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Glossary

Key terms and definitions used throughout the Nosana documentation.

A

AI Inference

Using a trained AI model to generate outputs or predictions from new input data.

API Key

Authentication token used to access the Nosana API via the SDK or direct HTTP requests.

B

Base58

A binary-to-text encoding format commonly used for encoding private keys and addresses in Solana and other blockchain systems.

C

CLI

Command-line interface, specifically @nosana/cli which allows you to interact with the Nosana Network from the terminal.

Clients

Businesses or individuals who rent GPU compute through Nosana Network for their workloads.

Community GPU market

GPU market segment for new or unvalidated hosts to start, test setups, and prove reliability.

Community market

A segment designed for new and unvalidated GPU hosts, offering them a place to start, test their setups, and prove reliability.

Consumer GPUs

GPUs designed for personal or gaming use.

Container

A lightweight, isolated environment that packages your app code and dependencies (e.g. a Docker image).

Credits

Usage-based currency consumed when running deployments and jobs on Nosana, claimable from the Dashboard.

D

Dashboard

The Nosana web UI where you manage API keys, credits, deployments, and monitor workloads.

Deployment

A long-lived object that describes what to run and how to run it, creating jobs over time.

G

GPU Compute

High-performance computing using GPUs for tasks like deep learning, data analytics, and rendering.

GPU Market

A pool of GPU resources with shared characteristics where deployments are scheduled.

GPU Marketplace

Nosana's product where GPU compute resources are listed and rented, connecting Hosts and Clients for scalable and affordable computing.

Green Compute

Computing that prioritizes sustainability by optimizing idle resources and reducing e-waste.

Grid

The network of GPU hosts that provide compute resources on the Nosana marketplace.

H

Host

An individual GPU machine in a GPU market that actually runs your jobs.

Hosts

Data centers or hardware owners who list their GPUs on Nosana's marketplace for rent.

I

Idle GPUs

GPU resources that are not being used and can be rented out through Nosana Network.

J

Job

A concrete execution of your workload created from a deployment's job definition.

Job Definition

The JSON specification describing image, commands, and resources for each job.

Jobs

A compute workload run on Nosana network.

K

Keypair

A cryptographic key pair (public and private key) used to sign transactions on the Solana blockchain.

M

Mainnet

The production-ready phase of Nosana Network, commonly used when addressing Web3 audiences.

N

Node

A registered GPU provider in the Nosana Network that can execute jobs and earn rewards.

Nodes

Registered GPU providers in the Nosana Network that can execute jobs and earn rewards.

NOS Token

The native token of the Nosana Network, used for staking, rewards, and payments within the ecosystem.

Nosana Grid

The network of GPU hosts that provide compute resources on the Nosana marketplace.

Nosana Network

The decentralized GPU compute network that connects GPU providers with users who need compute resources.

Nosana Token

The native token of the Nosana Network, used for staking, rewards, and payments within the ecosystem.

P

Phantom

A popular Solana browser wallet extension that allows users to interact with Solana dApps and sign transactions.

Pool

A vesting pool or staking pool where users can lock tokens to earn rewards over time.

Pools

Vesting pools or staking pools where users can lock tokens to earn rewards over time.

Premium GPU market

GPU market segment for validated, high-performing GPU providers suitable for critical workloads.

Premium market

A segment designed for validated, high-performing GPU Providers offering reliable resources for critical workloads.

Private Key

The secret cryptographic key used to sign transactions and prove ownership of a wallet on the Solana blockchain.

Provider

A GPU provider or host that offers GPU resources on the Nosana Network marketplace.

R

Rewards

NOS tokens earned by staking, running nodes, or participating in the Nosana Network ecosystem.

S

SDK

The TypeScript Software Development Kit for interacting with Nosana.

Seed Phrase

A mnemonic phrase (typically 12 or 24 words) used to generate and recover a wallet's private key.

SOL

Solana's native cryptocurrency token, used to pay for blockchain transaction fees on the Solana network.

Solana

A high-performance blockchain platform that Nosana is built on, enabling fast and low-cost transactions.

Solflare

A Solana wallet available as a browser extension and mobile app for managing Solana assets and signing transactions.

Staking

The process of locking NOS tokens to participate in the network, earn rewards, and validate transactions.

T

Transaction

A signed operation on the Solana blockchain that transfers tokens, executes smart contracts, or interacts with the Nosana Network.

W

Wallet

A software application or hardware device that stores your keypair and allows you to sign transactions on the Solana blockchain.

Workload

A compute task or job that runs on the Nosana Network, such as AI inference, data processing, or rendering.


This glossary is continuously updated. If you find a term that needs clarification, please let us know.