Linuxiac LinkStar-H68K Portable WiFi Pocket Router User Guide

LinkStar-H68K Portable WiFi Pocket Router

LinkStar-H68K C/D/F Series
Quick Start Guide

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Release Date

20220901 2022.09.01

LinkStar-H68K-C D F Model Routing Quick Start Guide

Preface

Preface

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Model versions
From official web material, the H68K-C D F model routing parameters are as follows

Target Audience
This document (this guide) is primarily intended for people who Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Players

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Prefa ce

Symbolic Conventions

The following symbols may appear in this document and what they represent is given below.

Symbols

Versions

Revision of records

Used to warn of an urgent and dangerous situation which, if not avoided, would result in death or serious personal injury.
Used to warn of potentially dangerous situations which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious personal injury.
Used to warn of potentially dangerous situations which, if not avoided, could result in moderate or minor personal injury. Used to communicate equipment or environmental safety warnings which, if not avoided, could lead to equipment damage, data loss, reduced equipment performance or other unpredictable results. Caution” without a safety warning symbol does not cover personal injury. Used to highlight important/key messages, best practices, tips, etc. “Instructions” is not a safety warning message and does not relate to information on injury to persons, equipment or the environment.

The revision log accumulates notes for each document update. The latest version of the documentation contains updates from all previous versions of the documentation.

Date of revision
2022-0901

Version Revision notes s

01

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LinkStar-H68K-C D F Model Routing – Quick Start Guide

Table of Conte nts

Table of Contents
1 Introduction to LinkStar-H68K Routing Basics ………………………………………………………….. 2
1.1 Product description……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2 1.2 Interface description ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3
2 LinkStar-H68K router out of the box ………………………………………………………………………… 4
2.1 Open box inspection……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 4 2.2 Plug-in check……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5 2.3 Back office access…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 6 2.4 Broadband dial-up routing and network allocation methods………………………………………………….. 8
2.4.1 Device connection topology diagram …………………………………………………………………………………. 8 2.4.2 Distribution methods………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8 2.5 Secondary routing and distribution methods…………………………………………………………………………. 10 2.5.1 Device connection topology diagram ………………………………………………………………………………. 10 2.5.2 Distribution methods……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 10 2.6 Wireless bridges and network distribution methods…………………………………………………………….. 14 2.6.1 Device connection topology diagram ………………………………………………………………………………. 14 2.6.2 Distribution methods……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 14
3 Firmware upgrade ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 20
3.1 Tool preparation for card brushing ………………………………………………………………………………………… 21 3.2 TF card swipe operation procedure……………………………………………………………………………………………… 21 3.3 Tool preparation for eMMC wire brush ……………………………………………………………………………………… 23 3.4 eMMC wire brush operation procedure ………………………………………………………………………………………. 23 3.5 Android/Ubuntu Firmware Upgrade………………………………………………………………………………………………. 26
4 About power supply and cooling ………………………………………………………………………………….. 28
4.1 DC12V adapter option………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 28 4.2 USB adapter options ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 29 4.3 Heat Dissipation………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 29

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1 LinkStar-H68K Routing
Basics
1.1 Product description
The H68K-C D F router is equipped with Rexchip’s RK3568 metal package chip, enabling a wealth of peripherals. Transmission: Dual Gigabit Ethernet, dual 2.5G Ethernet, where the F version has WIFI6 in wireless WIFI-AX mode, o n e USB3.0, two USB2.0 ports. Storage: Supports one way TYPC native SATA. Audio and video: HDMI 2.0 output, 3.5mm four-segment headphones (with input and output)
The H68K-C D F routing software has been developed by OP open source developers and supports kernel 4.19 and later 5.19. Support wired in and wireless in, support wired local area exchange and wireless local area hotspot, support wired bridge and wireless bridge construction

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1.2 Interface description

The H68K-F interface has only two more antennas than the C D. The following highlights the F model.

1 The TYPE-C interface is the native SATA hard drive interface in OP mode.

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2.2 Plug-in check
Step 1: Insert the TF card with firmware into the TF card slot on the side
Step 2: Plug the 12V adapter into the power supply, the H68K will power itself on and finish powering on
Step 3: Observe the blinking of the No. 1 indicator light. If it stops blinking after about 20S of rapid blinking (stays on), the OP is on normally. If it is blinking otherwise, it is Android mode etc. At the same time the prominent power button light will light up warm white.
Step 4: Use a network cable to interconnect the following network ports in turn to confirm that the electrical interface of the device is normal.

