COTX FluxNode - CUMULUS Device User Manual

Created by Eason Chen, Modified on Wed, 08 Mar 2023 at 03:27 PM by Eason Chen

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Unboxing
Product Features
Hardware Specifications
COTX Fluxnode Requirements
Setup
FluxNode - Port Forwarding Setup

Unboxing

COTX Fluxnode includes the following items:

-COTX Fluxnode SBC Server (zimaboard server)

-12 VDC Power Supply

-3 x region power plugs (one of which will work for your region)

-SBC power+sata cable for SSD Disk

-SSD Disk (preconfigured) - Do not format the SSD, or change the SSD configuration. This SSD has been pre-configured and can only been used as FluxNode storage.

The SSD Disk in each package is particularly for that FluxNode in the same box, it can not be used for any other FluxNodes. So if you have purchased multiple COTX FluxNode - CUMULUS simultaneously, make sure the SSD disk and the FluxNode are strictly 1:1 mapping.

Device assembly will require absolutely no tools and is extremely simple. Please read the steps below and your COTX Fluxnode should be ready to run in no time.

◦Remove the SBC from packaging.

◦Power+SATA cable is also inside the same box as the SBC.

◦Power adapter is shipped in a separate box. Remove from box, unpack the three included power plug heads and match (twist lock) the one that is specific for your region.

◦Locate the included SSD (Solid State drive) and plugin the SSD to SBC like so:

◦Use the Ethernet cable to connect your new COTX Fluxnode to your internet router. Please see image below:

◦Plugin power adapter to power source and other end (barrel plug) into the COTX Fluxnode SBC device.

The SSD Disk PCI cord is in the internal side of the zimaboard package, please find it carefully.

Product Features

Powerful Web 3.0 Platform: FluxOS is a revolutionary second-layer operating system that allows DAPPS to run on Flux’s fully decentralized computational network in an efficient, safe, and optimal way.

Easy to Install: COTX has optimized and simplified the FluxOS installation process by removing all the complexities and expertise required during setup. Upon receiving your COTX Fluxnode, you will need to log in to COTX Hotspot Cloud Service and pair your device to our portal (instructions provided). Input the necessary information (your Zel ID, your Node transaction ID….. into our cloud portal Flux Node setup page). Once you confirm and submit this information, our cloud service will configure the Flux Node for you. Yes, you read all of this correctly, no commands to run, no Linux knowledge required. Just an easy to deploy, easy to run and even easier on your electric bill; node that will run perfectly and silently (passive cooling – 0 moving parts on board).

COTX Unique Fast Sync: By COTX Fast Sync, you do not need to wait hours/days to finish Flux blockchain syncing during the installation. COTX Fast Sync can help you quickly complete this blockchain syncing step.

High Deployment Density: You can deploy multiple nodes in one site.

High Performance and Low Power Consumption: With an full X86/64 processor, high performance on board RAM and expandable storage capacity, COTX – Flux Node - CUMULUS can support many web3.0 Flux dApps. Also, the COTX – Flux Node is very low power consumption, TDP 6W.

Bundle SSD storage: COTX Flux Node will be shipped as a bundled, ready to go unit. We will include a name brand high performance solid state disk which is tested and known to surpass Flux Node benchmarks.

High Passive Income and ROI: Flux has a pretty high passive income in the current cryptocurrency market, much higher than regular web 3.0 mining apps. Flux Economics and Potential Rewards.

More Passive income by running dApps on your FluxNode: You can choose to run some dApps on top of your FluxNode to get more passive income, e.g. PreSearch, DesoNode etc.

24x7 Customer Service: Very low cost per month 24x7x365 customer support.

