Difference between revisions of "Clusterboard"

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{{note|1=Please fill in more information if you have it. :)}}
[[File:Clusterboard rev 2.2.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Front view of the Clusterboard (revision 2.2)]]
The SOPine Clusterboard is a way to setup a compact cluster for low power usage and testing.
It can hold up to 7 SOPine modules.


Although there is a [[PINE_A64-LTS/SOPine]] page already, this page will describe both the Clusterboard and the SOPine modules.
The '''Clusterboard''' is a PINE64 board that makes it possible to set up a compact cluster of headless ARM-based single-board computers.  It can hold up to a total of seven [[SOPINE]] or [[SOEDGE]] modules.  The Clusterboard is an open-hardware project, but please note that it does not mean this project is "OSH" compliant.


There is a user guide on the [https://forum.pine64.org/showthread.php?tid=7077 forum] but sadly the images have disappeared.
Although there is a separate wiki page that describes SOPINE modules, this page will describe both the Clusterboard and, to a certain extent, the SOPINE modules. There is a user guide for the Clusterboard in [https://forum.pine64.org/showthread.php?tid=7077 this forum thread].


While the Cluster board is an hardware open source project, please note that it does not mean this project is "OSH" compliant.
== Specifications ==


==Specifications==
These are the Clusterboard specifications, based on the [https://www.pine64.org/clusterboard/ product introduction]:
These are the specifications as mentioned in the project [https://www.pine64.org/clusterboard/ introduction]: (spellchecked a bit)
 
*Standard mITX Form-Factor (167mm x 170mm)
* Standard mITX form-factor (167 mm x 170 mm)
*Built-In Unmanaged Gigabit Ethernet Switch - RTL8370N
* Built-in eight-port Gigabit Ethernet switch, using RTL8370N ASIC; the switch is unmanaged although the ASIC provides management functions, see [https://forum.pine64.org/showthread.php?tid=13181 this forum thread] for further information
*7x RTL8211E Gigabit Ethernet port, connected to the Switch
* Seven internal Gigabit Ethernet ports, one for each SOPINE module, connected to the built-in switch using [https://datasheet.lcsc.com/szlcsc/Realtek-Semicon-RTL8211EG-VB-CG_C69264.pdf RTL8211E] PHYs
*eMMC module Slot
* One connector for an eMMC module, for the first SOPINE module
*7x USB 2.0 (one for each module)
* Seven USB 2.0 ports, one for each SOPINE module
*GPIO pins exposed for each module including UART
* GPIO pins exposed for each SOPINE module, including the UARTs
*NIC LEDs for each SOPine Module
* Gigabit Ethernet port activity LEDs, one for each SOPINE module
*2x 1.5V “AA” size Battery Holder for Real Time Clock Port (RTC)
* Battery holder for two standard non-rechargeable AA-size 1.5 V batteries, for the real time clock (RTC) backup on all SOPINE modules
*+5V 15A power supply with 6.3mm OD/3.0mm ID barrel type DC Jack
* Barrel-style jack as a power input, 6.3 mm outer diameter and 3.0 mm inner diameter, for a 5 V, 15 A DC power supply
*ATX Power Supply Header
* Standard 24-pin ATX header as a power input, for an ATX power supply capable of providing at least 15 A at its 5 V output
 
Please note than only one power input may be used at once.  The barrel-style jack is additionally protected by a built-in 15 A polyfuse.
 
'''Important note''': No batteries for RTC backup should be installed unless certain hardware modifications are applied to the Clusterboard.  Internal circuitry of the Clusterboard and SOPINE modules will eventually attempt to charge the batteries, which will result in damage to the batteries and the Clusterboard.  Keep in mind that rechargeable batteries cannot be used because there is no charging circuitry for them on the Clusterboard.  Please see [https://forum.pine64.org/showthread.php?tid=5849&page=2 this forum thread] and [https://ericdraken.com/a64-reset-problem/ this article] for further information.
 
