CWWK/Topton/... Nxxx quad NIC router

[Stovar]

Looks like cwwk and others been busy with newer nas/router gear due soon no doubt

 

[IdleSlipper]

I am back with more news and this time, good news.

At least with CW-AL v2 but I am sure that works with the others. We can compile a module to get info with pmw.

First, do a backup, things can always go wrong.

TROUBLESHOOTING AT THE END

First, leave your fan in your bios as automatic if you just one to see RPM or leave it as manual if you want to controle it in userland (AKA ourselves in proxmox)

# uname -r

Write down the version. In my case, 6.5.11-7-pve and then :

# apt-get install linux-headers-6.5.11-7-pve

Then clone this repo or copy its files with `scp` from your computer. Inside its folder do:

# make
# make install
# modprobe -a it87

Now we can use `sensors` to see if we get our new sensor. If not, first check that it is loaded:

# lsmod | grep it87

Example of my `sensors`



If everything works, add the module in your /etc/modules for autoload:

# echo "it87" >> /etc/modules

Now install `fancontrol` and execute:

# pwmconfig

If your fan is in manual, it will let you know which hwmon is it and it let you decide which piece of hardware you want as "driver" (in my case nvme) and then decide min temp, max temp, speed... Once done, it will be saved to /etc/fancontrol and that is it.

Works like a charm. Proper PWM, proper control and it is all you need. Happy computer.

I am happy I pushed this. I started with 54-58C NVME and now it is 45 and the FAN that I cannot hear at all. I can put it on the side to lose another 10 degrees if I need to.

I am working on my grafana dashboard. I will share once it is done.

Troubleshooting

"Skipping BTF generation [module name] due to unavailability of vmlinux."

If you get this error, do the following:

# cp /sys/kernel/btf/vmlinux /usr/lib/modules/`uname -r`/build/

"Missing pahole"

# apt-get install dwarves

PS: We really need a wiki for this or update the OP message with links to info.
PS2: I am getting a bit of coil whine on my computer, no idea if it is the daijing but happens on idle

After installing the required software, my PWM fan was working initially. However, following a recent Proxmox update, the fan and sensors stopped appearing in lm-sensors and ceased functioning. Reinstalling the software resolved the issue. Do I need to reinstall this after every Proxmox update, or did something specific go wrong this time?

 

[Didi0504]

Hello everyone,
while trying to make the 4*M.2 expansion card work I flashed a different BIOS onto my 4xNIC N100 cwwk machine. I probably took a wrong one and bricked my machine (screen stays black when starting up, no beeps at all, even after CMOS resets). My fault, should have waited for cwwk to send me the proper one instead of trying different ones. Now I probably need to manually flash the BIOS chip, this is also what cwwk support suggests. I already ordered an CH341a programmer.

The problem is, I couldn't really figure out the different version numbers and boards that cwwk uses for their mini PCs, so I'm not sure what version I have. I ordered mine in May 2024 and at this time it was the one with the N100 CPU, 4 NICs and the longest cooling fins. It has two red USB ports on the outside. My board looks a bit different compared to the ones I have seen on here. Does anyone have an idea on what might be the BIOS chip on this board? So far I have not been lucky in identifying the right one.

Thanks for helping!

 

[slybunda]

that looks different to my one too odd.

 

[metlrise]

Try taking a picture closer of the board where that QR code is located, maybe also scan that QR code. The chip with 8 pins that is located a little up and to the left it looks like it, use google images to search for "SOIC8".

If you have a multi-meter, please remember to take voltage measurements because most BIOS flash runs at 3.3V, of course after the CH341a programmer arrives.

3.3V CH341a Signal Output Modification [Chuck Nemeth]

3.3V CH341a Signal Output Modification ---------- Warning It is NOT recommended to use the CH341a for flashing! The following page for recommendations and an explanation of why the CH341a is not advised: <https://libreboot.org/docs/install/spi.html#do-not-use-ch341a> After realizing that...

wiki.chucknemeth.com

Libreboot – Read/write 25XX NOR flash via SPI protocol

Libreboot – Read/write 25XX NOR flash via SPI protocol

libreboot.org

 

[KevinR]

There might be model name & revision under the M2, could be worth checking there.

 

[Didi0504]

Thanks for your replies! It turns out, this whole thing was a lot easier than I anticipated. For some reason I was under the impression that the M.2 extension that is installed in my first pictures was soldered onto the board because it came with it. Of course that is not the case, it can be removed and the BIOS chip is indeed under there. The board is a V2 version and the BIOS chip is a Winbond 25q128jvsq chip.