Connection method
ETH0 t o ETH1
ETH1 t o ETH2
ETH1 t o ETH3
ETH2 t o ETH3

Test instruct
ions
ETH0 a n d ETH1 interfaces are normal
Negotiated speed normal gigabit mode
ETH1 a n d ETH2 interfaces are normal
Negotiated speed normal gigabit mode ETH1 a n d ETH3 interfaces are normal
Negotiation speed normal Gigabit mode ETH2 a n d ETH3 interfaces working
Negotiated speed normal 2.5G mode

Normal conditions
ETH0 yellow light flashing, ETH1 yellow light flashing
Simultaneous flashing of blue light No. 3
ETH1 Yellow light always on or flashing
ETH2 Yellow light always on or flashing ETH1 Yellow light always on or flashing
ETH3 Yellow light always on or flashing ETH2 Green light on or flashing
ETH3 Green light on or flashing

1 Some other open source firmware may not have the same control over the lights, but being able to light or blink is less of a problem.
2 The default built-in Android firmware is only boot TF card boot, which does not support WIFI, so C D F does not support Android + WIFI firmware.
3 S o m e T F cards (with burned firmware) are not compatible with H68K and will start up

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abnormally, there will be no light flashing on the power on and the OP will not start up,

you need to change the card. The TF card s e n t b y default is supported.

Step 5: Press and hold the protruding illuminated power button and after approximately 5S, you can observe that the No. 1 light goes out and the power button light goes out. The hibernation shutdown is complete.

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2.3 Backstage access
Step 1: Insert the card, power on and self-start, wait until the No. 1 indicator light turns on, then the H68K OP mode is successfully powered on.
Step 2: Connect one end of the cable to the H68K ETH1 and the other end to the PC network port; H68K ETH0 is the WAN port and ETH1 2 3 i s t h e LAN port. The PC PC needs to be set to DHCP mode (as shown below).

Step 3: Type 192.168.100.1 into your computer’s browser, enter and the login screen will pop up. Note that some open source firmware

192.168.100.1

User name: root Password password

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2.4 Broadband dial-up routing and network allocation methods
The C D version is recommended for the first level of routing to the home network, in the weak box, without WIFI.
2.4.1 Device connection topology diagram

2.4.2 Distribution methods
Step 1: Connect the wire sequence Connect the wire sequence as shown in the topology diagram above. Connect the incoming optical cat or incoming network port to ETH0 (WAN port).
Step 2: Back Office Login The H68K waits for a successful power-up, the PC PC cable is connected to the ETH1 (LAN port)andtheH68K is wired to access the H68K backend.
Step 3: Set up PPPOE dialing Click on the [Network] button, click on the [Interface] button and click on [Modify] at the WAN port

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Click the [Basic Settings] button, select [PPPOE] in the [Protocol] column, and click

[Switch Protocol] to enter the PPPOE settings.

In the [PAP/CHAP Username] field, enter: Broadband Account Name, and in the [PAP/CHAP Password] field, enter: Broadband Password. Click [Hold & Apply], and you are done.

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2.5 Secondary routing and distribution methods
Recommended for private LANs with second level routing, e.g. home bedroom study, building rental, C D F (F with WIFI).
2.5.1 Device connection topology diagram

2.5.2 Distribution methods
Step 1: Connect the wire sequence Connect the wire sequence as shown in the topology diagram above. Connect the LAN of the dialup optical cat or the main routing network port to ETH0 (WAN port).
Step 2: Back Office Login The H68K waits for a successful power-up, the PC PC cable is connected to the ETH1 (LAN port)andtheH68K is wired to access the H68K backend.
Step 3: Setting up the DHCP protocol Click on the [Network] button, click on the [Interface] button and click on [Modify] at the WAN port

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Click the [Basic Settings] button, select [DHCP Client] in the [Protocol] column, and

click [Hold & Apply] to complete the wired configuration.
Step 4: For the F version, set the WIFI hotspot Click on the [Wireless] button to find out that the H68K-F will have a WIFI hotspot for the H68K by default. Click [Modify] to enter the configuration.

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If you need a 5G WIFI hotspot: select 5GHz for [Bandwidth] and a fixed channel for [Channel].

Note: Do not select auto mode. Other default.

If you need a 2.4G WIFI hotspot: select 2.4GHz for [Bandwidth] and a fixed channel for [Channel]. Note: Do not select auto mode. Other default.

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Drop down page

Select [Access Point AP]in[Mode] of [Basic

Settings]. Configure your preferred WIFI

hotspot name at [ESSID]. Select [lan] at

[Network]. Finally tap [Save].

Select [WPA2-PSK]for[Encryption] in [Wireless Security]. Configure your preferred WIFI password at [Password]. Finally, tap [Save & Apply].

