Is there any newsletter I could sign up to that informs me once the HC2 is avaiable? That would be awesome.odroid wrote:Nope. the schedule is pushed to January due to some raw material lead time issues.golgoth wrote:Hello Odroid,
have the HC2 production been launched as planned?
Sorry about that.
Stack-able micro computers
-
- Posts: 56
- Joined: Fri Nov 03, 2017 6:16 am
- languages_spoken: english, german
- ODROIDs: none (plans for XU4)
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
-
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2017 2:50 am
- languages_spoken: english
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
Is there an estimated price for the HC2? Also, will a 12V 2A power brick suffice?odroid wrote:Nope. the schedule is pushed to January due to some raw material lead time issues.golgoth wrote:Hello Odroid,
have the HC2 production been launched as planned?
Sorry about that.
-
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Wed Nov 15, 2017 3:55 am
- languages_spoken: english
- ODROIDs: C2, XU4, HC1, MC1
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
Can you supply the stacking parts from the MC-1 (plastic strips, screws and fan) separately? Or at least provide specs so to buy them directly? Would be nice to stack 4 HC-1s the same way. The MC-1 runs cool even with load, but a moderate lode on the HC-1 quickly gets to temps in the high 80s - it needs a fan.
- odroid
- Site Admin
- Posts: 29651
- Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2013 11:14 pm
- languages_spoken: English
- ODROIDs: ODROID
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
We have no plan to sell the stacking parts separately. sorry about that.
Refer the specification of the fan and screws.
* 92x92x25mm 5Volt/2000RPM low noise cooling fan with a USB power cable.
* M3 x 8mm self-tapping screws
The plastic strips were made of 2mm thick acrylic material.
Refer the specification of the fan and screws.
* 92x92x25mm 5Volt/2000RPM low noise cooling fan with a USB power cable.
* M3 x 8mm self-tapping screws
The plastic strips were made of 2mm thick acrylic material.
-
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2018 8:12 pm
- languages_spoken: english, german
- ODROIDs: XU4
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
Are there any informations about the HC2 or HC1+? Will it be for one or two disks (raid)?
- mad_ady
- Posts: 5226
- Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2015 5:00 pm
- languages_spoken: english
- ODROIDs: XU4, C1+, C2, N1
- Location: Bucharest, Romania
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
I think both will be for one disk. I expect HC2 to be launched by the end of january, but I don't know HK's production schedule. If you need two disks, then cloudshell 2 is for you
-
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2018 8:12 pm
- languages_spoken: english, german
- ODROIDs: XU4
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
Thank you mad_ady. The Cloudshell 2 is great but is is also very big, I do not need a display. I like the idea of the HC1, it is small, silent and needs not too much power. I am thinking of about two HC1 with a software raid 1 over network, or using rsync to backup all files every week.
Wha I want is an secure encrypted and energy efficient NAS to save pictues, videos, make home dir backups, .... Raid 1 by Hardware would good for that. At the moment I am waiting for the release of HC1+ or HC2. I want to place it inside a 19" Rack, the cloudshell is to high for that it would use too much space inside the rack.
Wha I want is an secure encrypted and energy efficient NAS to save pictues, videos, make home dir backups, .... Raid 1 by Hardware would good for that. At the moment I am waiting for the release of HC1+ or HC2. I want to place it inside a 19" Rack, the cloudshell is to high for that it would use too much space inside the rack.
-
- Posts: 1134
- Joined: Tue Sep 01, 2015 8:54 am
- languages_spoken: english
- ODROIDs: XU4, N1
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
RAID is not a backup, you should rsync off site for a backup.Butterfly wrote:...secure encrypted and energy efficient NAS to save pictues, videos, make home dir backups, .... Raid 1 by Hardware would good for that. At the moment I am waiting for the release of HC1+ or HC2. I want to place it inside a 19" Rack, the cloudshell is to high for that it would use too much space inside the rack.
A XU4 and a few usb drives will fit.
Be aware of the crypo speed.
-
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2018 8:12 pm
- languages_spoken: english, german
- ODROIDs: XU4
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
I know that RAID 1 is not a backup. My backup is an external USB 3.0 drive. Raid 1 is good to have also all new data on a second disk, that a hardware problem of one disk will not destroy the newest data. The USB Backup disk is normally not in the same building with the NAS system.
I want to try to make a NAS with LUKS encryption. The 20MB/s would be enough for the beginning. I hope that there are kernel modules in the future available that support multi threading for the LUKS encryption.
One idea of me is to use two HC1. Two options:
- RAID 1 over network
- One is master the second one is a backup device, that makes an rsync every day
One other idea is to use one HC1, the backup disk is attached via the USB port. Sadly it is only USB 2.0 and there is no free USB port left than.
So I am waiting for the HC1+ / HC2 to see what is different. A 3.5" disk would be good to build a NAS with more than 5TB. Otherwise 2.5" disk with the HC1 are very energy efficient.
I want to try to make a NAS with LUKS encryption. The 20MB/s would be enough for the beginning. I hope that there are kernel modules in the future available that support multi threading for the LUKS encryption.
