Simplified Guide to Using ethminer New Command Parameters for Mining ETH

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Ethereum (ETH) mining remains a compelling way for hardware owners to generate passive income, especially with efficient tools like ethminer. This open-source software supports all cryptocurrencies based on the Ethash algorithm—not just ETH—making it a versatile choice among miners. One of its standout features is the absence of developer fees, meaning 100% of your mining rewards go directly to you. Plus, there's no need to compile the code yourself; pre-built binaries are readily available.

However, with the release of ethminer v0.14.0, significant changes have been introduced—particularly in how users connect to mining pools. Several legacy command-line parameters have been marked as deprecated and will eventually be removed. These outdated flags are now consolidated under a single, streamlined option: -P. Understanding this shift is crucial for maintaining uninterrupted mining operations and ensuring compatibility with future updates.

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Key Changes in ethminer 0.14.0: From Old to New

In previous versions, connecting to mining pools required multiple separate arguments such as -S, -O, -SP, and -FS. Now, all pool-related configurations are unified under the -P parameter, which accepts a full URI-style string.

Deprecated Parameters (Will Be Removed)

The following options are now obsolete:

These have been replaced by a cleaner, more scalable syntax using -P.

Transitioning from Legacy Commands

Let’s compare an old-style configuration with its modern equivalent.

Old Version (Deprecated but Still Functional)

ethminer ^
-S eth.gpumine.org:3333 ^
-FS eth2.gpumine.org:4333 ^
-O 0xFdd43923340736FfBcB31C808aC644922c1dF05d.pc1 ^
-SP 1 ^
-RH ^
--farm-recheck 200 ^
-G
Note: The ^ symbol is used for line continuation in Windows batch files. On Linux or macOS, use \ instead.

Updated Version (Recommended)

ethminer ^
-P stratum1+tcp://[email protected]:3333 ^
-P stratum1+tcp://[email protected]:4333 ^
-RH ^
--farm-recheck 200 ^
-G

This new format simplifies connection management and improves readability by embedding authentication details directly into the URL.

Understanding Stratum Protocol Schemes

When constructing your -P URL, selecting the correct scheme is essential for establishing a secure and stable connection. Here are the supported protocols:

For Getwork (HTTP-based):

For Stratum:

The number (stratum1, stratum2) corresponds to different protocol implementations:

Suffixes indicate encryption:

Example:

-P stratum1+ssl://[email protected]:5555

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How to Save and Run Your Mining Script

After crafting your command, save it as a script file for easy execution.

On Windows:

Create a .bat file:

@echo off
ethminer ^
-P stratum1+tcp://[email protected]:3333 ^
-P stratum1+tcp://[email protected]:4333 ^
-RH ^
--farm-recheck 200 ^
-G
pause

On Linux/macOS:

Create a .sh file:

#!/bin/bash
ethminer \
-P stratum1+tcp://[email protected]:3333 \
-P stratum1+tcp://[email protected]:4333 \
-RH \
--farm-recheck 200 \
-G

Make it executable:

chmod +x mine.sh
./mine.sh

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why was the -P parameter introduced?
A: To simplify configuration and reduce redundancy. Combining all pool settings into one standardized URI makes scripts easier to manage and less error-prone.

Q: Can I still use old parameters?
A: Yes, temporarily. They will trigger warnings in v0.14.0 but still function. However, they will be fully removed in future releases—migrate soon.

Q: What does stratum1+tcp mean?
A: It specifies the use of Stratum protocol version 1 over an unencrypted TCP connection. Use stratum1+ssl for encrypted traffic.

Q: How do I choose between OpenCL and CUDA?
A: Use -G for AMD GPUs (OpenCL), -U for NVIDIA (CUDA). For mixed setups, use -X.

Q: Is failover supported in the new syntax?
A: Yes. Simply provide a second -P argument—it will act as the backup pool.

Q: Where can I find reliable ETH mining pools?
A: While specific pool recommendations may vary by region, ensure any pool you select supports modern Stratum protocols and offers low latency.

Final Tips for Efficient Mining

With ethminer’s evolving architecture, staying updated ensures optimal performance and compatibility. As Ethereum transitions continue to influence mining ecosystems, having a reliable, fee-free tool like ethminer gives miners greater control over their operations.

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