Topic: Community Miner Design Discussion - page 22. (Read 34221 times)
I think the part Novak spec'd is an NXP chip.
Okay am I missing something.
a simple cheap usb 2 hub like so
http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Adapter-Control-Switches-HB-U14P/dp/B00HL7Z46K/ref=pd_sim_sbs_147_1?
and a simple cable tie
http://www.amazon.com/Case-Logic-Attaching-Assorted-Colors/dp/B00004TZF9/ref=sr_1_1?
and you have 13 boards to 1 pc.
If that proves problematic due to too many board on 1 hub then two of these
http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Port-USB-Power-Adapter/dp/B00DQFGJR4/ref=sr_1_3?
with the same ties and you have 14 boards.
You missing the number of separate connectors.a simple cheap usb 2 hub like so
http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Adapter-Control-Switches-HB-U14P/dp/B00HL7Z46K/ref=pd_sim_sbs_147_1?
and a simple cable tie
http://www.amazon.com/Case-Logic-Attaching-Assorted-Colors/dp/B00004TZF9/ref=sr_1_1?
and you have 13 boards to 1 pc.
If that proves problematic due to too many board on 1 hub then two of these
http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Port-USB-Power-Adapter/dp/B00DQFGJR4/ref=sr_1_3?
with the same ties and you have 14 boards.
Point-to-point connection with 12 devices through a hub:
13 cables + 1 hub + 26 connector pairs
Multipoint connection with 12 devices through a bus:
1 cable + 13 connector pairs + 2 terminators (at each end of the cable, but frequently devices have built-in terminators)
The problem is that you wouldn't be able to simply buy such a 13-tap cable at Amazon or in a supermarket. You would have to shop in e.g. car parts store, buy separately wire, crimp-on connectors, crimping tool, etc. It isn't rocket science, any car electrician could help you, but this would scare most of the potential buyers.
Edit: I know that sidehack & friends are fans of Atmel megaAVR. So I just did a quick price comparison for the top-of-the-line USB and CAN parts from Atmel:
AT90CAN128-16AU $6.44
AT90USB1287-AU $7.51
The price difference doesn't matter. It is the familiarity that counts.
By the way: Atmel was acquired by Microchip this weekend.
Maybe it would make sense too consider using a Cat6 connection when chaining boards and the final output would be sent thru USB to the controller or hub but if some one had a dual NIC motherboard, then that could be used instead.
Ethernet is too complex and too expensive for this. Both on the hardware side (PHY) as well as on the complexity and requirements of the software stack.The other problem with Ethernet is that it has minimum cable length requirements to work reliably. If you violate this constraint you'll incur too much errors.
Finally, it is just tremendous waste of bandwidth: Ethernet is designed for gigabit per second transmission rates.
All in all, Ethernet is such a bad choice that even the plastic TOSLINK fiberoptics would be better.
But then you'd be building an ethernet controller or dual USB hub onto each board. Or some other setup requiring either an additional adapter or adaption built onto each board. The point is to do exactly not that. I know USB isn't great, but it's flexible and it's standard and it's freakin' everywhere. So if I want to use this framework to build a rack machine or a stickminer, I can.
Trust me on one thing - you're not going to change my mind. I've heard all the reasons for the last year.
Trust me on one thing - you're not going to change my mind. I've heard all the reasons for the last year.
Maybe it would make sense too consider using a Cat6 connection when chaining boards and the final output would be sent thru USB to the controller or hub but if some one had a dual NIC motherboard, then that could be used instead.
Okay am I missing something.
a simple cheap usb 2 hub like so
http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Adapter-Control-Switches-HB-U14P/dp/B00HL7Z46K/ref=pd_sim_sbs_147_1?
and a simple cable tie
http://www.amazon.com/Case-Logic-Attaching-Assorted-Colors/dp/B00004TZF9/ref=sr_1_1?
and you have 13 boards to 1 pc.
If that proves problematic due to too many board on 1 hub then two of these
http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Port-USB-Power-Adapter/dp/B00DQFGJR4/ref=sr_1_3?
with the same ties and you have 14 boards.
