Thoughts on Mikrotik RBM11G / RBM33G

[Infector944]

I've used the stock Mikrotik Routerboard firmware on several traditional networks, I've no experience with WWAN setups with them, and I've never flashed alternative firmware onto them.

I'm attracted to the RBM11G because I have no need for WiFi and have a managed POE switch at the center of my LAN. (cheep as hell also helps). Eventually it will be mounted in a enclosure on my mast. Price is ~50$ shipped from Latvia

I have an EP06-a modem that I'm planning on using with it.

It looks like there's a little bit of the process to get the GO FW installed on them, I'm interested to hear how that went for you.

Does anyone use these on here?

[sdrawkcab3]

I'm not going to be able to help much because I'm a total novice and learning as I go, but I'm putting together a RBM33G and a Sierra EM7455 right now. (I've also ordered an EP06-A, but it's on a slow boat from China and won't be here for a few more weeks.)

Here are my thoughts so far:

I updated the modem firmware to generic (I'll mainly be using this for Sprint)

I immediately flashed RouterOS v7beta8 to the RBM33G hoping to have the best compatibility with the modem. I had the LTE interface, but no band selection.

I tested AT&T and Sprint sims, and had internet connection but couldn't issue AT commands to the modem. I also kept losing connection on Sprint, but I've seen others complain that happens with the EM7455.

I flashed to GoldenOrb hoping to gain more control over the modem.

Flashing GoldenOrb was really easy with my windows desktop. Just be sure to backup the RouterOS license key first, otherwise you won't be able to revert back to ROS. If you've used RouterOS, you can probably handle the flash process. I used Tiny PXE and bootp rather than a serial cable.

I haven't tested WWAN internet connection through GoldenOrb, but hope to do that soon. I can, however, issue AT commands to the modem now - a huge win for me I can switch bands, monitor connection strength, etc. Couldn't do that with ROSv7 and the EM7455.

I've never done any of this before, but I can try to answer questions about what I've done so far.

I picked up my 33g from neobits for a great price and quick shipping. They also have the 11g. I decided on the 33g because it was only a couple bucks more and my enclosure is going outside so size wasn't a factor.

[Infector944]

I got my RBM33G sitting on my bench today. Going to be playing around with it.

My thought is to go the hard way and try to use ROS... We shall see how that goes.

Thx for the post!

[docderwood]

I installed Rooter on one of these today. I have an EM20 in it.

Oddly...I can connect to the internet but not see any info (signal strength etc) via the rooter interface and I can
't get any AT commands to work. It's the 3-1-2020 firmware.


any ideas?

Sun Nov 8 00:31:42 2020 : Connection Log Cleared by User
Sun Nov 8 00:39:36 2020 : Attempting to Connect Modem #1 (Quectel EM20-G)
Sun Nov 8 00:41:48 2020 : Modem #1 Connected

