Table of Contents

Platforms Supported

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Architecture Overview

A quick architecture overview of RDK8, to help associate the capabilities with the software stack, is given below

For a deep dive of the RDK architecture, please refer Architecture

Scope

Scope of this  release is for RDK-B community.This is our Q1 2026 release of Banana Pi R4

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can i use this release for production - Yes.
• Does it cover all features - Yes
• Can i share this release with my OEM's/Operators/SI's/SoC's - You are free to share
• Can i contact RDKM team if i have any queries/to give any feedback - Yes
• Is this release fully tested - Yes we have done End to End testing
• Can i use release for my development/New enhancements - Yes
• Does release support EasyMesh/Wi-Fi 7 - Yes 
• Can i expand RAM in BPI R4 - You have to do it on Hand,Please refer here https://forum.banana-pi.org/t/bpi-r4-successfully-upgraded-8gb-ram-on-bpi-r4/17882/5

Build instructions

SD Build for Gateway

repo init -u https://code.rdkcentral.com/r/rdkcmf/manifests -b rdkb-2026q1-kirkstone -m rdkb-bpi-extsrc.xml
repo sync -j`nproc` --no-clone-bundle
MACHINE=bananapi4-rdk-broadband source meta-cmf-bananapi/setup-environment-refboard-rdkb
bitbake rdk-generic-broadband-image

SD Build for Gateway with EasyMesh 

repo init -u https://code.rdkcentral.com/r/rdkcmf/manifests -b rdkb-2026q1-kirkstone -m rdkb-bpi-extsrc.xml
repo sync -j`nproc` --no-clone-bundle
MACHINE=bananapi4-rdk-broadband FEATURE_TYPE=EasyMesh source meta-cmf-bananapi/setup-environment-refboard-rdkb
bitbake rdk-generic-broadband-image

SD Build for Extender with EasyMesh

repo init -u https://code.rdkcentral.com/r/rdkcmf/manifests -b rdkb-2026q1-kirkstone -m rdkb-bpi-ap-extsrc.xml
repo sync -j`nproc` --no-clone-bundle
MACHINE=bananapi4-rdk-broadband-ap-extender source meta-cmf-bananapi/setup-environment-refboard-rdkb
bitbake rdk-generic-ap-extender-image

SD Build for Gateway with USB RNDIS enabled

repo init -u https://code.rdkcentral.com/r/rdkcmf/manifests -b rdkb-2026q1-kirkstone -m rdkb-bpi-extsrc.xml
repo sync -j`nproc` --no-clone-bundle

Enable the distro for RNDIS in below path
/meta-cmf-bananapi/conf/distro/include/rdk-bpi.inc
#Enable the below DISTRO to enable Hybrid Hal(rndis/modem) for cellular devices
DISTRO_FEATURES_append_broadband = " cellular_hybrid_support"

MACHINE=bananapi4-rdk-broadband source meta-cmf-bananapi/setup-environment-refboard-rdkb
bitbake rdk-generic-broadband-image

SD Build for WiFiagent build

repo init -u https://code.rdkcentral.com/r/rdkcmf/manifests -b rdkb-2026q1-kirkstone -m rdkb-bpi-extsrc.xml
repo sync -j`nproc` --no-clone-bundle

Disable onewifi distro in below path for wifiagent build
/meta-cmf-bananapi/conf/distro/include/rdk-bpi.inc
# OneWifi feature
#DISTRO_FEATURES_append = " OneWifi onewifi_integration"

MACHINE=bananapi4-rdk-broadband source meta-cmf-bananapi/setup-environment-refboard-rdkb
bitbake rdk-generic-broadband-image 

SD Build for Non-MLO build

repo init -u https://code.rdkcentral.com/r/rdkcmf/manifests -b rdkb-2026q1-kirkstone -m rdkb-bpi-extsrc.xml
repo sync -j`nproc` --no-clone-bundle

