Xikestor SKS3200-8E2X - avoid these 'MxL86282S' chipset models!

Notice: Page may contain affiliate links for which we may earn a small commission through services like Amazon Affiliates or Skimlinks.
B

Bloody Gent

New Member
Apr 20, 2023
3
3
3
I just got the SKS3200-5E2X-P which is the same as the non-P but then with PoE. They (5E2X and 5E2X-P) use the same firmware. I was told to use the 5E2X firmware and I did without issues except that the UI then shows SKS3200-8E2X. So I'm thinking they all use the same firmware somehow.. My 5E2X came with 1.0.0.5 and I flashed 1.0.0.7 to it. It seems the 8E2X is on 1.0.0.6.

Don't take my word for it and do something stupid (only I would do) like flashing the latest 5E2X to your 8E2X.. the update says something about SFP+ 2.5GbE compatibility anyway, so doesn't seem important.


On another note... it does have really shitty VLAN logic! I also can't figure out how to get the UI to show up over a tagged port.. it always binds to bridge_id 0 according to customer support but whatever I set I can only get the WebUI to show up with untagged traffic.. which compromises practically everything else since then my AP's won't be able to get a tagged link either. It's really weird logic and I haven't fully managed to make it work yet after 2 days of f-ing about with it. Customer support admits they also find the logic strange.. I asked them why then they chose this chipset?!? crickets...

I have an online chat scheduled with one of the engineers for Sunday here in China so I will go through some of the quirks with him and if I find anything interesting I'll report back here.

I got an SKS8300-8T from them also that works just fine. normal Q VLAN logic.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Aleksman4o
W

warnings

New Member
Jun 2, 2019
5
0
1
Bloody Gent said:
I have an online chat scheduled with one of the engineers for Sunday here in China so I will go through some of the quirks with him and if I find anything interesting I'll report back here.

I got an SKS8300-8T from them also that works just fine. normal Q VLAN logic.
Click to expand...
What give your online chat with them ?
No new firmware available and still unusable on my side when plugged in a network with VLAN. This switch take packets who shouldn't reach him and cause many network issues. I try to plug another switch with identical configuration and not take any packets so the problem come from this switch. It's intermittent some packets each XX sec are intercepted without reason and never reach their destination.

Thank you for the feedback
 
I

Infinite

New Member
Aug 15, 2025
6
7
3
I've been using a script to manage this switch for a while, and it seems to work well for me. It doesn't fix the large VLAN configuration issue, but it makes VLAN management much easier. If you are interested you can checkout my git repo here GitHub - ren-e/xikestor . Didn't take the time to write a readme yet, but it's quite simple to use.
 
  • Like
Reactions: warnings
W

warnings

New Member
Jun 2, 2019
5
0
1
Infinite said:
I've been using a script to manage this switch for a while, and it seems to work well for me. It doesn't fix the large VLAN configuration issue, but it makes VLAN management much easier. If you are interested you can checkout my git repo here GitHub - ren-e/xikestor . Didn't take the time to write a readme yet, but it's quite simple to use.
Click to expand...
Thank you very much to share your script !
It's simplify a lot the configuration :)
 
R

romich

New Member
Dec 31, 2025
1
0
1
Ordered SKS3200-8E2X a week ago from aliexpress, received today, and it shipped with firmware 2.0.0.1. Seekswan lists only 1.0.0.6 firmware, and notes (per Google Translate) "This firmware is prohibited for versions starting with V2". Reported hardware version is still A0.
 
J

janeblower

New Member
May 31, 2025
4
1
3
romich said:
Ordered SKS3200-8E2X a week ago from aliexpress, received today, and it shipped with firmware 2.0.0.1. Seekswan lists only 1.0.0.6 firmware, and notes (per Google Translate) "This firmware is prohibited for versions starting with V2". Reported hardware version is still A0.
Click to expand...
Would you be willing to share a dump of the 2.0.0.1 firmware?
 