Maybe it would make sense too consider using a Cat6 connection when chaining boards and the final output would be sent thru USB to the controller or hub but if some one had a dual NIC motherboard, then that could be used instead.
As I understand it, the goal is to use USB as the interface, that way you can use whatever controller option suits you provided it can run cgminer. Quite flexible.
In the ideal world some multipoint interface would be better than USB, which is point-to-point only. So less cable mess.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAN_bus
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_Interconnect_Network
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_Area_Network
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RS-485
The problem with all of them is that they aren't common peripheral interfaces for household computers. They are used in automotive or general industrial control applications. So very few people would understand them and many people would be simply afraid.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_automation_protocols
USB wins because although it is a devil, it is the devil everyone is familiar with.
As I understand it, the goal is to use USB as the interface, that way you can use whatever controller option suits you provided it can run cgminer. Quite flexible.
I think BTCGarden had the right idea of chaining the boards together too a single point on a Pi. But that cable to the Pi was to short and the jumper cables aren't exactly off the shelf common. For some reason, Bitmain seems married to the BeagleBone as the custom base if its controllers, they even have them posted for sale . That shows you, its at least possible to mainstream the controls. EXCEPT. both of those company's as well as many others have continued to use the GPIO/SPI whatever headers.
I'd love to see a board that can interface with a common controller(PC,SBC) with common cable or chain to the next board using the same cable. But, I hate the headless/browser based GUI's Bitmain and the like have deployed.
Can we get the Power safely separated so that it DOES NOT matter if the controller is powered first or the hashboard is.
I;m using whatever power is left over/available, in my bedroom, so a little less than 20A/110v draw is a ceiling I won't overcome anytime soon. As well as a $1k entry point, let us have the boards individually as we can afford them, I'd assuredly spend more than a $1k over several months time. Win Win for us all.
I'd love to see a board that can interface with a common controller(PC,SBC) with common cable or chain to the next board using the same cable. But, I hate the headless/browser based GUI's Bitmain and the like have deployed.
Can we get the Power safely separated so that it DOES NOT matter if the controller is powered first or the hashboard is.
I;m using whatever power is left over/available, in my bedroom, so a little less than 20A/110v draw is a ceiling I won't overcome anytime soon. As well as a $1k entry point, let us have the boards individually as we can afford them, I'd assuredly spend more than a $1k over several months time. Win Win for us all.
I know that exchanging or "core" charges may complicate a project that aims to be very simplistic and straight forward. It may be possible to have a "complete" miner and a blade for the DIY guy but that will depend a lot on the final design from Sidehack.
Having stackable boards requiring just a raspi to run or boards you can put in a wooden frame like in the good old days of GPUs would be a plus, IMHO.
Or something like the m/h boards of the first bitfury rigs; maybe they can run with just a fan blowing on them.
spiccioli
This project is awesome to hear/read about.
If they really can repurpose old gear and give it new life that would be awesome.
Not sure what the final design will be or how it will be sold but something to think about would be how to sell the units. I know in the automotive world they do "core" charges which means you are charged extra for the part until you bring your old part back in so that it can then be sent off to be reused/refurbished. Perhaps something like that could be done here. charge the customer an extra $xx.xx on top of the miner to cover buying new shells/fans incase they don't return the "core". This would allow those that have these older units laying around but may not have the skill/ability to take apart/rebuild a miner an option to purchase a plug and play miner. The other option would be to just sell the blades for each model and let the owner do the retro fit.
Cant wait to see what comes of this venture.
If they really can repurpose old gear and give it new life that would be awesome.
Not sure what the final design will be or how it will be sold but something to think about would be how to sell the units. I know in the automotive world they do "core" charges which means you are charged extra for the part until you bring your old part back in so that it can then be sent off to be reused/refurbished. Perhaps something like that could be done here. charge the customer an extra $xx.xx on top of the miner to cover buying new shells/fans incase they don't return the "core". This would allow those that have these older units laying around but may not have the skill/ability to take apart/rebuild a miner an option to purchase a plug and play miner. The other option would be to just sell the blades for each model and let the owner do the retro fit.
