Start9’s “RISC-V Router” is powered by a SpacemiT K1 octa-core RISC-V processor paired with 4GB RAM and 16GB eMMC flash, and offers dual GbE networking, as well as an AsiaRF AW7915-NP1 WiFi 6 4T4R module enabling up to 2401 Mbps combined data link.
It’s not exactly a high-end router, but Start9 claims it is the “most open router on the market” thanks to its RISC-V processor, OpenSBI open-source boot stack, and StartWrt operating system, a fork of OpenWrt.
Start9 router specifications:
- SoC – SpacemiT K1
- CPU – 8-core X60 RISC-V processor with single-core performance equivalent to about 1.3x the performance of an Arm Cortex-A55
- GPU – Imagination IMG BXE-2-32 with support for OpenCL 3.0, OpenGL ES3.2, Vulkan 1.2
- VPU – H.265, H.264, VP9, VP8 4K encoding/encoding
- NPU – 2.0 TOPS AI accelerator
- System Memory – 4GB LPDDR4
- Storage
- 16GB eMMC flash
- MicroSD card slot
- Networking
- 2x Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 ports (1x LAN, 1x WAN)
- Dual-band 2.4GHz/5GHz WiFi 6 (802.11ax) via AsiaRF AW7915-NP1 4T4R Mini PCIe Module; up to 2,401 Mbps
- 3x external high-gain antennas
- USB – 2x USB 3.0 ports
- Power Supply
- 12V/3A via power barrel jack
- 12V/3A USB PD via the USB-C port on the front panel
- Dimensions – TBD
The hardware appears to have been developed in collaboration with Deep Computing, which very recently introduced another RISC-V hardware: the DC-ROMA RISC-V Mainboard III for Framework Laptop 13, powered by a new SpacemiT K3 SoC.
I understand Start9 focuses on the software stack, divided into two main parts:
- OpenSBI Open Source Supervisor Binary Interface, a firmware layer in the boot process, providing runtime services from the machine mode (M-mode) to the supervisor mode (S-mode) kernel, abstracting platform-specific hardware details and making operating systems more portable across different RISC-V systems.
- StartWRT fork of OpenWrt, with a modern GUI, and the following key features:
- Security Profiles – Each device on the network receives a Security Profile to determine its permissions
- Points of Entry – Ethernet, WiFi, and VPN to determine the Security Profile of a device.
- WiFi (Identity PSK) – Instead of a “primary” network and a “guest” network, StartWRT uses Identity PSK to provide a single network with multiple passwords, each leading to a different Security Profile.
- Inbound VPNs – Create as many Inbound VPN Servers as you need for personal or shared remote access to the home network.
- Outbound VPNs – Connect unlimited, network-wide outbound VPN clients for Internet privacy. Optionally chain VPN clients together for extra privacy.
- WiFi Blackout Schedules – Optionally disable WiFi in hardware on a schedule.
- One-click dynamic DNS – Use Start9 dynamic DNS for free with a single click. No account necessary.
- Help Mode – Toggle “Help Mode” to get a detailed explanation of everything in the current view.
They also explain that everything will be open, including the RISC-V instruction set, board schematics, boot stack (OpenSBI + U-Boot), Linux kernel, and the StartWRT OS. The only exception is the WiFi radio firmware (usually not open due to FCC regulations). Currently, two early closed-source boot binaries (DRAM initialization and the first-stage bootloader) are required, but they are working on open-source replacements. I couldn’t find any repository for the StartWRT OS, but there’s an OpenWrt repo on the Start9Lab GitHub account with a “Bianbu” branch, which points to SpacemiT K1 support.
The Start9 device is not quite the first RISC-V router or SBC, as we’ve seen the Banana Pi BPI-F3 (also based on SpacemiT K1), Orange Pi R2S (K1, but no WiFi), and SiFlower SF21H8898-based the Banana Pi BPI-RV2 with optional enclosure and official OpenWrt support.
Start9 is asking for Bitcoin donations to support software development, or a $300+ payment from people who want to get its RISC-V Router by September 2026. Note it’s significantly more than the $95 asked for the similarly specced Banana Pi BPI-F3, to which you need to add a $15 metal enclosure for a complete system, so the majority of the funds go towards software development rather than the hardware itself.
Via HackerNews
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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