# Helping the network become profitable — what can operators contribute while staying viable? (calculator inside) **URL:** \ **Category:** STORJLINGS\ **Created:** [July 30, 2026, 8:58am UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/helping-the-network-become-profitable-what-can-operators-contribute-while-staying-viable-calculator-inside/32104 "2026-07-30T08:58:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![mgonzalezm](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/mgonzalezm/32/1125_2.png) [@mgonzalezm](https://forum.storj.io/u/mgonzalezm)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 2:35pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/helping-the-network-become-profitable-what-can-operators-contribute-while-staying-viable-calculator-inside/32104/24 "2026-07-30T14:35:04Z")
This is useless, simply because I don’t have a magic ball that tells me the prices of hard drives next month, let alone the price when the drives fail and have to be replaced Looking at the price trend, I think we’ve all been experiencing a decrease in profitability for several months now even without payout rate change. [https://pangoly.com/en/price-trends/hdd/22tb](https://pangoly.com/en/price-trends/hdd/22tb) So to answer. Any missing payment or payment reduction be it because of change in rates or considerable data exodus from the network and i will be turning off the hardware. ---
**Author:** ![Andrew](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/andrew/32/1139_2.png) [@Andrew](https://forum.storj.io/u/Andrew)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 2:44pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/helping-the-network-become-profitable-what-can-operators-contribute-while-staying-viable-calculator-inside/32104/25 "2026-07-30T14:44:08Z")
> [@waxtep21](#): > > As for “the bosses left with the money and the employees are trying to save the company,” the problem is that these are just empty words. We don’t know who’s really in charge now or what their motives are, and **taking their word for it is foolish.** Exactly. All this “oh, cutting payments to SNOs is the only way to save Storj” is complete BS. We know nothing about what they’ve actually done or haven’t done to cut costs, but some people here seem glad to be fooled. Guys, stop believing every word from Storj Labs. The goal of every failing company is to find idiots who will pay for their mistakes instead of them. Storj Labs is no different. If you accept it now, they will cut your payouts again in a few months. And again. Just because you agreed the first time. Don’t let them disrespect your time and effort. ---
**Author:** ![littleskunk](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/littleskunk/32/63_2.png) [@littleskunk](https://forum.storj.io/u/littleskunk)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 2:47pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/helping-the-network-become-profitable-what-can-operators-contribute-while-staying-viable-calculator-inside/32104/26 "2026-07-30T14:47:07Z")
> [@Vadim](#): > > About /24 rule Fresh off the press: I was asked how that cost saving would look like when removing the /24 restriction. Never got that close to an agreement in the past. So please fill in the numbers in the calculator and just add a note that it is under the assumption that the /24 rule goes away. If you could also give me a second version with the /24 rule still in place that will help me to push it through. (Maybe I can find some time to update the calculator and collect that data in one go) ---
**Author:** ![Roxor](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/letter_avatar/roxor/32/6_22734026db12803ebb3e059622ac3534.png) [@Roxor](https://forum.storj.io/u/Roxor)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 2:48pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/helping-the-network-become-profitable-what-can-operators-contribute-while-staying-viable-calculator-inside/32104/27 "2026-07-30T14:48:03Z")
Payouts have dropped several times over the years. Every time some SNOs have cried that they’ll leave and the network will suffer. And yet… the reductions happened. And node count continued to _go up_. Nobody representing management (like CBO) has even mentioned payout changes. So far it’s just littleskunk getting people riled up on his own 😜 . But if payouts did get reduced… nothing of consequence would change. The network would be fine. Customer data would be fine. ---
**Author:** ![Andrew](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/andrew/32/1139_2.png) [@Andrew](https://forum.storj.io/u/Andrew)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 2:51pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/helping-the-network-become-profitable-what-can-operators-contribute-while-staying-viable-calculator-inside/32104/29 "2026-07-30T14:51:16Z")
Also, I want to remind everyone that we are already going to lose some of our payouts this month because the team still can’t find the reason behind the dropping online scores for most (if not all) nodes in the network. So we will already be “donating” about 3% of our monthly payout to Storj Labs. I think that’s more than enough. ---
**Author:** ![alpharabbit](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/alpharabbit/32/1129_2.png) [@alpharabbit](https://forum.storj.io/u/alpharabbit)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 2:52pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/helping-the-network-become-profitable-what-can-operators-contribute-while-staying-viable-calculator-inside/32104/30 "2026-07-30T14:52:16Z")
> [@Roxor](#): > > Every time some SNOs have cried that they’ll leave and the network will suffer. True, but… Used HDD prices make the difference today. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to just pull the plug and still make a profit. ---
