What are your thoughts on the new AI router GT-BE19000AI?

[RMerlin]

So basically this additional hardware is not working at the moment?

Works for me. I've done one or two AI Board resets over time during my tests, no problem with it.

 

[TheLostSwede]

For those that are interested in some more details about the secondary SoC, CNX Software has some details on a SoM with the same SoC.
It seems like Synaptics is stuck on Linux Kernel 5.15, which isn't great, but it's at least an LTS kernel, for another year, but 5.15 was released 2021...
Based on my experience with these kind of SoCs, it's unlikely that Synaptics will move to 6.x, but not impossible. It also means that the GT-BE1900AI should be on 5.15 for that side of things.

Calixto Systems SL1680 OPTIMA industrial SoM and EVK features Synaptics SL1680 Edge AI processor - CNX Software

Calixto Systems has recently introduced the SL1680 OPTIMA, an industrial SoM built around the Synaptics SL1680 quad-core Arm Cortex-A73 SoC with a 7.9+

www.cnx-software.com

 

[Sundraw]

As an old optimist, I'm curious. If a firmware update goes wrong, how likely is it that your containers will become unusable? Marketing certainly dictates many rules, but doesn't it make more sense to have another unit that manages Docker and similar programs?

 

[TheLostSwede]

As an old optimist, I'm curious. If a firmware update goes wrong, how likely is it that your containers will become unusable? Marketing certainly dictates many rules, but doesn't it make more sense to have another unit that manages Docker and similar programs?

Considering the device have two separate flash chips, the router firmware isn't going to affect the Synaptics based part of the device, but technically if the update of the base software that runs on that half of the router goes wrong, you'd most likely lose your containers and everything on that flash chip. That could of course happen on any other piece of hardware as well, as long as everything lives on the same storage device.

 

[Richard1864]

Considering the device have two separate flash chips, the router firmware isn't going to affect the Synaptics based part of the device, but technically if the update of the base software that runs on that half of the router goes wrong, you'd most likely lose your containers and everything on that flash chip. That could of course happen on any other piece of hardware as well, as long as everything lives on the same storage device.

The AI Board always says there isn't any update available. Does it auto update or is there really no update?

 

[jzchen]

As an old optimist, I'm curious. If a firmware update goes wrong, how likely is it that your containers will become unusable? Marketing certainly dictates many rules, but doesn't it make more sense to have another unit that manages Docker and similar programs?

That actually reminds me of a very good point... Is there a way, or is there an easy backup option for the containers?

Even a separate device can break down and it is ultimately ideal to always make backups...

EDIT- Another question if anyone who has one please- What's available if the BE19000Ai is set to AP mode, or is a node in an AiMesh? (I was offered to test one on the condition of writing a detailed review, and I am considering offering to send it back when I'm done reviewing, if it doesn't do much in either mode. I understand there's a loss of AFC, and that kind of defeats the purpose of me keeping it anyways. It'd be even worse/pointless if Docker is also inaccessible).

 

[TheLostSwede]

The AI Board always says there isn't any update available. Does it auto update or is there really no update?

I wouldn't know, I don't own this router.
I'm just a hardware guy that used to work for a router maker at one point in time.

On the topic of the Synaptics chip, there's now an entire SBC in RPi form factor with the same chip as in the Asus router, for those that don't want the hardware built into their router.

Toradex Luna SL1680 - A "Pro Consumer" Raspberry Pi lookalike based on Synaptics SL1680 Edge AI SoC - CNX Software

Toradex Luna SL1680 is a credit card-sized single board computer heavily inspired by the Raspberry Pi 5 design, but powered by a Synaptics SL1680

www.cnx-software.com

 

[TheLostSwede]

That actually reminds me of a very good point... Is there a way, or is there an easy backup option for the containers?

Even a separate device can break down and it is ultimately ideal to always make backups...

RTFM?

https://docs.docker.com/desktop/settings-and-maintenance/backup-and-restore/