Hardware Specifications

Intel Celeron Processor 'Apollo Lake', N3450

4 Cores

1.1GHz base frequency

2.2GHz Burst

2MB L2 cache

Memory, LPDDR4: 8GB

Storage, eMMC 5.1: 32GB; 250GB SSD Drive;

Linux OS (customized)

Intel® HD Graphics 500: 200MHz Base Frequency, 700MHz Burs

Display: 1x Mini-DisplayPort 1.2 4k@60Hz

TDP 6W, DC 12V 5.5x2.5mm

Interface:

1x PCle 2.0 x4

2x USB 3.0

2x GbE LAN Ports

2x SATA 6.0 Gb/s Ports

Dimensions: (W x D x H) 138.7 x 81.4 x 34.9 mm

Weight: 278g

Other Feature: Passive Cooling

Intel VT-d, VT-x, AES-NI

Support 4K video transcoding

H.264 (AVC), H.265 (HEVC), MPEG-2, VC-1

COTX Fluxnode Requirements

Power Requirements

Similar to any server or even general computing devices, COTX Fluxnode requires stable/redundant power. Think of this node as your very private microserver with all the benefits of a full scale server platform (X86/64) while leaving out excessive server fan noise, big form factor and not to forget the even bigger power bill.

FLUX node rewards are based on a rank system. You can observe the total number of Flux Cumulus tier nodes on the network by visiting COTX Cloud portal and check your COTX Flxunode status page:

As you can see, at this point in time (12/28/2022 02:01) there are 10670 CUMULUS nodes running on FLUX network where as our test FLUX node’s rank is 9999. Since each FLUX block is mined every 2 minutes, so that means our test node will be at 1st position in:

9999 X 2 = 19998 Minutes

or 333.3 Hours

or 13.8875 Days

Each time your FLUX node looses power it will have up to 160 blocks (320 minutes) before the next check is ran by FLUX Network. If your FLUX node is still offline then it will be set as offline in your wallet. At this point your node has forefeit its current rank for block reward. Imagine loosing power and having your FLUX node go offline when you are rank #1. That’s almost two weeks of wait time just to be sent to the back of the line emtpy handed :-(

COTX Fluxnode consumes a nominal 6w of power. This calculates to around $7.00 USD per year in power at $0.14/kwh (average power cost of a US residential household). Our device produces minimal heat, is passively cooled and is very much energy friendly. A cheap UPS/Battery backup will go a very long way for this unit.

Low energy cost. Average power cost (per kilowatt hour) considered in USD ($) at $0.14 or 14 cents/kwh for example:

E(kWh/day) = P(W) × t(h/day) / 1000(W/kW)

0.144(kWh/day) = 6(W) × 24(h/day) / 1000(W/kW)

Cost($/day) = E(kWh/day) × Cost(cent/kWh) / 100(cent/$)

$0.02016($/day) = 0.144(kWh/day) × 14(cent/kWh) / 100(cent/$)

At 14 cents/kwh electric cost, running a COTX Flux Node would cost you $0.02016 per day, $0.6048 per month and therefore $7.3585 per year.

Internet Requirements

COTX FLUX “CUMULUS” tier node requires a minumum of 25 mbps download speed and 25 mbps upload speed. The upload/download minimum are required or your FLUX node will fail its benchmarks i.e. get disqualified from FLUX Network. Similar to power, internet has to be reliable and pass the minimum upload/download speed benchmark each time.

It is highly advised to verify this part via multiple methods. Most nodes will fail benchmarks due to inconsistent bandwidth.

Run multiple speed tests using your ISP speed test utility and or by visiting sites such as:

- https://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/

- https://www.speedtest.net/

ZelCore Wallet

Downloading ZelCore wallet couldn’t possibly get any easier. Simply visit: https://zelcore.io/ to reach the ZelCore Wallet download page. Depending on your operating system, download the appropriate executable. For windows its as easy as downloading the ZelCore Wallet EXE file and then executing the file. Mac setup is almost the same and personal favorite Linux users can download and install ZelCore for Debian derivative operating systems such as Debian, Ubuntu. In addition to the above, ZelCore is also available in the Android & IOS app stores.

Once installation is completed, start the wallet by executing its launcher (icon). ZelCore wallet first run is quite self explanatory and will guide you through setting up your non custodial wallet username, password, two factor authentication. Please make sure to store your wallet username, password and 2FA in a very safe place and of course don't forget to remember where you save this information.