T: Bus=01 Lev=00 Prnt=00 Port=00 Cnt=00 Dev#= 1 Spd=480 MxCh= 2
B: Alloc= 0/800 us ( 0%), #Int= 0, #Iso= 0
D: Ver= 2.00 Cls=09(hub ) Sub=00 Prot=01 MxPS=64 #Cfgs= 1
P: Vendor=1d6b ProdID=0002 Rev= 4.14
S: Manufacturer=Linux 4.14.167 xhci-hcd
S: Product=xHCI Host Controller
S: SerialNumber=1e1c0000.xhci
C:* #Ifs= 1 Cfg#= 1 Atr=e0 MxPwr= 0mA
I:* If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 1 Cls=09(hub ) Sub=00 Prot=00 Driver=hub
E: Ad=81(I) Atr=03(Int.) MxPS= 4 Ivl=256ms
********************************************************************************************************
T: Bus=01 Lev=01 Prnt=01 Port=01 Cnt=01 Dev#= 2 Spd=480 MxCh= 0
D: Ver= 2.10 Cls=ef(misc ) Sub=02 Prot=01 MxPS=64 #Cfgs= 1
P: Vendor=2c7c ProdID=0620 Rev= 4.09
S: Manufacturer=Quectel
S: Product=EM20-G
S: SerialNumber=**********
C:* #Ifs= 5 Cfg#= 1 Atr=a0 MxPwr=500mA
I:* If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 2 Cls=ff(vend.) Sub=ff Prot=30 Driver=(none)
E: Ad=81(I) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS= 512 Ivl=0ms
E: Ad=01(O) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS= 512 Ivl=0ms
I:* If#= 1 Alt= 0 #EPs= 3 Cls=ff(vend.) Sub=00 Prot=00 Driver=option
E: Ad=83(I) Atr=03(Int.) MxPS= 10 Ivl=32ms
E: Ad=82(I) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS= 512 Ivl=0ms
E: Ad=02(O) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS= 512 Ivl=0ms
I:* If#= 2 Alt= 0 #EPs= 3 Cls=ff(vend.) Sub=00 Prot=00 Driver=option
E: Ad=85(I) Atr=03(Int.) MxPS= 10 Ivl=32ms
E: Ad=84(I) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS= 512 Ivl=0ms
E: Ad=03(O) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS= 512 Ivl=0ms
I:* If#= 3 Alt= 0 #EPs= 3 Cls=ff(vend.) Sub=00 Prot=00 Driver=option
E: Ad=87(I) Atr=03(Int.) MxPS= 10 Ivl=32ms
E: Ad=86(I) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS= 512 Ivl=0ms
E: Ad=04(O) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS= 512 Ivl=0ms
I:* If#= 4 Alt= 0 #EPs= 3 Cls=ff(vend.) Sub=ff Prot=ff Driver=qmi_wwan
E: Ad=88(I) Atr=03(Int.) MxPS= 8 Ivl=32ms
E: Ad=8e(I) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS= 512 Ivl=0ms
E: Ad=0f(O) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS= 512 Ivl=0ms
********************************************************************************************************
T: Bus=02 Lev=00 Prnt=00 Port=00 Cnt=00 Dev#= 1 Spd=5000 MxCh= 1
B: Alloc= 0/800 us ( 0%), #Int= 0, #Iso= 0
D: Ver= 3.00 Cls=09(hub ) Sub=00 Prot=03 MxPS= 9 #Cfgs= 1
P: Vendor=1d6b ProdID=0003 Rev= 4.14
S: Manufacturer=Linux 4.14.167 xhci-hcd
S: Product=xHCI Host Controller
S: SerialNumber=1e1c0000.xhci
C:* #Ifs= 1 Cfg#= 1 Atr=e0 MxPwr= 0mA
I:* If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 1 Cls=09(hub ) Sub=00 Prot=00 Driver=hub
E: Ad=81(I) Atr=03(Int.) MxPS= 4 Ivl=256ms

[Infector944]

I'm still banging my head on the Routerboard ROS firmware. There is a steep learning curve when compared to a consumer router GUI. I'm using Beta Ver7.xx

I've got the modem to be recognized and I can use AT commands through the terminal within the ROS Winbox software, I just don't know how to configure the router properly. There's quite a lot of config to be done to make it play nice, lots of documentation as well.

I'm going to spend some time on it this weekend. I will report back.

I did get my outdoor enclosure and cracking big modem heat sync mounted and installed the other day.
(the blue tape is temporary to secure the 6DBI antennae cables for bench testing)

I also sprung for a RBGPOE-CON-HP passive to active POE converter so I can use my POE switch and only need one ethernet cable on my mast.

=============================================================

Here is my BOM if anyone would find that helpful: (My purchase price in USD)

Cheap Quectel LTE EP06-A (cat6 modem) (~75$)

RBM33G (~55$)
https://www.amazon.com/Mikrotik-RBM33G- ... B07CNT45P7

Passive POE adapter (~29$)
https://www.amazon.com/Mikrotik-RBGPOE- ... B00I4QJLPM

outdoor enclosure and accessories (~55$)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Outdoor-watert ... 2918066627
With these Accessories: for my proposed 2x2 MIMO antenna array
2x 3ft LMR400 grade N male to N male cable
1x Extra RF cables with U.FL, connector (one cable included at no charge)
(the seller will send a separate invoice (outside of ebay) for the accessories everything was shipped within 1 day and showed up just as I ordered it)

Mounting stand off kit (14$) way overkill on parts but I like having stock for future projects
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PK23VC4/

Heat-sync x4 (12$) 40x40x20 overhangs the side of the modem by a good 10mm, I offset it towards the outside of the case away from the second mPCIe slot there is plenty of head room in the case for the 20mm height (actual dimensions of the EP06-A top thermal pad are 29.3mm x 39.86mm)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZNX839V

[docderwood]

Still no luck with mine using supposedly compatible Rooter firmware. Thanks for your update.

