Avalon ASIC users thread

[aneutronic]

Thanks. That's what I figured. I looked at the modules to see if I could see a failed capacitor, but I was unable to find any noticeable signs of failure.

I assume that the numbers on the top correspond with the numbers of modules. So I figured the problem was at P14. I don't know how accurate that is. If that is the case, here's an album of that section. Maybe someone else can pick out an anomaly. I also took off that metal plate and looked to see if I could spot a burnt up ASIC chip.

EDIT: Also, sometimes [match_work_count14] => 0 will not be zero, implying that maybe it works sometimes. But the number is always magnitudes lower than the others.

Finally, it's been running for a couple days now on --avalon-auto without problem. So I haven't seen the red LED or any shutdowns.

I didn't notice any burnt caps in your photos either. It must be some other component with an intermittent problem.
I wouldn't worry about it for now as long as it keeps running. It wouldn't be worth the down-time to find the problem at this point in time.

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[edgar]

Thx Ben. did u notice any peculiarity to make u delete, or just following advice ?

[BenTuras]

Thx Ben. did u notice any peculiarity to make u delete, or just following advice ?

I deleted the LAN because it was causing issues. Don't remember what issues tho, *grins*
After setting up the wifi and checked that it worked, I just deleted the lan on the network tab.

[aneutronic]

Catastrophic usb communication failure will make the operating system reset the device and put it on another usb minor number. When this happens, cgminer will hotplug it as a new device - i.e. AVA1 and AVA0 will remain as a zombie device. The web GUI and Avalon operating system environment is not smart enough and may not know that it's still mining at a new location and would just kill off the cgminer whereas mining via USB you'll see that in all its glory.

Would this explain this...

Code:

Wed Nov 27 13:48:01 2013 cron.info crond[551]: crond: USER root pid 16293 cmd /usr/bin/cgminer-monitor
Wed Nov 27 13:50:01 2013 cron.info crond[551]: crond: USER root pid 16302 cmd /usr/bin/cgminer-monitor
Wed Nov 27 13:50:28 2013 kern.info kernel: [59485.070000] usb 1-1: USB disconnect, device number 10
Wed Nov 27 13:50:28 2013 kern.info kernel: [59485.080000] usb 1-1.1: USB disconnect, device number 11
Wed Nov 27 13:50:29 2013 kern.info kernel: [59485.380000] usb 1-1: new high-speed USB device number 12 using ehci-platform
Wed Nov 27 13:50:29 2013 kern.info kernel: [59485.540000] hub 1-1:1.0: USB hub found
Wed Nov 27 13:50:29 2013 kern.info kernel: [59485.540000] hub 1-1:1.0: 2 ports detected
Wed Nov 27 13:50:29 2013 kern.info kernel: [59485.820000] usb 1-1.1: new full-speed USB device number 13 using ehci-platform
Wed Nov 27 13:52:01 2013 cron.info crond[551]: crond: USER root pid 16329 cmd /usr/bin/cgminer-monitor
Wed Nov 27 13:54:01 2013 cron.info crond[551]: crond: USER root pid 16340 cmd /usr/bin/cgminer-monitor

Every couple of hours I see the usb reset like this on the TPlink.. is this purely from the tplink??, if so I'll just replace it with a PI, or this more to do with the unit's themselves (i'm running a 4 unit , unsure of batch)

I have a batch 3 that will give this error every time it's bumped, as long as it's not disturbed it seems to work.     
It would be interesting to see if replacing the router with the rpi will fix it or if the controller is flaky. I would bet on controller issues.
I would suggest using a new usb cable also. You don't need a power supply for the rpi, it will draw power via the usb cable from the controller.

[SolarSilver]

I deleted the LAN because it was causing issues. Don't remember what issues tho, *grins*
After setting up the wifi and checked that it worked, I just deleted the lan on the network tab.

I had flaky TP-LINK board too where the ethernet did not work reliable but the wifi worked just fine

I ended up replacing the board, as I prefer wired networks

[johnyj]

root@OpenWrt:~# uptime
 11:28:30 up 78 days, 17:59,  load average: 0.09, 0.14, 0.14
 

[driksson]

root@OpenWrt:~# uptime
 11:28:30 up 78 days, 17:59,  load average: 0.09, 0.14, 0.14
 

And cgminer?

[smoothrunnings]

Thx Ben. did u notice any peculiarity to make u delete, or just following advice ?

I deleted the LAN because it was causing issues. Don't remember what issues tho, *grins*
After setting up the wifi and checked that it worked, I just deleted the lan on the network tab.

What happens is something happens to the Wifi and you can't get back in?

I set my LAN to be a different network than my Wifi, this way I can plug into the LAN with my Lappy if something goes wrong, but I haven't had to so far.

[jermwerty]

I wanted to get out one last good new avalon firmware before these devices become irrelevant due to rising difficulty:

http://ck.kolivas.org/apps/cgminer/avalon/20131118/

I finally tracked down the regression that was preventing the avalon from being reliable with the newer versions of cgminer and have built new firmware based on the latest cgminer 3.8.2 git checkout 390ac7062663c688b656cf0dc893163cd7a852b3

EDIT: I should say you will probably need to disable the keep settings box meaning you will have to set it up again from its defaults (i.e. with an ethernet cable to 192.168.0.100)

Thanks ck you rock as always!

I have to admit, I have been awestruck with your 20130821 and ran it on two 4-modules @ 335Mhz (avg 1 week uptime between cg restarts, only needed to hard powercyle one time!) and loaded it on 10 of 11 minis which fixed their "decrease hashrate to <5GH after 1-3 days issue" and have had great uptimes there also.

From your opinion, I know you say don't fix what ain't broken, but do you think there are any efficiency fixes in this latest release?

Yes of course, I don't write newer versions for nothing.

Well bummer.  I guess "if it ain't broke don't fix it" applies here.

I have my 4 module Avalons fixed at 335mhz.  And I was seeing almost a week uptime on cgminer average previously between restarts.  My minis are all stock 375mhz.  

Since loading the new firmware 20131118 a couple of the boxes restart cgminer now in less than 4 hours.  Others have restarted cg within a day or two.  (same settings, always copy/paste everything back same as before as I uncheck "keep settings")

The ones that are misbehaving badly I am reverting back to 20130821.  Hopefully the cgminer uptime goes back to what I saw previously.

[Distribution]

Thanks. That's what I figured. I looked at the modules to see if I could see a failed capacitor, but I was unable to find any noticeable signs of failure.

I assume that the numbers on the top correspond with the numbers of modules. So I figured the problem was at P14. I don't know how accurate that is. If that is the case, here's an album of that section. Maybe someone else can pick out an anomaly. I also took off that metal plate and looked to see if I could spot a burnt up ASIC chip.

EDIT: Also, sometimes [match_work_count14] => 0 will not be zero, implying that maybe it works sometimes. But the number is always magnitudes lower than the others.

Finally, it's been running for a couple days now on --avalon-auto without problem. So I haven't seen the red LED or any shutdowns.

I didn't notice any burnt caps in your photos either. It must be some other component with an intermittent problem.
I wouldn't worry about it for now as long as it keeps running. It wouldn't be worth the down-time to find the problem at this point in time.

Thanks for the reply. I don't know what's going on. Now one of the other modules (#8) is showing that it's doing about half the work as the others. My fear is that it's too hot. But thanks for looking.

[BenTuras]

What happens is something happens to the Wifi and you can't get back in?

I'll reset the Avalon to factory settings...

[johnyj]

root@OpenWrt:~# uptime
 11:28:30 up 78 days, 17:59,  load average: 0.09, 0.14, 0.14
 

And cgminer?

cgminer restart from 2 to 5 days The most important is that no reboot is required, so that I can be away for weeks without worrying about leaving it running at home

[Tigggger]

cgminer restart from 2 to 5 days The most important is that no reboot is required, so that I can be away for weeks without worrying about leaving it running at home

Same here been up since 21st August the day the firmware came out ( >90 Days) I set --avalon-auto and never touched it since, 111GH. Rock Solid.

[driksson]

yes. i agree, latest firmware version is very stable. even on units on wifi. only cgminer needs reboot now. never machine..
been running all machines without reboot since last release.

[edgar]

i tried latest update but could not get the rig to hash - reverted and it was all good.

equally my ISP brought a 'new' router today and while its in i hash fine with jupiter but avalons sit idle...

im now back on old router and alles ist gut

[tnkflx]

i tried latest update but could not get the rig to hash - reverted and it was all good.

equally my ISP brought a 'new' router today and while its in i hash fine with jupiter but avalons sit idle...

im now back on old router and alles ist gut

When you upgraded your Avalon to the latest version, did you save your configuration (checkbox)?

[edgar]

yes. left it as is through each fw upgrade.

[-ck]

Config needs to be updated with newer firmware - you can't choose save settings since the format has changed. This means you'll either have to change  some settings and choose save and apply, but that might not work, or you have to reset to defaults which means you'll need to log in again on the 192.168.1.100 IP address and re-set up everything.

[smoothrunnings]

Does anyone know the dimensions of a Avalon in foot and inches?

I am looking at putting mine into a colo and don't know what the measurements are off hand.

[ProfMac]

Does anyone know the dimensions of a Avalon in foot and inches?

I am looking at putting mine into a colo and don't know what the measurements are off hand.

Each batch has different dimensions.