== Layout ==
 
[[File:ClusterBoardFront-Annotated.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Front view of the Clusterboard (revision 2.3)]]
[[File:ClusterBoardBack.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Rear view of the Clusterboard (revision 2.3)]]


==Layout==
[[File:ClusterBoardFront-Annotated.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Clusterboard 2.3 Front annotated - image by abcde]]
[[File:ClusterBoardBack.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Clusterboard 2.3 Back - image by abcde]]
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Label
! Label
Line 30: Line 34:
|-
|-
| A
| A
| 6.3mm OD/3.0mm ID barrel type DC Jack for +5V 15A 75W power supply
| Barrel-type DC jack (6.3 mm outer diameter, 3.0 mm inner diameter) for a +5 V, 15 A power supply
|-
|-
| B
| B
| Gigabit Ethernet Port
| Gigabit Ethernet port
|-
|-
| C
| C
| Reset Button
| Reset button, for all seven modules
|-
|-
| D
| D
| 2x 1.5V “AA” size Battery Holder for Real Time Clock Port (RTC)
| Holder for two non-rechargeable 1.5 V AA-size batteries, providing backup for the real-time clock (RTC) on all modules
|-
|-
| E
| E
| eMMC connector (only for 1st module)
| Connector for an eMMC module, for the first SOPINE or SOEDGE module
|-
|-
| F
| F
| SOPine Module slot
| Slot for a SOPINE or SOEDGE module
|-
|-
| G
| G
| USB2.0 USB-A plug
| USB 2.0 Type-A socket
|-
|-
| H
| H
| MicroUSB-B USB2.0 plug
| MicroUSB Type-B USB 2.0 socket
|-
|-
| I
| I
Line 60: Line 64:
|-
|-
| K
| K
| Lithium Battery 3-pin JST connector
| Three-pin connector for a lithium battery
|-
|-
| L
| L
| RTL8211E Ethernet Port, with 2 status LEDs
| RTL8211E Gigabit Ethernet PHY, with two status LEDs
|-
|-
| M
| M
| Unmanaged Gigabit Ethernet Switch - RTL8370N
| Gigabit Ethernet Switch (RTL8370N)
|-
|-
| N
| N
| ATX Power Connector
| 24-pin ATX Power Connector
|-
|-
| O
| O
| ATX PS_ON 2-pin JST connector
| Two-pin connector for a switch/button that turns on connected ATX power supply
|-
|-
| P
| P
| HDD 5V Power (optional)
| 5 V power output for hard disk drives (optional)
|-
|-
| Q
| Q
| Resistor (optional, for use with the alternative powering options)
| Places for soldering two resistors (optional, for use with an ATX power suppply that requires dummy load on 3.3 V and 12 V rails)
|}
|}
Parts F to L are duplicated for all 7 modules
 
====20 Pin Connector====
For the part D, please see the important note in the [[#Specifications|section above]].  For the part K, please see the notes in the [[#Hardware revisions|section below]].  Parts F to L exist separately for each of all seven SOPINE or SOEDGE modules.
In the [https://forum.pine64.org/showthread.php?tid=5713 forum] there is an [https://forum.pine64.org/attachment.php?aid=1111 image] with the (likely) pinout.
 
===SOPine Module===
=== 20-pin Expansion Connector ===
[[File:SOPine-Annotated.jpg|200px|thumb|right|SOPine Front and Back annotated. Picture by abcde.]]
 
The 20-pin expansion connector is the part J decribed in the [[#Layout|section above]], available for each SOPINE or SOEDGE module.  There is an unofficial description of the pinout in [https://forum.pine64.org/showthread.php?tid=5713 this forum thread].  The unofficial pinout is also visible directly in [https://forum.pine64.org/attachment.php?aid=1111 this picture].
 
=== SOPINE Module ===
[[File:SOPine-Annotated.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Front (top) and rear (bottom) views of the SOPINE module]]
 
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Label
! Label
Line 93: Line 102:
|-
|-
| B
| B
| 2GB DDR3 RAM
| 2 GB of DDR3 RAM
|-
|-
| C
| C
| AXP803
| AXP803 PMIC
|-
|-
| D
| D
| SO-Dimm connector
| Edge connector, the same as on SO-DIMM modules
|-
|-
| E
| E
| mSD Card Slot
| microSD card slot
|-
|-
| F (not annotated yet)
| F (not annotated yet)
Line 108: Line 117:
|}
|}