Try taking a picture closer of the board where that QR code is located, maybe also scan that QR code. The chip with 8 pins that is located a little up and to the left it looks like it, use google images to search for "SOIC8".

If you have a multi-meter, please remember to take voltage measurements because most BIOS flash runs at 3.3V, of course after the CH341a programmer arrives.

3.3V CH341a Signal Output Modification [Chuck Nemeth]

3.3V CH341a Signal Output Modification ---------- Warning It is NOT recommended to use the CH341a for flashing! The following page for recommendations and an explanation of why the CH341a is not advised: <https://libreboot.org/docs/install/spi.html#do-not-use-ch341a> After realizing that...

wiki.chucknemeth.com

Libreboot – Read/write 25XX NOR flash via SPI protocol

Libreboot – Read/write 25XX NOR flash via SPI protocol

libreboot.org

Thanks! I will keep this in mind when the programmer arrives.

 

[quaker]

Look here - https://forums.servethehome.com/ind...cked-any-way-to-reload-bios.45007/post-471053
I was preparing for BIOS flash failure (have luck - not happen). I've been on chat with their support and they give me a hints what to buy.

 

[jauling]

I hope this means we start to see N350 solutions soon. Past few months, I haven't seen anything except N355 or N305. Even N300 firewall/NAS/router solutions are impossible to find for some reason.

Looks like cwwk and others been busy with newer nas/router gear due soon no doubt

 

[Stovar]

I hope this means we start to see N350 solutions soon. Past few months, I haven't seen anything except N355 or N305. Even N300 firewall/NAS/router solutions are impossible to find for some reason.

Was not aware of the N350, looks impressive for 8 core and 3.9ghz speeds, but 9 pci-e lanes is a real killer.

Id like to see cwwk release some better motherboards with faster intel cpus and even AMD 7x-9x mobile cpus like mini-forums is doing, now adays we need more cpu performance and pci-e lanes for better nas/router/virtual cases.

 

[jauling]

Was not aware of the N350, looks impressive for 8 core and 3.9ghz speeds, but 9 pci-e lanes is a real killer.

Id like to see cwwk release some better motherboards with faster intel cpus and even AMD 7x-9x mobile cpus like mini-forums is doing, now adays we need more cpu performance and pci-e lanes for better nas/router/virtual cases.

So I found a model called CW-N350-4L from the NL Amazon site. But can't find that model referenced anywhere else. A bit much for me, will wait.
https://www.amazon.nl/-/en/Firewall-Appliance-Celeron-4xIntel-Ethernet/dp/B0DVR3ZZJ2

 

[Zoltar]

So I found a model called CW-N350-4L from the NL Amazon site. But can't find that model referenced anywhere else. A bit much for me, will wait.
https://www.amazon.nl/-/en/Firewall-Appliance-Celeron-4xIntel-Ethernet/dp/B0DVR3ZZJ2

Be careful if the distributor doesn't have a website or support. They look like CWWK equipment. I just received an order placed directly through their website, but they got the wrong product, and they haven't responded in any way. After I bought it, I sent an email to support, but they didn't respond. Now I can't even log into my account, the email verification code never arrives, and they don't respond by email or chat.

 

[audit13]

I purchased a barebones n150 from Amazon Canada to run bare metal opnsense.

Added 16 GB of 5600 RAM and 128 GB SSD.

The unit has been running opnsense for about 56 hours and it has never crashed, rebooted, or shown any signs of instability. I have 1.5/1.0 download/upload internet service and easily achieve these speeds on this unit. Nothing fancy on the unit except a few Wireguard tunnels and Adguard Home.

One thing I wanted to do was reduce power consumption but the BIOS seems to have zero options for any power-related settings. Anyone ever come across a similar unit with a similar bios?

Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[phil-2024]

I purchased a barebones n150 from Amazon Canada to run bare metal opnsense.

Added 16 GB of 5600 RAM and 128 GB SSD.

The unit has been running opnsense for about 56 hours and it has never crashed, rebooted, or shown any signs of instability. I have 1.5/1.0 download/upload internet service and easily achieve these speeds on this unit. Nothing fancy on the unit except a few Wireguard tunnels and Adguard Home.

