There are some issues that need to be fixed in hardware and software before it is usable. I cannot recommend the R4Pro at this time.
If the R4Pro isn’t really ready and should be avoided for now, what would be a suitable choice of mainboard instead? I purchased a Turris Omnia several years ago and it was a good unit at that time, just looking for something updated to serve the same purpose. Thanks!
It depends on your needs…i use a bpi-r3 as main router with debian userspace
Hello Frank! I get you are working on it with mediatek (looking at your repo). Do you mind sharing what are these hardware/software issues?
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i have a really early board, i guess most of the issues are known so far and are fixed when the board comes into sale…it is not really relevant at this time for end-users…you only need to wait some hardware iterations and software development before getting such board except you also want to TEST and DEVELOPING (at linux driver level, not userspace) it…it is not for using in production environment yet
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I would like ask why it is not possible use 12V, 19V and on PRO version even 24V on every power source connector?
As I am using bpi-r4 as a nas, I am using 12V power source, and I am thinking why it is not possible to use 12V on the VH-2-pin connector?
It would be nice:
- to have possibility of using every voltage on every connector
- if power source connectors should automatically switch on order: VH-2PIN => USB Type-C => DCIN
Than it would be possible to use internal power source and even battery as backup and on different voltages.
Does it should be possible to add more leds to monitor activity of:
- every single sfp
- every single minipciEx
- every single m.2?
And then, what about using of PIN header to be able to “re-direct” any led signals to the external led connected to?
It should work like this:
- shorters will connect the signal pins to the internal leds by default
- another external led should be connected to the signal pin instead of shorter
The pin-header is for gpio,you cannot short any othr output to it. That would require a led header…that is no bad idea…so instead of soldering leds,add a pin header for it where per default a led stripe is plugged which can be removed and replaced by cables with leds to route them to a case.
I’m not sure it mpcie and m.2 have generic “activity” pins…afaik sfps do not have them.
Just an idea, adding many leds with a few wires:
PCA9685 16-Channel LED Driver Board Module - I2C Bus PWM Controller Development Board for Electronic Projects https://a.aliexpress.com/_Ex7gFTk
Or
https://a.aliexpress.com/_ExIYCKO
Only requires 2 gpio pins (supporting i2c), instead of many.
Even can control the brightness (pwm) in the hardware.
Add CONFIG_PWM_PCA9685=y to your kernel config.
Edit:
It should add a gpiochip with 16 gpio’s.
Or even could use MCP23017 module
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EuI0zgI
Also supported in linux as pinctrl
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Just as You say, I did not meant to use the existing GPIO header, I mean using another header (or just pro-longed the gpio one) just for the leds.
Using the led header with the leds inserted in it is also good idea, and it could save some space 
There are led boards like this but only 1 color and it could be done smaller.
But we should create separate topic for this.
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My goal was not discuss here the accessories for the board, but changes for the next version of the board which could be benefitial. I can see on-board leds usefull for those who are using original-like case for their projects.
For me are all on-board leds which I am not able to replace for the external ones nothing more than another problem to solve.
I need my own case which have to be much bigger than the original one (more than 30x30x30 cm), and now I have to de-solder all on-board leds and replace them by cable or connectors to be able to connect external leds in front of the case.
I believe that this details are important for everyone who could use any bpi board (not only bpi-r4) for their business projects instead of the home ones.
I am NOT manufacturer with his own business yet, but I am working on it and building my own product right now. Therefore I have important question for @sinovoip : Does the manufacturer wants selling BPI products to home individuals or also for manufacturers for their business? What is the primary target for bpi products?
surely one can call them ? no ? email ?
I sent email already month ago, without no response yet.
edit: I have to say sorry to bpi team, Now i found the responsse in the junk folder, but the response was just:
We will designing a new product BPI-R4 PRO, you can check details here:
https://docs.banana-pi.org/en/BPI-R4_Pro/BananaPi_BPI-R4_Pro
i already understood your point, i also would agree to see a header for leds and a connector like i posted above (better smaller than this one) which can be moved to somewhere in a case with simple dupont cables.
Maybe @sinovoip can change this in future revisions/boards. But first hw bugs need to be fixed. please update also the diagram and the specs in first posting of this thread.
we have 4x2g5,1x1G and 2x combo (10G phy/sfp+). verified pcie including the switch (key-m/key-b) last days.
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If you can order a full batch, they can give you the boards w/out the LED pins populated, but even normal PC motherboards come with LED to facilitate diagnosis, so I wouldn’t really go that way …
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When will be the exact date of release? Will there be a possibility of wall mounting?
if they dont stack the pcb’s, like in the picture of the pro version thread, i highly doubt this will be (easily) possible. The case looks huge. Too huge imho. I hope they got some shielding done and the PCBs can be stacked, which would highly reduce size.
I’m reaching out to express my interest in receiving an EVT sample of the BPI-R4 Pro board for development and testing purposes. Would that be possible?
I’m currently working on embedded Linux systems with a focus on ARM-based router platforms. The BPI-R4 Pro’s powerful hardware, especially its support for Wi-Fi 7, 10G SFP+, and the multi-core MT7988 SoC makes it a compelling platform for performance testing and software contribution.
If samples are currently available, I’d be grateful to be considered. Please let me know if there are any specific steps I should follow, and whether any costs (e.g., shipping) are involved. I am based in Krakow, Poland.
Thanks, Krzysztof