==Accessories==
== Accessories ==
*To operate this board you will need a power supply, Pine advises a "+5V 15A power supply with 6.3mm OD/3.0mm ID barrel type DC Jack" which is also available in the store ([https://pine64.com/product/clusterboard-eu-power-supply/ EU]/[https://pine64.com/product/clusterboard-us-power-supply/ US] versions). There are other ways to power this board, but they are not described here yet.
*The board works best when it is protected by a (mITX)case, and has some airflow provided by a fan. 
*Each SOPine module can use cooling, both by a casefan, and by using heatsinks on the individual modules. At least the A64 could use some cooling.
*The first slot can use a eMMC module, which are in the store in [https://pine64.com/product/16gb-emmc-module/ 16GB]/[https://pine64.com/product/32gb-emmc-module/ 32GB]/[https://pine64.com/product/64gb-emmc-module/ 64GB]/[https://pine64.com/product/128gb-emmc-module/ 128GB] sizes. The modules can be used as a USB stick using a [https://pine64.com/product/usb-adapter-for-emmc-module/ USB adapter]. (The eMMC is also readable with the Hardkernel [https://www.hardkernel.com/shop/emmc-module-reader-board-for-os-upgrade/ eMMC to microSD] converter.)
*2x AA batteries, to make sure every device gets the right RTC(Real Time Clock) information.


==Installation==
* To operate this board you will need a power supply, Pine advises a "5V 15A power supply with 6.3mm OD/3.0mm ID barrel type DC Jack" which is also available in the store ([https://pine64.com/product/clusterboard-eu-power-supply/ EU]/[https://pine64.com/product/clusterboard-us-power-supply/ US] versions). There are other ways to power this board, but they are not described here yet.
To install this cluster it is important to know which module has which IP address, so you can make sure you connect to the right board, esp with the module that has access to the eMMC.
* The board works best when it is protected by a (mITX)case, and has some airflow provided by a fan. 
* Each SOPINE module can use cooling, both by a casefan, and by using heatsinks on the individual modules. At least the A64 could use some cooling.
* The first slot can use a eMMC module, which are in the store in [https://pine64.com/product/16gb-emmc-module/ 16GB]/[https://pine64.com/product/32gb-emmc-module/ 32GB]/[https://pine64.com/product/64gb-emmc-module/ 64GB]/[https://pine64.com/product/128gb-emmc-module/ 128GB] sizes. The modules can be used as a USB stick using a [https://pine64.com/product/usb-adapter-for-emmc-module/ USB adapter]. (The eMMC is also readable with the Hardkernel [https://www.hardkernel.com/shop/emmc-module-reader-board-for-os-upgrade/ eMMC to microSD] converter.)
* Two AA batteries, to allow the SOPINE nodes to retain the RTC (Real Time Clock) time and date information when the power is disconnected.


You can plug in each module individually, and give them a separate name. After that is taken care of you will know which module is used for what. It would also be possible to manually edit each images hosts/hostname files before first boot.
== Installation ==
 
To install a cluster it is important to know the IP addresses of each module, so the remote login sessions do not get mixed up.
 
Each module may be plugged into the Clusterboard individually or consecutively, which makes it easy to assign a hostname to each module separately. It is also possible to manually edit the hostname in the OS image of each module before the first boot.


{{hint|1=The board has no hotplug functionality, so make sure you only plug/unplug the modules while the power is disconnected from the clusterboard.}}
{{hint|1=The board has no hotplug functionality, so make sure you only plug/unplug the modules while the power is disconnected from the clusterboard.}}
{{hint|1=As a unmanaged switch is used there is no VLAN support.}}
{{hint|1=No management features are available on the switch ship, so there is no VLAN support.}}
 
=== Serial console ===
To boot use the serial console connect the pins to UART0 on the GPIO header and connect using baud 115200
 
* Pin 6: GND
* Pin 7: RTX
* Pin 8: TXD
 
The pinouts are available in [https://forum.pine64.org/showthread.php?tid=8058 this forum thread].
 
{{hint|1=Do not connect the GND connector until the power is on as it can provide power and prevent the board from booting.}}
 
== Operating systems ==


==Operating systems==
=== Armbian ===
===Armbian===
To get the cluster running, start off with a basic [https://www.armbian.com/sopine-a64/ Armbian SOPine] install on the first module or directly on all the modules. Armbian offers Debian and Ubuntu as options for download.


There is an issue recognizing the network that needs you to make a change to the base image described [https://forum.pine64.org/showthread.php?tid=10432 here], and a PXE issue. If you have a good description, please add it here.
To get the cluster running, start off with a basic [https://www.armbian.com/sopine-a64/ Armbian SOPINE] install on the first module or directly on all the modules. Armbian offers Debian and Ubuntu as options for download.
 
There is an issue recognizing the network that needs you to make a change to the base image described [https://forum.pine64.org/showthread.php?tid=10432 here], and a PXE issue. If you have a good description, please add it here. The network issue has been resolved in Armbian builds post December 2020 - [https://github.com/armbian/build/pull/2396 as described here].
 
