Official FutureBit Apollo II/BTC Software/Image and Support thread

[mgtymax]

Is there any way to remotely access the OS to monitor stats or to otherwise change settings? e.g., when traveling or away from home

If you have extra PC/Laptop which is connected to the internet and can be run 24/7 you can try Chrome Remote Desktop, which you can connect to through your mobile remotely.
Then access your PC/laptop on your phone and use the IP of the unit to access the dashboard. You can check its stats and change settings while you are away from your home.

I use a free version of TeamViewer and leave a laptop running.

Isn't there an increased security risk with this? I don't think the connection through TeamViewer is encrypted but will check it out.

[mgtymax]

Anyone know why Apollo OS shows two different hash rates? The hash rate for solo mining pool seems to be different than the hash rate shown on the overview page (i.e., hashboards).

[MakerAZ]

When will we be able to run knots on the Apollo !! full node?

I am sure FutureBit Team understands that this matter becomes very important day by day.
It is crucial to be able to run Bitcoin Knots on Apollo, since it is starting to be obvious that Bitcoin Node gets increasingly corrupted.

Bitcoin will be the ultimate reference to value everything on Earth and beyond. So, there is no place for spam in immutable Bitcoin blockchain.
This youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTUreNqp7i0 explaines it much better.

[BitMaxz]

I think you have to generate a link code locally to connect using Chrome Remote Desktop. Unless you're saying to do the connection first, then leave it on 24/7; not sure if the connection expires or has to be refreshed with a new link but will look into it. Thanks!

The last time I used it, you needed to connect it first while you were on the same network and used the same email. That is your way to protect your PC and access it via email and the PIN you set in your remote desktop.

It works for free; just make sure you set your PC to never sleep or hibernate to avoid interruption or disconnection.

[Willyb5890]

Does the OS for FutureBit BTC miner v2 have a bitcoin-cli command? If not how can I add it without destroying or reloading the core?

[0id1d]

Does the OS for FutureBit BTC miner v2 have a bitcoin-cli command? If not how can I add it without destroying or reloading the core?

You can access it from the directory /opt/apolloapi/backend/node/bin/aarch64

For instance, if you want to get the ping times to your node's connections:

Code:

/opt/apolloapi/backend/node/bin/aarch64/bitcoin-cli -conf=/opt/apolloapi/backend/node/bitcoin.conf -datadir=/opt/apolloapi/backend/node getpeerinfo | grep -i pingtime

If you're already in the directory, then use

Code:

./bitcoin-cli

Example:

Code:

./bitcoin-cli -conf=/opt/apolloapi/backend/node/bitcoin.conf -datadir=/opt/apolloapi/backend/node getpeerinfo | grep -i pingtime

[jstefanop]

@jstefanop, since the open source Bitaxe Gamma device is already using the Bitmain BM1370 (S21 Pro chip), are there any plans for Futurebit to release an Apollo model based on that ASIC? Would be great to see that efficiency in your standalone, quiet form factor. I loved both previous designs, Apollo and Apollo II, still using Apollo II to this day.
Any roadmap or technical hurdles you can share?

We have started to tease the Apollo III and since the Apollo II is completely sold out we will have more info soon.

I wont touch Bitmain chips for the same reasons I started futurebit, I dont want to support them even if its just second hand chips (and I wouldn't put second hand chips in any of our products regardless...reflowing an ASIC 3 times drastically reduces its life/failure rate and is the reason we can offer a one year warranty when most bitaxe companies cant.

Either way we have solve the major ASIC supply issue with our last ASIC partnership that essentially hamstrung scaling the Apollo II.

The Apollo III will be a game changer in both specs (will be most things on the market) as well as even more important scaling this to levels we will be able to make a difference in the space.

Exciting stuff coming!

[jstefanop]

When will we be able to run knots on the Apollo !! full node?

I am sure FutureBit Team understands that this matter becomes very important day by day.
It is crucial to be able to run Bitcoin Knots on Apollo, since it is starting to be obvious that Bitcoin Node gets increasingly corrupted.

Bitcoin will be the ultimate reference to value everything on Earth and beyond. So, there is no place for spam in immutable Bitcoin blockchain.
This youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTUreNqp7i0 explaines it much better.

We have publicly stated we are supporting mutiple core node client versions as well as knots and targeting a fall release for it (will be as easy as a drop down menue for which node client you want to run).

Obviously the whole mission of futurebit is to empower everyone with choice on the bitcoin network, and that choice will come down from the individual user and not us.

Reason its taking so long is because knots does not have extensive testing like core does, and since our Apollo system is a critical block creation tool the last thing we want is to ship something that prevents a solo block fine because of a stupid bug.

When it's ready we will release.

[heslo]

@jstefanop, since the open source Bitaxe Gamma device is already using the Bitmain BM1370 (S21 Pro chip), are there any plans for Futurebit to release an Apollo model based on that ASIC? Would be great to see that efficiency in your standalone, quiet form factor. I loved both previous designs, Apollo and Apollo II, still using Apollo II to this day.
Any roadmap or technical hurdles you can share?

We have started to tease the Apollo III and since the Apollo II is completely sold out we will have more info soon.

I wont touch Bitmain chips for the same reasons I started futurebit, I dont want to support them even if its just second hand chips (and I wouldn't put second hand chips in any of our products regardless...reflowing an ASIC 3 times drastically reduces its life/failure rate and is the reason we can offer a one year warranty when most bitaxe companies cant.

Either way we have solve the major ASIC supply issue with our last ASIC partnership that essentially hamstrung scaling the Apollo II.

The Apollo III will be a game changer in both specs (will be most things on the market) as well as even more important scaling this to levels we will be able to make a difference in the space.

Exciting stuff coming!

Keeeeeeeen

[zubird88]

I am running the original btc full node (batch 4) with the original 1TB drive with the latest v2.0.7

If this has already been answered, please point me to it (as the search function hasn't been helpful).

Is there a way to add an additional external hard drive, or is it easiest/best to install a new larger drive and use the format tool?

If a new internal drive is the answer, is there a faster way to sync the blockchain?

Thank you kindly

[eagleye]

I am running the original btc full node (batch 4) with the original 1TB drive with the latest v2.0.7

If this has already been answered, please point me to it (as the search function hasn't been helpful).

Is there a way to add an additional external hard drive, or is it easiest/best to install a new larger drive and use the format tool?

If a new internal drive is the answer, is there a faster way to sync the blockchain?

Thank you kindly

Just buy another pcie memory stick 1TB as a backup. your pcie memory stick is the drive.  you can connect a usb to pcie and there is your backup drive but your speeds are limited on the usb interface.  I downloaded the whole blockchain using the apollo II.  Integrity of the blockchain when you do this.  Your apollo CPU is verifying each block it downloads, which is the consensus of the nodes it connects to. 

It could be possible to download the blockchain and then run that but You lose a level of integrity.   Any single download source is unreliable to download the chain all at once.

I backup the blockchain by copying the pcie to a USB to pcie memory stick so I have a copy of the blockchain backed up.  at about half way through the IBD, before you get to about 500K blocks or 2019  you might want to backup what you started then continue on.  YOu have to stop all bitcoin services before backing up the blockchain as files are in use when bitciond is running.  THe last 200K blocks are the slowest due to size and operating speed of the Apollo II.   I did not mine while the IBD was in process.

Once every month or two I copy the blockchain to a backup pcie 1TB.  I don't see a need to get a 2TB memory stick yet. and with an Apollo III, pending,  I will upgrade to that when its out. 
If you stop the node once a month or every two weeks it writes the most current blocks to memory and restarts the node from that point.  If you node crashes its most recent confirmed database can be 50 to 200 blocks behind.  If bitciond hasn't written the blocks recently.

[MakerAZ]

So, currently my Apollo II/BTC Full Node is running Satoshi:25.1.0(FutureBit). Is it possible to enable filters on it to strip everything other than monetary data?
Besides, how can I see what's in my Node's mempool? Is it possible to locally hose my copy of mempool.space and feed it with data from Apollo's Full Node?

[Hamster123]

So, currently my Apollo II/BTC Full Node is running Satoshi:25.1.0(FutureBit). Is it possible to enable filters on it to strip everything other than monetary data?
Besides, how can I see what's in my Node's mempool? Is it possible to locally hose my copy of mempool.space and feed it with data from Apollo's Full Node?

FutureBit has said they are working on an update to the software that will allow users to switch to Knots. I am also interested in answers to your questions too.

I would love an update regarding the Apollo 3 and when it will be released. Hoping it's very soon as I'd like another node unit and standard unit to help heat my home this winter.

[0id1d]

Is there any way to remotely access the OS to monitor stats or to otherwise change settings? e.g., when traveling or away from home

I just did a summer trip along the West Coast USA. I was able to monitor my machines by using a pfsense router by allowing access to my home network with a IPSec IKEv2 virtual private connection. I used the built-in VPN connection on my iPhone/iPad to get into my local network and pull up the Apollo OS GUI via their local network addresses as if I was at home and on my home internet. The setup does take some effort but it’s not overly complicated (lots of good resources on the net), but it’s worth it especially when traveling or even just out the house for a while.

[MakerAZ]

Is there any way to remotely access the OS to monitor stats or to otherwise change settings? e.g., when traveling or away from home

I just did a summer trip along the West Coast USA. I was able to monitor my machines by using a pfsense router by allowing access to my home network with a IPSec IKEv2 virtual private connection. I used the built-in VPN connection on my iPhone/iPad to get into my local network and pull up the Apollo OS GUI via their local network addresses as if I was at home and on my home internet. The setup does take some effort but it’s not overly complicated (lots of good resources on the net), but it’s worth it especially when traveling or even just out the house for a while.

I am using https://rustdesk.com/. Open source. Free.