One idea of me is to use two HC1. Two options:
- RAID 1 over network
- One is master the second one is a backup device, that makes an rsync every day
One other idea is to use one HC1, the backup disk is attached via the USB port. Sadly it is only USB 2.0 and there is no free USB port left than.
So I am waiting for the HC1+ / HC2 to see what is different. A 3.5" disk would be good to build a NAS with more than 5TB. Otherwise 2.5" disk with the HC1 are very energy efficient.

- mad_ady
- Posts: 5226
- Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2015 5:00 pm
- languages_spoken: english
- ODROIDs: XU4, C1+, C2, N1
- Location: Bucharest, Romania
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
For a distributed filesystem with redundancy read the glusterfs articles in the past two odroid magazine issues.
The HC2 is bigger/bulky-er than the HC1 because its metal frame goes around the 3.5" disk. But it can dissipate more heat.
The HC2 is bigger/bulky-er than the HC1 because its metal frame goes around the 3.5" disk. But it can dissipate more heat.
-
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:59 am
- languages_spoken: english
- ODROIDs: HC1
- Contact:
HPCC Systems on HC-1 (was: Re: Stack-able micro computers
Just a quick note to say that I stumbled across the HC-1 last month and was really excited about its potential to be used as workers in an HPCC Systems big data processing cluster. (https://hpccsystems.com/). The Gigabit LAN, local SSD, low-power, faster ARMs, with more memory than similar lowest price units might make it viable for this type or application.
I ordered a couple HC1 units and paired each of them with a 128GB SSD dirve. With a few hurdles, I was able to compile the HPCC Systems software and have a running system with 16 slaves. A standard test I run is to analyse web log data to calculate which sequences of 3 pages (aka trios) are the most commonly visited. Though it took a while, the system had no problem calculating the top ten trios from a data set of 10 billion page visits.
The system runs stably, but isn't ready for serious benchmarking yet. The software is highly threaded, and there appears to be an issue with the futex() system call "appearing to do a busy wait". As a result, instead of the software running near 100% user time ... more than 50% of the time repored is system time (mostly running futex() calls). I'll post separately concerning that issue ... though I'm open to suggestions concerning which topic would be the most effective.
I ordered a couple HC1 units and paired each of them with a 128GB SSD dirve. With a few hurdles, I was able to compile the HPCC Systems software and have a running system with 16 slaves. A standard test I run is to analyse web log data to calculate which sequences of 3 pages (aka trios) are the most commonly visited. Though it took a while, the system had no problem calculating the top ten trios from a data set of 10 billion page visits.
The system runs stably, but isn't ready for serious benchmarking yet. The software is highly threaded, and there appears to be an issue with the futex() system call "appearing to do a busy wait". As a result, instead of the software running near 100% user time ... more than 50% of the time repored is system time (mostly running futex() calls). I'll post separately concerning that issue ... though I'm open to suggestions concerning which topic would be the most effective.
- mad_ady
- Posts: 5226
- Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2015 5:00 pm
- languages_spoken: english
- ODROIDs: XU4, C1+, C2, N1
- Location: Bucharest, Romania
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
Try running your program on the big cores so that threads running on the big cores don't have to wait for resources stuck on the little cores. Use cgroups or taskset to do it.
-
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2016 1:02 am
- languages_spoken: english
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
Hey Odroid,odroid wrote:Nope. the schedule is pushed to January due to some raw material lead time issues.golgoth wrote:Hello Odroid,
have the HC2 production been launched as planned?
Sorry about that.
has the raw material lead time issues bee solved or should i buy some C2 with my january budget?
keep up the good work

- mad_ady
- Posts: 5226
- Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2015 5:00 pm
- languages_spoken: english
- ODROIDs: XU4, C1+, C2, N1
- Location: Bucharest, Romania
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
I think HC2 will be announced (and ready for sale) starting with the end of this week or next week. I think @odroid mentioned this somewhere on the forum.
- odroid
- Site Admin
- Posts: 29651
- Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2013 11:14 pm
- languages_spoken: English
- ODROIDs: ODROID
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
The HC2 is available now.
ODROID-HC2
http://www.hardkernel.com/main/products ... 1505170472
12V/2A PSU
http://www.hardkernel.com/main/products ... 1578376044
Its power cords for EU
http://www.hardkernel.com/main/products ... 1579139694
for US
http://www.hardkernel.com/main/products ... 1579053456
for Asia
http://www.hardkernel.com/main/products ... 1578953390
Shield Cases (two colors)
http://www.hardkernel.com/main/products ... 1596669222
ODROID-HC2
http://www.hardkernel.com/main/products ... 1505170472
12V/2A PSU
http://www.hardkernel.com/main/products ... 1578376044
Its power cords for EU
http://www.hardkernel.com/main/products ... 1579139694
for US
http://www.hardkernel.com/main/products ... 1579053456
for Asia
http://www.hardkernel.com/main/products ... 1578953390
Shield Cases (two colors)
http://www.hardkernel.com/main/products ... 1596669222
- rooted
- Posts: 6256
- Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2014 9:12 am
- languages_spoken: english
- Location: Gulf of Mexico, US
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
Very nice, the 3.5" capability will surely be popular.
