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This is super cool! I agree the non-fungible nature of a H100 (or whatever) is a massive challenge. How do you actually verify usage/thermal history on these?
by matt-p 2mo ago
This is super cool!
I agree the non-fungible nature of a H100 (or whatever) is a massive challenge. How do you actually verify usage/thermal history on these? Hours run and thermal violations aren't stored on the card IIRC, only ECC error counts and retired pages persist in the GPU's own InfoROM, host side monitoring like DCGM logs, are only as good as whatever the seller hands over. Is condition at inspection based on a real monitoring export from the deployment or just an InfoROM/diagnostic check at the time, and if it's the latter isn't hours run and thermal history basically unverifiable unless we assume good faith and the seller was logging the whole time ?
Essentially how do you avoid having the 'used car problem' without leaning heavily on seller reputation & warranties?
- erenberke 2mo agoGreat question. We don’t treat “used” as one bucket. Before the RFQ goes out, the buyer says what logs and tests they need. If the seller can’t provide usage history, that’s stated in the quote rather than inferred. The market then prices that difference. Hardware with better records and more thorough testing should attract higher bids.
- matt-p 2mo agoYep, so basically the buyer has to trust the seller is honest and/or doesn't make a mistake (uploading the data for the wrong GPUs or something).
- erenberke 2mo agoif wrong documentation is produced, buyers have the right to dispute / return the equipment for a preset period of time. we get the sellers to certify the verifications they upload.
- matt-p 2mo agoI'm not saying this is bad, or any worse than other marketplaces, but essentially a direct contract would typically have these 'protections' too. How do you enforce 'you can get a refund in xx days if you're unhappy'? Are you holding the funds in escrow for that period of time or is this a direct buyer<>seller contract term that you have no way of enforcing on behalf of the buyer?
- erenberke 2mo agoThe terms are defined in the sales agreements on the platform. Both parties abide by the terms throughout the transaction. We do not release any payment to the sellers until the buyer certifies that they have done the inspection and they are satisfied with the purchase. Throughout the settlement steps, we ask for evidence from both parties. Contract is essentially pre-defined on the platform, and the parties need to agree with it to trade on Stoa. Establishes mutual trust among both parties.