Brume-W Pocket-Sized Wireless Gateway Runs OpenWrt or Ubuntu (Crowdfunding)

GL.iNet Brume-W (GL-MV1000W) is a “pocket-sized wireless gateway for edge computing” that supports high-speed VPN up to 280Mbps with WireGuard, AdGuard ad-blocking software (AdGuard), and Tor.

The device features three Gigabit Ethernet ports and built-in 2.4 GHz WiFi 4 connectivity, but it also supports Alfa AWUS036AC and AWUS036ACS USB WiFf USB dongles for users wanting dual-band WiFi 5 (AC) networking. The router ships with OpenWrt pre-installed, but also supports Ubuntu.

Brume-W Pocket-Sized Router

Brume-W specifications:

  • SoC – Marvell ARMADA 88F3720 (aka ARMADA 3720) dual-core Cortex-A53 processor @ 1.0 GHz with packet processor/network accelerator
  • System Memory – 1GB DDR4
  • Storage – 16MB NOR flash and 8GB eMMC flash, MicroSD card slot up to 256GB
  • Connectivity
    • 3x Gigabit Ethernet ports (1x WAN + 2x LAN)
    • Built-in 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n WiFi 4 up to 300 Mbps with external WiFi antennas
    • Support for external 802.11ac WiFI 5 USB dongles
  • USB – 1x USB host port, 1x USB-C port
  • Misc – Power, WiFi, VPN status LEDs; power button; mode button to switch VPN/Tor on or off
  • Power Supply – 5V/3A via USB-C port
  • Dimensions – 88 x 68 x 24mm
  • Weight – 115 grams
  • Temperature Range – 0 to 40°C

The design is very similar to the company’s Slate router but with a different processor, much more storage and memory allowing to perform better, and run Ubuntu for people wanting more advanced features.

GL.iNet Admin Panel
GL.iNet Admin Panel

Most people are likely to keep using OpenWrt since it comes with an easy-to-use admin panel available from a web browser or the GL.iNet mobile app for Android or iOS. You’ll find more details to get started and configure the wireless gateway on the Wiki that’s both for the earlier Brume (without WiFi) and the new Brume-W covered in this article.

There’s very little information about the Ubuntu image, but I’d assume you’d be on your own for configuration and setup. Marvell ARMADA 3720 is found in several hardware platforms running Ubuntu including Marvell ESPRESSOBin board and Blueendless X3 Networked HDD NAS case, and upstreaming to mainline Linux looks good too, so I’d be quite confident about Ubuntu support on this hardware.

GL.iNet launched Brume-W router on Kickstarter with a $50,000 HKD ($6,450 US) funding target that’s already been surpassed. Rewards start at around $120 US for the router with 5V/3A power supply, Ethernet cable and user manual. Shipping further adds around $25, and backers should expect their package to be shipped in September 2020.

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10 Comments
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Marius
3 years ago

I mean it’s certainly nice but at this price I’ve seen boards with Intel CPUs that still need some Wifi ( about 20 $ for some good AC adapter ) but are much more flexible and powerful than this.
I guess there’s still the size advantage but really it just costs too much per my opinion, there’s cheaper Chinese stuff for the same form factor.

Tim
Tim
3 years ago

I wonder if this is just using Adguard DNS or the full version which is excellent at blocking ads and removing all elements.

Ray Knight
Ray Knight
3 years ago

This appears to just add WiFi to the existing Brume which I’ve had since Dec. 2019.

riaqn
riaqn
3 years ago

Finally I can buy some garbage from 2010 (no 5Ghz really?) at a premium price! Yay!

theguyuk
theguyuk
3 years ago

Maybe a Nanopi R5S RK3399 is needed ? Mad idea i know.

ssssz
ssssz
3 years ago

rules #1 – don’t trust chinese
rules #2 – check taobao for exists products

this looks like as a chinese bad overpriced clone of espressobin

tonny
tonny
3 years ago

rules #1: racist much?

ssssz
ssssz
3 years ago

just know how they work

Technik007cz
Technik007cz
3 years ago

Router without inbuilt 5GHz network? For that money I can buy pocket router from TP-Link which is proven working now. Do not waste my time…

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