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?

Backup and restore data

docs.docker.com

 

[RMerlin]

RTFM?

Backup and restore data

docs.docker.com

That would require SSH access, which is currently not available to the users. (It might be in the future, Asus weren't clear on this).

Any backup method for now would need to be done through Portainer.

 

[jzchen]

That would require SSH access, which is currently not available to the users. (It might be in the future, Asus weren't clear on this).

Any backup method for now would need to be done through Portainer.

Would this be comprehensive then? (Meaning all Docker containers are made with Portainer)?

 

[RMerlin]

Would this be comprehensive then? (Meaning all Docker containers are made with Portainer)?

Portainer is the only way you can create containers.

 

[Lax]

If the BE19000AI router is configured as a mesh node, then you would lose the access to the AI board. Technically the AI board has its own IP address. So it's possible to access if Asus makes some enhancements.

 

[Clark Griswald]

I like the idea Asus moved in a direction which allowed Docker to be utilized directly on their router, and hopefully their HW/FW will begin to work cohesively. If not with the 19000AI, then perhaps the next top secret router released, that is also RMerlin supported, will have the gremlins removed. Asus Store $899 is devastatingly too expensive for Griswald Christmas 2025.

 

[jzchen]

Sometimes it is teased on sale for $799.99 on ASUS' eStore, although it wasn't in stock each time I checked.

Even though it said the server was busy and "Low Power Mode", Network Analyzer showed strong signal. I went back to the AFC pages in the app to find it working!

Phone was set up hovering in the middle of the antennae for the -3 dBm.

 

[jzchen]

If set up in router mode, then switched to Access Point mode, AFC persists, and AiBoard/Portainer is accessible on https port 9443. Can't figure out how to update Portainer to 2.33.6 LTS...

 

[Richard1864]

I don't know how to update it either. The AI board always says it has the latest version when I tell it to check for updates.

 

[jzchen]

If one can't get to the Docker command line interface, the only in place upgrade path is with the Business Edition (BE) upgrade, at least that I found so far...

 

[sfx2000]

Portainer is the only way you can create containers.

Makes sense... so the adjunct CPU is just that - a sidecar, and this is not a negative comment - there's a lot of capability there...

 

[jzchen]

Makes sense... so the adjunct CPU is just that - a sidecar, and this is not a negative comment - there's a lot of capability there...

As @Lax notes it gets it's own IP address. Kind of wish it was on a separate Ethernet port.

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

I apparently broke the Reset function trying to update Portainer. Just ran one but those AdGuard, Frigate, etc are still installed as they say Open, vs Install.

Was able to create a Version 2.33.6 Container. I am/was able to open it. (Should have taken a screenshot as proof). I was not able to link/add the default "local" environment since it was active, so it is basically empty...

 

[jzchen]

AT&T Fiber, IPv6, I think I finally got it to work... Sigh...