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Topic: Raspberry Pi alternatives that can run multiple BFL singles, ASICs ? - page 6. (Read 27173 times)

legendary
Activity: 952
Merit: 1000
Looks like they're about $40-60 on ebay. I might get one to try it out! Of if someone wants to sell me one for BTC, I might be interested. Wink
legendary
Activity: 1400
Merit: 1000
I owe my soul to the Bitcoin code...
If it could run at least 5 ASICs I would definitely buy one! Shocked
legendary
Activity: 896
Merit: 1001
That's wicked boss. I kinda want one now! Tongue

Indeed! Thanks for sharing. Someone could probably turn a profit preconfiguring these things as mining controllers. 5W is amazingly low.
legendary
Activity: 952
Merit: 1000
Phraust,

I'm curious about this setup. Isn't the Seagate Dockstar just a hard drive network adapter? How do you configure it to run an OS? Do you have any pictures of your setup? Would appreciate any more info you could provide.

Thanks.

It was originally intended to be a NAS server, but someone figured out how to get linux on it.  It's pretty decent for basic stuff...  I run a small webserver, a znc server, have hosted up to 10 singles on it (using both cgminer and bfgminer), and even compiled and run bitcoind on it (though it took a day and a half to compile, and everything drags to a crawl when it was running).  There is a tutorial for setting up arch on it, though there might be other distros that can work as well.

Here is a photo of it in it's case:

http://i.imgur.com/ZnRz1.jpg?1

I haven't put any holes in it yet, still thinking what the best way to do that would be, but I cobbled together a USB cable to handle the hard drive.

Here is an old pic of it running a couple singles (5 i think).  Oh, and instead of using the 120 GB USB hard drive/enclosure, it was just running off a 16 GB thumbdrive:

http://i.imgur.com/XSQso.jpg

I bought it to goof around with, and it's actually tuned out to be a pretty useful device.  Looking forward to seeing if it can handle the ASICs...

That's wicked boss. I kinda want one now! Tongue
full member
Activity: 206
Merit: 100
Mostly Harmless...
Phraust,

I'm curious about this setup. Isn't the Seagate Dockstar just a hard drive network adapter? How do you configure it to run an OS? Do you have any pictures of your setup? Would appreciate any more info you could provide.

Thanks.

It was originally intended to be a NAS server, but someone figured out how to get linux on it.  It's pretty decent for basic stuff...  I run a small webserver, a znc server, have hosted up to 10 singles on it (using both cgminer and bfgminer), and even compiled and run bitcoind on it (though it took a day and a half to compile, and everything drags to a crawl when it was running).  There is a tutorial for setting up arch on it, though there might be other distros that can work as well.

Here is a photo of it in it's case:



I haven't put any holes in it yet, still thinking what the best way to do that would be, but I cobbled together a USB cable to handle the hard drive.

Here is an old pic of it running a couple singles (5 i think).  Oh, and instead of using the 120 GB USB hard drive/enclosure, it was just running off a 16 GB thumbdrive:



I bought it to goof around with, and it's actually tuned out to be a pretty useful device.  Looking forward to seeing if it can handle the ASICs...
donator
Activity: 448
Merit: 250
256MB version
RPi Firmware: 330751 (release)
Linux raspberrypi 3.1.9+ #272 (Aug 7 2012) "wheezy"
ckolivas-cgminer-v2.7.5-0-gba01226.zip

Also, I have the RPi Linux updated from online depositories in mid October September

legendary
Activity: 1973
Merit: 1007
Since the Raspberry Pi's USB issues prevent it from running even one single reliably, are there any alternatives around 60-85 dollars that people are using for mining? The Mele A1000 and MK802 look promising but I'd like to know if anyone is using them before I purchase and give it a try.  

If the quest is hopeless I may just spring for a book sized atom based machine like this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856205007


Not correct, depending on HW/SW details. I used to have issues with the older Linux distro and some older cgminer too (I have a 256MB RPi)
After updating its system and cgminer, I am running it with a BFL Single for close to 2 months now without ever needing to touch it.

