Waveshare CM5-DUAL-ETH-MINI-BOX is a dual gigabit Ethernet router box designed for the Raspberry Pi CM5. It offers a familiar design with a metal enclosure that looks suspiciously similar to FriendlyELEC’s family of NanoPi routers powered by Rockchip processors, such as the NanoPi R2S Plus or NanoPi R3S.
The router also features a microSD card slot to boot the OS on the Raspberry Pi CM5 Lite, a USB 3.0 Type-A port, a USB Type-C port for power and eMMC flash programming, power and boot buttons, and a 40-pin GPIO header accessible without opening the case (after lifting a cover).
CM5-DUAL-ETH-MINI-BOX specifications:
- Supported SoMs – Raspberry Pi CM5 and CM5 Lite, and potentially compatible alternatives like the Raspberry Pi CM4, Orange Pi CM5, Radxa CM5, etc…
- Networking
- 2x Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 ports: one GbE exposed directly through the CM5 board-to-board connector, and the other via a RealTek RTL8111H PCIe controller
- WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5 (on CM5) using an external antenna (not included)
- USB
- 1x USB 3.2 Gen1 USB Type-A port
- 1x USB Type-C power for power or programming the eMMC flash
- Expansion – 40-pin Raspberry Pi GPIO header
- Misc
- Power (PSW) and BOOT buttons
- RTC battery connector (5)
- Fan connector (6); unused with metal case
- SYSTEM switch (12)
- EEPROM_WP: Prevent EEPROM from being overwritten
- WiFi_DIS: WiFi disabled, only for CM5 versions with wireless
- BT_DIS: Bluetooth disabled, only for CM5 versions with wireless
- Power and Status LEDs (13)
- Power Supply – 5V via USB-C port
- Dimensions
- CM5-DUAL-ETH-MINI carrier board – 68 x 55 mm
- CM5-DUAL-ETH-MINI-BOX router – 75 x 61 x 27.5 mm
The kit includes a CM5-DUAL-ETH-MINI carrier board, a metal case (fully assembled), five thermal pads, a black thermal tape, four anti-slip rubber pads, a screw driver, and an optional 27W power adapter. The Raspberry Pi CM5 is not included, so you’ll need to bring your own, as well as an external antenna kit if you need wireless connectivity.
Installation looks straightforward with the Raspberry Pi CM5 inserted in the two B2B connectors and four thermal pads placed on top of the main components (SoC, RAM, RP1, and Ethernet PHY). Those thermal pads are then in contact with the metal enclosure for proper cooling and the case is secured with a few screws.
The software part should be straightforward, as you can install Raspberry Pi OS or another compatible OS on the Raspberry Pi CM5 to get started with the gigabit Ethernet router. Waveshare still has a wiki with a few tips for the RTC, RTL8111H driver, etc…
A somewhat unique feature of the Waveshare router is that users can easily access the 40-pin GPIO header by simply taking out the cover at one end of the enclosure.
The Waveshare CM5-DUAL-ETH-MINI-BOX is sold for $49.49 on AliExpress with a US, EU, or UK power supply, and the carrier board only is also offered for $25.19. Alternatively, you’ll also find both on Amazon, with the dual GbE router going for $51.83, and the carrier board for $29.99. Finally, the Waveshare store is another option. In all cases, the Raspberry Pi CM5 is not included, so it adds to the total price, and I’m not entirely convinced Raspberry Pi-based routers have any benefit over other solutions. Feel free to disagree in the comments section.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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