G

gaidin123

New Member
Dec 28, 2018
16
6
3
janeblower said:
Would you be willing to share a dump of the 2.0.0.1 firmware?
Click to expand...
This zip should have firmware 2.0.0.1 and a default config file for the SKS3200-8E2X rev A0 hardware. I just received mine and the web UI has a giant Download button for the firmware and a separate one for the configuration file. The vlan configuration feels normal with separate Port and Tagged VLAN areas. There is nothing bridge related to configure.

It appears that you are unable to change what segment the management interface listens on, though you can change the IP.
 

Attachments

  • Like
Reactions: janeblower
J

janeblower

New Member
May 31, 2025
4
1
3
gaidin123 said:
This zip should have firmware 2.0.0.1 and a default config file for the SKS3200-8E2X rev A0 hardware. I just received mine and the web UI has a giant Download button for the firmware and a separate one for the configuration file. The vlan configuration feels normal with separate Port and Tagged VLAN areas. There is nothing bridge related to configure.

It appears that you are unable to change what segment the management interface listens on, though you can change the IP.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, the firmware isn't compatible with the switch, which was released on firmware version 1 (also a hardware version A0). Version 2 is slightly larger—2722 KB versus 2456 KB for version 1.
The device just reboots and indicates a connection error.

Interesting fact:
The 5E2X firmware runs on the 8E2X and shows version 1.0.0.7.
 
G

gaidin123

New Member
Dec 28, 2018
16
6
3
hesd said:
Is this firmware from the non-PoE version of the switch?
Click to expand...
Yes, this firmware is from the non-POE version of this switch. They add a "-P" to the model number for that one and I thought about getting it but the price difference was significant, and I wanted to see how the non-PoE idle power compared to some of the similar 4-6 port managed switches.
 
G

gaidin123

New Member
Dec 28, 2018
16
6
3
janeblower said:
Unfortunately, the firmware isn't compatible with the switch, which was released on firmware version 1 (also a hardware version A0). Version 2 is slightly larger—2722 KB versus 2456 KB for version 1.
The device just reboots and indicates a connection error.

Interesting fact:
The 5E2X firmware runs on the 8E2X and shows version 1.0.0.7.
Click to expand...
Ah that's unfortunate and maybe explains why they don't make this firmware available. I was worried this one would come with the 1.x release since it's impossible to tell before ordering (and the seller never replied to my question about that).
 
S

Shonk

Active Member
Nov 25, 2016
242
167
43
75
Im considering dumping the flash on my Xikestor SKS1200-8GPY2XF (MXL86282C Unmanaged)
and flashing the MXL86282S Managed firmware with a CH341

has anyone ever tried it

Its a very early switch that i got as soon as they released before the managed ones came out

The flash is a Winbond 25Q64JVSIQ 64mbit (8 megabyte) so should be big enough

2.jpgIMG_20260308_220226.jpg
 
J

janeblower

New Member
May 31, 2025
4
1
3
Finally got around to soldering the UART and taking a look inside.
Pinout: VCC, TX, RX, GND
VCC is marked with an arrow (^) on the board.

Here’s the boot log and the list of commands:
Slot : Mcuboot version = 1.0.23
Slot[1] : WSP Kernel version = 1.0.45
: WSP App version = 1.0.45
: WSP SVN = 1
Slot[2] : GPHY version = 0039
: GPHY SVN = 1
* Slot[3] : WSP Kernel version = 1.0.45
: WSP App version = 1.0.45
: WSP SVN = 1
* Slot[4] : GPHY version = 0039
: GPHY SVN = 1
Start WSP


