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tosort/intro/grid3_howitworks.md

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+<h1> How It Works </h1>
+
+<h2> Table of Contents </h2>
+
+- [Welcome to the ThreeFold Ecosystem](#welcome-to-the-threefold-ecosystem)
+- [ThreeFold Grid: A Global \& Sustainable Network](#threefold-grid-a-global--sustainable-network)
+- [Local Production and Allocation of Internet Capacity](#local-production-and-allocation-of-internet-capacity)
+- [ThreeFold Grid Capacity](#threefold-grid-capacity)
+- [How the ThreeFold Grid Works](#how-the-threefold-grid-works)
+- [TFChain: The Backbone Blockchain Infrastructure](#tfchain-the-backbone-blockchain-infrastructure)
+- [The Farmers: Empowering the ThreeFold Grid](#the-farmers-empowering-the-threefold-grid)
+- [3Nodes: Unleashing the Power of Raw Capacity](#3nodes-unleashing-the-power-of-raw-capacity)
+- [Provisioning: Empowering Resource Deployment](#provisioning-empowering-resource-deployment)
+- [Conclusion](#conclusion)
+
+
+
+## Welcome to the ThreeFold Ecosystem
+
+Welcome to the ThreeFold ecosystem, your gateway to a global and sustainable network. Get ready to embark on a journey to understand the inner workings of the ThreeFold Grid. 
+
+In this section, we will guide you through the essential aspects of the ThreeFold Grid, ensuring that you grasp the intricacies of the grid and its interconnected operations. Additionally, we will delve into TFChain, our backbone blockchain infrastructure, and uncover the building blocks of our grid, known as 3Nodes.
+
+
+## ThreeFold Grid: A Global & Sustainable Network
+
+The ThreeFold Grid is a remarkable network consisting of autonomous storage and compute Internet capacity. It is sustained by dedicated individuals, known as **ThreeFold Farmers**, who have contributed over 80,000,000 GB of storage and 20,000 cores to the grid. This massive capacity is globally available, neutral, and sustainable.
+
+To ensure easy discovery by purchasers, the IT capacity within the ThreeFold Grid is indexed and registered on the **TFChain**. This platform serves as a comprehensive directory, simplifying the process of finding and accessing the desired resources. The ThreeFold Grid supports any application that can run on Linux, guaranteeing compatibility and flexibility. Moreover, it offers additional benefits, including enhanced privacy, security, proximity to end-users, and a significantly lower cost compared to traditional alternatives.
+
+## Local Production and Allocation of Internet Capacity
+
+In a similar manner to purchasing electricity or other utilities, the internet capacity provided by the ThreeFold Grid is produced and allocated locally. This decentralized approach empowers digital service and application providers to host their offerings closer to end-users, resulting in exceptional performance, competitive pricing, and improved profit margins. The ThreeFold Grid's cost-effectiveness and environmentally-friendly nature make it an ideal choice for businesses and individuals alike, creating a win-win situation that combines economic efficiency with sustainability.
+
+
+
+## ThreeFold Grid Capacity
+
+The **ThreeFold Grid Capacity** refers to the [extensive pool](https://dashboard.grid.tf/explorer/statistics) of **decentralized storage and compute resources** available within the ThreeFold Grid ecosystem. It encompasses a vast network of autonomous nodes contributed by ThreeFold Farmers, resulting in a highly scalable and resilient infrastructure. This capacity is distributed globally, providing users with a reliable and efficient platform to store and process data, to run applications, and to deliver digital services, providing the world with the largest decentralized, peer-2-peer infrastructure.
+
+
+
+## How the ThreeFold Grid Works
+
+The ThreeFold Grid operates on a consumption and generation model similar to how people generate and consume electricity from the electrical grid. Just as individuals consume electricity from the electrical grid to power their homes and businesses, users of the ThreeFold Grid consume internet capacity to store data, to run applications, and to deliver digital services. At the same time, the ThreeFold Grid generates its capacity through the contributions of ThreeFold Farmers, who provide decentralized storage and compute resources to the grid. The **TF Dashboard** connects users with farmers, making it easy to get the internet capacity you need. It's like a marketplace where you can find resources. Users pay with ThreeFold tokens (**TFT**) for the capacity they use, and farmers earn TFT as rewards for providing resources. It is like paying your utility bill while power companies earn money by supplying electricity.
