Ethereum: What does accepted mean in bfgminer?

Understanding the “Accepted” Flag in bfgminer

In the realm of cryptocurrency mining, especially for popular algorithms like Ethereum, it’s not uncommon to come across unfamiliar terms and flags. One such flag is “Accepted,” which may seem like a cryptic message at first glance. In this article, we’ll delve into what it means when you see “Accepted” in bfgminer output.

What does Accepted mean?

In the context of mining software like bfgminer, “Accepted” refers to the status of your pool’s membership in a particular network or cluster. Here’s a breakdown of its significance:

• Stratum 0 requested

  

  : This is a specific protocol used by some mining pools for connecting their nodes to the Ethereum network.

+ Stratum 0 is one of the earliest and most basic protocols, developed in 2008. It allows nodes to communicate with each other without using any authentication or encryption methods.

• Hex number: The hex number represents a unique identifier assigned to your node by the pool. This is often a combination of strings that identify your node’s hardware specifications, IP address, and other characteristics.

What does bfgminer output?

When you run bfgminer with a Stratum 0 connection, the output typically includes various flags and information about your mining activity. In this case, the line:

Accepted (hex number) CPU 2 Diff 288/2

shows that:

• Accepted: This flag indicates that your node has successfully connected to the pool’s network.

• Hex number: The hex string represents a unique identifier for your node. This may vary depending on your pool and mining configuration.

• CPU 2: This value refers to the number of CPU cores used by your mining rig (in this case, two).

• Diff 288/2: The second value is a difference between your proposed hash rate (288) and your actual hash rate (the difference between what you’re trying to mine and the hash rate set for the pool). A positive value means you’re in front of the pool’s target, while a negative value indicates that you need to slow down. In this case, the 2 represents 2% more than the target.

Why is it important?

The “Accepted” flag is essential information when running bfgminer with a Stratum 0 connection. It helps your node communicate effectively with the pool and ensures that it can participate in mining activities without issues. If you’re experiencing problems or errors, knowing this flag’s significance can be invaluable.

Conclusion

In summary, when you see “Accepted” in bfgminer output, it signifies a successful connection to a Stratum 0 network. The hex number is a unique identifier assigned by the pool, while the CPU and difference values provide insight into your mining activity. This information is crucial for troubleshooting issues and ensuring optimal performance with your mining rig.