stands as a legitimate and effective way to bypass the hardware requirements.
How does Render work?
Render is a decentralized platform with two active participant types.
GPU owners can contribute their hardware power to the common pool of computational power. They also act as node operators. They are the ones on the receiving end of all the rewards that this system can throw their way. The rewards consist of the operational fees that the clients pay for basically renting their GPU when they need it.
The Clients, on the other hand, are the ones doing the renting. They can use the RNDR, the native token on this platform, to purchase the rendering power for the time being. Much of this sum is then transferred to the GPU owners, making it a mutually beneficial and cost-effective arrangement for all.
Governing & consensus
Render is built wholly on Ethereum, meaning that many of its functions mimic Ethereum's. As such, RNDR isn't really used for consensus — ETH is. Moreover, Render doesn't even have its own independent consensus mechanism. Its users can take part in the underlying Ethereum consensus mechanism.
The operation of nodes, which is controlled by the GPU owners, happens as part of the larger Ethereum ecosystem. As such, the creation of the new nodes, as well as transactions and other such architectural processes, happen through Ethereum in its innate proof-of-stake mechanism.
You can't really receive rewards in ETH as you would on the mainnet in exchange for staking your tokens. It's not really the goal here, but you can receive rewards in RNDR for operating your node.
RNDR and rewards
The rewards for what is this project's equivalent of staking are paid out in RNDR, the native utility token. It's not used for consensus or for anything else besides the purchase of GPU power and the compensation for GPU to the owners. It's a very streamlined system, therefore, without anything extra that may complicate the process.
RNDR is part of the two main processes in this system, namely:
- It's used to purchase GPU power by clients from the node operators.
- It's used to compensate these node operators for the usage of their graphic processing power. That's how you get the rewards on this platform. The 'staking,' therefore, is an act of contributing your GPU to the common pool. In exchange, you get steady rewards in the native token.
Both acquiring and liquidating the token for either use can be done easily on open exchanges, such as Binance. The price is currently on the rise, so it's also a good idea to invest in this token. It's actually been on the rise for much of its history, reflecting the demand this service enjoys in the wider community.
Key uses
Suffice it to say, Render exerts a huge influence on the world of cloud processing. It's the sole relevant provider of GPU cloud processing and is one of the chief players among such projects. The applications are boundless, but you do need to remember that you can't really use Render for anything besides actual rendering.
The key uses include media, cinema industry, gaming, as well as for visualizing complex objects in high tech, medicine, and more.
The main idea is that you can release projects that require huge resources for processing visuals much faster and with less investment if you simply rent a cloud GPU whenever you need some. It's a lot more affordable and cost-effective compared to the usual way of investing in a proper GPU that can process graphics (and animations, in particular) to the necessary degree. It's an essential component at least in the early days of one's career.
It's also not an obscure project — it's endorsed by a number of distinguished personalities who worked with high-class animations, such as J.J. Abrams, Brendan Eich, Mike Winkelmann, and many more.
Conclusion
Render is a niche project that has a comparably small target audience. However, a large portion of this audience either knows or uses this platform to a great extent. One of its main advantages is its simplicity. It doesn't offer much besides its primary function, which is incredible because that's basically all you need from it.
It doesn't mean it's not being updated and improved all the time. There is a community-driven effort to make this a continuously better place, which has been very active owing to the enthusiastic community. Render remains one of the most promising cloud processing products in the decentralized web.
