====== Crypto - Chia - CLI - Farm - Farming on many machines ======

Run a harvester on each machine, without having to run a full node, wallet, and farmer on each one.

This keeps the system simpler, uses less bandwidth, space, CPU, and also keeps the keys safer.

This should also make the overall farming process quicker and more efficient when replying to challenges.

{{:crypto:chia:cli:farm:chia_-_farming_on_many_machines.png?600|}}

----

===== On Main PC =====


==== Shut down Chia on the main computer ====

<code bash>
chia stop -d all
</code>

----

==== Find the IP address on the main computer ====

<code bash>
ip a
</code>

----

==== Make a copy of the main machine CA directory ====

The CA directory is located in **~/.chia/mainnet/config/ssl/ca**.

<WRAP info>
**NOTE:** Copy the CA file.

This file can be shared via USB stick, or through a network copy to each harvester.

The new ssl/ca directory must be copied with each version of chia-blockchain.

</WRAP>

<WRAP important>
**WARNING:**  Do not copy the entire config/ssl directory from one machine to another.

Each harvester must have a different set of TLS certificates for your main machine to recognize it as different harvesters.

</WRAP>

----

===== In the new Harvester =====

==== Install Chia ====

<WRAP info>
**NOTE:**  Use the regular 24 word mnemonic key from the main PC.
</WRAP>

----

==== Shut down Chia ====

<code bash>
chia stop -d all
</code>

----        

==== Modify Chia Config ====

Edit the ~/.chia/mainnet/config/config.yaml file.

Search for **enable_upnp**:

<file bash ~/.chia/mainnet/config/config.yaml>
enable_upnp: true
</file>

and change to 

<file bash ~/.chia/mainnet/config/config.yaml>
enable_upnp: false
</file>

----

Search for **harvester:** and the **farmer_peer** section:

<file bash ~/.chia/mainnet/config/config.yaml>
harvester:
  farmer_peer:
    host: localhost
</file>

and change the **localhost** to the IP address of the main PC.

<file bash ~/.chia/mainnet/config/config.yaml>
harvester:
  farmer_peer:
    host: 192.168.1.51
</file>

<WRAP info>
**NOTE:**  The **192.168.1.51** is the IP address of the main PC.
</WRAP>

----

==== Initialize Chia ====

<code bash>
chia init -c [directory]
</code>

<WRAP info>
**NOTE:**  This creates a new certificate signed by the CA of the main machine.

  * **[directory]** is the **copy** of the main machine CA directory and its network location. <WRAP important>
**WARNING:** DO NOT replace the /ca directory on the harvester with this copy of the CA from the main machine!

  * Place the copy of the main machine /ca directory into a temp directory on the harvester. 
  * The harvester will use these files temporarily.
  * This temporary directory can then be deleted.

</WRAP>

For example, assuming the main PC CA was placed into \main_ca:

<code bash>
chia init -c \main_ca
</code>
</WRAP>

----

===== Start Chia on the main PC =====

<code bash>
chia start farmer
</code>

----

===== Start the new harvester =====

On the new PC.

<code bash>
chia start harvester -r
</code>

<WRAP info>
**NOTE:**  The new harvester may take up to 20 minutes to start the sync process.

It will make a full copy of the blockchain to get to normal sync.

Ensure that firewall rules allow the harvester to connect to the main machine.
</WRAP>

----

===== Check the new harvester is working =====

On the main PC:

  * Navigate to the **Farm** tab.
  * At the bottom select **Hide Advanced Options**.
  * The **Your Harvester Network** should show additional Node IDs for each harvester.

<WRAP info>
**NOTE:**  Another method to check:

On the main PC **Farm** tab:

  * **Last Attempted Proof**:  The number of plots on the harvester will also be included in the **Plots Passed Filter** total.

</WRAP>


----

===== Create Plots =====

New plots can now be created on the new machine.

<code bash>
chia plots create -f farmer_key -p pool_key
</code>

<WRAP info>
**NOTE:**  

  * **farmer_key**:  From the main machine.
  * **pool_key**:  From the main machine.

Plots can also be copied over.

Farming will only happen once full sync is completed.

</WRAP>

<WRAP info>
**NOTE:**  After creating a plot, check everything is working correctly:

<code bash>
chia plots check
</code>

</WRAP>


----

===== References =====

https://github.com/Chia-Network/chia-blockchain/wiki/Farming-on-many-machines