As of February 2021 the current armbian image is not working (see the post on the [https://forum.armbian.com/topic/17333-unable-to-boot-focal-or-buster-images-on-sopine-clusterboard arbian forum]). The latest working version is [https://armbian.systemonachip.net/archive/pine64so/archive/Armbian_21.02.1_Pine64so_buster_current_5.10.12.img.xz 21.02.1]. To update the system, the package 'linux-dtb-current-sunxi64' needs to be held back by running
 
<code>echo "linux-dtb-current-sunxi64 hold" | sudo dpkg --set-selections</code>


There are a number of possible basic installation methods.
There are a number of possible basic installation methods.
*Full install on each module's mSD card.
*eMMC install on the first module.
*[[SOPine_Clusterboard/PXE|PXE boot]] for all modules, from the first module, or an external host.


==Frequently asked questions==
* Full install on each module's mSD card.
Q: Are the individual MAC addresses linked to the NIC, or the module. I would say the NIC, which would make it easy to make a list for future reuse, but i am unsure.
* eMMC install on the first module.
The RTL8211E is actually not a nic but just the physical interfacing. Which seems to indicate the nic is part of the SoC and the MAC address is part of the module.
* PXE boot for all modules, from the first module, or an external host.
Anyone can test it by swapping two modules and see if they notice the effect on the interface leds.
 
=== Others ===
 
The current version of NetBSD may have the networking issue solved in Armbian, as described above.
 
== Frequently asked questions ==
 
'''Q''': Are the individual MAC addresses linked to the PHY chips, or the module?<br />
'''A''': The MAC address is specific to the SOPINE module; swapping modules within the Clusterboard does not change the MAC address of the module.
 
'''Q''': Why will SOPINE modules not reboot when installed on a Clusterboard, but will when installed on a [[SOPINE Baseboard]]?<br />
'''A''': The cause has been determined to be back-EMF, and can be resolved with some relatively easy hardware modifications, thanks to excellent troubleshooting performed by Eric. Please, have a look at the [https://ericdraken.com/a64-reset-problem/ extensive article] he wrote to find out how to resolve this issue.  See also [https://forum.pine64.org/showthread.php?tid=5849&page=2 this forum thread] for further information.
 
'''Q''': Do I need heatsinks on any of the components on the Clusterboard?<br />
'''A''': According to the datasheets for the RTL8370N switch ASIC and the RTL8211E PHYs, they consume and thus dissipate up to about 3&nbsp;W each.  As a result, it would be advisable to properly affix passive aluminum heatsinks onto each of these components.  Please note that this explanation does not cover the SOPINE and SOEDGE modules.


== Schematics and other ==
== Schematics and other ==
Line 149: Line 188:
* [https://myhub.autodesk360.com/ue2b2f72e/g/shares/SH56a43QTfd62c1cd968cd6bc203ac753401?viewState=NoIgbgDAdAjCA0ICGBmARgEwGZIOwGMBaDFADgFNCAWfAJi2o1IFZDmlTSIA2DW8-FTQgAukA Clusterboard PDF drawing]
* [https://myhub.autodesk360.com/ue2b2f72e/g/shares/SH56a43QTfd62c1cd968cd6bc203ac753401?viewState=NoIgbgDAdAjCA0ICGBmARgEwGZIOwGMBaDFADgFNCAWfAJi2o1IFZDmlTSIA2DW8-FTQgAukA Clusterboard PDF drawing]


==Hardware revisions==
== Hardware revisions ==
The current version is 2.3.
 
There was at least a 2.2 version, if there is more info, please add it here.
As of April 2021, current revision of the Clusterboard is 2.3; compared with the previous revision, 2.2, it removes the PCB components required for using lithium-polymer batteries for powering each of the modules. Besides the 2.2 revision, there was also an early revision (TO-DO: which exactly?) that required a hardware fix for the eMMC module to work properly.
==Links==
 