-
- Posts: 56
- Joined: Fri Nov 03, 2017 6:16 am
- languages_spoken: english, german
- ODROIDs: none (plans for XU4)
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
Great news, can you tell me if these products are shipped to the german distributors? If yes, when?odroid wrote:The HC2 is available now.
ODROID-HC2
http://www.hardkernel.com/main/products ... 1505170472
12V/2A PSU
http://www.hardkernel.com/main/products ... 1578376044
Its power cords for EU
http://www.hardkernel.com/main/products ... 1579139694
for US
http://www.hardkernel.com/main/products ... 1579053456
for Asia
http://www.hardkernel.com/main/products ... 1578953390
Shield Cases (two colors)
http://www.hardkernel.com/main/products ... 1596669222
I wanna buy it from pollin.de.
- odroid
- Site Admin
- Posts: 29651
- Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2013 11:14 pm
- languages_spoken: English
- ODROIDs: ODROID
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
Please contact Pollin to get a more accurate answer.trohn_javolta wrote: Great news, can you tell me if these products are shipped to the german distributors? If yes, when?
I wanna buy it from pollin.de.
-
- Posts: 56
- Joined: Fri Nov 03, 2017 6:16 am
- languages_spoken: english, german
- ODROIDs: none (plans for XU4)
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
I did, but did not get a reply from them. That's why I asked here. I figured if you will/have ship(ped) units to them they'll put it in their assortment.odroid wrote:Please contact Pollin to get a more accurate answer.trohn_javolta wrote: Great news, can you tell me if these products are shipped to the german distributors? If yes, when?
I wanna buy it from pollin.de.
-
- Posts: 524
- Joined: Mon May 18, 2015 12:13 am
- languages_spoken: english, german
- ODROIDs: C1, C1+, C2, HC1, HC2, VU8C
- Location: Germany
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
Yeah, sometimes it can be hard to get support from Pollin. I wrote them three times to get an information about the availability schedule of the VU8C: the first two times with no reaction at all, the third time I told them that their support su*ks and that I gonna buy it elsewhere. After this third mail, I got answer on the same daytrohn_javolta wrote:I did, but did not get a reply from them. That's why I asked here. I figured if you will/have ship(ped) units to them they'll put it in their assortment.odroid wrote: Please contact Pollin to get a more accurate answer.

What worked for me was to send my message to Pollin from within the "Verbesserungsvorschlag" category, while "Fragen zur Buchhaltung" seems not work at all.
-
- Posts: 56
- Joined: Fri Nov 03, 2017 6:16 am
- languages_spoken: english, german
- ODROIDs: none (plans for XU4)
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
I sent an email directly to service@pollin.de. Thx, I'm gonna try send the message within this category.Jojo wrote:Yeah, sometimes it can be hard to get support from Pollin. I wrote them three times to get an information about the availability schedule of the VU8C: the first two times with no reaction at all, the third time I told them that their support su*ks and that I gonna buy it elsewhere. After this third mail, I got answer on the same daytrohn_javolta wrote:I did, but did not get a reply from them. That's why I asked here. I figured if you will/have ship(ped) units to them they'll put it in their assortment.odroid wrote: Please contact Pollin to get a more accurate answer.. They told me that they did not receive my first two messages... ridiculous.
What worked for me was to send my message to Pollin from within the "Verbesserungsvorschlag" category, while "Fragen zur Buchhaltung" seems not work at all.
I see the touch display is avaiable now. Do you recall how long it took from hardkernel product release to avaiability on pollin?
-
- Posts: 524
- Joined: Mon May 18, 2015 12:13 am
- languages_spoken: english, german
- ODROIDs: C1, C1+, C2, HC1, HC2, VU8C
- Location: Germany
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
@trohn_javolta:
I propose that you send me a PM, because this is gonna be too much off-topic.
I propose that you send me a PM, because this is gonna be too much off-topic.
- odroid
- Site Admin
- Posts: 29651
- Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2013 11:14 pm
- languages_spoken: English
- ODROIDs: ODROID
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
I've checked with our sales division and Pollin already ordered HC2 products.
But we have no idea when they start to sell.
But we have no idea when they start to sell.
-
- Posts: 524
- Joined: Mon May 18, 2015 12:13 am
- languages_spoken: english, german
- ODROIDs: C1, C1+, C2, HC1, HC2, VU8C
- Location: Germany
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
@odroid
Ok, thanks! We asked that to Pollin as well, but the information is actually not clear. But at least they are aware of the new product, so we can be sure, that it well be available sooner or later
Ok, thanks! We asked that to Pollin as well, but the information is actually not clear. But at least they are aware of the new product, so we can be sure, that it well be available sooner or later

-
- Posts: 327
- Joined: Thu Sep 03, 2015 1:13 pm
- languages_spoken: english
- ODROIDs: XU3, XU4, C2, C1+, Cloudshell, Smart Power
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
I don't know if this has been asked, but why are these and other new products based on the XU3/XU4 rather than the C2?
