BPi R4 - SFP not in the interface list

[Nico-Hard]

Hi everyone,

I tried to use OMR on my Bpi R4, and i was unable to see the SPF ports (sfp-lan & sfp-wan). is it normal?
else, what should i do to add these interfaces ?

i'm quite a newbie with these devices so i'm a little lost.

thanks for your support.

---

version used : https://snapshots.openmptcprouter.com/6.6/bpi-r4/targets/mediatek/filogic/

[Ysurac]

No idea for BPI-R4 SFP. May need a specific DTS or configuration.

[Nico-Hard]

I can see these SFP ports on openWRT network interfaces list.
Maybe it's a dumb question but, is there a way to import the drivers and add interface from opwenWRT to openMPTCrouter ?

I didn't find any tuto on the web on how to proveed to copy these drivers. :(

[Ysurac]

If its only dirvers you should be able to install them via System->software update or via SSH with opkg

[Nico-Hard]

yeah I tried several kmod-xxxx drivers but was not able to make SFP port recognized. looks complicated.

[tiborkiss]

I've run in the same issue. After a lot of trial and error, finally I solved without installing any new kmod module.
At this point I can only say that every step I have documented, but due to multiple trial and errors, before answering with the concise solution, first I have to sort out the essential parts of all my notes.
Everything is related to what defaults are setup at first boot on a fresh system. Optimizations I cannot yet figure out just by myself, but the key points at least I think I identified and it will eventually open great discussion how we can improve the user experience, above the fact that the entire setup procedure it can be written in form of a wiki page or blog post.

I've just got my BPI-R4 and in the first step I managed to use "SFP LAN" port to my QSW-M408-4C switch. I also connected "WAN" Port to use my current ISP modem. I can update opkg packages. I started with v0.63rc1 because the current snapshot for 6.12 kernel already caused issues when I enforced https. (Perhaps later I will experiment with 6.12 kernel too.)

In the upcoming days I will replace my current ISP router to eliminate double NAT. I am just waiting the new registration code from my ISP, hopefully in the next few days I get it.
I also have a Quectel RM520N-GL modem bought from Lenovo shop. Here I commited a mistake, I ordered IPEX 1 pigtails instead of IPEX 4 (MHF 4), another two more waiting days.

Hopefully in the upcoming days I will have a complete setup with BPI-R4 using two WANs, one being 5G. If I succeed, I will write a blog post or wiki about how to transition step by step from an existing simple network to a VLAN isolated bonded network setup with BPI-R4 and OMR.

[tiborkiss]

I tried also with OpenWrt, which apparently turned on the link through SFP LAN by default, but that was not sufficient. The difference is just due to different network configuration, but OpenWrt still requires nearly the same amount of configuration. At this point, since I cannot connect 5G modem without proper pigtail antenna cables, temporarily I configured a simple OperWrt style wlan.

[Nico-Hard]

I'm currently using mwan3 on openWRT for load balancing, but this lead to issues as the internet IP is not stqtic but switch between wan1 and wan2.

[tiborkiss]

I decided in favor of OMR because my ingress bandwidth is not that good in either one to be picked up by mwan3. Since anyway I have to host a RustDesk for accessing to home or to some sites which doesn't have open ports. Then I also make some vpn access point.
With the current ISP router, sometimes every week I have to manually reboot and here in my street looks like often we have downtimes. A few weeks ago the neighbor called the service peoples, they dig through the hole under the street and they still did not put fiber. If they now just replaced the gfast wires, I cannot expect fiber any time soon. Therefore I decided to look for 5G bonding with what we have. The 5G node is at cca 200m from me. To my surprise the cost for 5G at 2000Mbps unlimited is half the price of my gfast which barely does 140/40 Mbps. Of course, 5G will never be 2000Mbps, but has a great reserve compared to the gfast. It is not excluded, if 5G works well, I give up completely the copper based net. At least, I create a motivation to push the fiber upgrade.

[Nico-Hard]

i will be interesred on how you got SPF working on the router. I will wait for your tuto :)