node-cryptonote-pool is open-source server software for running a mining pool for CryptoNote-based coins. It is aimed at operators who want to host a pool for their miners, not at people who only want to mine alone. It is one of the original pool applications written for cryptonotes, and it includes a web front-end and stores its data in Redis.
Before you deploy anything, know the project's status. Its repository states that it is no longer maintained, and the last code update was on March 9, 2021. Maintainers accept only critical or high-quality pull requests that have been well tested. That makes it a risky base for a new production pool without an audit, but it remains a useful reference for learning how pool servers handle shares, difficulty and payouts.
What Is a CryptoNote Mining Pool?
A mining pool combines the computing power of many miners so they can share block rewards. Each miner submits shares, which are partial proofs of work, and the pool credits them according to the difficulty they reached. Pools exist because solo mining can take a long time to produce a block, while pooled miners receive smaller but more regular payouts.
CryptoNote is a family of privacy-focused coins, and Monero is its best-known member. Pool software for these coins has to handle their specific block and transaction rules. node-cryptonote-pool was written for that purpose, so its concepts map closely to how these networks behave.
Operators who run a pool sit between the network and their miners. They must keep the server fast, reject bad shares, pay miners correctly and keep records. Understanding these responsibilities is the best place to start before you install any pool software.
Who Should Consider Running a Pool Like This?
Software like this suits developers who want to learn how pool servers work. Reading the code, changing the configuration and watching the logs teaches more about shares, difficulty and payouts than any article can. It is also useful for a small community that wants its own pool for a single coin and is prepared to manage the server.
It is less suitable for anyone who needs supported production software with regular security updates. The project is no longer maintained, so bugs and vulnerabilities may remain unfixed. Operators who go live with real miner funds should plan for code review, monitoring and a clear process for handling payouts.
Miners who only want to earn rewards are usually better served by a managed pool. Running your own pool means taking on responsibility for uptime, fee policy and accurate accounting, and that work grows quickly once more miners join.
How Pool Fees Work in the Default Configuration
The sample configuration sets a pool fee of 1.8 percent. A comment in the same file describes a total fee of 2 percent, which includes a developer fee alongside the pool fee. Those numbers come from the example settings, so a live pool can use different values.
Fees matter because they determine how much of each block reward reaches miners. An operator who keeps a fee should state it clearly to miners and document how it is applied. Hidden or changing fees erode trust quickly in a small pool community.
Before launch, review the fee settings line by line, confirm the developer fee behavior in the code, and test payouts on a small scale. Clear fee policies protect both the operator and the people mining in the pool.
Key features
Stratum-Style TCP Protocol
IP Banning
Socket Flooding Detection
Payment Processing
Split Transactions
Minimum Payment Threshold
Minimum Denomination
Detailed Logging
Multiple Ports With Individual Difficulty
Variable Difficulty and Share Limiter
Share Trust Algorithm
Supported coins
The documentation mentions Bitcoin (BTC) and Monero (XMR). The software is built around the CryptoNote family of coins, so other coins can work only after careful configuration. Altcoins that change the minimum number of coin units require updating several config values, so test any new coin thoroughly before going live.
How to install Node-cryptonote-pool on Windows
- 1
Get the Software From an Official Source
Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub page at github.com/zone117x/node-cryptonote-pool, using the Releases section where available. Avoid mirrors, file-sharing sites and links from forums or chat groups.
- 2
Verify the Download
Compare the file's SHA-256 checksum with the value published by the project, or check its signature if one is provided. If the hash does not match, delete the file and download it again from the official source.
- 3
Install Redis and Prepare the Configuration
Install a Redis server and confirm it starts before you launch the pool, because the software stores its data there. Open the configuration file and set the coin parameters, ports, difficulty values and payment options.
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Start the Pool and Test It
Launch the server and connect a test miner to one of your ports. Check that shares appear in the logs and that the statistics update correctly. Only open the pool to outside miners after the test run looks clean.
System requirements
- A running Redis server that the pool can reach
- Firewall rules that allow miners to connect to the TCP ports you configure
How to use Node-cryptonote-pool
Most of the work with node-cryptonote-pool happens in the configuration file and the logs. Set the basics first, then test everything with a single miner before you accept real hashpower.
- Open the configuration file and set the coin parameters, including the minimum coin unit for your coin.
