If you have more than one miner (Bitaxe, NerdQaxe++, etc.) in a multi-rig setup and not using a gateway:

❌ The Inefficient "Old Way"

1. Work Duplication: Each miner would be working on its own separate block template. They are all solving different puzzles, not collaborating on the same one. This dramatically reduces your collective chance of finding a block, as hashrate is not focused on a single solution.

2. Management Overhead: You'd need to manually configure and monitor each miner individually. This is a time sink and a point of failure.

3. Network Spam: Each miner maintains its own individual connection to the Bitcoin network or a pool, increasing unnecessary network traffic and resource usage on your node.

4. No Cohesive Strategy: There's no unified view or control. You can't easily direct all your hashpower strategically.

In essence: It's like having four construction crews each building a different house when you need them all building one mansion together.

✅ With the Datum Gateway (The Efficient Way)

1. Unified Hashpower: The Gateway makes all your miners work together on the same block template. Your entire hashrate is focused on solving one puzzle, massively increasing your odds of finding a block. This is the single biggest advantage.

2. Single Point of Management: You configure and monitor everything from one interface. It's efficient, simple, and clean.

3. Optimized Resources: One central unit handles the communication with your node or pool. Your miners just focus on what they do best: hashing.

4. Strategic Flexibility: You can easily direct all your power to solo mine, or to a specific pool, with a few clicks.

In essence: The Gateway is the foreman that coordinates all your crews to work in unison on a single project, eliminating wasted effort.