[ 0.010000] <inf> wdt_mxl: Watchdog UP

[ 0.000000] <inf> slice_mgr: Slice MGR UP
[ 0.000000] <inf> hal_cgu: CGU UP
[ 0.000000] <inf> hal_icu: ICU UP
[ 0.000000] <inf> hal_slice_icu: SLICE ICU UP
[ 0.000000] <inf> mgmt_intf_api: Mgmt INTF UP
[ 0.000000] <inf> dma_mxl_net: DMA RX UP
[ 0.000000] <inf> dma_mxl_net: DMA TX UP
[ 0.000000] <inf> gpio_mxl: GPIO Up
[ 0.000000] <inf> gpio_mxl: GPIO Up
[ 0.000000] <inf> gpio_mxl: GPIO Up
[ 0.420000] <inf> mxl_xpcs: XPCS1 UP
[ 0.840000] <inf> mxl_xpcs: XPCS0 UP
[ 0.840000] <inf> wsp_gphy_msg: WSP_GPHY_MSG UP

[ 0.880000] <inf> gsw_drv: GSWIP UP
[ 0.880000] <inf> mac_api: MAC 16 UP
[ 0.880000] <inf> mac_api: MAC 15 UP
[ 0.880000] <inf> mac_api: MAC 14 UP
[ 0.880000] <inf> mac_api: MAC 13 UP
[ 0.880000] <inf> mac_api: MAC 12 UP
[ 0.880000] <inf> mac_api: MAC 11 UP
[ 0.880000] <inf> mac_api: MAC 10 UP
[ 0.880000] <inf> mac_api: MAC 9 UP
[ 0.880000] <inf> mac_api: MAC 8 UP
[ 0.880000] <inf> mac_api: MAC 7 UP*** Booting Zephyr OS build ***

[ 0.880000] <inf> mac_api: MAC 6 UP
[ 0.880000] <inf> mac_api: MAC 5 UP
[ 0.880000] <inf> mac_api: MAC 4 UP
[ 0.880000] <inf> mac_api: MAC 3 UP
[ 0.880000] <inf> mac_api: MAC 2 UP
[ 0.880000] <inf> mac_api: MAC 1 UP
[ 0.880000] <inf> mdio_mxl: XGMAC MDIO UP
[ 0.880000] <inf> mmdio_mxl: MMDIO UP
[ 0.880000] <inf> ptp_clock_mxl: MXL PTP CLOCK UP
[ 0.880000] <inf> eth_mxl: Mxl Eth UP
[ 0.880000] <inf> net_lldp: LLDP Inited
[ 0.960000] <inf> pvt: PVT UP
[ 0.970000] <inf> gpy2xx_api: GPY2XX 7 (PHY Addr 31) UP
[ 0.970000] <inf> gpy2xx_api: GPY2XX 6 (PHY Addr 30) UP
[ 0.970000] <inf> gpy2xx_api: GPY2XX 5 (PHY Addr 29) UP
[ 0.970000] <inf> gpy2xx_api: GPY2XX 4 (PHY Addr 28) UP
[ 0.970000] <inf> gpy2xx_api: GPY2XX 3 (PHY Addr 27) UP
[ 0.970000] <inf> gpy2xx_api: GPY2XX 2 (PHY Addr 26) UP
[ 0.970000] <inf> gpy2xx_api: GPY2XX 1 (PHY Addr 25) UP
[ 0.970000] <inf> gpy2xx_api: GPY2XX 0 (PHY Addr 24) UP
[ 0.980000] <inf> fs_nvs: 64 Sectors of 4096 bytes
[ 0.980000] <inf> fs_nvs: alloc wra: 0, ee0
[ 0.980000] <inf> fs_nvs: data wra: 0, 4c7
[ 3.940000] <inf> net_config: IPv6 address: fe80::8ea6:82ff:fe70:d41e
[ 3.940000] <inf> net_config: IPv6 address: 2001:db8::1
[ 4.170000] <inf> net_config: IPv6 address: fe80::8ea6:82ff:fe70:d41e
[ 4.170000] <inf> net_config: IPv6 address: 2001:db8::1
[ 4.660000] <inf> main_civetweb: Starting Webserver with IPv4
[ 4.660000] <inf> main_civetweb: Start with Http URL : http://192.168.100.254:80/setup.html
[ 4.660000] <inf> main_civetweb: Start with Https URL : https://192.168.100.254:443/setup.html
[ 4.660000] <inf> main_civetweb: Starting Webserver with IPv6
[ 4.660000] <inf> main_civetweb: Start with Http URL : http://[2001:db8::1]:80/setup.html
[ 4.660000] <inf> main_civetweb: Start with Http URL : http://[fe80::8ea6:82ff:fe70:d41e]:80/setup.html

Code: 
uart:~$ help
Please press the <Tab> button to see all available commands.
You can also use the <Tab> button to prompt or auto-complete all commands or its subcommands.
You can try to call commands with <-h> or <--help> parameter for more information.

