[0 GH/s 0% fee SMPPS] ArsBitcoin mining pool!

[kislam]

Well, everyone seems pretty eager to know about Merged Mining at ARS. So what I'd like to know from BT is confirmation of any of the following (I think everyone wants to know):

  * Merged Mining is just around the corner, we are working out the final kinks, or
  * Merged Mining is being worked on and will be implemented soon, or
  * Merged Mining is being considered, but will take some time, so don't hold your breath, or
  * Merged Mining is not planned at the moment, but might be implemented in the future, or
  * Merged Mining is not planned and will not be implemented in the foreseeable future

BT should note that the amount of interest regarding merged mining at ARS is an excellent sign meaning that a lot of people want to join ARS but are currently on the fence due to the added benefit of merged mining at other pools. So please, let us know as soon as you can...

[wndrbr3d]

I for one welcome merged mining as it will continue the decline in bitcoin difficulty and make things easier for those of us sticking purely to BTC

[bulanula]

Well, everyone seems pretty eager to know about Merged Mining at ARS. So what I'd like to know from BT is confirmation of any of the following (I think everyone wants to know):

  * Merged Mining is just around the corner, we are working out the final kinks, or
  * Merged Mining is being worked on and will be implemented soon, or
  * Merged Mining is being considered, but will take some time, so don't hold your breath, or
  * Merged Mining is not planned at the moment, but might be implemented in the future, or
  * Merged Mining is not planned and will not be implemented in the foreseeable future

BT should note that the amount of interest regarding merged mining at ARS is an excellent sign meaning that a lot of people want to join ARS but are currently on the fence due to the added benefit of merged mining at other pools. So please, let us know as soon as you can...

This is what needs to happen IMHO.

[kislam]

I'm not overly concerned about merged mining - I'd prefer that development efforts be concentrated on hardening the pool against the increasingly fashionable phenomenon of DDoS attacks.

completely agree -- if BT is concentrating his efforts on making the pool more robust, then that's highly commendable. by all means put merged mining on hold until you accomplish those (more important) goals. it's not like i have to mine here, it's just that i'd like to

i only wanted to know what's going on.

BT hasn't posted in this forum since 28th, it appears. so looks like we just have to wait...

[likuidxd]

Firstly, I found out that there were two servers available from the Pool Stats. However, the IP addresses and/or DNS names of said servers aren't immediately obvious anywhere. The simple setup (arsbitcoin.com) may be some fancy dynamic DNS thing to avoid attacks, but my version of phoenix and/or Linux (1.50 / 11.04) doesn't seem to move the IP around (is it?). If it isn't, then it presumably points to Server 1.

This was painfully obvious when server 1 went down for whatever reason (DDoS, maintenance, whatever) and all the big dogs at the top of the leaderboard disappeared, apart from jimbit who knew about server 2 and was using cgminer to failover to the second server. So where's the documentation on where the different server IPs are? When Slush had the attacks, his front page had 'new address api2.mining.cz' or whatever he used then.

I ended up resorting to IRC (eh, took me back to me hacking days when I were a lad, good old times ) where luckily jimbit was around and pointed out that there were apparently server1.arsbitcoin.com and server2.arsbitcoin.com. Apologies if this is 'secret' for 'security through obscurity' but I'm a firm believer that security through obscurity is a half-arsed waste of time. Especially against the types who are doing DDoS attacks on bitcoin pools.

There had been an announcement under pool stats for a very long time about server2

[BurningToad]

Hello,

Sorry guys, the reality right now is:

1) I haven't done anything to improve the pool in at least a month.
2) All I've done is try and keep it up.  I usually get a text message when it messes up, but not always.  Each server (main and 2) seems to randomly fail occasionally (both PoolServerJ and pushpool.)  I haven't had time to try and figure out the root cause.  Basically PSJ/pushpool degrade after a while and need a restart.
3) I haven't done the numbers, but I'm probably losing money each day at the moment on this because EC2 is expensive and the BTC price is low.  The bill this last month was ~$400+ with the two servers + bandwidth costs.
4) I'm closer to bringing the pool down than I am to implementing merged mining or anything else.
5) I'm having some personal problems and issues just trying to do work for my real job, so the priority for this right now is very low.  In fact the pool is probably mostly still up (instead of being taken down) because it is more effort to take it down cleanly (provide notice, email everyone, resolve coin balances, etc.) than it is to keep it in its current state.

So, I apologize, but that is how things stand at the moment.  I can't guarantee anything for the future, i.e. whether I will take the pool down, or finally work on improving it, etc.

[likuidxd]

Hello,

Sorry guys, the reality right now is:

1) I haven't done anything to improve the pool in at least a month.
2) All I've done is try and keep it up.  I usually get a text message when it messes up, but not always.  Each server (main and 2) seems to randomly fail occasionally (both PoolServerJ and pushpool.)  I haven't had time to try and figure out the root cause.  Basically PSJ/pushpool degrade after a while and need a restart.
3) I haven't done the numbers, but I'm probably losing money each day at the moment on this because EC2 is expensive and the BTC price is low.  The bill this last month was ~$400+ with the two servers + bandwidth costs.
4) I'm closer to bringing the pool down than I am to implementing merged mining or anything else.
5) I'm having some personal problems and issues just trying to do work for my real job, so the priority for this right now is very low.  In fact the pool is probably mostly still up (instead of being taken down) because it is more effort to take it down cleanly (provide notice, email everyone, resolve coin balances, etc.) than it is to keep it in its current state.

So, I apologize, but that is how things stand at the moment.  I can't guarantee anything for the future, i.e. whether I will take the pool down, or finally work on improving it, etc.

Hey BT,
I'm sorry to hear of you personal problems and the stress of maintaining this wonderful service. Before you decide to do anything drastic with arsbitcoin, please get in touch with me! As many would probably agree, this pool is to good to disappear. Hope things get better for you BT.

-LikuidXd

[btc_artist]

I was going to say something like what likuidxd said.  I personally don't have any experience running a pool (although I'm interested in learning), but perhaps someone can take over the responsibilities instead of closing it?

[DeathAndTaxes]

I have to agree.  The pool is too good to just die.  We need good medium sized pools. 

I am sure someone would be willing to step up and take over the pool. 
Maybe they could even buy BurningToad out (a lot cheaper than trying to start a pool from scratch).

[rcsheets]

3) I haven't done the numbers, but I'm probably losing money each day at the moment on this because EC2 is expensive and the BTC price is low.  The bill this last month was ~$400+ with the two servers + bandwidth costs.

Could you elaborate on your infrastructure needs? I may be able to provide you with some low-to-no-cost space, bandwidth, etc. if I could better understand the resource requirements.

[runlinux]

If things to take a turn for the worst, just let us know.

[Internet151]

Looks like I need to start looking for a new home for my 32 GH/s... =(

[farfiman]

Looks like I need to start looking for a new home for my 32 GH/s... =(

0 fee PPS....   good luck with that - none will survive

[m3sSh3aD]

Man, Best pool theres ever been, Noticed stales rising over last few weeks. PLEASE PLEASE dont let this pool die, There are people here willing to help and learn and im sure a few people would pitch in to help/spread work load. Good community here as well.

Maybe post a 'volenteer' sections, Im sure many people would be willing put a bit of there time and knowledge in. Doing it all alone is a big ask now the pool as grown to a 1TH beast

[Brian DeLoach]

Haven't been able to access the site for a couple days. Anyone know whats up?

[Eveofwar]

Haven't been able to access the site for a couple days. Anyone know whats up?

http://www.downforeveryoneorjustme.com/arsbitcoin.com

[Brian DeLoach]

http://www.downforeveryoneorjustme.com/arsbitcoin.com

I'm completely blocked from accessing it on my end. Weird.

[btc_artist]

http://www.downforeveryoneorjustme.com/arsbitcoin.com

I'm completely blocked from accessing it on my end. Weird.

See if you can reach it through a proxy.  I can reach it fine.

[Brian DeLoach]

See if you can reach it through a proxy.  I can reach it fine.

Using a proxy does work. I've tried a couple different computers on my network and they can't load it directly. Not sure how else to diagnose the problem, I've never had this happen before.

[RandyFolds]

See if you can reach it through a proxy.  I can reach it fine.

Using a proxy does work. I've tried a couple different computers on my network and they can't load it directly. Not sure how else to diagnose the problem, I've never had this happen before.

Could you have been banned as part of a botnet or something? That's the only explanation I can think of where you would be singled out specifically.