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2.6 Wireless bridges and network distribution methods
Wireless private LAN for second level routing, connected to the main WIFI route in the hotel home and to electronic devices such as mobile PCs
WIFI, for applications such as home bedrooms, rented rooms in buildings and hotels on business trips, the F version is recommended.
2.6.1 Device connection topology diagram

2.6.2 Distribution methods
Step 1: Plug in the card, power on and self-start, H68K waiting for successful boot, PC PC cable connected to ETH1, wired access to H68K backend.
Step 2: Click the [Wireless] button to enter the WIFI configuration page. Remove the existing H68K hotspot [Delete].

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Step 3: Find the main route WIFI

Click the [Scan] button to go to the WIFI Hotspot page in Scan Space, select the desired WIFI and join the network. There will be many WIFI SSID names listed below.

Select the appropriate channel according to your preference and the WIFI mode supported by your mobile phone, computer or other device. (We will click [Join Network] for channel 149 below, your device may have a different channel, so please select the one you have scanned)

If WIFI2.4 is required, select a channel less than 13.

If WIFI5 6 is required, select a channel greater than 36 or above. At this point,

note that some electronics that only support WIFI 2.4G mode will not be able to

search for t h e H68K SSID, such as the home Xiaomi camera.

Step 4: Networking the main route WIFI Click [WPA Key] to enter [Password].(Different WIFI, different password). Other default, tap [Submit].

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Click on [Channel] and select the same as the main WIFI, no

other or AUTO can be selected. click on [Radio Power]

to configure [Auto].

Click on [Network] and select [wwan]. Click on the [Save & Apply] button.

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Step 5: Add and set up the H68K hotspot. Click the [Add] button

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In the following [Basic Settings],

configure the following: click on

[Radio Power] to configure [Auto]

Click [Mode] to configure [Access Point AP]

Click [ESSID] to configure [H68K_Test], enter the name you like as the name of the

WIFI hotspot radiating from the H68K Click [Network Configuration] to configure

[lan]

Click [Save].

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In the following [Wireless

Security], configure as follows:

click [Encryption] to configure

[WPA2-PSK]

Click on [Password] to configure [Password], a password of your choice, the phone

computer wireless access WIFI need to enter the password click [Save & Apply]

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3 Firm ware upgrades

The firmware is from a third party open source community and is not related to the author, this section is only intended as a burn-in tutorial for the RK Rexchip.
TF card boot principle
TF boot principle: During the RK3568 boot seek loading process, the TF card has a higher priority than the eMMC, making the device l o a d t h e TF card firmware first.
Advantages and disadvantages of TF-boot (card-brush) a n d eMMC-boot (wire- brush)
TF boot (card swipe) Disadvantage: The H68K is not compatible with some high- speed cards, resulting in abnormal boot-ups or abnormal functionality due to data loading errors caused by too fast a rate during power-up loading. Priority: different networks can be configured with different TF cards. the H68K is a portable route, so you can swap different TF cards for business trips and commuting to work. Dual system firmware is also possible: if you can accept an Android TV without WIFI functionality, then remove the TF card to power up the H68K and it is an Android HD box.
eMMC boot (wire brush) Cons: Need to poke maskrom to upgrade the keyhole, the key is easy to break. Unable to implement one machine for multiple network scenarios. Priority: stable boot.

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3.1 Tool preparation for card brushing
1 Hardware tool: a computer PC
2 Hardware tools: a TF card reader (not necessary if the computer has a TF card socket).
3 Hardware: One TF card (Note that the TF card has compatibility issues, if the H68K does not recognize the card, you can ask the group for a link to buy it, or use the eMMC wire brush method)

4 Software tools: card writing tool [Win32DiskImager
(Other card writing tools are also available, such as balenaEtcher) 5 Software material: one case firmware package [OPxxx.img]

3.2 TF card swipe operation procedure
Step 1: Install the card writing tool
P u t theTF c a r d b u r n i n g tool-ImageWriter p a c k a g e i n t o t h e C drive of your computer and unzip it, then go to the folder and double click [Win32DiskImager].

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Step 2: Firmware write card

Insert the [Card Reader + TF Card] into the PC PC, when the PC PC recognizes the TF card, the [Disk Character X] will pop up. Select the corresponding disk character [Disk Character X]at the [Device] button in the [Win32DiskImager] tool.
Select the firmware package [OPxxx.img]at the [ ] button in the [Win32DiskImager] tool. Click the [Write] button in the [Win32DiskImager] tool to download it.
Wait until [Task Progress] has completed 100% and the eject has been successful before pulling out the TF card. Insert the TF card into the H68K, power up and complete the power on, the 1 indicator light will flash rapidly to indicate successful loading of the OP.