FLUX Coins - FLUX Collateral

You will need to lock 1000 FLUX coins into your Fluxnode collateral for your node to get stood up. FLUX can be purchased off of an array of exchanges in today's market as FLUX is widely recognized as a stable and reliable crypto currency.

FLUX is available on a few different networks as well i.e. FLUX-BSC (FLUX Binance Smart Chain), FLUX-ETH (FLUX Ethereum Chain) etc. These assets can be purchased from their respective exchanges and then sent to your ZelCore wallet. Additionally ZelCore wallet itself allows purchasing FLUX from within the wallet (payment via debit card).

If you purchased FLUX coins from an exchange then sent over to your wallet then make sure to send over the correct chain. You will need to use ZelCore FUSION (under APPS) to convert over your FLUX derivative coins to FLUX native coins. Only FLUX native coins can be used for running Fluxnode.

Reference: https://runonflux.io/flux-nodes.html

Setup

(1) Initial setup and obtaining device Gateway ID

Once the device is powered on & connected to the internet via Ethernet cable; it will start its first run process. During this process the node will fast sync itself to the Flux blockchain, obtain and install any Flux updates.

Since the device is connected via Ethernet cable, you will need to access the device local dashboard to obtain your device Gateway ID. Getting your device LAN IP address can be done in a few simple ways:

-Access your internet gateway/router via its local web interface:

◦Look for page showing connected devices.

◦Locate device named “fluxnode-xxxxxxxx” where “xxxxxxxx” are the full MAC address of the Fluxnode device MAC address. (for example: “fluxnode-00e04ca629b3”)

◦Locate the LAN IP address of the device with this device name.

-Use a windows computer connected to the same network:

◦Visit, download and install “Advanced IP Scanner” application. https://www.advanced-ip-scanner.com/

◦Run Advanced IP Scanner tool.

◦Start scan (Big green button).

◦Locate device named similar to format “fluxnode-aabbcc”.

◦Locate device LAN IP address.

-Use a Linux computer connected to the same network:

◦Instructions specific to Debian variants.

◦In terminal:

▪sudo apt update & sudo apt install nmap && sudo apt -f install

▪nmcli -p device show

-Locate IP4.GATEWAY value which should be your network subnet.

-Assuming that your LAN Network subnet is 192.168.1.0/24

▪Run nmap to get fluxnode LAN IP.

-sudo nmap 192.168.1.0/24 | grep fluxnode-*

-Use a mobile device connected to the same network via wifi.

◦Install app named “FING”

▪https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.overlook.android.fing&hl=en_US&gl=US&pli=1

▪https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fing-network-scanner/id430921107

◦Use network scan option to complete a scan of your local network. This scan will reveal your COTX Fluxnode LAN IP address.

-Visit: http://device_lan_ip_address/

◦For example if Fluxnode device lan IP is 192.168.1.12

◦Then you will visit page at address: http://192.168.1.12

◦You will be presented with COTX Local Dashboard page.

◦Enter Username: admin

◦Enter Default Password: 123456 (you can change this password later on)

◦Click “Login” to enter local dashboard page.

◦Note down your device “Gateway ID” for cloud portal registration.

(2) Registering the Gateway ID on COTX Cloud

COTX Fluxnode is a cloud controlled device, meaning that it can be managed, configured from anywhere with any device. To begin registering your COTX Fluxnode to the COTX Cloud service please follow these steps:

-Visit COTX Cloud site: https://cotx-sg.io/

-Create a new account with COTX, sign in with your google account or use your existing COTX Cloud credentials to login.

-Select “Hotspot Cloud Service”.

-Click “Hotspot” menu option on the left to access Hotspot portal.

-Click the "Add" button and you a device registration screen will popup.

◦ Maker => COTX FLUXNODE

◦ Model => CUMULUS

◦ Gateway ID => Gateway ID retrieved from local dashboard.

