Install
The installation procedure depends on the control board used on the miner:
- AMLogic (AML or A113D), BeagleBone (BB), Xilinx (7007 or Zynq) and CVctrl control boards can be installed over-the-air (OTA).
- Due to hardware limitations of the CVctrl control boards, a specialized MaraCV card is required to be installed on the control board first, before continuing with the installation. Alternatively, an OTA installation can be performed, but each miner hard reboot will restore the stock firmware. For large installations the MARAFW team can provide an automated solution for reinstallation after a hard reboot is detected.
- The control boards can be identified through BTC Tools and physically by looking at the miner:
- AML - MicroUSB port on the front panel
- Zynq - SD card slot on the front panel, no stickers on the top lid
- CVctrl - SD card slot on the front panel, sticker “CV1835” on the top lid
- BB - front panel without an SD slot nor MicroUSB port
OTA installation (AML, BB, Xilinx, CVctrl)
- OTA installation can be performed using MARATools. Simply download MARATools and the MARATools Firmware Package from our websites and follow the instructions in the MARATools Guide section of the documentation.
- [CVctrl only] Attach the provided MaraCV boards to the CVctrl control boards to make the installation persistent. Due to hardware limitations the installation is otherwise reverted, once the miners are hard rebooted. This hardware limitations can not be overcome at this moment, but the MARA Team is working on a solution to automatically re-install MARAFW on miners after a reboot was performed. This solution is coming in the next releases of MARAFW.
- The speed of the installation depends on the connectivity. Usually it takes a couple of minutes per machine, but the installation can be run simultaneously on multiple devices at once.
SD card (BB, Xilinx)
- Download the images from the MARAFW Download Center and flash it on the SD cards. Be sure to use SD cards with capacity no bigger than 16GB as they might not be recognized by the devices.
- Various tools can be used for flashing SD cards, like Rufus (Win) or Balena Etcher (Multi-platform). Simply load the downloaded firmware image and select the device to be flashed.
- Plug in the SD cards and power cycle the devices to load MARAFW.
- The Mara Team can help you with the setup and the evaluation of the miners.
Update
MARAFW can be updated multiple ways: by using MARATools, through the web UI, or using 3rd party tools, like BTC Tools and Foreman.
To batch update, follow the steps described in the MARATools Guide section of the documentation.
The upgrade images can be found at the MARAFW Download Center.
MARATools
MARATools is a Mara proprietary tool helping the user to install, update and configure miners. To check out the full feature list and step by step guides, go to the MARATools Guide section of the documentation.
BTC Tools
In order to update MARAFW using BTC Tools, simply upload the image file through the tool's UI and perform an update as in case of a stock firmware.
Foreman
In order to update MARAFW using Foreman, follow the Foreman's guide.
Web UI
In order to update MARAFW using MARAFW's web UI, simply navigate to the Upgrade section and upload the firmware image.
Uninstall
Uninstalling MARAFW is also very easy and can be done by using MARATools, through the web UI, or using 3rd party tools, like BTC Tools and Foreman.
Simply download the stock firmware image from the MARAFW Download Center and install it over MARAFW which effectively uninstalls the MARAFW.
MARATools
MARATools is a proprietary tool developed by the Mara Team to help the user to install, update and configure miners. To batch uninstall MARAFW, follow the steps described in the MARATools Guide section of the documentation.
BTC Tools
In order to uninstall MARAFW using BTC Tools, simply upload the stock firmware image file through the tool's UI and perform an uninstall.
Foreman
In order to uninstall MARAFW using Foreman, follow the Foreman's guide and use a stock firmware image file to "update" the system.
Web UI
In order to uninstall MARAFW using MARAFW's web UI, simply navigate to the Upgrade section and upload the stock firmware image.
Support
To experience the firmware that sets Marathon apart, schedule a consultation or live demonstration by contacting firmware@mara.com.
If you encounter compatibility issues, please contact our support team.