🛠 First Boot and Initial Setup of Banana Pi BPI-RT2

Objectives

This tutorial guides you through the initial setup of the Banana Pi BPI-RT2. We will ensure stable power delivery, connect network peripherals, and access the OpenWrt administration interface to verify firmware functionality. This process is crucial for preparing the board for advanced configuration.

Required Materials

• Banana Pi BPI-RT2 board
• Compatible 12V DC power adapter (barrel jack)
• RJ45 Ethernet cable
• Computer with network access
• Modern web browser

Steps

1. Hardware Check: Inspect the board for visible damage. Note that the compact dimensions (97 x 65 mm) facilitate installation. Ensure the four antenna connectors are securely screwed in if you plan to use WiFi immediately.

1. Network Connection: Connect an Ethernet cable between the WAN port (identified separately from LAN ports) of the BPI-RT2 and your main router or internet box. This allows the board to obtain an IP address via DHCP.

1. Powering Up: Plug the 12V DC adapter into the barrel jack connector. Status LEDs should light up. Full boot takes approximately 30 to 60 seconds. Avoid USB power as the Realtek RTL8198D SoC and WiFi 6 module require 12V power.

1. Interface Access: Once booted, open a web browser and go to http://192.168.1.1. If the address does not respond, check your computer's routing table or use a network scan tool. The default interface is OpenWrt 22.03.

1. First Login: By default, the user is root with no password. Click Login. It is imperative to set a strong password immediately via System > Admin Password to secure access.

Verification

In the OpenWrt interface, navigate to Status > System. Verify that the firmware version matches OpenWrt 22.03. Go to Network > Interfaces to confirm the WAN interface has received a valid IP address. In Status > Wireless, ensure WiFi 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz interfaces are active and detected.

Going Further

Once the base is secured, explore enabling WiFi 6 (AX3000) via radio settings. You can also connect a serial display to the exposed UART interface for debugging in case of boot issues.