Good afternoon! 👋 My name is Alexey Yusupov, Business Development Director at Demlabs.
Our company specializes in developing blockchain solutions for various applications. For seven years, we have been promoting blockchain technology and growing our own public project — the Cellframe Network platform.
In this article, I’ll explain how we created Cellframe Light, a dedicated hardware node for our blockchain.
How It All Began
One of the key features of the Cellframe platform is its built-in quantum-resistant cryptography, which is far more complex than conventional cryptography. Optimizing network load was crucial for us, so we implemented multiple measures — one of them being the use of low-level C language as the foundation.
C code ensures not only high performance (which is especially important for a post-quantum blockchain) but also maximum compatibility with different operating systems. Additionally, thanks to our Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus, where a validator’s influence depends on their stake rather than computational power, our blockchain is extremely hardware-undemanding. That’s why developing our own hardware nodes was only a matter of time.
Today, very few companies produce hardware nodes — especially for their own blockchain platforms. The main reason? Nicheness.
Let’s be honest: Not everyone who knows what cryptocurrency is and how to use it also runs a validator node. A validator is an enthusiast who not only has the desire but also the time, technical knowledge, and funds to invest in a powerful computer. And such people are rare.
Even if you decide to take the plunge and assemble a hardware node — it doesn’t guarantee that your blockchain will run on it.
Take Ethereum, for example. Like us, they use PoS, but due to their network and block consensus specifics, their node requirements are much higher.
We figured out how to make it easier and more accessible by developing a hardware node based on Raspberry Pi — our blockchain can even run on such a modest microcomputer!
We've launched our own small-scale production of hardware nodes. And for DIY enthusiasts, we'll soon publish a step-by-step assembly guide on the Cellframe Wiki.
You’ll be able to build a node yourself: download the BOM (Bill of Materials), 3D-print the case, and buy the necessary components — or simply get a ready-made solution from the Cellframe Shop at an affordable price!
Why You Need a Hardware Node
The first reason to buy a hardware node is the earning potential. You can set up a masternode, participate in transaction validation, and receive rewards for it. To do this, you need to stake at least 10,000 $CELL — this will grant you 10 mCELL, which are required to launch the masternode.
Yes, you could use a regular PC for this. However, a hardware node offers several key advantages.
Firstly, ease of use. The hardware node is fully ready to operate, with all necessary software pre-installed. Setting up and launching the node is done via the command line using an SSH connection.
Secondly, security. A personal computer is vulnerable to hacking, especially if it runs on Windows. Users often install pirated software, visit suspicious websites, or let children play games on it — all of which increase the risk of data leaks.
Thirdly, storage. Most cryptocurrencies require storing and synchronizing the entire blockchain, which becomes increasingly resource-intensive as the network grows. Currently, the Cellframe blockchain is about 25 GB in size — the hardware node built-in 64 GB storage ensures stable long-term operation. And after the upcoming hardfork, the blockchain size will become even smaller!
Fourth, stable internet connection. The device running a masternode must stay online 24/7; otherwise, the node won’t receive validation rewards. The hardware node provides uninterrupted connectivity thanks to dual connection options: LAN and Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz).
And fifthly, power consumption. A personal computer typically stays at home. Running continuously, it consumes a lot of electricity, gets very hot, and makes noise — which can be a significant inconvenience. In contrast, a hardware node has low power consumption and minimal environmental impact. It only needs a 5V power supply (any modern smartphone charger will work). The hardware node doesn’t overheat since it has no battery, features a powerful heatsink, and two small, silent fans. Plus, its compact size allows you to store it in a safe, for example.
How We Created It
During the development process, we created many different prototypes. For example, there is a prototype that is a desktop dashboard with a 9-inch touchscreen. It allows for convenient tracking of transactions in Cellframe Wallet.
We tested screens with different resolutions, ranging from HD to Full HD. Three inches is too small — it's simply inconvenient to tap with a finger. Seven inches and above is too bulky. That’s why the final version was released without a screen. We are in no rush to bring such devices to market, as we are still evaluating their demand.
We also developed a prototype with 16 GB of RAM, designed for more demanding applications like artificial intelligence, computer vision, and machine learning.
On the other hand, there were less powerful prototypes capable of functioning only as OPN clients. These would have been significantly cheaper and technically simpler. Such hardware nodes would be ideal for beginners exploring blockchain capabilities who haven’t yet decided what they need. However, we felt there weren’t many such users in our community yet.
Cellframe Light is the "golden mean" — the optimal balance of price and performance.
Current Status
The Light Hardware Node was developed by our partner project, Node.sys. It’s the first device in the lineup.
There is a plans to expand the range and introduce models with broader functionality in the future.
For DIY enthusiasts, we’ll soon publish a step-by-step assembly guide on the Cellframe Wiki.
Stay tuned for updates on our social media!
You can order the Cellframe Light hardware node in the Cellframe Shop online store.
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