**Author:** ![waxtep21](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/waxtep21/32/7815_2.png) [@waxtep21](https://forum.storj.io/u/waxtep21)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 2:55pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/helping-the-network-become-profitable-what-can-operators-contribute-while-staying-viable-calculator-inside/32104/31 "2026-07-30T14:55:13Z")
The number of nodes is a silly metric; you apparently misunderstand what nodes we’re talking about. 🙂 These aren’t new SNOs; they’re a way to get out of the crappy situation we found ourselves in after previous brilliant decisions. I’m also increasing the number of nodes to keep my occupied space percentage up. These are lame, silly workarounds, but they’re necessary to keep the business going. As for “we’ve lowered it many times and it worked every time,” I suggest you remember the parable of the camel and the straw. ---
**Author:** ![Andrew](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/andrew/32/1139_2.png) [@Andrew](https://forum.storj.io/u/Andrew)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 2:55pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/helping-the-network-become-profitable-what-can-operators-contribute-while-staying-viable-calculator-inside/32104/32 "2026-07-30T14:55:47Z")
> [@Roxor](#): > > Payouts have dropped several times over the years. So lets speed up the process and make it zero? This is what you want? I think people like you would be glad. And please remind us how many data are you storing? ---
**Author:** ![waxtep21](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/waxtep21/32/7815_2.png) [@waxtep21](https://forum.storj.io/u/waxtep21)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 2:56pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/helping-the-network-become-profitable-what-can-operators-contribute-while-staying-viable-calculator-inside/32104/33 "2026-07-30T14:56:53Z")
OOOOO!!! Did the rabbit SEE REALITY??? ---
**Author:** ![littleskunk](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/littleskunk/32/63_2.png) [@littleskunk](https://forum.storj.io/u/littleskunk)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 2:58pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/helping-the-network-become-profitable-what-can-operators-contribute-while-staying-viable-calculator-inside/32104/34 "2026-07-30T14:58:25Z")
> [@Andrew](#): > > So lets speed up the process and make it zero? The fastest way to a 0 payout is to make sure there is a negative outcome at the end of this chapter 11 process. So no the hole point of this thread it to avoid that outcome even if some people try real hard to push for the fast exit. ---
**Author:** ![Roxor](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/letter_avatar/roxor/32/6_22734026db12803ebb3e059622ac3534.png) [@Roxor](https://forum.storj.io/u/Roxor)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 2:59pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/helping-the-network-become-profitable-what-can-operators-contribute-while-staying-viable-calculator-inside/32104/35 "2026-07-30T14:59:09Z")
For any SNOs that do leave: this **is** a _fantastic_ time! Used drive prices have never been higher 🤑 It wouldn’t damage the network, and nobody will care that they’re gone: but the remaining SNOs would probably enjoy all the repair traffic filling their space. Even if payouts don’t change: if you’ve been on-the-fence about leaving: this may be your chance. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![alpharabbit](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/alpharabbit/32/1129_2.png) [@alpharabbit](https://forum.storj.io/u/alpharabbit)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 3:03pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/helping-the-network-become-profitable-what-can-operators-contribute-while-staying-viable-calculator-inside/32104/36 "2026-07-30T15:03:14Z")
I never expected to make a profit. This is a hobby to me and burning money is ok. However, if it was a business only selling my 3..5 years old HDDs for twice the money I paid could make sense. ---
**Author:** ![Andrew](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/andrew/32/1139_2.png) [@Andrew](https://forum.storj.io/u/Andrew)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 3:03pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/helping-the-network-become-profitable-what-can-operators-contribute-while-staying-viable-calculator-inside/32104/37 "2026-07-30T15:03:19Z")
> [@Roxor](#): > > but the remaining SNOs would probably enjoy all the repair traffic You don’t even know how much Storj Labs is going to ‘enjoy’ paying for all that repair traffic and held amounts for graceful exits ---
**Author:** ![Roxor](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/letter_avatar/roxor/32/6_22734026db12803ebb3e059622ac3534.png) [@Roxor](https://forum.storj.io/u/Roxor)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 3:07pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/helping-the-network-become-profitable-what-can-operators-contribute-while-staying-viable-calculator-inside/32104/38 "2026-07-30T15:07:30Z")
> [@Andrew](#): > > …and held amounts for graceful exits… I do hope those leaving will look at opportunities to rehome their nodes. They can earn more than their graceful-exit payouts. But that can take time, and I understand some people not wanting to drag things out. I guess we’ll see. I expect… for all the noise here… nothing significant will happen. ---
**Author:** ![waxtep21](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/waxtep21/32/7815_2.png) [@waxtep21](https://forum.storj.io/u/waxtep21)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 3:10pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/helping-the-network-become-profitable-what-can-operators-contribute-while-staying-viable-calculator-inside/32104/39 "2026-07-30T15:10:31Z")
This is ridiculous. How do you imagine transferring my petabyte? Sending it to you by mail? Do you have the ability to run out and buy a petabyte of disks right now, based on a stranger’s promise? And with a promise to cut the tariff? Obviously not. ---
**Author:** ![waxtep21](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/waxtep21/32/7815_2.png) [@waxtep21](https://forum.storj.io/u/waxtep21)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 3:11pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/helping-the-network-become-profitable-what-can-operators-contribute-while-staying-viable-calculator-inside/32104/40 "2026-07-30T15:11:43Z")
> [@Roxor](#): > > nothing significant will happen Yes, if they are smart enough not to reduce payments))) ---
**Author:** ![JoeSchmuck](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/joeschmuck/32/1129_2.png) [@JoeSchmuck](https://forum.storj.io/u/JoeSchmuck)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 3:14pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/helping-the-network-become-profitable-what-can-operators-contribute-while-staying-viable-calculator-inside/32104/41 "2026-07-30T15:14:50Z")
Speaking for myself, my nodes are very small, 5TB x 2. It is the allowable free space I have to offer the project. Calculating all other costs are minimal to say the least. But if a hard drive fails, then so does the node. I will not be able to replace it with a similar size drive based on the costs of today. So my node would go away. The value of a StorJ token was 5 US Cents this morning when I looked it up. That is a far cry from the 30 cents it was a year ago. While I hope StorJ will continue to operate, I feel that us little guys are going to go away. The folks who run datacenters, will likely stick around, they probably have TiB galore on always running systems while they already factor in the cost of hardware replacements and probably have cases of hard drives laying around. My current electrical cost is 10.65 cents per kWh. I’ve earned $35 USD in the past year, most of it when I started, before the value of a token dropped. I don’t see it being viable to me anymore, but I plan to stick around and see how this Chapter 11 goes, and cross my fingers. @littleskunk is there some random figure going around? I’m sure you probably cannot comment while StorJ is in its current position. ---
**Author:** ![Roxor](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/letter_avatar/roxor/32/6_22734026db12803ebb3e059622ac3534.png) [@Roxor](https://forum.storj.io/u/Roxor)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 3:23pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/helping-the-network-become-profitable-what-can-operators-contribute-while-staying-viable-calculator-inside/32104/42 "2026-07-30T15:23:22Z")
> [@waxtep21](#): > > How do you imagine transferring my petabyte? Sending it to you by mail? Local transfer sometimes just sell-the-drive, yes. Network transfers basically boil down to geography: within-NA or within-Europe can be fast and you just move disk images (it’s OK for the node to be down a few days). But transfers across the Atlantic can be s l o w : and you really need to use rsync for the sender to keep the node alive (otherwise downtime would be too long). In those cases the receiver typically sends compensation per-node before each sync starts. Transatlantic could take months to move a PB… but the sender would continue to earn for each node still online. > [@waxtep21](#): > > Do you have the ability to run out and buy a petabyte of disks right now, based on a stranger’s promise? And with a promise to cut the tariff? Many SNOs have tons of [spare capacity](https://forum.storj.io/t/helping-the-network-become-profitable-what-can-operators-contribute-while-staying-viable-calculator-inside/32104/47): no need to buy another PB. Like [Th3Van](http://www.th3van.dk/) has almost 2PB free: he may be interested if you’re serious about leaving. Or msg me (but I’m in North America) ---
**Author:** ![Vadim](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/letter_avatar/vadim/32/6_22734026db12803ebb3e059622ac3534.png) [@Vadim](https://forum.storj.io/u/Vadim)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 3:33pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/helping-the-network-become-profitable-what-can-operators-contribute-while-staying-viable-calculator-inside/32104/43 "2026-07-30T15:33:25Z")
I have Also 200tb of free space ---
**Author:** ![Andrew](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/andrew/32/1139_2.png) [@Andrew](https://forum.storj.io/u/Andrew)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 3:36pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/helping-the-network-become-profitable-what-can-operators-contribute-while-staying-viable-calculator-inside/32104/44 "2026-07-30T15:36:04Z")
> [@Roxor](#): > > Local transfer sometimes just sell-the-drive, yes. Network transfers basically boil down to geography: within-NA or within-Europe can be fast and you just move disk images (it’s OK for the node to be down a few days). But transfers across the Atlantic can be s l o w : and you really need to use rsync for the sender to keep the node alive (otherwise downtime would be too long). In those cases the receiver typically sends compensation per-node before each sync starts. > > Transatlantic could take months to move a PB… but the sender would continue to earn for each node still online. Thank you for teaching him. SNO with 1+ PB of data definitely need your lessons) [Previous page](https://forum.storj.io/t/helping-the-network-become-profitable-what-can-operators-contribute-while-staying-viable-calculator-inside/32104.md?page=1) [Next page](https://forum.storj.io/t/helping-the-network-become-profitable-what-can-operators-contribute-while-staying-viable-calculator-inside/32104.md?page=3)