Supernetworks’ “Secure Programmable Router” (SPR) is a Raspberry Pi CM5-based router featuring 2.5GbE, Gigabit Ethernet, and Wi-Fi 6 3×3 MIMO, advertised as an open-source, secure, user-friendly WiFi router for home users.
The router ships with a Compute Module 5 equipped with 4GB RAM, 32GB eMMC flash, and WiFi 5 + Bluetooth 5.0 by default, but adds WiFi 6 through a MediaTek MT7916 chipset. It also comes with two USB 3.0 ports, one USB 2.0 port, and supports either USB PD or PoE+ power input.
SPR router specifications:
- Supported SoM – Raspberry Pi CM5; ships with CM5104032 (4GB RAM, 32GB eMMC, WiFi)
- Storage – MicroSD card slot for Compute Module 5 Lite only
- Networking
- Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port
- 2.5Gbps Ethernet RJ45 port with PoE support
- WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 on CM5
- MediaTek MT7916 for 802.11AX WiFi 6 3×3 MIMO
- PCIe Switch supporting WiFi & 2.5Gbps Ethernet
- FlexMIMO Antennas from Laird
- USB
- 2x USB 3.0 ports
- 1x USB 2.0 port
- Misc
- CM5 active cooler
- LED disable switch
- UART / USB download mode
- Power Supply
- USB PD power
- PoE+ (802.3at) on 2.5 GbE port
- Dimensions – TBD (Temperature Resistant, PA2200 Nylon Enclosure)
The router runs the SPR Linux distribution, featuring one password per WiFi device, policy-based, zero-trust network access, and per-device DNS rules & Ad block lists. The software also includes security features like Multi-PSK with WPA3, a firewall, WiFi 6 support, WireGuard VPN, load balancing, logging abilities, and so on.
All features listed above are free, but others are part of the SPR PLUS paid subscription ($8), namely scheduling, event-based triggers, DNAT Rewriting, mesh with wired backhaul, policy-based site forwarding, and iOS app support. An SPR PLUS bundle comes with the SPR router, and it’s more designed for people wanting to install SPR on other Raspberry Pi platforms.
The Broadcom BMC2712 SoC found in the Raspberry Pi 5 and CM5 is not exactly optimized for routers, so performance may suffer in some cases, and extra chips make the overall system usually pricer, although I reckon it may offer more flexibility than traditional routers, even those supporting OpenWrt.
This may explain why the SPR CM5 router sells for $399.99 with a USB-C power supply. You’ll find more information and the purchase link on the product page. For reference, the Flint 2 router with WiFi 6 2×2 MIMO, two 2.5GbE ports, four Gigabit Ethernet ports, one USB 3.0 port, and no POE+ sells for $159. This type of router is more limited in terms of memory (1GB) and storage (8GB), but something like the LinkStar H68K with Rockchip RK3568, 4GB RAM, 32GB flash, dual 2.5GbE, dual GbE, and 1200 Gbps WiFi 6 goes for about $230 on Amazon, and quite lower on AliExpress.
Via Hackster.io
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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