[Infector944]

I've got the RouterOS to see my modem and that is about it. I can send AT commands and get responses. It can see my sim and IMEI of my modem. It even will scan and tell me that there is a Verizon tower near me, just nothing past that.

I'm way out of my depth with the MikroTiK firmware RouterOS software.
Lots of reading for me:

https://help.mikrotik.com/docs/display/ROS/LTE
https://help.mikrotik.com/docs/display/ ... ng+started
https://forum.mikrotik.com/viewtopic.php?t=150368

[mtl26637]

I have the RBM33G that I purchase several months ago. It was a little tricky getting the Rooter firmware on the device but after that its just like any other router device, except it has dual sim, muliple gigabit LAN, wide range of DC input for power including poe, usb 3.0 and dual onboard pcie slots. Once you get it going there isn't much other hardware that even compares.

It's been a few months but what I do remember is once you get the rooter image on the board using tftp then you won't mess with the factory software/firmware again, all firmware updates are through rooter software 'update' images. Here is the name of the image I ended up using "GoldenOrb_2020-03-01 ( OpenWrt 18.06.7 )". Can't remember why, but for what it's worth I did end up removing the modem from the onboard pcie slot and currently have an EM20G hooked up via usb3.0 port.

Hope you guys get it going as its a pretty nice piece of hardware for the $.

[docderwood]

Good to know, I had that firmware running with the EM20. I could get the internet working but it was bizarre in that you couldn’t see any modem commands going thru. Wasn’t using USB though

[BrandonDillon]

docderwood, is it not seeing it in a similar way to this? My NEXR5GO didn't show any connectivity/AT command executions but it still was connected and communicating. If that is the case you can change the comm bus.

Here is the name of the image I ended up using "GoldenOrb_2020-03-01 ( OpenWrt 18.06.7 )". Can't remember why, but for what it's worth I did end up removing the modem from the onboard pcie slot and currently have an EM20G hooked up via usb3.0 port.

Hope you guys get it going as its a pretty nice piece of hardware for the $.

If you remember why you plugged via USB instead of mPCIE let us know. I would like to have this same board with at least two EM20-G connected.

[mtl26637]

Not positive but I do believe I was having trouble with the onboard slots. I know it has to be inserted into one or the other and jumpers set correctly etc. I'd say if you got to the point you had that firmware installed and running on the board then there is a good chance things would work correctly if you use usb port. Would be worth a shot to see if that gets it up and going and then troubleshoot from there? If I get a chance I will take another look into it and install the modem back into the onboard slot and see what results I come up with. Ultimately that is/was the plan to begin with.

[docderwood]

^^^^Please let us know!

Was really wanting to put two modems in this board and load balance.

[Infector944]

I'm completely beyond my depth with ROS, so I'm in the process of flashing the latest GO FW

https://www.ofmodemsandmen.com/upload/R ... -19074.zip


I can't seem to get the firmware to stick, when I Follow the instructions from the PDF it bricks on the load upgrade firmware step. Infinite boot loop.
When I don't do the upgrade firmware step, after a power cycle it reverts to the ROS firmware.

I just started this process today, so I haven't researched much on what's going on. I'm following the steps in the
flash-rbm-33.pdf

I guess I could try an older FW version and see what happens. I'm heading over to the ModemsandMen forum to read the last hundred or so posts in the GO thread to gleem some info.

Wish me luck.

[Infector944]

Now it does in infinite boot loop. I posted up on the rooter forum to get some help.

[mtl26637]

I finally got to checking back on my setup. I moved the modem to the on board slot and all seems to be in working order. As far as how to initially flash the RBM33G, check out this link. Seems I recall additional information in some of bnhf's posts so you might scroll on down and check out the rest of his also.

https://whrl.pl/RfdjOg

Note, I initially moved the modem into the 'middle' pcie slot and it didn't recognize the modem. Once I moved the modem (Quectel EM20-G) into the 'edge' slot and moved the sim into the slot directly underneath that slot it booted up and connected. I also had to remove the usb jumper next to the usb slot. Not sure if it will work in other configurations but this is what worked for me.

