BPI-R4 Router (4GB Standard Version)

With the powerful SoC, high-speed network ports and so many expansion slots, Banana Pi R4 isn’t just a router, it has become a homelab Linux server platform. I am running a compiled version of Openwrt 24.10.2 to replace the old TPLINK-AC1900/Openwrt. Everything was so easy to configure, customize and modify. Other than some compatibility issues with different SFP modules, I have not encountered any real issue so far. And It has been stabilized for a few weeks to support 30+ devices in 4 different VLANs, VPN, a media server and more. What is also amazing is the low power consumption. It is truly a wonderful router platform for the next 5+ years with some room to expand. Highly recommend it to anyone who wants to take full control of home networking.

This board has completely exceeded my expectations in terms of both performance and versatility. As a networking enthusiast, it offers everything I need and more. First and foremost, the WiFi 7 support is a game changer. The wireless performance is outstanding, providing ultra-fast speeds across both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. Whether I’m streaming 4K content or working remotely, the BPI-R4 delivers a seamless and lag-free experience. It’s fantastic to see such cutting-edge technology in a product like this. The MediaTek MT7988A SoC is a powerhouse. Running demanding applications like a NAS server and handling multiple connected devices is no issue for this router. It’s clear that a lot of thought went into the hardware, and it definitely shows in the smooth, reliable performance. The 2 x 10GbE SFP ports and 4 x Gigabit Ethernet ports are a perfect touch for anyone needing high-speed, wired connectivity. This setup is future-proof and perfect for high-throughput tasks, from large file transfers to setting up a robust home server. What I absolutely love about the BPI-R4 is the OpenWRT support. This gives me full control over my network and allows me to tailor the router to my exact needs. It’s incredibly customizable, whether it’s setting up VLANs, managing traffic, or securing my smart home devices. The flexibility is unmatched. The BPI-R4 is also the perfect solution for my Smart Home Gateway. It has no problem managing multiple devices simultaneously, offering stability and fast response times. Plus, with its security features powered by OpenWRT, I feel confident in my network’s protection. Overall, this is a highly capable, feature-rich, and customizable router that offers incredible value. If you’re looking for a powerful networking solution for home automation, NAS, or even small business needs, the Banana Pi BPI-R4 is definitely worth considering. I more than happier with my purchase !!

The good: Works well as a mobile hotspot with OpenWRT when a Quectel RM520N-GL is added. Fan is nearly silent. The case gets warm, but not hot. The bad: Wifi is low power and has short range. It is also not easy to get the configuration correct. I don't think the drivers are ready for prime time yet. Still a work in progress. I would recommend skipping the wifi 7 board and adding access points. Also, the SFP ports are picky about what network interface modules are used.

This is a great idea - if it had all the parts! It came with No SIM cards (supposed to have 3, one for each frequency). It also came with no SD drive (static drive chip). supposed to have 128gb SD drive. I would love to put this device to good use - if only it had all of its parts! I'm disappointed. It came with a QR code instruction manual - not my favorite.

I'm a couple months into using the BPI-R4 as an OpenWRT router and it has been doing a fantastic job. I haven't used the WiFi support since I use UAC-AP-PRO-3s, but I've paired the BPI with an unmanaged 2.5/10GbE switch and it has been a beast in managing the bandwidth (though notably I haven't pushed beyond gigabit in my network yet due to limitations in my device NICs).

I've been tinkering with Raspberry Pi's for years, I thought I would take the plunge and jump into the Banana Pi world with processors and hardware that was geared more towards a multitude of tasks. This is working great so far, I'm running a custom version of Ubuntu 24.04 and a virtualized OpenWrt instance. I'm able to also run Samba, Home Assistant and Apache. I'm very happy, and I would recommend this device and this company.

The device unfortunately did not boot the first few times into its OS until I looked up the manual and adjusted the dip switches to have it boot from onboard ROM. The device has WiFi 7, recognizes the card, but from the firmware on the device it would not host any APs that I could connect to. I have been troubleshooting for days now in order to compile openwrt from scratch to throw onto an extra SD card that I have laying around. Would avoid this product if average consumer, if you're willing to get your hands dirty and tinker with the operating system you might want to give it a shot. I think I got unlucky with the unit I recieved but I am committed to trying to make it work.

Good router board designed for OpenWrt (vanilla snapshot works great for me). It’s quiet, performs well, and feels stable even under load. Setting it up was a breeze - everything came together quickly, and it was ready to go with minimal effort. Out-of-the-box compatibility with the Quectel 5G modem module (get a heatsink for the modem module). Overall, this board offers solid performance and ease of use for anyone looking to run vanilla snapshot OpenWrt.

Compleet product met alle noodzakelijke onderdelen om een wifi7 access point of router samen te stellen. Standaard ondersteunt door OpenWrt en hardware rouetring, waardoor zelfs senlheden van 10 Gbps mogeljk zijn.

It took a bit for the driver development for the BPI-R4-NIC-BE14/MT7996 card to be stable in mainline-bound Linux kernel, but it is officially the best WiFi access point now (and will be even better once the BPI-R4-NIC-BE19/14 antenna + 4x radio WiFi module is released). Great as standalone access points (running Ubuntu 24.04/hostapd off the SSD, for LTS+unattended-upgrades), and even better as wireless bridges - I was able to replace/augment my previous MoCA 2.5Gbit setup by using 2x BPI-R4 (one as AP + other as client/bridge for satellite room connectivity as a switch).

The BPI-R4 is an excellent router for both home and office use. Wi-Fi, WPA3 Enterprise and WireGuard work well with the official OpenWRT. Recently it is also supported by the latest OpenWRT release in addition to the snapshots. It can also be used as a router + Wi-Fi access point + VPN client for branch offices, all in a single device. All the necessary equipment were included in the box, including an EU power adapter and a USB serial adapter. It also supports 5G when a 5G modem is added.

Venditore e spedizione top. Prodotto eccezionale, manca il modulo wifi7 ma deve essere ancora commercializzato

Order fulfilled fast, complete and in good shape. Even had one TTL to USB converter in the box that was really nice and handy. Keep in mind, this is a router development board, not a ready and out of the box router solution for daily use. Firmwares might be unstable and closed-source.