Is it worth developing a piece of hardware based on MTK Wi-Fi 7 chips that can run OpenWrt?

[gocoax]

We've been exploring options and it seems that currently, only the Banana Pi BPI-R4 supports Wi-Fi 7 with OpenWrt. However, it appears to be more of a development board than a typical router. We're considering whether it's worth developing a Wi-Fi 7 enabled router based on MTK chipsets, that enthusiasts can run with open-source OpenWrt, allowing for various customizations.
Although we're more familiar with Qualcomm's Wi-Fi 7 technology, Qualcomm hasn't been particularly active in supporting the open-source community. As a result, the open-source OpenWrt operating system currently doesn't support Qualcomm's Wi-Fi 7 chips. Therefore, if we want to run open-source OpenWrt, MediaTek (MTK) is our only option.
Based on MediaTek chipsets, we have the following options:
Option A:
CPU, MT7988A, Quad-Core A73, 1.8GHz
Wi-Fi, Tri-band 4x4 Wi-Fi 7
2x 10GbE
4x GE

Option B:
CPU, MT7988A, Quad-Core A73, 1.8GHz
Wi-Fi, Tri-band, 2x2 2.4GHz, 3x3 5GHz, 3x3 6GHz
2x 10GbE
4x GE

Option C:
CPU, MT7987, Quad-Core A53, 2GHz
Wi-Fi, Tri-band, 2x2 2.4GHz, 3x3 5GHz, 3x3 6GHz
3x 2.5GbE

We would greatly appreciate your feedback. Please let us know which option interests you. We're seriously considering launching this product to the OpenWrt community. Of course, we'll definitely have a pricing advantage over Banana Pi.

 

[Crimliar]

I think if you are looking at an enthusiast targeted device, then two 10GbE and the other ports being 2.5Gbe would be nice. Noting that you've ;listed all the Wi-Fi as 2.4GHz, that I assume is a typo. If that were the case, it's probably something that I'd buy. *And even if it's sheet metal, it needs a case!

 

[gocoax]

I think if you are looking at an enthusiast targeted device, then two 10GbE and the other ports being 2.5Gbe would be nice. Noting that you've ;listed all the Wi-Fi as 2.4GHz, that I assume is a typo. If that were the case, it's probably something that I'd buy. *And even if it's sheet metal, it needs a case!

Thanks for your feedback. I corrected the spelling error.
Unfortunately, MTK's chip only supports two 10G ports, which is a bit limiting. If we really need to support 2.5G, we might have to use one of the 10G ports to connect an external switch chip. This would allow us to expand to one additional 10G port and four 2.5G ports. The question is, would this solution be feasible?
Addtional, what is your Wi-Fi part requirement?
Yes, it will has a case, plastic or metal.

 

[Digilog]

Thanks for your feedback. I corrected the spelling error.
Unfortunately, MTK's chip only supports two 10G ports, which is a bit limiting. If we really need to support 2.5G, we might have to use one of the 10G ports to connect an external switch chip. This would allow us to expand to one additional 10G port and four 2.5G ports. The question is, would this solution be feasible?
Addtional, what is your Wi-Fi part requirement?
Yes, it will has a case, plastic or metal.

I would just use a dual 2.5Gb port M.2 card. Since a router setup doesn't require fast storage, and the SD card + 8gb on board will easily take care of that.

As far as programming, I would think you would have to deploy and tune STP across the different speed interfaces. But I would use Ubuntu over WRT because it has queue management these don't.

 

[sfx2000]

MediaTek or Qualcomm - doesn't really matter - both of their SDK's are based on OpenWRT

Both platforms are good - that said...

Here's a quick tip - are you selling an ideal or a product - hint, products ship, and as a result, make money.

Having been there, done that, a few year back for a "open" IoT gateway type of device with another silicon vendor - relationships matter from chipset, to factory, to retail channels...

OpenWRT has a current understanding with the Filogic 8xx platform for their own branded devices, but that doesn't mean they get all the closed source special sauce as the OpenWRT team has some very particular requirements around GPL...

The OpenWRT ONE device, for example, has had issues shipping, because of things that the ODM and resellers have missed getting product to customers - and most of these items I place directly on the ODM for the project - SinoVoip, e.g. Banapi folks, and some of this also has to land on the OpenWRT primary product owners, as this was their freshman release.

It really comes down to the business side - cost, support, etc, and relationships with the ODM's to make the devices - there are licenses to consider there. And along with that, some credibility in the industry. that's important as this goes towards things like getting regulatory approvals to ship things to your customers.