-Once all the required information is input.

-Click the Add button.

-This action will add the new Fluxnode to your Hotspots list and reload the list.

(3) Accessing your COTX Fluxnode COTX Cloud dashboard

-Visit COTX Cloud site: https://cotx-sg.io/

-Login with your COTX Cloud credentials or via google account authentication.

-Go to “Hotspot” to list your COTX Fluxnode(s).

-Click on “FluxNode” button under heading “COTX FluxNode” to access your COTX Fluxnode page.

-This action will load the COTX Fluxnode Cloud Dashboard page.

-Shortly an update service will retrieve the latest information from your device and update this page.

-You will notice a plethora of very useful information about your COTX Fluxnode on this page.

-We have also included a “Fast Sync” button which will allow you to synchronize your Flux node to the Flux Network at a very fast rate.

◦This can be especially useful if your internet connection or power went out for a long time, you don’t want to wait half a day before the blockchain is synced. Fast Sync can fully synchronize a node anywhere in the world within 40 minutes or less (internet reliability and speed dependent).

(4) Sending FLUX node collateral amount to your wallet

-Start your ZelCore Wallet. https://zelcore.io/

-Login with your credentials and authenticate with 2FA (if 2FA is setup – recommended).

-Enter main portfolio

-Now, click “manage asset” & then click on “+ assets” to add FLUX, you may also add FLUX(BSC) if thats how you purchased FLUX and moving to this wallet. However FLUX node can only be started with FLUX native token, not any of the derivitives like FLUX(BSC), FLUX(TRON) etc...

-If you purchased FLUX-BSC, FLUX-TRON, FLUX-ETH or another variant then:

◦Verify those funds are present in wallet, not as pending but showing as confirmed.

◦Click APPS icon (three little boxes, one on top of the two small boxes) on left hand side of wallet screen.

◦Select “FUSION”

◦Select your FLUX derivitive coin (FLUX-BSC, FLUX-ETH, FLUX-TRON ......) under “Choose Sell Asset” and then select (FLUX – one without any derivitive names, just FLUX) under “Choose Buy Asset”.

◦There should be a fix asset conversion fee (i believe its 2 FLUX).

◦Click SWAP.

◦Wait 10 minutes and check your portfolio, now you should have FLUX coins in your wallet.

-To start fluxnode, you need to receive exact amount required for the node. For cumulus node you will need 1000 FLUX. The amount being received can not be 999 FLUX or 1001 FLUX. Has to be exact. If you have already transferred FLUX coins into your Zelcore wallet then you can just send yourself exactly 1000 FLUX to enable a FLUX Node. As soon as your wallet confirms 1000 FLUX received, you will see a second notification saying “New FluxNode Detected”.

-In ZelCore go to

◦APPS => Flux Nodes

-Nodes list will refresh and you should notice a new CUMULUS tier node added to your Flux Nodes.

-Notice the small (right facing) arrow to the left side of the newly populated CUMULUS node.

-Click the arrow to expand details of your new Fluxnode.

-Click the Edit button to note down the information you will need to configure your new Fluxnode.

-This will open a popup box with looking similar to screenshot below.

-Enter a meaningful name for your Fluxnode. No spaces, no special characters. This name is to identify your Fluxnode in this list (i.e. you could be running multiple nodes and this name would help you identify the specific flux node in ZelCore wallet).

-Visit COTX Cloud site: https://cotx-sg.io/

-Under “Hotspot” access your Fluxnode.

-On Fluxnode management page, notice your device WAN IP address. Copy this WAN IP address and paste in the “IP” field in Zelcore → Edit Fluxnode Popup window.

-Note down your “Identity Key”.

-Note down your “Collateral TX ID”

-Note down your “Output Index”

-Click “Save” to save changes to this popup window.

-Click APPS => Zel ID

◦Click on the QR Code image.

◦This action will copy your ZEL ID into memory.