Cant wait to see what comes of this venture.
Great thread! I am feeling optimistic that I may be able to extend my mining efforts far longer than anticipated.
Are you thinking about upgrading folks' existing S1/S3/S5 boards as well as selling new PnP boards?
Either way, I'm eagerly anticipating more news.
I know that exchanging or "core" charges may complicate a project that aims to be very simplistic and straight forward. It may be possible to have a "complete" miner and a blade for the DIY guy but that will depend a lot on the final design from Sidehack.
This project is awesome to hear/read about.
If they really can repurpose old gear and give it new life that would be awesome.
Not sure what the final design will be or how it will be sold but something to think about would be how to sell the units. I know in the automotive world they do "core" charges which means you are charged extra for the part until you bring your old part back in so that it can then be sent off to be reused/refurbished. Perhaps something like that could be done here. charge the customer an extra $xx.xx on top of the miner to cover buying new shells/fans incase they don't return the "core". This would allow those that have these older units laying around but may not have the skill/ability to take apart/rebuild a miner an option to purchase a plug and play miner. The other option would be to just sell the blades for each model and let the owner do the retro fit.
Cant wait to see what comes of this venture.
If they really can repurpose old gear and give it new life that would be awesome.
Not sure what the final design will be or how it will be sold but something to think about would be how to sell the units. I know in the automotive world they do "core" charges which means you are charged extra for the part until you bring your old part back in so that it can then be sent off to be reused/refurbished. Perhaps something like that could be done here. charge the customer an extra $xx.xx on top of the miner to cover buying new shells/fans incase they don't return the "core". This would allow those that have these older units laying around but may not have the skill/ability to take apart/rebuild a miner an option to purchase a plug and play miner. The other option would be to just sell the blades for each model and let the owner do the retro fit.
Cant wait to see what comes of this venture.
Great thread! I am feeling optimistic that I may be able to extend my mining efforts far longer than anticipated.
Are you thinking about upgrading folks' existing S1/S3/S5 boards as well as selling new PnP boards?
Either way, I'm eagerly anticipating more news.
The heatsink/fan from the Gridseed "80" blades would be pretty cheap for folks to aquire, and were SERIOUSLY overkill for that project (if Gridseed had clue one on how to do board-level design).
I'd love to see a project that came up with a board to fit those - especially when I sold my last S5 earlier today (have 2 to ship out Monday, then I'm out of Bitcoin mining for a bit - already sold off the rest of my S5s and the SP20).
Looks like the next couple months are going to get even more "interesting" than I thought they would when I made the decision in very early January to sell off my existing Bitcoin mining farm, though looking like I underestimated the timeframe by a month or two....
I think it may be prudent to get a better sense of the scale for this project before moving forward with a chassis/heatsink solution. If the majority of the boards they will produce have homes already waiting in obsolete Antminer gear, then there might not be enough of a market to actually justify sourcing the components and offering a full kit.
If that ends up being the case, I have an alternative idea, which would be identifying some commercially available heatsink that anyone could aquire, similar to your gridseed suggestion. Then model up a chassis that is 3D printable and would provide mounting for fans. Maybe even something modular that can scale to be 2-4-6, whatever number of blades. My coworker just purchased a very nice printer (http://formlabs.com/products/3d-printers/form-2/) and is looking to get into the bitcoin space. So this could be something open source that you could print yourself if you have access to a printer, or he could print and sell the parts if requested.
I do not see reason to not receive cash/cc/bank wire as far PCB adn other components are usually bought in USD
im sure they will end up with various purchase options. the whole idea came to mind when they mentioned they had 40ish units on hand already. By doing the core switch method this would allow them to continually have old miners coming in that can be refitting by them vs just sending out the boards.
Hopefully this venture will also accept cash/cc money vs just that of btc for those that either dont have a large stock pile or dont want to part with their btc.
Hopefully this venture will also accept cash/cc money vs just that of btc for those that either dont have a large stock pile or dont want to part with their btc.