- memeka
- Posts: 4143
- Joined: Mon May 20, 2013 10:22 am
- languages_spoken: english
- ODROIDs: XU rev2 + eMMC + UART
U3 + eMMC + IO Shield + UART - Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
because XU3/XU4 has a USB3 interface which allows a SATA connection, C2 does not.campbell wrote:I don't know if this has been asked, but why are these and other new products based on the XU3/XU4 rather than the C2?
also XU3/4's CPU is more powerful, and the GPU is more powerful too.
Images: U2/U3 Trusty Dev Center | XU Trusty Dev Center | XU4 Hipster Stretchy Pants
Information: U2/U3 Dashboard | XU Dashboard
Say thank you with a beer
Information: U2/U3 Dashboard | XU Dashboard
Say thank you with a beer
-
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Wed Nov 15, 2017 3:55 am
- languages_spoken: english
- ODROIDs: C2, XU4, HC1, MC1
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
Add to that - the XU4 has better kernel level software software support from the chip vendor. Clustering platforms like Docker Swarm and Kubernetes play better with mainline kernel, which is not generally available on c2 (at least not available in a stable form).memeka wrote:because XU3/XU4 has a USB3 interface which allows a SATA connection, C2 does not.campbell wrote:I don't know if this has been asked, but why are these and other new products based on the XU3/XU4 rather than the C2?
also XU3/4's CPU is more powerful, and the GPU is more powerful too.
One advantage to the C2 is its ARM64 architecture. While 64-bit isn't all that important in a small soc with small memory footprint, there are some important software packages whose 32-bit versions are fairly hobbled (like MongoDB) and a growing set that are not even being built with 32-bit binary distributions anymore.
-
- Posts: 524
- Joined: Mon May 18, 2015 12:13 am
- languages_spoken: english, german
- ODROIDs: C1, C1+, C2, HC1, HC2, VU8C
- Location: Germany
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
I got answer from Pollin: the HC2 will be available there in ~3 weeks.Jojo wrote:@odroid
Ok, thanks! We asked that to Pollin as well, but the information is actually not clear. But at least they are aware of the new product, so we can be sure, that it well be available sooner or later
Greetings
-
- Posts: 327
- Joined: Thu Sep 03, 2015 1:13 pm
- languages_spoken: english
- ODROIDs: XU3, XU4, C2, C1+, Cloudshell, Smart Power
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
It's stable for headless usage, which definitely applies to this sort of product.PigLover wrote:Clustering platforms like Docker Swarm and Kubernetes play better with mainline kernel, which is not generally available on c2 (at least not available in a stable form).
-
- Posts: 524
- Joined: Mon May 18, 2015 12:13 am
- languages_spoken: english, german
- ODROIDs: C1, C1+, C2, HC1, HC2, VU8C
- Location: Germany
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
Hello,
the HC2 is now available at Pollin in Germany:
https://www.pollin.de/p/odroid-hc2-einp ... gen-810851
Greetings
the HC2 is now available at Pollin in Germany:
https://www.pollin.de/p/odroid-hc2-einp ... gen-810851
Greetings
-
- Posts: 671
- Joined: Mon Nov 09, 2015 12:30 am
- languages_spoken: english
- ODROIDs: C1+, C2, XU4, HC1
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
Let's hope the PSU they recommend https://www.pollin.de/p/tischnetzteil-1 ... hc2-810853 is as stable with 2.5A consumption peaks like Hardkernel's own '2A' 12V PSU...Jojo wrote:the HC2 is now available at Pollin in Germany:
https://www.pollin.de/p/odroid-hc2-einp ... gen-810851
- odroid
- Site Admin
- Posts: 29651
- Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2013 11:14 pm
- languages_spoken: English
- ODROIDs: ODROID
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
It is the same PSU what we've tested. 

-
- Posts: 56
- Joined: Fri Nov 03, 2017 6:16 am
- languages_spoken: english, german
- ODROIDs: none (plans for XU4)
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
I hope my universal psu can handle that: http://www.ansmann.de/produkte/ladegera ... aps-2250-ltkaiser wrote:Let's hope the PSU they recommend https://www.pollin.de/p/tischnetzteil-1 ... hc2-810853 is as stable with 2.5A consumption peaks like Hardkernel's own '2A' 12V PSU...Jojo wrote:the HC2 is now available at Pollin in Germany:
https://www.pollin.de/p/odroid-hc2-einp ... gen-810851
I overread the mentioning of the 2.5A peaks and since odroid recommends a 2A psu and mine puts out 2,25A I thought it's fine.
-
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Sat Apr 14, 2018 11:05 pm
- languages_spoken: english
- ODROIDs: Just bought 4 XU4's
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
I might be completely unqualified to make this suggestion -- after all, I just bought my first 4 XU4's for R&D. But given that, let me toss out my wish list for the MC2:
I like the 4 high. It is a good size for me to built out a frame for.
background: I liked the photo you had of the 4x4 with the one power supply, but that is where my issue started. I have built out a lot of data-centers. The biggest pain in the butt is the power and network cables. That is the make-or-break of most data-centers. I'm looking at the potential of building out a beowulf-based set of clusters that would use each MC1 as a cluster. I'd have, say a group of ten of them at each site.