1 Do not write to other disk drives by mistake, irreversible damage can occur.

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3.3 Tool preparation for eMMC wire brush
1 Hardware tool: a computer PC
2 Hardware tool: one TYPC-C data cable (with data signal cable inside)
3 Hardware: one card picker thimble (pin for inserting cards in mobile phones, used to poke holes)
4 Software tool: RK chip driver tool [DriverAssitant_v5.12].
5 Software tool: RK firmware burning tool [RKDevTool_Release_v2.84 – for downloading OP firmware].
6 Software material: one case firmware package [Android xxx.img][H68K-Boot- Loader.bin] [OPxxx.img]

3.4 eMMC wire brush operation procedure
Step 1: Install the driver Double click on [DriverInstall] in the [DriverAssitant_v5.12] folder

Click on [Driver Installation] Click on Install Driver to finish [OK]

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Step 2: Erase the firmware

Double click [RKDevTool] in the [RKDevTool_Release_v2.84 – for downloading OP firmware] folder

Click the [Upgrade Firmware] button Click on the [Firmware] button and select [H68K-Android-Firmware-0828-for-Erasing-Flash.img].

Plug one end of the [TYPC-C cable] into your computer USB

Insert the [card picker thimble] into the H68K [spanner hole], press the upgrade button

inside the [spanner hole], there is a feeling of the button springing back the other end of

the [TYPC-C data cable] into the H68K [TYPC-C connector] to keep the button

pressed during the power-up process

The download tool will bring up [Found a MASKROM device]. and wait for it to finish erasing.

Click on [Erase Flash]

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Step 3: Upgrade

the firmware by

clicking [Download

Image].

C l i c k on t h e Boot bar […], the folder will pop up,

select [H68K-Boot-Loader.bin] C l i c k o n the system bar […],

the folder will pop up, select [OPxxx.img].

Click on the [Execute] button The window on the right will show the progress of the download

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3.5 Android/Ubuntu Firmware Upgrade
Step 1: Same as in the previous section “Preparing the eMMC wire brush with tools”.
Step 2: Erase the firmware
Double click [RKDevTool] in the [RKDevTool_Release_v2.84 – for downloading OP firmware] folder

Click the [Upgrade Firmware] button Click on the [Firmware] button and select [H68K-Android-Firmware-0828-for-Erasing-Flash.img].

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Plug one end of the [TYPC-C cable] into your computer USB

Insert the [card picker thimble] into the H68K [spanner hole], press the upgrade button

inside the [spanner hole], there is a feeling of the button springing back the other end of

the [TYPC-C data cable] into the H68K [TYPC-C connector] Keep the button pressed

during power-up

The download tool will bring up [Found a MASKROM device]. and wait for it to finish erasing.

Click on [Erase Flash]

The card picker ejector pin is used with gentle pressure, please do not poke the button with a strong miracle.

Click on the [Upgrade] button, the right window will show the progress of the download, wait for the successful boot up (indicator 1 blinking),thedownload tool will pop up [Found an ADB device].

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4 About power
supply and
cooling
4.1 DC12V adapter option
Power DC connector specification: 5.5mm outer diameter / 2.1mm inner diameter.

No external hard drive scenario: select 12V@1A adapter. With external hard drive scenario: select 12V@2A adapter.

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The maximum input voltage of the H68K DC interface must not exceed 15V.

H68K Deploy away from heat sources, sources of electromagnetic interference and radiation, and electromagnetic radiation sensitive equipment.

You can tell if the 12V is powered by the white light on the power button, the light is on for power and the light is not on for no power to the adapter.

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4.2 USB adapter options
For portable travel, the H68K supports USB adapter power, but does not support fast charging mode.
The USB adapter must meet: voltage 5V, current 2A.
TYPC-C cable Must meet: fast charging cable, cable length <1 m.

1 When your device is p o w e r e d b y TYPC and there is instability such as power loss and reboot, please use t h e DC12V adapter.
2 When using a fast charger adapter, a non-standard adapter may output 9 V. The white power light on the H68K will flash and the unit will not power up properly. The H68K will be burned out if you disconnect it as soon as possible and use a standard adapter or DC12V. 3 H68K Deploy away from heat sources, sources of electromagnetic interference and
radiation, and electromagnetic radiation sensitive equipment. 4 The TYPC-C wire should be as short and thick as possible to reduce the voltage
drop across the 5V voltage, which can lead to unstable operation.
4.3 Heat Dissipation
When placing equipment in enclosed boxes, a USB fan is required to ensure stable operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a year.

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