[Updated] ZBT Z8102AX-M2-A-T Support on Installation & Configuraiton

[chubx]

Hi Yannick, and everyone. Can I please ask for your support on installing and configuring the firmware on a ZBT Z8102AX-M2-A-T ?

I have experience in installing/configuring OMR in a minipc, but this ZBT platform.

The ZBT unit is running ZBT OS, should I simply update the firmware using the precompiled firmware from the OMR download page for ZBT?

Please advise.

Image Used:
openmptcprouter-v0.62-6.6-r0+28431-92e020b50f-mediatek-filogic-z8102ax-128m-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin

How to Make the 5G/4G Modem Work?

• I have Quectel RM500U-EA on this ZBT unit, the modem is detected along with the SIM Card under Cellular Network tab.
• SIM is activated, and tested working on a Mobile Phone

How should I configure it under OpenMPTCP?

I've tried MBIM protocol, as well as QMI, but no good.

UPDATE: What Seems to Work

@Ysurac , I tried using eth2 via DHCP and seems to be working.

root@OpenMPTCProuter:~# mmcli -m 0

  --------------------------------
  General  |                 path: /org/freedesktop/ModemManager1/Modem/0
           |            device id: 4c7a5139a661faacfaf64a7926b2387c22ded575
  --------------------------------
  Hardware |         manufacturer: Quectel
           |                model: RM500U-EA
           |    firmware revision: RM500UEAAAR03A06M2G_01.001.01.001
           |            supported: gsm-umts
           |              current: gsm-umts
           |         equipment id: <redacted>
  --------------------------------
  System   |               device: /sys/devices/platform/soc/11200000.usb/usb2/2-1/2-1.1
           |              physdev: /sys/devices/platform/soc/11200000.usb/usb2/2-1/2-1.1
           |              drivers: cdc_ncm, option1
           |               plugin: quectel
           |         primary port: ttyUSB2
           |                ports: eth2 (net), ttyUSB2 (at), ttyUSB3 (at)
  --------------------------------
  Numbers  |                  own: <redacted>
  --------------------------------
  Status   |       unlock retries: sim-pin (3), sim-puk (10), sim-pin2 (3), sim-puk2 (10)
           |                state: disabled
           |          power state: on
  --------------------------------
  Modes    |            supported: allowed: any; preferred: none
           |              current: allowed: any; preferred: none

[Ysurac]

Yes (without keeping settings). There is also a recovery mode if you press the reset button during 5s where you can upload also the firmware.

[chubx]

Hi Yannick, I tried uploaded the firmware in .bin format, but it failed.

Error:
incorrect file type

Can you please advise how to sort?

[Ysurac]

Seems that it's not possible to upgrade directly from ZBT OS (never tested, only from OpenWRT ZBT release), you need to press reset for 5s during boot time, it should then u-boot recovery should be available on 192.168.1.1 where you can upload the file.

[chubx]

Seems that it's not possible to upgrade directly from ZBT OS (never tested, only from OpenWRT ZBT release), you need to press reset for 5s during boot time, it should then u-boot recovery should be available on 192.168.1.1 where you can upload the file.

Hi Yannick, thank you for your reply.

I have done the procedure, but after reboot, no response (no ping) from both of these IP addresses, first I tried the orig IP addresss, then the 2nd one. Ofcourse, I made sure my local machine adapts to the subnet being tested with.

orig IP:
``192.168.1.1`

OMR IP:
192.168.100.1

image link: 1

[chubx]

My bad, I forgot to switch port from LAN to WAN.

It's now working, OMR IP is now working.

[chubx]

Hi Yannick, can I ask if how should we enable DHCP on this model?

I have tried tinkering around but no success.

My observation is this:

• After FW flashing, and reboot, then login to the webui, the LAN interface is using eth2.
• After enabling the wireless ap, DHCP does not work for the client, no IP set.
• After hours of tinkering, I made it work by, disabling the specified network for the wireless interface, I set to to unspecified, then I reboot.
• After reboot, I switch the wireless interface network association to LAN, then reboot.
• After reboot, I go to the network > interfaces menu, and voila! the LAN is now using br-lan, where the wireless and lan interface are bridged together
• Wifi DHCP now works.

My other problem is, how to make the 4G/5G work? It's correctly reading the status for my SIM, it is up, but how can I use it under MPTCP menu under mobile wan?

[chubx]

I can't make the 5G/4G LTE Modem work, can anyone please point me to the right direction?

I'm using the device eth1 for the Mobile WAN, and it seems to connect to the Network Operator, but says gateway down.

Also tried Modem Manager, but not sure if I configured it correctly, as it did not worked. Though I used the correct APN.

Can anyone please help?

[Ysurac]

I configure modems, Quectel 4G and 5G modems that ZBT sell with the board, with ModemManager. Modems are set in MBIM mode.
I don't understand how you can use eth1 port for Mobile Wan as eth0 is used for WANs ports and eth1 for the LAN port.
For modems to be used with MPTCP; you need to enable MPTCP on them via Network->MPTCP

[chubx]

I don't understand how you can use eth1 port for Mobile Wan as eth0 is used for WANs ports and eth1 for the LAN port.

Sorry, it was my bad, I was supposed to say it's eth2

MPTCP is Enabled in via Network->MPTCP

[chubx]

Update:

So I did as you suggested, and there is a progress. However, I'm still not 100% connected.

Under:
Status > Cellular Network > Network Registration > Packet Service State, Detached

Under:
Network Interface > Modem Manager 4G (the 4g device) > there is no packet tx/rx and Error: Unable to set allowed mode list.

Under:
Network Interface > Modem Manager 4G (the 4g device) > General Settings > Authentication Type, is set to None, but it reverts back to PAP/CHAP.

Also I see error:
Error: Unable to set allowed mode list.

Please help.