*https://www.pine64.org/clusterboard/ Clusterboard Introduction
== Links ==
*https://www.pine64.org/sopine/ SOPine Introduction
* https://www.pine64.org/clusterboard/ Clusterboard Introduction
*https://pine64.com/product/clusterboard-with-7-sopine-compute-module-slots/ Store page for Clusterboard
* https://www.pine64.org/sopine/ SOPINE Introduction
*https://pine64.com/product/sopine-a64-compute-module/ Store page for SOPine module
* https://pine64.com/product/clusterboard-with-7-sopine-compute-module-slots/ Store page for Clusterboard
*https://www.pine64.org/2020/02/03/fosdem-2020-and-hardware-announcements/ Mention of "Clusterboard with 4 SOEdge and 3 SOPine modules"
* https://pine64.com/product/sopine-a64-compute-module/ Store page for SOPINE module
*https://www.pine64.org/2019/08/05/august-update-london-meetup-pinetab-news-soedge-and-more/ SOEdge Introduction
* https://www.pine64.org/2020/02/03/fosdem-2020-and-hardware-announcements/ Mention of "Clusterboard with 4 SOEDGE and 3 SOPINE modules"
* https://www.pine64.org/2019/08/05/august-update-london-meetup-pinetab-news-soedge-and-more/ SOEDGE Introduction


[[Category:SOPine]] [[Category:SOPine Clusterboard]] [[Category:Allwinner A64]]
[[Category:SOPINE]]
[[Category:SOEDGE]]
[[Category:Allwinner A64]]
[[Category:Clusterboard]]

Latest revision as of 05:49, 1 November 2023

Front view of the Clusterboard (revision 2.2)

The Clusterboard is a PINE64 board that makes it possible to set up a compact cluster of headless ARM-based single-board computers. It can hold up to a total of seven SOPINE or SOEDGE modules. The Clusterboard is an open-hardware project, but please note that it does not mean this project is "OSH" compliant.

Although there is a separate wiki page that describes SOPINE modules, this page will describe both the Clusterboard and, to a certain extent, the SOPINE modules. There is a user guide for the Clusterboard in this forum thread.

Specifications

These are the Clusterboard specifications, based on the product introduction:

  • Standard mITX form-factor (167 mm x 170 mm)
  • Built-in eight-port Gigabit Ethernet switch, using RTL8370N ASIC; the switch is unmanaged although the ASIC provides management functions, see this forum thread for further information
  • Seven internal Gigabit Ethernet ports, one for each SOPINE module, connected to the built-in switch using RTL8211E PHYs
  • One connector for an eMMC module, for the first SOPINE module
  • Seven USB 2.0 ports, one for each SOPINE module
  • GPIO pins exposed for each SOPINE module, including the UARTs
  • Gigabit Ethernet port activity LEDs, one for each SOPINE module
  • Battery holder for two standard non-rechargeable AA-size 1.5 V batteries, for the real time clock (RTC) backup on all SOPINE modules
  • Barrel-style jack as a power input, 6.3 mm outer diameter and 3.0 mm inner diameter, for a 5 V, 15 A DC power supply
  • Standard 24-pin ATX header as a power input, for an ATX power supply capable of providing at least 15 A at its 5 V output

Please note than only one power input may be used at once. The barrel-style jack is additionally protected by a built-in 15 A polyfuse.

Important note: No batteries for RTC backup should be installed unless certain hardware modifications are applied to the Clusterboard. Internal circuitry of the Clusterboard and SOPINE modules will eventually attempt to charge the batteries, which will result in damage to the batteries and the Clusterboard. Keep in mind that rechargeable batteries cannot be used because there is no charging circuitry for them on the Clusterboard. Please see this forum thread and this article for further information.

Layout

Front view of the Clusterboard (revision 2.3)
Rear view of the Clusterboard (revision 2.3)
Label Description
A Barrel-type DC jack (6.3 mm outer diameter, 3.0 mm inner diameter) for a +5 V, 15 A power supply
B Gigabit Ethernet port
C Reset button, for all seven modules
D Holder for two non-rechargeable 1.5 V AA-size batteries, providing backup for the real-time clock (RTC) on all modules
E Connector for an eMMC module, for the first SOPINE or SOEDGE module
F Slot for a SOPINE or SOEDGE module
G USB 2.0 Type-A socket
H MicroUSB Type-B USB 2.0 socket
I Activity LED
J 20-pin expansion connector
K Three-pin connector for a lithium battery
L RTL8211E Gigabit Ethernet PHY, with two status LEDs
M Gigabit Ethernet Switch (RTL8370N)
N 24-pin ATX Power Connector
O Two-pin connector for a switch/button that turns on connected ATX power supply
P 5 V power output for hard disk drives (optional)
Q Places for soldering two resistors (optional, for use with an ATX power suppply that requires dummy load on 3.3 V and 12 V rails)

For the part D, please see the important note in the section above. For the part K, please see the notes in the section below. Parts F to L exist separately for each of all seven SOPINE or SOEDGE modules.

