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Radxa Dual 2.5G Router HAT

Radxa Dual 2.5G Router HAT

Overview​

The Radxa Dual 2.5G Router HAT is designed specifically for the ROCK series and Raspberry Pi 5. This HAT delivers exceptional network and storage performance through the PCIe interface with the following key capabilities:

  • High-speed networking with two 2.5G Ethernet ports for stable connections
  • Storage expansion via M.2 M Key interface supporting NVMe SSDs
  • Additional PCIe expansion through an FPC connector

This HAT is ideal for both networking applications and high-performance storage solutions, significantly enhancing the capabilities of your single-board computer.

Compatible SBCs​

The Radxa Dual 2.5G Router HAT currently supports:

  • ROCK 2A / 2F
  • ROCK 4D
  • ROCK 5C
  • Raspberry Pi 5

Features​

  • 2x 2.5G Ethernet Ports for high-speed networking
  • 1x M.2 M Key Connector with PCIe 3.0/2.0 1-lane for NVMe SSD storage
  • 1x FPC Connector with PCIe 3.0/2.0 1-lane for additional expansion
  • 1x 12V DC (5525) Jack for power input

Radxa Dual 2.5G Router HAT

Technical Specifications​

ComponentSpecification
Ethernet ControllerRealtek RTL8125B
Ethernet Speed2 × 2.5 Gigabit
PCIe InterfacePCIe 3.0/2.0 1-lane
Storage SupportM.2 M Key 2280 NVMe SSD
Power Input12V DC via 5525 jack
DimensionsCompatible with HAT form factor

Package Contents​

  • 1× Radxa Dual 2.5G Router HAT
  • 4× Copper standoffs (for mounting)
  • 8× Screws (for securing the HAT and SSD)
  • 1× Heatsink (for cooling the Ethernet controller)
  • 1× Adapter board (for connecting to compatible SBCs)
  • 1× Connection cable

Board Layout​

Radxa Dual 2.5G Router HAT Board

40PIN Pinout​

DescriptionFunctionPin#Pin#FunctionDescription
Not Used12VCC5V
Not Used34VCC5V
Not Used56GNDGround
Not Used78Not Used
GroundGND910Not Used
Not Used1112Not Used
Not Used1314GNDGround
Not Used1516GPIOFPC POWER (Controls power to FPC connector)
Not Used1718Not Used
Not Used1920GNDGround
Not Used2122Not Used
Not Used2324Not Used
GroundGND2526Not Used
EEPROM I2CI2C_SDA2728I2C_SCLEEPROM I2C
Not Used2930GNDGround
Not Used3132Not Used
Not Used3334GNDGround
Not Used3536Not Used
Not Used3738Not Used
GroundGND3940Not Used

Installation Guide​

Installing on ROCK Series Boards​

  1. Power off your SBC completely
  2. Attach the copper standoffs to your SBC
  3. Connect the adapter board to your SBC's PCIe connector
  4. Align the Dual 2.5G Router HAT with the 40-pin header and standoffs
  5. Secure the HAT using the provided screws
  6. If using an NVMe SSD, install it into the M.2 slot and secure with screws
  7. Connect the 12V power supply to the DC jack
  8. Power on your SBC

Installing on Raspberry Pi 5​

  1. Power off your Raspberry Pi 5 completely
  2. Connect the adapter board to the PCIe connector on the Raspberry Pi 5
  3. Align the Dual 2.5G Router HAT with the 40-pin header
  4. Secure the HAT using the provided standoffs and screws
  5. If using an NVMe SSD, install it into the M.2 slot and secure with screws
  6. Connect the 12V power supply to the DC jack
  7. Power on your Raspberry Pi 5

Software Configuration​

Network Setup​

The Ethernet ports will typically appear as additional network interfaces (e.g., eth1 and eth2). You can configure them using standard Linux networking tools.

Basic configuration example:

# Check available interfaces
ip addr

# Configure static IP for eth1
sudo ip addr add 192.168.1.100/24 dev eth1
sudo ip link set eth1 up

# Configure DHCP for eth2
sudo dhclient eth2

NVMe SSD Setup​

After installing an NVMe SSD, you can format and mount it using standard Linux commands:

# Check if the SSD is detected
lsblk

# Format the SSD (replace nvme0n1 with your device name)
sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/nvme0n1

# Mount the SSD
sudo mkdir -p /mnt/ssd
sudo mount /dev/nvme0n1 /mnt/ssd

Troubleshooting​

Common Issues​

  1. Ethernet ports not detected

    • Ensure the HAT is properly connected to the PCIe interface
    • Check if the 12V power supply is connected and working
    • Verify kernel support for the RTL8125B controller

  2. NVMe SSD not detected

    • Ensure the SSD is properly seated in the M.2 slot
    • Try a different SSD to rule out hardware compatibility issues
    • Check kernel logs for PCIe-related errors: dmesg | grep -i pcie

  3. Poor network performance

    • Update to the latest OS and kernel version
    • Check network cables (use Cat5e or better for 2.5G speeds)
    • Ensure the connected network equipment supports 2.5G speeds

Applications​

The Radxa Dual 2.5G Router HAT is ideal for:

  • Building a high-performance router or firewall
  • Network-attached storage (NAS) with fast networking
  • Edge computing with high-speed data transfer requirements
  • Home lab servers requiring multiple network interfaces
  • Media streaming servers with fast storage and networking