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Onboarding

This onboarding guide provides procedures for configuring your Proto-MDK (Miner Development Kit), and connecting to a BTC mining pool. The Proto dashboard provides detailed information about your ASIC miner, including:

Features
ASIC Temperature Hashboard configuration Fan performance
ASIC Efficiency Real-time hashrate metrics Power usage

Before you begin
Ensure that the Proto-MDK is connected to the appropriate power source, and the Ethernet cable is inserted into the Ethernet port of the control board. Document the control board's 12-digit MAC address found on the control board package and 16-digit serial number found on the label near the microSD port before installing the top cover.

Access the Proto-MDK dashboard

Once your MDK is assembled you can access the Proto dashboard by:

  1. Inserting your Ethernet cable into the ferrite core
  2. Connecting the control board over Ethernet port (J3) and to your network (router or switch) LAN port
  3. Connect your power cable female connector to the PSU and the male connector to a 200 - 240V AC outlet

Confirm that the LEDs flash from red to green. The green LED will confirm the firmware upload was successful. 

Populate a browser search bar with the hostname of your miner (found during miner discovery).

Authentication

The Proto dashboard requires a password to make settings and system-level changes. New users will be prompted to set a password during the onboarding process – existing users will be prompted during their next settings or system-level change. Authentication will persist for 15 days, after which, users will be prompted to re authenticate.

Log into mining pools

Once you have accessed the system / UI, you will be taken to the Mining pool screen. Here, you will be prompted to create a Proto dashboard password. After doing so, log into your BTC mining pool and follow the onscreen instructions. We recommend adding two backup pools for redundancy.

Password reset

If you forget or need to change your password, you will need to reflash the firmware and reset your Proto-MDK. Doing so will trigger the onboarding process and allow you to set a new password. To obtain a firmware download, contact support at mining.support@block.xyz.

Once you receive the firmware, follow the steps below: 

Flash the firmware

  1. Click the link to download the firmware
  2. Save the .img file to your computer
  3. Insert a 16GB (or larger) microSD card into an SD card reader, then connect the reader to your computer

    4. DO NOT format the SD card before flashing the file. If you do so in error, unmount the drive using Disk Utility or Disk Management, and start the process over.

  4. We recommend a tool like balenaEtcher to flash the firmware
  5. Download the version for your OS
  6. Open balenaEtcher and follow the on screen steps
  7. Click Flash from file and select the .img file
  8. Choose your microSD card as the Select target
  9. Click Flash!
  10. If you encounter an error, proceed to eject the microSD card safely
  11. Remove the microSD card from the reader
  12. Insert the microSD card into the card port of the control board
  13. (Optional) Reattach the control board faceplate
  14. (Optional) Reattach the top cover
  15. Plug the Proto-MDK back into its power source
  16. Confirm the Ethernet cable connection to the Proto-MDK is illuminated
  17. Confirm the LEDs flash from red to green — the flashing green LED will confirm successful firmware update

If you encounter any issues, or have questions, contact support at mining.support@block.xyz. 

Identify your Proto-MDK on your network

To identify your Proto-MDK on your network see miner discovery

Congratulations! Welcome to the Proto-MDK experience.