Avalon Asic - 'not newbie friendly' - how hard is it?

[matt608]

Hi all, I'm a long time lurker and dreamy bitcoin idealist but never done any mining.  I'm very tempted to buy an avalon batch 3 but it would use up almost all of my coins... if I was sure I could get it working I would probably go for it, but I'm a bit nervous that I won't be able to, so tell me, how hard is it really?

From the Avalon user guide: https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Avalon#User_Guide

'Connect your laptop to the eithernet port of the Avalon - I can do that lol
Setup your laptop IP address 192.168.0.101 - I can do that
Open http://192.168.0.100 - I can do that
Make sure WR703N can access Internet, Configure WiFi: Network -> WIFI -> Scan(select your WIFI network) -> Join Network -> Don't know what WR703n is, is this just a case it getting it online?
WPA passphrase -> Submit -> Save & Apply for connect to WIFI Internet -I can probably do that
setup your mining worker: Status -> Cgminer Configuration. Don't know what this means
Restart the cgminer service: System -> Startup,
Check your avalon status: Status -> Cgminer Status
Setup password/using ssh not sure about 'ssh'

ssh root@192.168.0.100 # Once you setup the password the telnet service will be stop. use ssh instead. Don't know what telnet is

If your avalon does not mine properly, please run Cgminer in debug mode with -D --verbose option. For example:
# cgminer -S /dev/ttyUSB0 -o stratum.btcguild.com:3333 -O xxxx:yyyy -D --verbose --avalon-options 115200:24:10:45:282 --api-allow "W:0/0" --api-listen 2>/tmp/cgminer-debug.log I've no idea what any of this means

So... am I too noob to do it? How hard is it?  I might be able to just figure it out as I'm not an idiot and fairly computer literate, but then again, it might just be way easier than I'm imagining but it's a lot of money to spend without being sure...

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[Bogart]

The Avalon is completely standalone.  It just needs an Ethernet or WiFi connection.

You Mac laptop will work fine to do the initial configuration.  All you need is a web browser.

[matt608]

The Avalon is completely standalone.  It just needs an Ethernet or WiFi connection.

You Mac laptop will work fine to do the initial configuration.  All you need is a web browser.

Ok thanks.  I've edited the OP with some better questions...

[jermwerty]

Well if this all confuses you, download cgminer and run it today on a GPU.  Things will make more sense.

If worse comes to worse, join the IRC channel, or use a desktop sharing site like http://join.me to have a more knowledgeable person help you out.

[BitSyncom]

that statement is purely there to stop doubters.

you can do all the configuration and update through a nice web interface.

[SebastianJu]

I ordered one 85GH unit too. Even though i think it will take long time until delivery i have some questions.

Will it be possible to put the machine into a datacenter or similar and set it up through internet? Because at some point the power cost will be a factor so there might be a place with cheap power and internet access.

I read somewhere about overclocking of avalons. Someone wrote about a wall showing at 300? something. Behind that it doesnt work anymore. Unfortunately i dont find the post anymore. Whats this about? Is it similar to overclocking a gpu via clockrate and does it work through the browser direclty? Can something be done with changing volts and so on? I guess there are people out there that already tried out everything to force the machines to the max.

[relm9]

Will it be possible to put the machine into a datacenter or similar and set it up through internet? Because at some point the power cost will be a factor so there might be a place with cheap power and internet access.

I'd imagine you can, it's running Linux  (openWRT) so it'd just be a matter of changing the listening IP to a public facing address.

[matt608]

Thanks for the replies, I ended up going with 30btc into Coinhoarder's 'group buy' instead of buying one for myself.

[desert_beagle]

So, just for my understanding, you get an ethernet cable, plug one end in your laptop and the other end in the avalon?

The thing that you're plugging your laptop into via the ethernet cable is the TP-Link TL-WR703N? 

So the wr703n then connects to your router thus connecting your avalon to the internet?

Why do you need to change your laptop's IP to 192.168.0.101?  Can you just leave your laptop the way it was before?

Or does the TL-WR703N connects both your laptop and avalon to the internet?

I know it sounds noobish but someone please explain.

[cypherdoc]

So, just for my understanding, you get an ethernet cable, plug one end in your laptop and the other end in the avalon?

The thing that you're plugging your laptop into via the ethernet cable is the TP-Link TL-WR703N? 