What I'd love to see would be the MC1 where:
* the four boards are already connected to a single power line,
* the fan is also connected to the power line,
* a 5-port gigabit switch is connected, as a 5th item (top or bottom).
The questions then come up as what kind of power connection would go to the 6 units (the four boards, switch, and fan)? The most universal option would be a 110/240 unit; you could even sell one. Y'all are pretty sharp in creating the XU4 to begin with, so I'm betting y'all can come up with an elegant solution. But the "neatness" of only having two cords going to the unit (the network and the power) would make it much more versatile. Perhaps not everyone would need or want it. But it if was an option, I would certainly get it. This could allow me to connect the ten MC2's to a single 12-port gigabit switch/router, and one UPS, and have a clean "data-center" on a shelf.
BTW: I ordered my units last night from ameridroid. I'm hoping this can become the new direction we take. Thanks!
I like the 4 high. It is a good size for me to built out a frame for.
background: I liked the photo you had of the 4x4 with the one power supply, but that is where my issue started. I have built out a lot of data-centers. The biggest pain in the butt is the power and network cables. That is the make-or-break of most data-centers. I'm looking at the potential of building out a beowulf-based set of clusters that would use each MC1 as a cluster. I'd have, say a group of ten of them at each site.
What I'd love to see would be the MC1 where:
* the four boards are already connected to a single power line,
* the fan is also connected to the power line,
* a 5-port gigabit switch is connected, as a 5th item (top or bottom).
The questions then come up as what kind of power connection would go to the 6 units (the four boards, switch, and fan)? The most universal option would be a 110/240 unit; you could even sell one. Y'all are pretty sharp in creating the XU4 to begin with, so I'm betting y'all can come up with an elegant solution. But the "neatness" of only having two cords going to the unit (the network and the power) would make it much more versatile. Perhaps not everyone would need or want it. But it if was an option, I would certainly get it. This could allow me to connect the ten MC2's to a single 12-port gigabit switch/router, and one UPS, and have a clean "data-center" on a shelf.
BTW: I ordered my units last night from ameridroid. I'm hoping this can become the new direction we take. Thanks!
- odroid
- Site Admin
- Posts: 29651
- Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2013 11:14 pm
- languages_spoken: English
- ODROIDs: ODROID
- Contact:
-
- Posts: 671
- Joined: Mon Nov 09, 2015 12:30 am
- languages_spoken: english
- ODROIDs: C1+, C2, XU4, HC1
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
But it should be noted that software/settings matter. The +100 MB/s shown in the test require good software support (kernel and low level settings). With 'distros' that do not take care of the important stuff performance can drop down to below 40 MB/s: http://dietpi.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=2686#p11652odroid wrote:Very nice review and demo with HC1 & HC2.
Re: Stack-able micro computers
I power my cluster off a single 180W 19V power brick. I've got a buck converter for each of the boards: http://i.imgur.com/peg0YfN.jpg - it might be a bit more DIY than you want, but it was my only solution as I also don't want multiple power bricks.
-
- Posts: 53
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2016 12:17 pm
- languages_spoken: Southern US English
- ODROIDs: :
XU4 -> CloudShell, BoomBonnet,
eMMC64/Ubuntu
eMMC16/Armbian
C2 -> VU7, HiFiShield2
SD/Ubuntu
eMMC16/Armbian
HC1 -> http://ww2.tech-party.us
SD/Ubuntu
SD/Armbian
. - Location: Howey In The Hills, FL
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
@JenniferT The only caveat I would give to others about your (quite neatly done) approach of converters is that many of those units put out an immense amount of digital noise, especially when approaching their ratings. I found that keeping this kind of cheap converter below 50% of its rating reduces the hash they give off. If you have a shortwave radio receiver around you will see the 's' meter slowly rise as you load the converter. I've had a couple of these so noisy they actually glitched my XU4.
Looks like you put in some decent bypassing. You seem to have a grasp of power tech, but a lot of SBC experimenters take power as binary - there or not. Noise and other issues sting them in the forms of glitching, write errors, video faults, etc. It's hard to tie those errors to power as they aren't so obvious.
We test the daylights out of power here as we've found it to be the root of a large percentage of issues that people think are actually data problems. Clean power rules especially with SBC's as they expect the filtering to be done at the PS level.
For those of you wanting to experiment with this kind of power converter, read about 'bypass capacitors' and try to get a unit that is rated twice what you expect to draw from it. The Chinese are notorious for ratings called 'max' that really means 'it burns out at this level.' So if your SBC is rated for 2A draw, put a 4A converter on it! (The HC1 peaks at 3A, so a '2A' converter would eventually fail at boot... http://com.odroid.com/sigong/blog/blog_list.php?bid=189)
I would suggest acquiring a simple DC electronic load and a decent voltmeter. It will go a long way to 'prove' your power system can handle the draw and I bet you learn a crapload about it! A simple set of resistors if you know ohms law well or something like this https://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_nkw= ... 2749.l2658 is cheap enough to give you some insight to your power.
.
Looks like you put in some decent bypassing. You seem to have a grasp of power tech, but a lot of SBC experimenters take power as binary - there or not. Noise and other issues sting them in the forms of glitching, write errors, video faults, etc. It's hard to tie those errors to power as they aren't so obvious.