20-pin Expansion Connector

The 20-pin expansion connector is the part J decribed in the section above, available for each SOPINE or SOEDGE module. There is an unofficial description of the pinout in this forum thread. The unofficial pinout is also visible directly in this picture.

SOPINE Module

Front (top) and rear (bottom) views of the SOPINE module
Label Description
A A64 SoC
B 2 GB of DDR3 RAM
C AXP803 PMIC
D Edge connector, the same as on SO-DIMM modules
E microSD card slot
F (not annotated yet) Power LED

Accessories

  • To operate this board you will need a power supply, Pine advises a "5V 15A power supply with 6.3mm OD/3.0mm ID barrel type DC Jack" which is also available in the store (EU/US versions). There are other ways to power this board, but they are not described here yet.
  • The board works best when it is protected by a (mITX)case, and has some airflow provided by a fan.
  • Each SOPINE module can use cooling, both by a casefan, and by using heatsinks on the individual modules. At least the A64 could use some cooling.
  • The first slot can use a eMMC module, which are in the store in 16GB/32GB/64GB/128GB sizes. The modules can be used as a USB stick using a USB adapter. (The eMMC is also readable with the Hardkernel eMMC to microSD converter.)
  • Two AA batteries, to allow the SOPINE nodes to retain the RTC (Real Time Clock) time and date information when the power is disconnected.

Installation

To install a cluster it is important to know the IP addresses of each module, so the remote login sessions do not get mixed up.

Each module may be plugged into the Clusterboard individually or consecutively, which makes it easy to assign a hostname to each module separately. It is also possible to manually edit the hostname in the OS image of each module before the first boot.

The board has no hotplug functionality, so make sure you only plug/unplug the modules while the power is disconnected from the clusterboard.
No management features are available on the switch ship, so there is no VLAN support.

Serial console

To boot use the serial console connect the pins to UART0 on the GPIO header and connect using baud 115200

  • Pin 6: GND
  • Pin 7: RTX
  • Pin 8: TXD

The pinouts are available in this forum thread.

Do not connect the GND connector until the power is on as it can provide power and prevent the board from booting.

Operating systems

Armbian

To get the cluster running, start off with a basic Armbian SOPINE install on the first module or directly on all the modules. Armbian offers Debian and Ubuntu as options for download.

There is an issue recognizing the network that needs you to make a change to the base image described here, and a PXE issue. If you have a good description, please add it here. The network issue has been resolved in Armbian builds post December 2020 - as described here.

As of February 2021 the current armbian image is not working (see the post on the arbian forum). The latest working version is 21.02.1. To update the system, the package 'linux-dtb-current-sunxi64' needs to be held back by running

echo "linux-dtb-current-sunxi64 hold" | sudo dpkg --set-selections

There are a number of possible basic installation methods.

  • Full install on each module's mSD card.
  • eMMC install on the first module.
  • PXE boot for all modules, from the first module, or an external host.

Others

The current version of NetBSD may have the networking issue solved in Armbian, as described above.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Are the individual MAC addresses linked to the PHY chips, or the module?
A: The MAC address is specific to the SOPINE module; swapping modules within the Clusterboard does not change the MAC address of the module.

Q: Why will SOPINE modules not reboot when installed on a Clusterboard, but will when installed on a SOPINE Baseboard?
A: The cause has been determined to be back-EMF, and can be resolved with some relatively easy hardware modifications, thanks to excellent troubleshooting performed by Eric. Please, have a look at the extensive article he wrote to find out how to resolve this issue. See also this forum thread for further information.

Q: Do I need heatsinks on any of the components on the Clusterboard?
A: According to the datasheets for the RTL8370N switch ASIC and the RTL8211E PHYs, they consume and thus dissipate up to about 3 W each. As a result, it would be advisable to properly affix passive aluminum heatsinks onto each of these components. Please note that this explanation does not cover the SOPINE and SOEDGE modules.

Schematics and other

Hardware revisions

As of April 2021, current revision of the Clusterboard is 2.3; compared with the previous revision, 2.2, it removes the PCB components required for using lithium-polymer batteries for powering each of the modules. Besides the 2.2 revision, there was also an early revision (TO-DO: which exactly?) that required a hardware fix for the eMMC module to work properly.

Links