So the wr703n then connects to your router thus connecting your avalon to the internet?

Why do you need to change your laptop's IP to 192.168.0.101?  Can you just leave your laptop the way it was before?

Or does the TL-WR703N connects both your laptop and avalon to the internet?

I know it sounds noobish but someone please explain.

yes thats right.  i also don't think you'd need to change the ip address of your laptop but i don't have my avalon yet.

[Bogart]

So, just for my understanding, you get an ethernet cable, plug one end in your laptop and the other end in the avalon?

The thing that you're plugging your laptop into via the ethernet cable is the TP-Link TL-WR703N?  

So the wr703n then connects to your router thus connecting your avalon to the internet?

Why do you need to change your laptop's IP to 192.168.0.101?  Can you just leave your laptop the way it was before?

Or does the TL-WR703N connects both your laptop and avalon to the internet?

I know it sounds noobish but someone please explain.

You would only first plug it directly into a laptop to initially configure its IP address.  Once you have it set for your network, you would disconnect it from the laptop and plug it into your regular LAN, like any other ethernet device.

Or I suppose you could configure it to connect via wifi and do away with the cable.  Personally, I prefer a wired connection.

[allinvain]

You need to change your laptop's/desktop's/computer's/quantum magical computing device's IP address to ensure that you are on the same SUBNET. If you happen to be using a router that already uses the 192.168.0.x network then yeah you're fine you need not change anything. The Avalon units come with a hardcoded IP address. It will NOT get an IP address from your router!

I suppose they could've made things easier - well maybe - if they had the unit automatically get it's network config via DHCP but then you'd hear people complain that they can't find the IP address of the avalon unit, etc.

[Aseras]

Setup was easy.

Hardcode a laptop, open web page put in a URL hit save, done.

Getting p2pool to work, not easy. Getting kmod-USB storage working, difficult.

Having to open that lid and fix the modules that came loose from shipping and replace some cables was harder. 

Putting that damn lid back on...HARD. Such a pain. LOL.

[Bogart]

I took just one of the lid screws out to remove a piece of the plastic covering that was still stuck on there and was annoying me.

I saw what was trying to happen to the piece with the mating threads, and quickly put the screw back in.  (I did get the plastic off.)

The thread plugs are not welded or otherwise attached to anything but their mating screws, and will try to come loose and fall out if their screw is removed.

[allinvain]

Setup was easy.

Hardcode a laptop, open web page put in a URL hit save, done.

Getting p2pool to work, not easy. Getting kmod-USB storage working, difficult.

Having to open that lid and fix the modules that came loose from shipping and replace some cables was harder. 

Putting that damn lid back on...HARD. Such a pain. LOL.

lool..welcome to the club. Someone recommended pincers. I did not have any on hand so I had to struggle. I felt like a caveman trying to figure out how to turn on a computer.

I wish they included screws with longer threads so the washers would be mounted with the pit or groove area downwards instead of it grabbing on to the top lip of the case lid.

I'm surprised that the modules came loose. What did DHL do, try to play football with it?

Anyways, overall it's a well put together system.

[cypherdoc]

You need to change your laptop's/desktop's/computer's/quantum magical computing device's IP address to ensure that you are on the same SUBNET. If you happen to be using a router that already uses the 192.168.0.x network then yeah you're fine you need not change anything. The Avalon units come with a hardcoded IP address. It will NOT get an IP address from your router!

I suppose they could've made things easier - well maybe - if they had the unit automatically get it's network config via DHCP but then you'd hear people complain that they can't find the IP address of the avalon unit, etc.

wait a minute.  if i have 3 Avalons, how can they all have the same hard coded ip address of 192.168.0.100?

[Syke]

wait a minute.  if i have 3 Avalons, how can they all have the same hard coded ip address of 192.168.0.100?

Think of it more as a default ip, it can and should be changed. Just don't power them all up on the same ethernet network before you reconfigure them. Boot one up at a time and reconfigure it.

[cypherdoc]

wait a minute.  if i have 3 Avalons, how can they all have the same hard coded ip address of 192.168.0.100?

Think of it more as a default ip, it can and should be changed. Just don't power them all up on the same ethernet network before you reconfigure them. Boot one up at a time and reconfigure it.

that makes more sense.