We test the daylights out of power here as we've found it to be the root of a large percentage of issues that people think are actually data problems. Clean power rules especially with SBC's as they expect the filtering to be done at the PS level.
For those of you wanting to experiment with this kind of power converter, read about 'bypass capacitors' and try to get a unit that is rated twice what you expect to draw from it. The Chinese are notorious for ratings called 'max' that really means 'it burns out at this level.' So if your SBC is rated for 2A draw, put a 4A converter on it! (The HC1 peaks at 3A, so a '2A' converter would eventually fail at boot... http://com.odroid.com/sigong/blog/blog_list.php?bid=189)
I would suggest acquiring a simple DC electronic load and a decent voltmeter. It will go a long way to 'prove' your power system can handle the draw and I bet you learn a crapload about it! A simple set of resistors if you know ohms law well or something like this https://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_nkw= ... 2749.l2658 is cheap enough to give you some insight to your power.
.
What box?
- rooted
- Posts: 6256
- Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2014 9:12 am
- languages_spoken: english
- Location: Gulf of Mexico, US
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
Nice bolo, is that a Polar bear?
-
- Posts: 53
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2016 12:17 pm
- languages_spoken: Southern US English
- ODROIDs: :
XU4 -> CloudShell, BoomBonnet,
eMMC64/Ubuntu
eMMC16/Armbian
C2 -> VU7, HiFiShield2
SD/Ubuntu
eMMC16/Armbian
HC1 -> http://ww2.tech-party.us
SD/Ubuntu
SD/Armbian
. - Location: Howey In The Hills, FL
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
Not entirely sure - about 30 years ago an elderly Native American approached my mother out of no where and told her "Take this, one day it will give your son power." Some years back, I went as an underdog to a heavy hitter meeting. I cleaned up and left a grey goat on my face, wore a three piece pin-stripped suit and that bolo ... The 'Southern Gentleman' walked away with the contract ;]
I know I've seen that bear symbol before but I have no clue where. Pewter and Turquoise, nice!
I know I've seen that bear symbol before but I have no clue where. Pewter and Turquoise, nice!
What box?
- rooted
- Posts: 6256
- Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2014 9:12 am
- languages_spoken: english
- Location: Gulf of Mexico, US
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
Even better story 

- odroid
- Site Admin
- Posts: 29651
- Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2013 11:14 pm
- languages_spoken: English
- ODROIDs: ODROID
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
Very impressive HC2 application. 200TB storage on GlusterFS
!
https://www.reddit.com/r/DataHoarder/co ... hc2_build/


https://www.reddit.com/r/DataHoarder/co ... hc2_build/

-
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2018 2:58 pm
- languages_spoken: english
- ODROIDs: Many ODroid HC1s
- Contact:
HC1 Duty Cycle - Is it safe to run HC1 at 100% duty cycl ind
@ODroid
We have several HC1s and want to stack them like an MC1 COMPUTE stack that "just happens" to have attached storage.
We would like to run these HC1s as a compute farm at maximum processor speeds for days or weeks at a time and are concerned about silicon breakdown.
As a test:
We ran DietPi just for testing individual devices. DietPi has a CPU test named `stress` that will run all 8 processors at 100% while monitoring temperatures.
We ran a set of tests on one device at 85º C ambient temperatures, and then again at 65º C ambient temperatures -- with **No cooling fan••.
In both sets of tests the on-chip temperature rises consistently over the course of about 5 minutes until the chip hits 90º C, and then the on-chip temps are constant (89-91º) throughout the duration of the test.
While the test was running at 90º C we also ran the DietPi `cpu` command which tests the CPU speeds and temperature. According to this tool, the ARM is running 1400/2000 for all cores during the test.
So unless there is some other test we should run, it looks like the cores are not throttling down to maintain the 90º C temperatures.
We plan to mount the devices in a custom wind-tunnel-like enclosure with a large high-CubicFeetPerMinute fan, but in preliminary tests with a fan we only saw a few degrees lower on-chip temperatures.
Based on the tests, It seems like the ARM chip in these HC1s basically lives at 90º C when it is under full load.
However, the DietPi software CPU test specifically gives the user scary warnings any time the temperature is above 50-60º :
Temp | Warning: 71'c : 159'f | Reducing the life of your device.
Temp | Warning: 90'c : 194'f | Reducing the life of your device.
We tried to google for the ARM SOC specs, but it seems like they are only available under an NDA, so we couldn't read them ourselves.
So, asking the question again directly to @ODroid since they should know the SOC specs and also whether their engineering of the heatsinks will prevent damage at 100% duty cycle:
1) Is the HC1 / HC2 / MC1 at risk for any silicon breakdown by running all processors at 100% duty cycle for days or weeks at a time?
2) Are there any other components (SATA controller, power regulator, GBit Ethernet controller) that are at risk for overheating or destruction at 100% load?
In case others are interested, here are the results from the tests we ran:
This is what it looks like right when the `stress` test is just starting up:
And here is what it looks like at about 150 seconds (2 minutes):
Here are the ending statistics for runs of 1, 5, and 30 minutes
1 Minute:
5 minute test:
30 minute test
We have several HC1s and want to stack them like an MC1 COMPUTE stack that "just happens" to have attached storage.