One thing I wanted to do was reduce power consumption but the BIOS seems to have zero options for any power-related settings. Anyone ever come across a similar unit with a similar bios?

Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

We are being shipped utter garbage direct from China, often a way of making money from poor quality or recycled components. In your case, according to the stepping number on the BIOS screen, the Intel chip is likely an engineering sample, which should not to be resold, that's China for you.

I doubt the AMI BIOS used is licensed, and power management options are often hidden as the boards don't have a good enough design to guarantee being stable when they go in and out of low power states, or the engineering sample CPU isn't stable. Even if you do get a hacked BIOS with power management options, they usually don't make much difference as the board isn't designed to save power, its designed to cut costs and make money for some Chinese manufacturer, this is why these things never have any branding on them.

My advice is to save your time and stress trying to get power management to save any power, and just enjoy the fact its working all okay for you.

 

[jauling]

Be careful if the distributor doesn't have a website or support. They look like CWWK equipment. I just received an order placed directly through their website, but they got the wrong product, and they haven't responded in any way. After I bought it, I sent an email to support, but they didn't respond. Now I can't even log into my account, the email verification code never arrives, and they don't respond by email or chat.

Woah, you're braver than me. Thanks for taking the risk and informing the public. I hope you get compensated/reimbursed. I emailed CWWK about that model, still waiting to hear back. I think it most likely is bogus (for now).

 

[Zoltar]

After two days of searching for an adapter for the wrong fan CWWK sent me, and tinkering with the screws to mount the fan to allow air in because it was noise, if I mounted it with the air out, it continued to heat up. I managed to keep the temperature at acceptable levels so it wouldn't reset the NVMe. But I had to remove the NVMe heatsink because it wouldn't fit.
I advise you, if you're going to mount OPNsense baremetal, don't use NVMe. Use an SD card with the specific distribution so that Netflow or Zenarmor reads/writes don't destroy the drive. Mine is at 60% utilization after a year and a half.
This isn't a fanless device; I've played with the BIOS power management settings for the CPU and NVMe and haven't gotten anywhere.
Either the BIOS isn't working, or most likely, the heatsink is horrible, the only way to lower the processor temperature is by changing the paste.
While waiting for CWWK's shipment, I've had a pedestal fan pointed directly at the device, and it stayed cool. If you're using it in a bedroom or workshop and don't mind the noise, fine, but if you're using it as a router/firewall in the dining room, be careful, you'll end up installing a fan.
CWWK hasn't replied.

 

[Zoltar]

Hello everyone,
while trying to make the 4*M.2 expansion card work I flashed a different BIOS onto my 4xNIC N100 cwwk machine. I probably took a wrong one and bricked my machine (screen stays black when starting up, no beeps at all, even after CMOS resets). My fault, should have waited for cwwk to send me the proper one instead of trying different ones. Now I probably need to manually flash the BIOS chip, this is also what cwwk support suggests. I already ordered an CH341a programmer.

The problem is, I couldn't really figure out the different version numbers and boards that cwwk uses for their mini PCs, so I'm not sure what version I have. I ordered mine in May 2024 and at this time it was the one with the N100 CPU, 4 NICs and the longest cooling fins. It has two red USB ports on the outside. My board looks a bit different compared to the ones I have seen on here. Does anyone have an idea on what might be the BIOS chip on this board? So far I have not been lucky in identifying the right one.

Thanks for helping!

View attachment 44035

It looks like the same motherboard I have. I emailed CWWK to make sure, but they didn't even reply.
I didn't want to take any chances.

 

[audit13]

We are being shipped utter garbage direct from China, often a way of making money from poor quality or recycled components. In your case, according to the stepping number on the BIOS screen, the Intel chip is likely an engineering sample, which should not to be resold, that's China for you.

I doubt the AMI BIOS used is licensed, and power management options are often hidden as the boards don't have a good enough design to guarantee being stable when they go in and out of low power states, or the engineering sample CPU isn't stable. Even if you do get a hacked BIOS with power management options, they usually don't make much difference as the board isn't designed to save power, its designed to cut costs and make money for some Chinese manufacturer, this is why these things never have any branding on them.

My advice is to save your time and stress trying to get power management to save any power, and just enjoy the fact its working all okay for you.

Thanks for the reply and information.

I'll keep it in use for a few more days to make sure continues to work well and keep it if it does. It wasn't a heavy investment.

I'll definitely look for more reputable manufacturers in the future.