- Define each port and give it its own difficulty, such as a low-difficulty port for modest hardware.
- Set the minimum difficulty (minDiff) so the lowest accepted share difficulty is clear.
- Configure the minimum payment threshold and the minimum denomination for payouts.
- Start Redis and confirm that it accepts connections.
- Launch the pool server and point a test miner at one of your ports.
- Watch the logs for accepted shares, rejected shares and connection events.
- Run a small test payout on a test balance and verify the amounts before accepting real miners.
Pros & cons
- Open source under GPL-2.0, so the code can be read, audited and modified
- Covers core pool needs, including payments, logging and difficulty control
- Multiple ports, each with its own difficulty, serve different hardware
- Built-in measures against low-difficulty share attacks and socket flooding
- Useful for learning how pool servers actually work
- The project is no longer maintained, and the last code update was March 9, 2021
- Maintainers accept only critical or well-tested pull requests
- Operators need working knowledge of Redis and pool configuration
- Documentation centers on Bitcoin and Monero, so other coins need extra work
- Altcoins with different minimum units require reconfiguring several settings
Is Node-cryptonote-pool safe?
node-cryptonote-pool is no longer maintained, so treat it as a risk when handling real miner payouts. Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub page, and verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature before you install it. Never enter a seed phrase or wallet recovery phrase on any third-party website, including sites offering pool setup help. Antivirus tools sometimes flag mining-related software, so add a narrow exclusion for the specific folder if needed, but never disable your protection entirely. Review payment settings carefully, test with small amounts, and check the latest version on the official website before going live.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/zone117x/node-cryptonote-pool. Ignore ads and lookalike domains.
- Check the SHA-256. Compare the installer hash with the value the developer publishes before running it.
- Never share your seed phrase. No developer, support agent or website — including CryptApps — will ever ask for it.
Alternatives
Compared with cryptonote-universal-pool, which is an improved version built on node-cryptonote-pool and adds MySQL support, the original is simpler but older. MiningCore is a broader pool-building framework that supports more coins, including Ergo, so it suits operators who plan several pools. P2Pool takes a decentralized approach for Monero, where miners share work peer to peer rather than depending on one operator. XMRig Proxy is different again: it sits between miners and a pool to manage farms, rather than running a full pool itself. Choose based on the coin, your need for a maintained codebase and your operational goals.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- gpl-2.0
- Latest version
- —
- Last update
- 9 Mar 2021
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/zone117x/node-cryptonote-pool
Frequently asked questions
It can be installed safely if you download it from the official source and verify its checksum, but the project is no longer maintained, which adds risk. Test it on a small scale before handling real miner payouts. Review the code and settings carefully, and never enter a seed phrase on a third-party website.
Yes, the project offers a Windows build or installer. Redis must still run alongside the pool, so you need to set it up before launching the server. Check your firewall settings so miners can reach the ports you configure.
Start by editing the configuration file to set your coin parameters, ports, difficulty and payment options. Then start Redis, launch the pool server and connect a test miner. Watch the logs for accepted shares before opening the pool to others.
No, the project is not actively maintained. Its last code update was on March 9, 2021, and maintainers accept only critical or high-quality pull requests that have been well tested. Expect no regular security or feature updates when you choose it.
The documentation mentions Bitcoin (BTC) and Monero (XMR). Other CryptoNote-based coins may work with configuration changes, but coins with different minimum coin units require updating several settings. Test any new coin thoroughly before going live.
The sample configuration sets a pool fee of 1.8 percent, and a comment in the file describes a total fee of 2 percent including a developer fee. These are example values, and an operator can change them. Be transparent with miners about whatever fee you choose.
Yes, the pool uses Redis to store its data. Install and start Redis before launching the pool, and confirm the connection in your configuration. Without a running Redis server, the pool cannot store shares or balances.
Options include cryptonote-universal-pool, which builds on the same codebase with MySQL support, and MiningCore, which is a broader framework for several coins. Choose an alternative that is actively maintained if you need long-term support for a production pool.
Verdict
node-cryptonote-pool is best for developers, students and small technical teams who want to understand how a CryptoNote pool server works. Its features are well suited to learning, including variable difficulty, multiple ports, payment controls and detailed logs. It is not a good fit for anyone who needs actively maintained production software, because the last code update was in 2021. If you use it, test thoroughly, keep your fee policy transparent and check the latest version on the official website before going live.