◦Paste/Note down your “ZEL ID”

-Click Assets (briefcase icon)

-Click the “Manage Assets” button

-Add Assets

-Search by typing in “KDA”

◦This will list KDA Asset.

◦Click to select & add KDA coin to your wallet.

◦Unless you already own some KDA coins, this will get added as a 0 balance asset therefore you will need to click “Zero Sum Assets” to show 0 balance coins in your portfolio.

◦Doing such will list your KDA Asset.

◦Select the Asset and click receive.

◦Copy/Note down your KDA address

◦KDA address starts with k:

(5) Port forwarding setup for your internet router

Set fixed IP for Fluxnode

Login to the router/firewall and assign a fixed IP to the Fluxnode (e.g. Static DHCP)

Set port mapping/port forward

COTX Fuxnode requires the following ports to be forwarded in your internet gateway/firewall.

-16124 ~16129 TCP/UDP FLUX API and Monitoring Port

◦Incoming 16124~16129 TCP/UDP IPV4 from WAN to COTX Fluxnode (LAN IP) 16124~16129 TCP/UDP

-30000 ~ 39999 TCP/UDP FLUX DAPPS PORT POOL

◦Incoming 30000 ~ 39999 TCP/UDP IPV4 from WAN to COTX Fluxnode (LAN IP) 30000 ~ 39999 TCP/UDP

Most ISP routers/firewall devices which are all in one router/firewall/wireless access point have a pretty self explanatory web interface or mobile app which will show you where to enter these port numbers, protocol (TCP and UDP) added to enable port forwarding. Additionally you can contact the customer support for your ISP and ask them to do the port forwarding for you.

Once Port forwarding for port 16124~16129 and port range 30000~39999 TCP/UDP has been completed. Please verify this step by completing an online port forwarding test:

https://portchecker.co/

Upon visiting the page, it will automatically detect your WAN or Public IP address, simply enter port number 16124~16129. Both of these must show as open. You do not need to test for the port range 30000 ~ 39999 as it will be enabled once FLUX DAPPS start getting deployed on your node. However do make sure that this port range is open for TCP and UDP. Do not proceed with configuring your COTX Fluxnode until this step is completed and verified by port forwarding test.

(6) Configuring your COTX Fluxnode via COTX Cloud

So far we have the following information from our ZelCore wallet:

-Identity Key

-Collateral TX ID

-Output Index

-Zel ID

-KDA Address

Complete the following steps:

-Visit COTX Cloud site: https://cotx-sg.io/

-Login with your account information.

-Goto Hotspot & select your Fluxnode

-This will open up the COTX Fluxnode management page.

-After a quick refresh the server will fetch latest data from your node.

Before we begin configuring your brand new COTX Fluxnode, you will need to verify a few things.

-The COTX Fluxnode must showed as “SYNCED” to the Flux blockchain.

◦When the COTX Fluxnode was first powered ON and internet was connected via Ethernet, the device synchronized itself with Flux blockchain, as such if the device is showing status “SYNCING NOW” then you have two options.

▪If device is only a few blocks behind then it will reach chain height within minutes. In this case you may allow the device to just complete syncing up.

▪If initial sync did not complete, fail or for any reason the device is showing status “SYNCING NOW” with “Node Blockchain Height” being a whole lot lower, maybe even 0. In this case you may utilize our “Fast Sync” feature to get your node synced up a light speeds.

▪ Simply, click the “Fast Sync Now” button in COTX Fluxnode dashboard and then follow the prompts/notifications to watch the process complete itself. Be sure to read the information/notifications being displayed.

-Benchmark “Tier” must show “CUMULUS”.

◦You must make sure that your port forwarding for Fluxnode is completed and verified. At the same time please verify that your internet speed test shows download speed to be above 25mbps and upload 25mbps. It can be higher but these are the absolute minimum limits to pass benchmark.

◦When benchmark is running, you may notice a “NOT BENCHMARKED” or blank status. Refresh status of the page (using the refresh icon on top right of the page) to update this status.