+
+This user-friendly model allows individuals and businesses to tap into a reliable and scalable infrastructure, accessing the resources they need while contributing to the overall capacity of the grid in a seamless and sustainable manner. Just like the electrical grid, the ThreeFold Grid offers a user-friendly and accessible approach to meet the ever-growing demand for internet capacity and digital services.
+
+
+## TFChain: The Backbone Blockchain Infrastructure
+
+__TFChain__, also known as __ThreeFold Chain__, is the powerful blockchain that orchestrates the interactions within the ThreeFold Grid ecosystem. TFChain is like the control center of the ThreeFold Grid that provides users with a range of key functionalities such as:
+
+- Users Registration
+- Farms Management (registration and IP management)
+- Fund Transfers
+- Billing and consumptions reports
+- And much more
+
+> Read more in-depth about __TFChain's key functionalities__  [here](../concepts/tfchain.md).
+
+
+
+## The Farmers: Empowering the ThreeFold Grid
+
+In the thriving ThreeFold ecosystem, dedicated individuals, affectionately known as **Farmers**, wield pivotal roles in fortifying the bedrock of the ThreeFold Grid. These Farmers make vital contributions to the network by harnessing one or more 3Nodes, which are meticulously registered on TFChain, our steadfast blockchain infrastructure.
+
+A 3Node farm can be composed of one or more nodes. 3Node farms empower Farmers to streamline their infrastructure efficiently. Imagine a Farmer having two 3Nodes in Belgium and five 3Nodes in France, each under a unique farm ID. This smart arrangement not only simplifies management, but also mirrors the nodes' physical locations.
+
+The Farmers' unwavering dedication in deploying and maintaining their nodes serves as the lifeblood of the ThreeFold Grid, fostering its growth and resilience. Their tireless efforts translate into an abundant supply of decentralized internet capacity, benefiting both individuals and businesses with secure, efficient, and cost-effective resources.
+
+The **TF Dashboard** serves as an indispensable tool for Farmers, facilitating node registration and resource management. It's akin to a control panel for power plant operators, enabling seamless oversight of their generators.
+
+The resolute commitment of our Farmers lies at the heart of building a robust and sustainable infrastructure that propels the future of the internet. These dedicated individuals earn **ThreeFold tokens** as a well-deserved reward for their invaluable contributions, much like power companies earn revenue by supplying electricity to the electrical grid.
+
+
+
+## 3Nodes: Unleashing the Power of Raw Capacity
+
+__3Nodes__ are the driving force behind the ThreeFold Grid, acting as __specialized computers that run the remarkable Zero-OS software__. Think of a 3Node as a unique breed of operating system, designed to expose raw compute, storage, and network capacity in a seamless and efficient manner.
+
+With Zero-OS at its core, a 3Node takes care of various essential tasks to ensure optimal performance.
+
+__Workload Provisioning__: Whether it's starting a new container or a virtual machine (VM), or even initiating a "0-db" database, the 3Node expertly handles the provisioning of your workloads, empowering you to effortlessly deploy and manage your applications.
+
+__Networking for Workloads__: The 3Node effortlessly manages the networking requirements of your workloads, ensuring smooth connectivity and efficient data transfer within the ThreeFold Grid.
+
+__Lifecycle Management__: Say goodbye to manual workload management! The 3Node diligently oversees the lifecycle of your running workloads, handling tasks such as scaling, monitoring, and resource allocation, so you can focus on what matters most: your applications.
+
+__System Upgrades__: Keeping your infrastructure up-to-date is a breeze with 3Nodes. The Zero-OS automatically manages system upgrades, seamlessly integrating the latest enhancements and security patches, all without causing disruption to your workloads.
