Bought this LTE 5G router to use it in my motorhome. Some technical detail is within the PR I did open just today.
main ← joelinux60:snap-zbt8106ax-m2-t
opened 12:36PM - 02 Feb 26 UTC
Device support for zbt-z8106ax-m2-t
Specifications:
SoC: MediaTek MT7981B
…
RAM: 256MiB
Flash: Winbond SPI-NAND 128 MiB
Switch: 1 WAN, 4 LAN (Gigabit) MediaTek MT7531
Buttons: Reset
Power: DC 12V-32V 1A
WiFi: MT7981B 2.4Ghz & 5Ghz
USB 3
M2 slot to hold LTE modem
2x nano SIM slots (user controllable)
Router comes in a flat metal box with all antennas detachable.
- 4 antennas for LTE 4G/5G communication
- 2 antennas for Wifi 2.4 GHz
- 2 antennas for Wifi 5 GHz
Power supply could be between 12V and 32V.
This serves both cars equipped with 12V batteries
and trucks equipped with 24V batteries.
Led Layout:
Power (green, user controllable, default set to OpenWrt Status) Mobile (green, user controllable)
WLAN 2.4G (green, user controllable)
WLAN 5G (green, user controllable)
WAN (amber, user controllable, set to show eth1)
LAN1 (amber, hardware controlled)
LAN2 (amber, hardware controlled)
LAN3 (amber, hardware controlled)
LAN4 (amber, hardware controlled)
SIM Slots:
Controlled via exported GPIO named SIM.
echo "0" > /sys/class/gpio/sim/value
- selects upper sim slot labelled SIM1
echo "1" > /sys/class/gpio/sim/value
- selects lower sim slot labelled SIM2
Slot SIM2 is set as default and matches label on Router enclosure
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Installation:
A. Through U-Boot menu:
- Prepare your connecting computer to use a static IP in network 192.168.1.0/24
- Power down the router and hold in the Reset button.
- While holding in the button power up the router again.
- Hold the button in for 10 seconds and then release.
- Use your browser to go to 192.168.1.1
- If you see a GUI allowing for flashing firmware then you got the right model.
- Upload the **Factory** image file.
Note: U-Boot GUI it can be used to recover from an incorrect firmware flash.
B. Through OpenWrt Dashboard:
If your router comes with OpenWrt preinstalled (modified by vendor), you can easily upgrade by going to the dashboard (192.168.1.1) and then navigate to System -> Backup/Flash firmware, then flash the firmware
MAC Addresses:
MAC Addresses were found in Factory partition:
offset 0x4 F8:5E:3C:xx:xx:aa --> Router Label -2
offset 0xa F8:5E:3C:xx:xx:bb --> Router Label -1
offset 0x24 F8:5E:3C:xx:xx:cc --> Router Label +1
offset 0x2a F8:5E:3C:xx:xx:yy --> printed on Router Label
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Notes:
The zbt-z8106ax-m2-t could be ordered from vendor with a variety of modems. Mine came with a Quectel RM520N-GL. Quectel firmware was at RM520NGLAAR01A07M4G. This level of firmware made some trouble connecting with some of my SIM cardproviders.
Newer firmware level RM520NGLAAR01A08M4G_01.205.01.205 was available searching github repositories. Upgrading my RM520-GL allowed to get successful connects that did fail with older Quectel firmware.
Modem communication is set to ethernet control mode (ECM) by vendor. Vendor takes advantage of ECM by wiring modem to internal switch port LAN5. OpenWRT network configuration wants to define two network interfaces
- Network interface covering USB0 set with high metric
- Network interface covering LAN5 set with low metric Network interface covering LAN5 would be preferred default route.
Here some pictures of device:
2 Likes
Where did you buy? I am from EU and I am looking for 4g 5g openwrt routers or reliable 4g usb for openwrt based rpi.
Did buy via Alibaba from Vendor Shenzhen Zhibotong Electronics Company. They offer direct ordering and selecting 5G or 4G modem.
There are other Companies selling this model, but their offer requires one to chat for getting shipping details.
Thx. An alibaba prices of ZBTlínk are good. We need something good and reliable for campers installation. Did you try some other zbt routers?
I'm using zbt-z8103ax-c at home. They appear working to my expectations.
You may have seen my notes within PR about upgrading quectel modem firmware. Another item of needing improvement is the installation of a good roof antenna. Next travel season will show if reliability of the zbt-z8106ax-m2-t solution is going to improve.