◦Benchmarks can take up to 5 minutes to run. Please be patient with your node and just check status via status refresh. You may also enable “AUTO REFRESH” so that the page can just update on it’s own.

-“Benchmark Errors” must be showing “NO ERRORS”.

-Node status must be showing as “EXPIRED”.

Scroll to the bottom of the page and notice the input form as shown below:

Copy/Paste your Identity Key, Collateral TX ID, Output Index, Zel ID & KDA Address

Verify that all of this information is correct. It is best to copy paste this information directly from your ZelCore wallet. Once you have verified that the information is correct, proceed by pressing the

button. As soon as the submit button is pressed, the button will be disabled to keep from submitting the same information twice. Observe the notification being shown on screen. Moments from submitting information you will notice a large popup screen appear. This screen will show you the setup progress of your node.

Once the setup process is completed, the COTX Fluxnode dashboard page will reload to show you current “EXPIRED” status of your Fluxnode.

You may proceed to starting your Fluxnode from your ZelCore Wallet.

(7) Starting your COTX Fluxnode

Login to your COTX Fluxnode dashboard: https://cotx-sg.io/ and access your Fluxnode dashboard page and enable “AUTO REFRESH” so that the page can keep on fetching latest node status.

Start ZelCore Wallet and go to APPS => Fluxnodes.

You should notice the Fluxnode that was stood up in your wallet by sending the 1000 Flux coins.

Expand the node details (by clicking the small arrow on the far left of node in the “My FluxNodes” list. You should see buttons similar to image below:

"Verify that your node has 100 or more confirmations before starting your node. If you attempt to start your node while it has less than 100 confirmations, your node will be placed in DOS (denial of service) which will disqualify your node from starting for approximately 4 hours. Click the “Start” button. This action will show a small popup with some basic instructions stating that your node must show its tier name “CUMULUS” and that port forwarding, other per-requisites must be satisfied before starting the node."

You should also see a button named “FluxOS”. If you click this button, it will open up your internet browser and take you to your COTX Fluxnode local dashboard.

On this same local Dashboard, you must go to:

Benchmark => Fluxnode => Get Benchmarks

If you are seeing value for field “Status” to be showing “CUMULUS” then you are ready to start your node. Go back to your ZelCore wallet and click “Start Fluxnode” on the popup screen.

Once the node is started, your ZelCore wallet will show as the node status as “STARTING”. At this point return back to https://cotx-sg.io and goto your COTX Fluxnode Dashboard page. Since “AUTO REFRESH” was already enabled at beginning of this step, shortly you will notice your Fluxnode change its status to “STARTING” then to “STARTED” and next it will show status “CONFIRMED”.

Once you see the status “CONFIRMED”, your Fluxnode is fully started and is on the Flux Network queue for block reward.

Browser around the COTX Fluxnode Dashboard to notice some very useful information being displayed such as your Fluxnode’s current rank, total number of CUMULUS nodes in Flux Network etc.

FluxNode - Port Forwarding Setup

Set fixed IP for Fluxnode

Login to the router/firewall and assign a fixed IP to the Fluxnode (e.g. Static DHCP)

Set port mapping/port forward

COTX Fuxnode requires the following ports to be forwarded in your internet gateway/firewall.

-16124~16129 TCP/UDP FLUX API and Monitoring Port

◦Incoming 16124~16129 TCP/UDP IPV4 from WAN to COTX Fluxnode (LAN IP) 16124~16129 TCP/UDP

-30000 ~ 39999 TCP/UDP FLUX DAPPS PORT POOL

◦Incoming 30000 ~ 39999 TCP/UDP IPV4 from WAN to COTX Fluxnode (LAN IP) 30000 ~ 39999 TCP/UDP

Follow this link to watch this general guide video explaining port forwarding and how to achieve port forwarding on different routers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G1ueMDgwxw

Once Port forwarding for port 16124~16129 and port range 30000~39999 TCP/UDP has been completed. Please verify this step by completing an online port forwarding test:

https://portchecker.co/