Antminer S9 Firmware Update Bitmain Release Overt AsicBoost 🤠

[jabby]

Bitmain just release a new firmware for the BM1387 chips running on the antminer s9. They are now using Asicboost.


I linked the article below as well as copied it for you guys to read.

For those who don't want to read here is the YouTube Vid Link:
https://youtu.be/6SGj-ktAid8


"Firmware to Activate “Overt AsicBoost” in BM1387-based Antminer Models
OCTOBER 22, 2018 / ADMIN / 0 COMMENTS
We’re very pleased to share that last night our developers released the firmware for the Antminer S9 to enable what is popularly called the “overt AsicBoost” functionality. We will also release in one week the firmware to activate this functionality in other BM1387-based models namely the Antminer R4, S9i, S9j, T9 and T9+. This step will increase future effectiveness of several Antminer models and provides the framework for a strong long-term network.

 Initially, we decided against activating this mathematical function in mining hardware produced by us, largely because of the legal uncertainty surrounding the use of AsicBoost. As an organization, we didn’t want to violate patent laws or act in any way that was untoward. Instead, we continued to focus our efforts on R&D and building the industry’s most efficient mining chips. It’s worth noting, as outlined in a April 2017 blog post, our ASIC chip BM1387 has the capability built into the chip technology.  

In March 2018, we noticed new manufacturers of hardware advertising the use of “AsicBoost” and soon after that we noticed blocks being mined on the blockchain using AsicBoost. To give users of our mining pools the option to mine using AsicBoost we added support for it on both BTC.COM and Antpool.

 Now we are pleased to give Antminer users whose miners have the capability to support this function a choice to avail this advantage without any negative impact on the Bitcoin protocol. This variant of the “overt AsicBoost” simply uses version bits different from those that other manufacturers have been using. It is equally transparent because it can be seen in the blockheader of boosted blocks.

With regard to patent rights, we continue to respect third parties’ IP right and take actions accordingly. Based on legal opinions from various jurisdictions, we believe that there isn’t and may never be a patent right over AsicBoost. Thus, all miners should be entitled to make their own choice on whether to use AsicBoost technology without anybody having an exclusive right over it.  

Bitmain is committed to creating the industry standard for the most efficient and effective miners on the market. After testing AsicBoost on the Bitmain testnet, we found that the functionality does improve mining efficiency.

One of Bitmain’s top priorities and guiding principles is to provide our customers with the best mining technology in the industry and after extensive internal conversations, we have decided to activate this functionality to achieve two main objectives

Future Effectiveness: We recognize that cryptocurrency mining technology is rapidly evolving, innovating, and improving, and hardware depreciates rapidly. By activating AsicBoost, our customers’ hardware will increase in effectiveness while the future hardware we make continues to be the industry gold standard.
Stronger Network: We have been very transparent that we have activated AsicBoost in the miners on our testnet and have found that it improves efficiency in mining operations. Utilizing this technology will be very beneficial for the mining. AsicBoost has the potential to reduce the J/TH cost and increase the total hashrate of the network. By activating this upgrade widely, we are making the Bitcoin network stronger than ever before.
 The new firmware can be downloaded at https://service.bitmain.com/support/download


https://blog.bitmain.com/en/new-firmware-activate-overt-asicboost-bm1387-antminer-models/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=asicboost-activation-firmware





I feel like they have been using this on their machines since they were released and now just giving us the firmware.



Bitmain just released the new Antminer s9 overt AsicBoost firmware. This New Asicboost is supposed to increase your J/TH. Bitmains new firmware for asicboost on the Antminer S9 is used to flash the BM1387 chips to they are capable of using their asicboot. I can’t download the new firmware to flash the antminer s9 with the asicboost as of yet so this is the best news I can bring to you at the moment. As soon as I can flash my Antminer s9 with asicboost I will and bring you guys the latest video!

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[vincl]

someone knows how i know if i have a C5 board or not? i wanted to test on an old S9 with 11-12TH/s but its not working. Miner wont boot..no error led but. no hashing..

[percy_tc]

Has anyone tried this? whats sthe difference?

[DefiantMiner]

Just tried the firmware on one of the S9 units with meters installed (didn't note the batch).  The flash process went OK, but the unit showed no increase in hash, used 40w more power and 100% shares rejected by pool (I refuse to use antpool).

I'll have to do some more testing/research when I get some time.  For now, it's a dud on my end.

I should note that ASICBoost is not compliant with the BIP310 standard, thus incompatible (for now) with pools other than the Bitmain owned/controlled pools.  So, until the other pools adopt compatibility, all this does is make the Bitmain...not Bitcoin...network stronger.

[r01k]

I don't see any new firmware for the models mentioned, but for the S9: Antminer-S9-LPM-20181022.tar.gz

I guess this is the Asicboost one?

[not.you]

I feel like they have been using this on their machines since they were released and now just giving us the firmware.

Well they certainly did not build the capability into the chip by accident.

[MoparMiningLLC]

I have installed it on several of my S9's - I do not notice any increased hash rate and I do not have a way to measure the electric consumption other than waiting for my electric bill to see if it drops lol

Is there something specific you have to do to activate asicboost? Or is it automatic after flashing the firmware?


EDIT: I forgot to mention, I do see on the "Miner Configuration" tab a check box selection for "Low Power Mode" - is this what turns the AB on/off?

and is this supposed to lower hashrate along with lowering power consumption? or is it to increase hashrate while lowering power consumption? or to increase both?

[r01k]

My S9 13.5TH/s shows under overview after updating:

Hardware Version   26.0.1.3
Kernel Version   Linux 3.14.0-xilinx-ge8a2f71-dirty #82 SMP PREEMPT Tue May 16 19:49:53 CST 2017
File System Version   Sun Oct 22 18:20:42 UTC 2018
Logic Version   LPM
BMminer Version   2.0.0

Miner Configuration has a Low Power Mode box checked. I guess this is the AsicBoost mode enabled. The pool shows about 8% higher hashrate compared to a similar miner without AB firmware. Tomorrow will measure power consumption.

[onegiantcock]

Slushpool says don't upgrade (yet) https://www.ccn.com/slush-pool-dont-upgrade-your-bitcoin-miners-to-bitmains-asicboost-patch/

[efudd]

LOL at their noise about honoring patent laws and such. Hey Bitmain, where's the source code to the Z9 series?

Jason

[comby]

Anyone knows the difference between "Low Power Mode" on or off at the total hashrate ? what reaches more?

[MoparMiningLLC]

Slushpool says don't upgrade (yet) https://www.ccn.com/slush-pool-dont-upgrade-your-bitcoin-miners-to-bitmains-asicboost-patch/

I have seen people post that they upgraded and were running just fine on Slushpool

Anyone knows the difference between "Low Power Mode" on or off at the total hashrate ? what reaches more?

with "low power mode"  selected, my S9's are getting a lower hash rate - I do not have a way to measure the power consumption though.

[ThePunisher49X]

So is this suppose to lower everybodys hashrate so to bring difficulty down

Some people are saying this bricks their antminer. So if you don't have the firmware saved before upgrading it this could be the case.

[MoparMiningLLC]

So is this suppose to lower everybodys hashrate so to bring difficulty down

Some people are saying this bricks their antminer. So if you don't have the firmware saved before upgrading it this could be the case.

for the ones having issues, they may not have the compatible version of S9 - there are ones with specific C5 control boards that are not compatible.

They can always reinstall the prior version by downloading and updating to the old one.

[DefiantMiner]

Slushpool says don't upgrade (yet) https://www.ccn.com/slush-pool-dont-upgrade-your-bitcoin-miners-to-bitmains-asicboost-patch/

UPDATE:  Bitmain released a revised version of the firmware today...it works with Slushpool and others now.

[MoparMiningLLC]

UPDATE:  Bitmain released a revised version of the firmware today...it works with Slushpool and others now.

where do you see this revised version? I only see the one released yesterday.

[DefiantMiner]

UPDATE:  Bitmain released a revised version of the firmware today...it works with Slushpool and others now.

where do you see this revised version? I only see the one released yesterday.

Same place the other https://service.bitmain.com/support/download, look under S9:
Antminer-S9-LPM-20181023.tar.gz

...the first one released was 20181022

[MoparMiningLLC]

UPDATE:  Bitmain released a revised version of the firmware today...it works with Slushpool and others now.

where do you see this revised version? I only see the one released yesterday.

Same place the other https://service.bitmain.com/support/download, look under S9:
Antminer-S9-LPM-20181023.tar.gz

...the first one released was 20181022

ahh lol I didnt catch the date, just saw the one file - thought they would have added not replaced - thanks!

[DefiantMiner]

Got all the S9s up on the 20181023 (2nd LPM release) firmware.  Happy to report 12.5-13% drop in power use, perhaps a fractional hash rate drop.  I have noticed the measured power usage is more stable as well...doesn't vary as much as previous.

Nice to knock a few kWs off the bill...and increase profitability ~25%!

I'll track pool side specs overnight and report back.

Curious if anyone has tried it on S9i or T9 yet?   (Bitmain said those specific FMs were coming later)

[MoparMiningLLC]

Got all the S9s up on the 20181023 (2nd LPM release) firmware.  Happy to report 12.5-13% drop in power use, perhaps a fractional hash rate drop.  I have noticed the measured power usage is more stable as well...doesn't vary as much as previous.

Nice to knock a few kWs off the bill...and increase profitability ~25%!

I'll track pool side specs overnight and report back.

Curious if anyone has tried it on S9i or T9 yet?   (Bitmain said those specific FMs were coming later)

I did see someone state they tried on some s9i and it worked for a bit then a board would stop working - so they reverted back and miners are working fine.

what is the best way to measure the electricity usage? I always just use my electric bill lol

also, with LPM selected, is the hash rate supposed to drop or increase? last time I tried mine all dropped by half a TH/s without knowing if the power drop is sufficient to cover the lost hash rate, I am unsure as to whether to leave it checked or not.