This project is awesome to hear/read about.
If they really can repurpose old gear and give it new life that would be awesome.
Not sure what the final design will be or how it will be sold but something to think about would be how to sell the units. I know in the automotive world they do "core" charges which means you are charged extra for the part until you bring your old part back in so that it can then be sent off to be reused/refurbished. Perhaps something like that could be done here. charge the customer an extra $xx.xx on top of the miner to cover buying new shells/fans incase they don't return the "core". This would allow those that have these older units laying around but may not have the skill/ability to take apart/rebuild a miner an option to purchase a plug and play miner. The other option would be to just sell the blades for each model and let the owner do the retro fit.
Cant wait to see what comes of this venture.
If they really can repurpose old gear and give it new life that would be awesome.
Not sure what the final design will be or how it will be sold but something to think about would be how to sell the units. I know in the automotive world they do "core" charges which means you are charged extra for the part until you bring your old part back in so that it can then be sent off to be reused/refurbished. Perhaps something like that could be done here. charge the customer an extra $xx.xx on top of the miner to cover buying new shells/fans incase they don't return the "core". This would allow those that have these older units laying around but may not have the skill/ability to take apart/rebuild a miner an option to purchase a plug and play miner. The other option would be to just sell the blades for each model and let the owner do the retro fit.
Cant wait to see what comes of this venture.
My guess is they offer both methods.
That way a good diy guy saves money.
It also cuts shipping cost no heavy heatsinks and or fans.
It also speeds work up since sidehack and co. do not have to deal with assembly of every unit.
On the other hand someone with no time or skills or tools pays a little extra for a complete unit.
Best of both worlds.
This project is awesome to hear/read about.
If they really can repurpose old gear and give it new life that would be awesome.
Not sure what the final design will be or how it will be sold but something to think about would be how to sell the units. I know in the automotive world they do "core" charges which means you are charged extra for the part until you bring your old part back in so that it can then be sent off to be reused/refurbished. Perhaps something like that could be done here. charge the customer an extra $xx.xx on top of the miner to cover buying new shells/fans incase they don't return the "core". This would allow those that have these older units laying around but may not have the skill/ability to take apart/rebuild a miner an option to purchase a plug and play miner. The other option would be to just sell the blades for each model and let the owner do the retro fit.
Cant wait to see what comes of this venture.
If they really can repurpose old gear and give it new life that would be awesome.
Not sure what the final design will be or how it will be sold but something to think about would be how to sell the units. I know in the automotive world they do "core" charges which means you are charged extra for the part until you bring your old part back in so that it can then be sent off to be reused/refurbished. Perhaps something like that could be done here. charge the customer an extra $xx.xx on top of the miner to cover buying new shells/fans incase they don't return the "core". This would allow those that have these older units laying around but may not have the skill/ability to take apart/rebuild a miner an option to purchase a plug and play miner. The other option would be to just sell the blades for each model and let the owner do the retro fit.
Cant wait to see what comes of this venture.
This thread gets better everytime I check it. Great news from kilo and much like everyone else I'll be watching with much interest.
It really does seem pretty positive. I was really surprised on Bitfury jumping on board. I applaud them though for doing it.
Any way that get's me closer to that chip of theirs mining in my hobby mining area I see as positive.
that's also the biggest surprise for me
after everytime i heard them say to a cryptonews outlet last year that "they support de-centralization"
i was about to really start calling those guys on their shit haha (many already were)
this is a big plus for them, and puts them back in the community in my eyes.
Side and Kilo? meh , no surprises there, we all knew they would be putting these things together, putting in the work from the second they knew they MIGHT be able to get chips ;p
good job guys, will be buying what i can, as always
This thread gets better everytime I check it. Great news from kilo and much like everyone else I'll be watching with much interest.
It really does seem pretty positive. I was really surprised on Bitfury jumping on board. I applaud them though for doing it.
Any way that get's me closer to that chip of theirs mining in my hobby mining area I see as positive.
This thread gets better everytime I check it. Great news from kilo and much like everyone else I'll be watching with much interest.
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