We would like to run these HC1s as a compute farm at maximum processor speeds for days or weeks at a time and are concerned about silicon breakdown.
As a test:
We ran DietPi just for testing individual devices. DietPi has a CPU test named `stress` that will run all 8 processors at 100% while monitoring temperatures.
We ran a set of tests on one device at 85º C ambient temperatures, and then again at 65º C ambient temperatures -- with **No cooling fan••.
In both sets of tests the on-chip temperature rises consistently over the course of about 5 minutes until the chip hits 90º C, and then the on-chip temps are constant (89-91º) throughout the duration of the test.
While the test was running at 90º C we also ran the DietPi `cpu` command which tests the CPU speeds and temperature. According to this tool, the ARM is running 1400/2000 for all cores during the test.
So unless there is some other test we should run, it looks like the cores are not throttling down to maintain the 90º C temperatures.
We plan to mount the devices in a custom wind-tunnel-like enclosure with a large high-CubicFeetPerMinute fan, but in preliminary tests with a fan we only saw a few degrees lower on-chip temperatures.
Based on the tests, It seems like the ARM chip in these HC1s basically lives at 90º C when it is under full load.
However, the DietPi software CPU test specifically gives the user scary warnings any time the temperature is above 50-60º :
Temp | Warning: 71'c : 159'f | Reducing the life of your device.
Temp | Warning: 90'c : 194'f | Reducing the life of your device.
We tried to google for the ARM SOC specs, but it seems like they are only available under an NDA, so we couldn't read them ourselves.
So, asking the question again directly to @ODroid since they should know the SOC specs and also whether their engineering of the heatsinks will prevent damage at 100% duty cycle:
1) Is the HC1 / HC2 / MC1 at risk for any silicon breakdown by running all processors at 100% duty cycle for days or weeks at a time?
2) Are there any other components (SATA controller, power regulator, GBit Ethernet controller) that are at risk for overheating or destruction at 100% load?
In case others are interested, here are the results from the tests we ran:
This is what it looks like right when the `stress` test is just starting up:
Code: Select all
Temp | 51'c : 123'f | Running warm, but safe.
Governor | ondemand
Throttle up | 50% CPU usage
Current Freq Min Freq Max Freq
CPU0 | 200 MHz 200 MHz 1400 MHz
CPU1 | 300 MHz 200 MHz 1400 MHz
CPU2 | 200 MHz 200 MHz 1400 MHz
CPU3 | 200 MHz 200 MHz 1400 MHz
CPU4 | 2000 MHz 200 MHz 2000 MHz
CPU5 | 2000 MHz 200 MHz 2000 MHz
CPU6 | 2000 MHz 200 MHz 2000 MHz
CPU7 | 2000 MHz 200 MHz 2000 MHz
Code: Select all
Temp | [color=#FF0000]Warning: 71'c : 159'f | Reducing the life of your device.[/color]
Governor | ondemand
Throttle up | 50% CPU usage
Current Freq Min Freq Max Freq
CPU0 | 1400 MHz 200 MHz 1400 MHz
CPU1 | 1400 MHz 200 MHz 1400 MHz
CPU2 | 1400 MHz 200 MHz 1400 MHz
CPU3 | 1400 MHz 200 MHz 1400 MHz
CPU4 | 2000 MHz 200 MHz 2000 MHz
CPU5 | 2000 MHz 200 MHz 2000 MHz
CPU6 | 2000 MHz 200 MHz 2000 MHz
CPU7 | 2000 MHz 200 MHz 2000 MHz
Here are the ending statistics for runs of 1, 5, and 30 minutes
1 Minute:
Code: Select all
│ Stress test results: │
│ - Start Time: Mon 25 Jun 09:29:18 BST 2018 │
│ - End Time : Mon 25 Jun 09:30:19 BST 2018 │
│ - Duration : 61 seconds │
│ - Min Temp : 56 'c │
│ - Max Temp : 78 'c │
│ - log : /root/dietpi-config_stress.log │
5 minute test:
Code: Select all
│ Stress test results: │
│ - Start Time: Mon 25 Jun 09:32:02 BST 2018 │
│ - End Time : Mon 25 Jun 09:37:03 BST 2018 │
│ - Duration : 301 seconds │
│ - Min Temp : 57 'c │
│ - Max Temp : 85 'c │
│ - log : /root/dietpi-config_stress.log │
Code: Select all
Mon 25 Jun 10:08:24 BST 2018 | 90'c | 59 seconds remaining
Mon 25 Jun 10:08:26 BST 2018 | 90'c | 57 seconds remaining
Mon 25 Jun 10:08:27 BST 2018 | 88'c | 56 seconds remaining
Mon 25 Jun 10:08:29 BST 2018 | 90'c | 54 seconds remaining
...
