The Mini Router is pre-installed Seeed's custom OpenWRT system, the hardware is equipped with dual Gigabit Ethernet ports and dual USB 3.0 ports, as well as a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 with 2GB RAM and 32GB eMMC. The full system makes it suitable for soft router applications while keeping the hardware to a minimum.

OpenWRT Pre-Installed

The Compute Module 4 comes with OpenWrt firmware pre-installed out-of-the-box. This means you just need to unbox the package, take out the board, connect to your existing home network and have your own mini router!

OpenWrt is an open-source Linux operating system which runs on embedded devices/ routers. It offers more features, performance, and security than a traditional router. It has a filesystem that’s fully writable and includes a package management system. You can make use of these packages to suit your applications in various ways. Once you connect this board to your home network and access the router from a web browser, you will be presented with a beautiful and interactive dashboard as follows.

You can navigate this dashboard, and you will have access to a bunch of features such as:

• Increase overall network performance when multiple devices are connected
  
• Share files between devices via an external storage drive connected directly to the router
• Increase network security
• Run a BitTorrent client from the router
• Connect a printer directly to the router to create a networked printer
• Limit bandwidth usage of a particular device in the network
• Active queue management
• Real-time network monitoring
• Create Dynamic DNS
• Set Up a VPN client or server
• Block ads on the network

By utilizing the above features, you will have unlimited possibilities with this mini router!

Why choose Raspberry Pi 4 for the home router？

Increase Network Bandwidth and Performance

While the Raspberry Pi is definitely weaker in comparison to a full-fledged desktop or laptop, its Broadcom CPU is certainly more than enough when it comes to network routing. Thus, a Raspberry Pi router will surely be a boost to your network and give you greater internet speeds!

Improve Network Security

With a Raspberry Pi Router, you’ll be able to choose from free, open-source operating systems like OpenWrt that are community reviewed and maintained for security!

Enjoy Additional Features

With the accompanying hardware and I/O, using a Raspberry Pi as a router grants you flexibility in adding more features.What kind of OS a router can run?

So what kind of OS can these special routers run? Windows, Mac? Of course not. A router does not need to run this kind of heavy OS because it would not make sense. So, there are some special operating systems that are specifically designed to run on this type of router, and most are Linux-based. These operating systems are much lightweight allowing them to be run on low-end CPUs and low RAM available on these routers. Also, most of these operating systems are open-source, which means you do not need to pay extra to have access to them.

If you want to learn in-depth about these router OS, you can visit this blog. Some of the most common router operating systems are:

• OpenWrt
  
• pfSense
• DDWRT
• OPNSense
• ClearOS
• IPFire

Out of the two Gigabit Ethernet Ports (RJ45), one Ethernet Port is connected to the Gigabit Ethernet PHY of the CM4 module which is based on Broadcom BCM54210PE. On the other hand, the other Gigabit Ethernet Port is connected to Microchip's LAN7800 which is a USB 3.0 to GbE (Gigabit Ethernet Bridge). The USB 3.0 interface here is extended from the PCIe interface of the CM4 Module. Also, both ports can support speeds up to 1Gbps.

It features a variety of I/O peripherals such as MIPI CSI, MIPI DSI, micro-HDMI to connect displays/ cameras, a standard 9-pin USB 3.0 header for more USB expansion, a micro-SD card slot, and an FPC connector while maintaining a compact form factor! This board is ideal for HTPC makers, Linux developers, software router enthusiasts, and the majority of regular Raspberry Pi users.

Also, this comes included with a PC/ABS case with an Aluminum alloy on top which has a large sink in order to cool down the CM4 at extreme loads. It provides better protection as well and is suitable to be used in industrial applications.

Heat Maps

The case has long rubber feet for better stability when placed on a flat surface. You can mount this case in two different methods. One is to use the keyhole slot wall mount and hang it on the wall (you can hang in 2 different orientations). The other is to use the 3 mounting holes and mount onto a DIN rail.