With regard to multiple Singles, it depends on the specific USB hub.


I've got the 512mb pi with latest distro, firmware, and 2.9.1 cgminer, what are you using?
legendary
Activity: 896
Merit: 1001
I'm using a seat gate dockstar with arch Linux.  Works fine hosting 5 FPGA singles and it draws about 5 watts on its own.

I've pulled it from it's case and have it set up in a small otter box with a little external USB drive.  No wireless, though I imagine most Linux capable USB dongles would work pretty well.  I think I bought it for like $50.

Phraust,

I'm curious about this setup. Isn't the Seagate Dockstar just a hard drive network adapter? How do you configure it to run an OS? Do you have any pictures of your setup? Would appreciate any more info you could provide.

Thanks.
legendary
Activity: 952
Merit: 1000
I ended up repurposing an old dell pentium D workstation. I suspect it will use up around 120 watts. I was really looking to get my controller's energy consumption as low as possible.

I'd try everything you can to get the power consumption lower, and you could potentially get to half of that. Disable hardware (firewire, sound, etc) in the BIOS, unplug DVD drives and hard drives, use a USB drive to boot from, and only use like one case fan.
donator
Activity: 448
Merit: 250
Since the Raspberry Pi's USB issues prevent it from running even one single reliably, are there any alternatives around 60-85 dollars that people are using for mining? The Mele A1000 and MK802 look promising but I'd like to know if anyone is using them before I purchase and give it a try.  

If the quest is hopeless I may just spring for a book sized atom based machine like this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856205007


Not correct, depending on HW/SW details. I used to have issues with the older Linux distro and some older cgminer too (I have a 256MB RPi)
After updating its system and cgminer, I am running it with a BFL Single for close to 2 months now without ever needing to touch it.

With regard to multiple Singles, it depends on the specific USB hub.
full member
Activity: 206
Merit: 100
Mostly Harmless...
I'm using a seat gate dockstar with arch Linux.  Works fine hosting 5 FPGA singles and it draws about 5 watts on its own.

I've pulled it from it's case and have it set up in a small otter box with a little external USB drive.  No wireless, though I imagine most Linux capable USB dongles would work pretty well.  I think I bought it for like $50.
legendary
Activity: 1973
Merit: 1007
I ended up repurposing an old dell pentium D workstation. I suspect it will use up around 120 watts. I was really looking to get my controller's energy consumption as low as possible.
hero member
Activity: 568
Merit: 500
Bought a used netbook with an ssd, with the screen off it uses maybe 20 watt max. It is on for a week now, mostly doing nothing, as a sort of stability test.
legendary
Activity: 952
Merit: 1000
I don't know of too many systems that you can get for under $100 that arn't used, but MiniITX and are the direction you want to be looking. HTPCs are pretty famous for being low power and quiet.

However, why spend upwards of $100 just to buy a raspi, when you could just take any old laptop and run your ASICs? You can literally take any Dell laptop and mine on as many USB ports as you can get for dirt cheap.
sr. member
Activity: 350
Merit: 250
or try here http://www.mini-itx.com
Their usualy pretty cheap and some come with the cpu and memory already installed.
Just a thought to an alternative.
full member
Activity: 163
Merit: 100
Atom MiniITX systems are awesome. You can put together a reasonable system pretty cheaply.

Beware the Atoms newer than the D510 and D525 don't work with any 64-bit OS, which is all I've installed for the last few years on any system. Facepalm why Intel disabled 64-bit on the newer Atoms  Roll Eyes

I personally would make my own (since tiny/whiny fans honk me off) and by doing it yourself you can make better choices on the case, fans and PSU. Google 'picoPSU' for a silent power supply too Smiley Get a powered USB hub and you're set.
legendary
Activity: 1973
Merit: 1007
Since the Raspberry Pi's USB issues prevent it from running even one single reliably, are there any alternatives around 60-85 dollars that people are using for mining? The Mele A1000 and MK802 look promising but I'd like to know if anyone is using them before I purchase and give it a try. 

If the quest is hopeless I may just spring for a book sized atom based machine like this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856205007
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