Shell supports following meta-keys:
  Ctrl + (a key from: abcdefklnpuw)
  Alt  + (a key from: bf)
Please refer to shell documentation for more details.

Available commands:
  bridge      :Ethernet Bridge commands
  chiptest    :Chiptest commands
  clear       :Clear screen.
  cweb        :civetweb commands
  date        :Date commands
  device      :Device commands
  devmem      :Read/write physical memory"devmem address [width [value]]
  dma_cli     :DMA CLI commands.
  eth_cli     :ETH CLI commands.
  flash       :Flash shell commands
  flash_map   :Flash map commands
  gphy_cfg    :Ghpy config CLI commands.
  gptp        :GPTP commands
  help        :Prints the help message.
  history     :Command history.
  i2c         :I2C commands
  ifconfig    :ifconfig eth-mxl ip/ip6 [ip_addr] mask [netmask] gw/gw6 [gateway]
               mtu [mtu] hw_addr [mac] up/down addr_type/addr_type6 manual/dhcp
  igmp        :Show IGMP information.
  kernel      :Kernel commands
  lacp        :LACP commands
  lldp        :LLDP CLI commands.
  log         :Commands for controlling logger
  mac_cli     :MAC CLI commands.
  mdio        :MDIO commands
  mgmt_intf   :Management interfce CLI commands.
  msec_cli    :MACsec CLI commands.
  net         :Networking commands
  resize      :Console gets terminal screen size or assumes default in case the
               readout fails. It must be executed after each terminal width
               change to ensure correct text display.
  sensor      :Sensor commands
  settings    :Settings shell commands
  sfp_cli     :SFP CLI commands.
  shell       :Useful, not Unix-like shell commands.
  stp         :STP commands
  switch_cli  :SWITCH CLI commands.
  xpcs_cli    :XPCS CLI commands.

Using the flash command, you can read from and write to the flash memory, and flash_map shows its layout. It might be possible to load BusyBox and explore the system.
Code: 
uart:~$ flash_map list
ID | Device | Device Name       |   Offset   |   Size
-------------------------------------------------------
0    0        flash_mxl             0x0          0xa000
1    0        flash_mxl             0xa000       0x240000
2    0        flash_mxl             0x24a000     0x29000
3    0        flash_mxl             0x273000     0x240000
4    0        flash_mxl             0x4b3000     0x29000
5    0        flash_mxl             0x4dc000     0x1000
6    0        flash_mxl             0x4dd000     0x10000
7    0        flash_mxl             0x4ed000     0x40000
8    0        flash_mxl             0x52d000     0x80000
9    0        flash_mxl             0x5ad000     0x80000
 
Last edited:
J

janeblower

New Member
May 31, 2025
4
1
3
gaidin123 said:
This zip should have firmware 2.0.0.1 and a default config file for the SKS3200-8E2X rev A0 hardware. I just received mine and the web UI has a giant Download button for the firmware and a separate one for the configuration file. The vlan configuration feels normal with separate Port and Tagged VLAN areas. There is nothing bridge related to configure.

It appears that you are unable to change what segment the management interface listens on, though you can change the IP.
Click to expand...
Hi, could you dump the full flash memory using a programmer?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Shonk
A

altzone

New Member
Apr 8, 2026
2
0
1
anybody31 said:
Thanks for doing this. Half the time, I couldn't log in to the web UI on the switch. This is great!
Click to expand...
Thanks, really appreciate it! Yeah, the web UI can be quite unstable at times… that’s exactly why I built this wrapper Glad it helps!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom