The OpenWrt One is a router built with the right to repair and software freedom in mind [1]. It is based on the MediaTek Filogic 820 SoC and features WiFi 6, dual-band, 3×3/2×2, 1x 2.5Gbit WAN, 1x 1Gbit LAN, 1GB DDR4 RAM, 256 MiB NAND, 16 MiB NOR (for recovery), M.2 SSD, USB-C Serial console, and USB 2.0 [2]. The device can be powered via the RJ-45 2.5 Gbps WAN connector using Power Over Ethernet (POE) [3].

Supported Versions

The OpenWrt One supports version 25.12.2 of the OpenWrt firmware [4].

Hardware Highlights

The device features a MediaTek MT7981BA CPU, 1300 MHz CPU frequency, 2 CPU cores, 16 MB of flash memory, 1024 MB of RAM, and MediaTek MT7981BA and MT7976CN WLAN hardware [5].

Installation

The OpenWrt One comes flashed with the most current OpenWrt Release Firmware available based on the current manufacturing batch date [6]. To upgrade the firmware, users can follow the instructions for upgrading from USB or use other options such as ASU, Owut, Generic Sysupgrade, or Firmware Selector [7].

Recovery

In case the device does not boot from NAND anymore, there is a failsafe recovery method to boot from NOR [8]. This can be used even if the TF-A or bootloader on the NAND are broken. The process involves preparing a FAT32 formatted USB drive with the NAND preloader and factory image, and then booting from NOR while holding the front button [9].

Acquiring Console/Serial Access (Built In)

The OpenWrt One has a built-in USB-C serial console port on the front panel, which uses an integrated USB-to-serial converter [10]. To access the console, users need to connect the device to a PC using a USB-C to USB-A or USB-C cable, and then use a terminal emulator program such as Putty on Windows or Screen on Linux [11].

Enclosure

The OpenWrt One has dimensions of 148 x 100.5 mm, making it compatible with the Banana Pi BPI-R4 case design [12].

Notes

The OpenWrt One is designed to be a customizable and repairable device, with a focus on software freedom and community development [13]. The device is available for purchase, with a portion of the proceeds going to support the OpenWrt project and software freedom initiatives [14].

References

  1. OpenWrt Wiki. (n.d.). OpenWrt One. Retrieved from https://openwrt.org/toh/openwrt/one
  2. OpenWrt Wiki. (n.d.). OpenWrt One. Retrieved from https://openwrt.org/toh/openwrt/one
  3. OpenWrt Wiki. (n.d.). OpenWrt One. Retrieved from https://openwrt.org/toh/openwrt/one
  4. OpenWrt Wiki. (n.d.). OpenWrt One. Retrieved from https://openwrt.org/toh/openwrt/one
  5. OpenWrt Wiki. (n.d.). OpenWrt One. Retrieved from https://openwrt.org/toh/openwrt/one
  6. OpenWrt Wiki. (n.d.). OpenWrt One. Retrieved from https://openwrt.org/toh/openwrt/one
  7. OpenWrt Wiki. (n.d.). OpenWrt One. Retrieved from https://openwrt.org/toh/openwrt/one
  8. OpenWrt Wiki. (n.d.). OpenWrt One. Retrieved from https://openwrt.org/toh/openwrt/one
  9. OpenWrt Wiki. (n.d.). OpenWrt One. Retrieved from https://openwrt.org/toh/openwrt/one
  10. OpenWrt Wiki. (n.d.). OpenWrt One. Retrieved from https://openwrt.org/toh/openwrt/one
  11. OpenWrt Wiki. (n.d.). OpenWrt One. Retrieved from https://openwrt.org/toh/openwrt/one
  12. OpenWrt Wiki. (n.d.). OpenWrt One. Retrieved from https://openwrt.org/toh/openwrt/one
  13. OpenWrt Wiki. (n.d.). OpenWrt One. Retrieved from https://openwrt.org/toh/openwrt/one
  14. OpenWrt Wiki. (n.d.). OpenWrt One. Retrieved from https://openwrt.org/toh/openwrt/one

Sources

  1. OpenWrt Wiki. (n.d.). OpenWrt One. Retrieved from https://openwrt.org/toh/openwrt/one
  2. OpenWrt Wiki. (n.d.). OpenWrt One. Retrieved from https://openwrt.org/toh/openwrt/one
  3. OpenWrt Wiki. (n.d.). OpenWrt One. Retrieved from https://openwrt.org/toh/openwrt/one