Wall Mount (horizontal and vertical orientations)

DIN Rail Mount

Similar Routers that You might be interested in:

• CM4 Router: CM4 Router Board is an expansion board based on the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4.
• Dual Gigabit Carrier Board: It features a variety of I/O peripherals such as MIPI CSI, MIPI DSI, micro-HDMI to connect displays/ cameras, and a standard 9-pin USB 3.0 header for more USB expansion, and a micro-SD card slot, and an FPC connector while maintaining a compact form factor!
• Dual Gigabit Ethernet NICs CM4 Carrier Board: This CM4 carried board is ideal for HTPC makers, Linux developers, software router enthusiasts, and the majority of regular Raspberry Pi users.

Similar Mini Server that You might be interested in:

• ODYSSEY - X86J4105 allows you to simply build Edge Computing applications with powerful CPU and rich communication interfaces.
• ZimaBoard 832 model is a low-cost single board server equipped with Intel Celeron N3450 Quad Core working distinguishingly as a 4T free charge cloud server or a 4K display media server.

Seeed Agile Customization Service

With decades of ODM & OEM experience and an in-depth understanding of popular open-source hardware platforms, including Raspberry Pi, we promise you the professional and flexible customization service for the reTerminal.

• Discover our Agile Customization Service for Open-source Hardware Platforms
  
• Discuss your reRouter Design Idea with Us Now

Features:

• Fast boot times and smooth overall experience: Powered by Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 and 2GB RAM/32GB eMMC
• Compact and highly integrated: 75x64x21mm in size, with dual Gigabit Ethernet ports and dual USB3.0 ports
• Highly scalable with rich IO peripherals: dual Gigabit Ethernet connectors, Micro-SD card slot, micro-HDMI interface, USB 3.0, MIPI CSI, MIPI DSI, etc.
• Easy to deploy with stability: DIN rail mount and keyhole slot allow you to hang it anywhere
• Pre-installed OpenWRT firmware: Out of the box, can easily implement software router applications

Specifications:

Carrier Board

Specification: Details

Networking: Dual Gigabit Ethernet Connectors

USB 3.0 to GbE:(Gigabit Ethernet Bridge):Microchip's LAN7800

USB                        2 x USB 3.0 Ports

                                1 x USB 3.0 9-Pin Header

Storage: Micro-SD Card Slot (load system Image for non-eMMC CM4 version)                                 

Camera:1 x MIPI CSI Connector

Display:1 x MIPI DSI Connector

             1 x Micro HDMI Connector

FPC: Interface for I2C and SPI

External Fan: Power connector for fan

Power:5V/3A using USB Type-C Port

LAN7800 Industrial Temperature Range: -40°C to +85°C

Dimensions:75x64x21mm

Compute Module 4

Specification :Details

Processor: Broadcom BCM2711 quad-core Cortex-A72 (ARM v8) 64-bit SoC @ 1.5GHz

Memory:2GB LPDDR4

Storage:32GB eMMC

Connectivity: 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz IEEE 802.11b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, BLE with onboard and external antenna options

                         Onboard Gigabit Ethernet PHY supporting IEEE1588

                         1 × USB 2.0 interface

                          PCIe Gen 2 x1 interface

                          28 GPIO signals

                          SD card interface for SD card or external eMMC

Video :Dual HDMI interface (up to 4Kp60 supported)

            2-lane MIPI DSI display interface

            2-lane MIPI CSI camera interface

           4-lane MIPI DSI display interface

           4-lane MIPI CSI camera interface

Multimedia:H.265 (4Kp60 decode); H.264 (1080p60 deco

Applications:

• Software Router
• IoT applications
• Smart Home
• Camera / Video-related Projects

Hardware Overview:

PCBA Sponsorship for Commercial Raspberry Pi CM4 Products Customization

ECCN/HTS

• HSCODE 8517623600
• USHSCODE 8517180050
• UPC
• EUHSCODE 8517180000
• COO CHINA

Documentations:

• Schematics
• Microchip LAN7800 Datasheet

Package Includes:

• 1 x Dual Gigabit Ethernet Carrier Board for Raspberry Pi CM4 with 2GB RAM, 32GB eMMC
• 1 x Aluminum Case
  
• 1 x International Wall Adapter Power Supply 5VDC 4A – Type-C (with US/AU/UK/EU plugs)