Let us know if you get it up and going.

[supersailor89]

I Managed to install Goldenorb on the RBM11G, I read somewhere that they were having trouble with the software staying on the board. I believe you install the "Factory" upgrade first and then install the "Upgrade" with Goldenorb software. if not it will go back to rooter os.

Anyways, I can't seem to communicate. i get error " can't open dev/ttyUSB2". (quectel EC25-AF)it says modem present but can't communicate, and the Sierra MC7455 doesn't get recognized all?

Any ideas on what I need to do to open ttyUSB2?

[mthird]

I purchased both of these boards and for the life of me can't get the tftpd boot to work on either. The board sends out BOOTP requests in a quick loop before bailing and booting to RouterOS.

Code: Select all

Rcvd BootP Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac (redacted) [05/11 16:44:49.964]
DHCP: proposed address 192.168.88.1 [05/11 16:44:49.964]
Rcvd BootP Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac (redacted) [05/11 16:44:50.167]
DHCP: proposed address 192.168.88.1 [05/11 16:44:50.167]
Rcvd BootP Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac (redacted) [05/11 16:44:50.370]
<snip/>

I've tried downgrading from RouterOS 7.1.x to 6.48.5 in case there was something with the bootloader. I've tried disabling the Windows Defender Firewall. I removed HyperV in case it's switch was causing issues.

Any thoughts?

[packlet]

If you remember why you plugged via USB instead of mPCIE let us know. I would like to have this same board with at least two EM20-G connected.

possibly because the pcie slots only carry pins for USB2.0, while only the USB port supports USB3.0, per
https://help.mikrotik.com/docs/display/ ... eading-USB jumper, so if you're expecting 300+mbps, might be reaching the *practical* limits of USB2.0

In any case R00ter support has only gotten better since this was posted a year ago, and some dual-modem glitches were recently ironed out. But Rooter does limit to 2 modems, even tho there may be more available interfaces...

While I've seen over 200mpbs on a cat12 (SW mc7565) modem and the rbm33g had plenty of cpu left, pretty sure a couple of EM20's might max it out, either on the USB2.0 interface or by the CPU. If anyone can confirm or disprove that, "enquiring minds want to know"...

[mthird]

I figured it my bootp issue (a serial cable helped). I had to use the backup loader then everything worked as expected.

[latic]

I've just tried to load up rooter on a few RBM33G's I had and TFTP wouldn't work at all, DHCP wouldn't give out the IP and it looped. Tried multiple versions, settings etc etc.

After messing around for an hour I gave up and then just used PXE (Tiny PXE Server) it worked straight away and honestly PXE is a far more simple setup (select the network card and correct IP and then the firmware you want to load).

Went all in on these Mikrotik items and got 3 more RBM11G's and the the cases to go with them.

[chemistry]

Hello!

I installed GoldenOrb from the Rooter Project on my RBM33G.
Now i want to switch back to factory firmware as i want to use a Quectel RM500Q-AE 5G Modem.
How can i do this?
Any tutorial or hints on this topic?

Thanks a lot!

[Didneywhorl]

It isn't the same process?

[packlet]

"Now i want to switch back to factory firmware as i want to use a Quectel RM500Q-AE 5G Modem."

why? rbm33g with Rooter can handle that modem as well or better than RouterOS... the hardware won't run that modem any faster on RouterOS than on Rooter/OpenWRT, whether you're using the pcie slot or the USB port. Note, the USB port is your best bet for a 5g modem, as that's the only place the hardware supports USB3 - the other pcie slots are limited to usb2 speeds - figure up to 300mbps - and NO they won't work with a modem that supports PCI mode only...)

but if you must, you need the Mikrotik netinstall.exe tool (I've used it on Windows) and the factory firmware image to flash it with from the MT web site. BUT you'll also need the original license key that came with the Router OS, or it won't work (you saved it somewhere, right?). Mikrotik support MAY be able to supply you with that key (or a replacement) but i haven't tried that...

PS: and +1 for Tiny PXE server over TFTPd (32 or 64) for flashing the Mikrotik's. something about tftpd's bootp implementation doesn't play nice with the MT's, tho they may have fixed it on one side or the other since I last tried...