# Online score is dropped and node is suspended

**URL:** <https://forum.storj.io/t/online-score-is-dropped-and-node-is-suspended/26608>\
**Category:** troubleshooting\
**Tags:** online-score\
**Created:** [June 12, 2024, 12:52pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/online-score-is-dropped-and-node-is-suspended/26608 "2024-06-12T12:52:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 16\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![ACarneiro](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/acarneiro/32/1129_2.png) [@ACarneiro](https://forum.storj.io/u/ACarneiro)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2024, 2:35pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/online-score-is-dropped-and-node-is-suspended/26608/41 "2024-06-15T14:35:34Z")

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I am sorry to have to disagree with you, @Alexey  
IANAL but unless the official ToS have that very statement then I’m not sure your position could be enforceable in a court of law (although this is a bit of a _“ad absurdum”_ argument, no-one is going to court over running multiple nodes under the same IP) 🙂  
Also, from a practical point of view, you cannot expect people to have to search through this forum to find out which points of the ToS have been superseded or amended.

Ideally, the official ToS should have been changed (about 4 years ago according to [this post](https://forum.storj.io/t/question-on-tos-re-1-node-per-ip/7675/14))

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**Author:** ![Kopcap](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/kopcap/32/1137_2.png) [@Kopcap](https://forum.storj.io/u/Kopcap)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2024, 2:38pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/online-score-is-dropped-and-node-is-suspended/26608/42 "2024-06-15T14:38:44Z")

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Before lowering the rates, Labs conducted interviews with some SNO, and in response to my question about the /24 rule, they mentioned that there have been internal discussions about this rule within the company, too.

That’s why I was interested in knowing how strictly they enforce this rule currently.

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**Author:** ![ACarneiro](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/acarneiro/32/1129_2.png) [@ACarneiro](https://forum.storj.io/u/ACarneiro)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2024, 2:41pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/online-score-is-dropped-and-node-is-suspended/26608/43 "2024-06-15T14:41:32Z")

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The /24 rule stays. I have never heard any noises to suggest it was even being considered to being dropped.  
The one-node-per-IP is mostly being ignored and eventually (some time between now and the heat death of the universe) will disappear.  
I think that pretty much sums it up 😉

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**Author:** ![Roxor](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/letter_avatar/roxor/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@Roxor](https://forum.storj.io/u/Roxor)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2024, 2:44pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/online-score-is-dropped-and-node-is-suspended/26608/44 "2024-06-15T14:44:13Z")

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> [@Alexey](#):
>
> In this exactly case, using VPNs is strictly prohibited.

I appreciate that you removed your comment about what would happen in court. Because courts not only look at what you _said_, but what you _did_.

IPs used by the largest VPN providers are publicly available. Storj is aware of them, and they have not taken action to block them. Instead they’ve configured their satellites to hand out Node IPs on those VPNs to clients, _then charged them for storage and egress from those VPN nodes_.

So while some text-on-a-website and a rep-in-a-forum may _say_ VPNs are prohibited: the business is actively and intently making money from them. I agree with @ACarneiro that such case would be absurd to bring in front of a judge: because Storj would get _dismantled_. They’d be laughed out of court.

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**Author:** ![tylkomat](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/tylkomat/32/62_2.png) [@tylkomat](https://forum.storj.io/u/tylkomat)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2024, 3:40pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/online-score-is-dropped-and-node-is-suspended/26608/45 "2024-06-15T15:40:37Z")

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I’m waiting with excitement what rush of messages will swarm into this forum when they enforce the VPN rule 😃

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**Author:** ![jolmando](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/jolmando/32/7824_2.png) [@jolmando](https://forum.storj.io/u/jolmando)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2024, 9:17pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/online-score-is-dropped-and-node-is-suspended/26608/46 "2024-06-15T21:17:27Z")

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[http://www.th3van.dk/](http://www.th3van.dk/)

Hello, how do you explain this? judging by the IP, all are different /24. So it’s not corporate. Then he also breaks the rules?)

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**Author:** ![Mitsos](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/mitsos/32/1125_2.png) [@Mitsos](https://forum.storj.io/u/Mitsos)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2024, 9:24pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/online-score-is-dropped-and-node-is-suspended/26608/47 "2024-06-15T21:24:48Z")

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VPNs are allowed by the terms of service.  
Running multiple nodes behind a single IP is allowed as well.  
What @Alexey is getting at is running a node on a native ISP connection + routing another node through a VPN **in the same location**. This increases the risk (depending on how many nodes you have ofc) to store the same piece on all of those nodes. This can lead to a piece disappearing (=lost) if your hardware fails.  
Personally I don’t view running a native ISP IP + routing one through a VPN as a violation of the ToS **as long as both(or more) are each on separate hardware, running on a separate power source (+ having a generator)**. Technically speaking that’s no different to owning an appartment building with each appartment having its own network connection. Yes there is the chance of the building coming down due to an earthquake, but it most likely wont.  
If you don’t have alternate power then if the power company decides to take down the power grid in that area for maintenance/repairs it could mean lost segments.

The ToS could be tweaked here, IMHO: each SNO is allowed to run X nodes in the same location, and only if those nodes are running on separate hardware. This rule shouldn’t apply for nodes running behind the same IP, since the satellites already counts them as 1 node so they can never store the same piece at the same time.

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**Author:** ![Toyoo](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/toyoo/32/1126_2.png) [@Toyoo](https://forum.storj.io/u/Toyoo)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2024, 10:16pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/online-score-is-dropped-and-node-is-suspended/26608/48 "2024-06-15T22:16:04Z")

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> [@Mitsos](#):
>
> The ToS could be tweaked here, IMHO: each SNO is allowed to run X nodes in the same location, and only if those nodes are running on separate hardware.

And then you get a power surge frying all of that hardware. Or a natural disaster flooding or burning all hardware.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mitsos](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/mitsos/32/1125_2.png) [@Mitsos](https://forum.storj.io/u/Mitsos)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2024, 10:18pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/online-score-is-dropped-and-node-is-suspended/26608/49 "2024-06-15T22:18:37Z")

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> [@Toyoo](#):
>
> And then you get a power surge frying all of that hardware.

There are surge protectors or online UPS for that.

> [@Toyoo](#):
>
> Or a natural disaster flooding or burning all hardware.

> [@Mitsos](#):
>
> each SNO is allowed to run X nodes in the same location

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Toyoo](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/toyoo/32/1126_2.png) [@Toyoo](https://forum.storj.io/u/Toyoo)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2024, 10:35pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/online-score-is-dropped-and-node-is-suspended/26608/50 "2024-06-15T22:35:51Z")

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So, what would be your X for the 16/20/30/33 scenario that [is being considered](https://forum.storj.io/t/updates-on-test-data/26034/752)?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mitsos](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/mitsos/32/1125_2.png) [@Mitsos](https://forum.storj.io/u/Mitsos)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2024, 10:39pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/online-score-is-dropped-and-node-is-suspended/26608/51 "2024-06-15T22:39:29Z")

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I don’t know, that’s why it was an “X”. Storj can pick a value for X according to their required durability, ie taking into consideration how likely it is that all nodes running in the same location would disappear.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Toyoo](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/toyoo/32/1126_2.png) [@Toyoo](https://forum.storj.io/u/Toyoo)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2024, 10:40pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/online-score-is-dropped-and-node-is-suspended/26608/52 "2024-06-15T22:40:24Z")

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So they pick X=1, because even X=2 means two such operators disappear and there’s no redundancy left.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mitsos](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/mitsos/32/1125_2.png) [@Mitsos](https://forum.storj.io/u/Mitsos)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2024, 10:42pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/online-score-is-dropped-and-node-is-suspended/26608/53 "2024-06-15T22:42:57Z")

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That means 1 node per location. So much for adding extra nodes.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![arrogantrabbit](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/arrogantrabbit/32/11200_2.png) [@arrogantrabbit](https://forum.storj.io/u/arrogantrabbit)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2024, 10:47pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/online-score-is-dropped-and-node-is-suspended/26608/54 "2024-06-15T22:47:14Z")

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> [@Kopcap](#):
>
> I assume that the limited VPS bandwidth during traffic overage hinders the passage of audits.

What I see happening is latency becomes very high, and some _repairs_ fail. Audit score drops as a result of failed repairs.

> [@Alexey](#):
>
> So you altered the /24 limit with that.

That’s not the only reason to use VPN. My two nodes connect via VPN because ISP does not offer public IP.

> [@Alexey](#):
>
> > [@Roxor](#):
> >
> > to nodes connected by VPN.
> 
> This is prohibited by ToS.

Is it? Can you please point to specific language?

> [@Alexey](#):
>
> However, this forum and statements from StorjLabs representatives are considered as amends of these ToS.  
> In this exactly case, using VPNs is strictly prohibited.

Interesting. How is SNO expected to read ENTIRE forum to maybe find amendment to Tos?!

Anyway, do you want me to shut down my two VPN-only nodes?

> [@Alexey](#):
>
> We Do Not Want Multiple nodes in THE SAME PHYSICAL PLACE. ESPECIALLY IF THEY USES VPN TO CIRCUMVENT THE /24 RULE

This I agree with. It would be dumb to shoot oneself into a foot by degrading network reliability, breaking assumptions, let alone ToS. But VPN alone should not be a problem.

Again, if it is – please add this to ToS and I"ll delete those two my nodes.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Alexey](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/alexey/32/41_2.png) [@Alexey](https://forum.storj.io/u/Alexey)\
**Post date:** [June 16, 2024, 5:07am UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/online-score-is-dropped-and-node-is-suspended/26608/56 "2024-06-16T05:07:37Z")

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This is well-known datacenter with very reliable equipment. They do not need to use a VPN to bypass anything, they simple owns separate networks.

The problem with bypassing the /24 rule is in the fact, that several pieces of the same segment may be uploaded to nodes, which mimic different locations. If that single location would have issues (with electricity or internet or hardware) these pieces would become unavailable. This increases risk of unrepairable segment, this would mean that data is lost even temporary (while such SNO fixes issues) or permanently (the disk is died).  
The lost segment mean the lost file. The lost file = lost Customer = no payment = no payouts.

If you do not have a datacenter-grade setup with a redundancy, you should not bypass the /24 rule.  
If you have a public IP, you should not use VPN.

Regarding this topic - the author has a public IP but have also several VPN to bypass /24 rule and these VPN connections are have issues with uptime. So, the obvious solution is not use VPN.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Alexey](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/alexey/32/41_2.png) [@Alexey](https://forum.storj.io/u/Alexey)\
**Post date:** [June 16, 2024, 5:15am UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/online-score-is-dropped-and-node-is-suspended/26608/57 "2024-06-16T05:15:53Z")

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> [@arrogantrabbit](#):
>
> Interesting. How is SNO expected to read ENTIRE forum to maybe find amendment to Tos?!

You are right here. We still need to update ToS to have everything in the same place.  
The new version has been prepared a while ago as far as I know, but didn’t pass audit so far. I would again ask the team about the progress.

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