│ Stress test results: │
│ - Start Time: Mon 25 Jun 09:39:23 BST 2018 │
│ - End Time : Mon 25 Jun 10:09:24 BST 2018 │
│ - Duration : 1801 seconds │
│ - Min Temp : 58 'c │
│ - Max Temp : 91 'c │
│ - log : /root/dietpi-config_stress.log │
- mad_ady
- Posts: 5226
- Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2015 5:00 pm
- languages_spoken: english
- ODROIDs: XU4, C1+, C2, N1
- Location: Bucharest, Romania
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
It should be ok for extended load - some people are mining on them 24/7.
The problems are - a unit running full load will age quicker than an idle unit (e.g. you may need to clean/replace the thermal paste every year). There's an article by hominid in Odroid Magazine about long term maintenance.
One other problem will be heat going into your hdd/storage and prevent it from cooling, so see how your storage survives.
The problems are - a unit running full load will age quicker than an idle unit (e.g. you may need to clean/replace the thermal paste every year). There's an article by hominid in Odroid Magazine about long term maintenance.
One other problem will be heat going into your hdd/storage and prevent it from cooling, so see how your storage survives.
-
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2018 2:58 pm
- languages_spoken: english
- ODROIDs: Many ODroid HC1s
- Contact:
Re: HC1 Duty Cycle - Is it safe to run HC1 at 100% duty cy
@mad_ady,
Thank you for the info about the article from hominid. He basically is running the devices at 1.7Ghz and then monitoring the temperatures to keep them in the on-chip range of 70-75ªC.
Before your answer I never even considered that the heatsink thermal paste might need **changing** periodically. So, thanks for that insight.
I may actually go back and check some Intel CPU's that I run hard to see if they need attention.
We will try to run some tests with hominid's 1.7Ghz limit and see if we can keep the temps in his range.
Hominid was also concurrently using the GPUs for Mining, but in our case we won't be using the GPU's, so we might be able to increase the clock speed and compensate with a high volume of airflow.
Thanks again.
Thank you for the info about the article from hominid. He basically is running the devices at 1.7Ghz and then monitoring the temperatures to keep them in the on-chip range of 70-75ªC.
Before your answer I never even considered that the heatsink thermal paste might need **changing** periodically. So, thanks for that insight.
I may actually go back and check some Intel CPU's that I run hard to see if they need attention.
We will try to run some tests with hominid's 1.7Ghz limit and see if we can keep the temps in his range.
Hominid was also concurrently using the GPUs for Mining, but in our case we won't be using the GPU's, so we might be able to increase the clock speed and compensate with a high volume of airflow.
Thanks again.
-
- Posts: 322
- Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2016 10:19 am
- languages_spoken: english
- ODROIDs: XU4, N1
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
It's also possible to manipulate the thermal control into managing the clock speeds for you rather than having to clamp the max clock down manually. This allows the device to get higher clock speeds if the load/thermals allow but while aiming for a lower overall temp than the defaults target (90C). This command should get you in the 70-75C range for long term loads 

Code: Select all
echo 69000 | sudo tee /sys/devices/virtual/thermal/thermal_zone0/trip_point_4_temp /sys/devices/virtual/thermal/thermal_zone1/trip_point_4_temp /sys/devices/virtual/thermal/thermal_zone2/trip_point_4_temp /sys/devices/virtual/thermal/thermal_zone3/trip_point_4_temp & echo 75000 | sudo tee /sys/devices/virtual/thermal/thermal_zone0/trip_point_5_temp /sys/devices/virtual/thermal/thermal_zone1/trip_point_5_temp /sys/devices/virtual/thermal/thermal_zone2/trip_point_5_temp /sys/devices/virtual/thermal/thermal_zone3/trip_point_5_temp
-
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Wed Jul 04, 2018 6:52 pm
- languages_spoken: english
- Contact:
-
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2018 2:58 pm
- languages_spoken: english
- ODROIDs: Many ODroid HC1s
- Contact:
Re: HC1 Duty Cycle - Is it safe to run HC1 at 100% duty cy
@DarkBahamut: Sorry, didn't see your post until today.
We will try it to see if we can get the HC1 to run at lower temps with that.
Thank you for the script
Tact123
We will try it to see if we can get the HC1 to run at lower temps with that.
Thank you for the script
Tact123
-
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2018 6:49 am
- languages_spoken: english
- ODROIDs: XU4
- Contact:
Re: Stack-able micro computers
I am completely new to Odroid, I have some recent, limited experience of Raspberry Pi and have used Linux distros extensively in the 90's and 00's, but this is exciting stuff! My first Odroid hasn't been delivered and I'm thinking of my next purchase already. Great work and 4gb memory sounds about right!
I have been reading about and have purchased a couple of 3.5V peltier cooling plates to test on a Raspberry Pi, i doubt I can use them as first envisaged as a heat sink sitting directly on the cpu, but I wonder if you might not mount one connected to the steel cases behind the large fan on a four stack? Would the cooling effect on the cases assist in overall temperature reduction?
I have been reading about and have purchased a couple of 3.5V peltier cooling plates to test on a Raspberry Pi, i doubt I can use them as first envisaged as a heat sink sitting directly on the cpu, but I wonder if you might not mount one connected to the steel cases behind the large fan on a four stack? Would the cooling effect on the cases assist in overall temperature reduction?
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest