This guide provides a straightforward walkthrough for setting up your Antminer ASIC hardware to connect with the OKX mining pool. Whether you're mining Bitcoin (BTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), or Bitcoin SV (BSV), the process involves accessing your miner's interface, inputting the correct pool details, and starting your mining operation. We'll cover how to find your miner's IP address, the meaning of key configuration fields, and how to verify your connection.
Prerequisites for Mining
Before starting, ensure you have the following ready:
- A compatible Antminer ASIC miner (or another ASIC device).
- A reliable internet connection and a local network.
- Your miner's power supply and cables set up correctly.
- Basic knowledge of navigating local network settings.
Step-by-Step Configuration Guide
Accessing Your Miner's Interface
The first step is to locate and access your miner's configuration panel.
- Find the Miner's IP Address: Your router's administrative interface typically has a list of all connected devices (often called a DHCP client list). Your Antminer should appear here with its IP address. Alternatively, some miners have built-in tools or display the IP on a small screen.
- Log In to the Interface: Open a web browser on a computer connected to the same local network. Enter the miner's IP address into the address bar. This will bring you to a login page.
- Enter Credentials: Use the default username and password (commonly 'root' for both) to log in. For security, it is highly recommended to change these default credentials after your first login. You can often find the specific defaults for your model on the manufacturer's website.
Configuring Pool Settings
Once logged in, navigate to the mining configuration section, which might be labeled "Miner Configuration," "Pool Settings," or something similar.
You will see fields for URL, Worker, and Password. Here’s how to fill them out for OKX Pool:
URL (Stratum Address): This is the specific server address for the cryptocurrency you wish to mine. OKX Pool provides different addresses for different coins. You must use the correct one.
- Example BTC address:
stratum+tcp://btc.pool.okx.com:443 - Always confirm the latest addresses on the OKX Pool official website to ensure accuracy and optimal performance.
- Example BTC address:
Worker: This is your unique identifier for the pool, consisting of two parts.
- Format:
PoolAlias.WorkerID - Pool Alias: This is the custom name you created when you first set up your OKX Pool account. You can find it in your account settings on the OKX Pool website.
- Worker ID: This can be any custom name you choose (e.g., "miner1," "rig001"). It helps you distinguish between multiple miners or mining rigs in your account dashboard.
- Format:
- Password: This field is generally not used for proof-of-work mining. You can leave it blank or enter any simple text like "x" or "123". It has no functional impact on your mining operation.
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Saving and Applying Settings
After filling in all three fields for a pool (most interfaces allow you to configure multiple pools for failover), click "Save & Apply" or the equivalent button. Your miner will restart its mining process and attempt to connect to the OKX Pool using the new settings.
Verifying Your Connection
To confirm your miner is successfully connected and working:
- Return to your miner's interface and check the status page. It should show a valid pool connection and a current hashrate.
- Log in to your OKX Pool account dashboard. After a short time, your worker name should appear in the "Worker Management" section, and you should begin to see your submitted shares and estimated earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a mining pool, and why should I use one?
A mining pool is a group of miners who combine their computational resources to increase their chances of successfully mining a block. When the pool wins a block reward, it is distributed among all participants based on their contributed share of the work. For individual miners, this provides smaller but much more frequent and stable payouts than solo mining.
I can't find my miner's IP address. What should I do?
Most home routers have an admin page (often accessible at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) that lists all connected devices. Look for a hostname containing "Antminer" or an unknown device. You can also use IP scanning tools designed for local networks to help identify your miner's address.
My miner is connected but not showing any hashrate on the pool. Why?
First, double-check that the Worker name is formatted correctly with the right Pool Alias. Ensure the Stratum URL is exact. Also, verify that your internet connection is stable. It can sometimes take up to 30 minutes for a pool's dashboard to update and display your hashrate after a new connection.
Can I point different types of ASIC miners to the same pool?
Absolutely. The configuration process is very similar across different brands and models of ASIC miners. As long as the miner is designed for the same algorithm (e.g., SHA-256 for Bitcoin) and you input the correct pool URL and your unique worker credentials, it will connect successfully.
Is it necessary to configure all three pool slots on my miner?
While not strictly necessary, it is a highly recommended best practice. Configuring two or three pools provides redundancy. If your primary pool (Pool 1) experiences downtime or connectivity issues, your miner will automatically switch to the secondary pool (Pool 2), minimizing your offline time and lost earnings.
What does 'Worker ID' mean, and how should I name mine?
The Worker ID is a label you assign to a specific miner. Use clear and descriptive names (e.g., "s17_basement," "s19_livingroom") to easily identify the performance and status of each individual machine from within your pool's management dashboard. This is crucial for troubleshooting if one device has problems.