+
+__Consumption Reporting__: Accurate billing is essential, and the 3Node provides comprehensive consumption reporting. By recording resource usage data, it facilitates transparent and precise billing processes that take place on the TFChain, our dedicated blockchain.
+
+Through the power of 3Nodes, the ThreeFold Grid empowers users to harness the raw capacity of compute, storage, and network resources with ease. You can now say goodbye to complexities and say hello to a user-friendly ecosystem that allows you to focus on innovation and productivity.
+
+## Provisioning: Empowering Resource Deployment
+
+Now that we've covered the fundamental components of the ThreeFold Grid, it's time to explore the exciting world of provisioning. Provisioning is the process of requesting and setting up resources on the ThreeFold Grid. So, how can we initiate a provisioning request to the Zero-OS operating system? Let's find out!
+
+While there are many ways to request and set up resources on the ThreeFold Grid, we present here two of the main ones:
+
+- [Terraform](../terraform/terraform_readme.md)
+- [Typescript Client](../javascript/grid3_javascript_readme.md)
+
+Here's how it works. First, we gather the necessary deployment information, specifying the workloads we want to deploy. Using either Terraform or the Typescript Client, we create a contract on the blockchain. This contract acts as an agreement between the user and a dedicated 3Node, ensuring that the required resources will be provisioned on the user's behalf.
+
+Once the contract is in place, the 3Node diligently reports its resource consumption to the blockchain at regular intervals. As a result, the associated fees are automatically deducted from the user's account, ensuring a seamless and transparent billing process based on actual resource consumption.
+
+With the provisioning process, you have the power to effortlessly deploy the resources you need, thanks to the harmony between the blockchain, 3Nodes, and the Zero-OS operating system.
+
+## Conclusion
+
+Now that you have a clear understanding of how the ThreeFold ecosystem works, it's time to dive in and get started! Whether you're a user looking to leverage the power of the grid or a potential Farmer eager to contribute, you're now equipped with a general overview of the ThreeFold ecosystem.
+
+We invite you to discover the full potential of resource deployment and to embrace the flexibility of the ThreeFold Grid by exploring the rest of the ThreeFold Manual.

tosort/intro/intro_readme.md

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+# ThreeFold Knowledge Base
+
+![header](../intro/img/intro_header.png)
+
+*Welcome to the ThreeFold Knowledge Base!*
+
+This documentation is organized in two main sections: 
+
+- [The ThreeFold Library](../library/library.md)
+- [The ThreeFold Manual](../manual/manual.md)
+
+The ThreeFold Library contains all information needed to understand how the whole ThreeFold ecosystem works. 
+
+The ThreeFold Manual contains all the practical information for [farmers](../farmers/farmers.md), [developers](../developers/developers.md) and [system administrators](../system_administrators/system_administrators.md).
+
+> Explore the TFGrid status page for live updates on Threefold services!
+> 
+> [Access with Grid.tf](https://status.grid.tf) | [Access with ThreeFold.io](https://status.threefold.io)
+
+## Join the ThreeFold Community
+
+The ThreeFold community is very active and its members will be more than happy to discuss and help you get started.
+
+* [ThreeFold Forum](https://forum.threefold.io/)
+* [ThreeFold General Telegram Channel](https://t.me/threefold)
+* [ThreeFold Farmer Telegram Channel](https://t.me/threefoldfarmers)
+* [TFGrid Tester Telegram Channel](https://t.me/threefoldtesting)
+
+## Questions and Feedback
+
+To explore this manual, you can use the search function by hitting **'s'** on your keyboard, or by clicking on the magnifier button at the top left of each page. Answers to your questions might also be on the [ThreeFold Forum](https://forum.threefold.io/).
+
+If you can't find the answer to your question, our dedicated [ThreeFold Support](https://threefoldfaq.crisp.help/en/) team is here to help.
+
+Welcome to the ThreeFold Grid, where together we can shape a more sustainable and inclusive digital future!