Disable generic_mlo distro in below path to trigger the non-mlo build
~/meta-cmf-bananapi/conf/distro/include/rdk-bpi.inc
#DISTRO_FEATURES_append = " generic_mlo"

CP the below PR, (known issue)
https://github.com/rdkcentral/meta-cmf-bananapi/pull/460

MACHINE=bananapi4-rdk-broadband source meta-cmf-bananapi/setup-environment-refboard-rdkb
bitbake rdk-generic-broadband-image

NOTE: Prerequisite for SDCard build

• Please download the binaries from below links

  • Code Block

    wget https://artifactory.rdkcentral.com/artifactory/RDKB-Platform/BPI-R4/uboot-2025.01/bpi-r4_sdmmc_fip_6-6.bin wget https://artifactory.rdkcentral.com/artifactory/RDKB-Platform/BPI-R4/uboot-2025.01/bpi-r4_sdmmc_bl2_6-6.img wget https://artifactory.rdkcentral.com/artifactory/RDKB-Platform/BPI-R4/uboot-2025.01/bpi-r4_sdmmc_fip_B_6-6.bin wget https://artifactory.rdkcentral.com/artifactory/RDKB-Platform/BPI-R4/uboot-2025.01/bpi-r4_sdmmc_bl2_B_6-6.img

• If you don't have access to above resources, please follow instruction in https://wiki.rdkcentral.com/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=354648448#SDMonoliticimagebuildandflashingstepsforBPIR4.-Buildingbl2.imgandfip.binincaseofnothavingaccesstoartifactoryrepository to build bl2 and fip binaries yourselves.
• Place those binaries under ${_TOPDIR}/downloads/

Flashing instructions(SD card)

Tested machines - Linux,MacOs

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Copy wic.bz2 from build machine

MacOs

1. Install Balena etcher and flash using it

Linux

1. bzip2 -d <Path to ImageName.wic.bz2>

2. sudo -E bmaptool copy --nobmap <Path to ImageName.wic> <Path to SD card device file>

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High-level Overview

We are pleased to announce the RDK-B Broadband Annual Release for the BananaPi R4 reference platform. This marks a significant milestone — our first annual release, consolidating the journey from the Q1 2025 board bring-up through the 2026 Q1 release into a single, comprehensive platform delivery.

Moving from quarterly releases to an annual cadence signals the platform's maturity and stability, giving operators, OEMs, and SoC partners a reliable, long-horizon foundation to plan their roadmaps and investments around.

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RDK-B Release Journey

Boot mode

• SD 

  • switch configuration

    • https://wiki.banana-pi.org/Getting_Started_with_BPI-R4#Prepare_to_develop

Yocto 

• Version

  • Kirkstone(Yocto 4.0)

• SoC meta layers

  • meta-filogic
  • meta-cmf-filogic

• RDK meta layers

  • meta-cmf-bananapi 
    • https://github.com/rdkcentral/meta-cmf-bananapi/tree/rdkb-2026q1-kirkstone

Kernel & user space

• Kernel 6.6
• Full 64bit (User space and kernel space)

Currently supported & working WAN technologies

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Wi-Fi highlights

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Architecture Overview

A quick architecture overview of RDK8, to help associate the capabilities with the software stack, is given below

Image Added

For a deeper dive of the RDK-B architecture, please refer here: RDK-B Architecture

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Key Benefits of RDK8 for Broadband

• Integrated IoT support built into the gateway

Includes integrated Barton support for Matter, Thread, Bluetooth, and Zigbee natively within the gateway, provided the appropriate hardware (radios) are also present.

• Simplified field debugging and lower operating costs

The Remote Debugger feature streamlines field issue resolution, helping reduce truck rolls and lowering operator support costs

• Wi-Fi 7 readiness with built-in MLO support

Prepares the platform for next-generation wireless performance with built-in Multi-Link Operation support for Wi-Fi 7 deployments.

• Enhanced access control through MAC filtering

Introduces MAC filtering support, enabling maintenance of device deny lists for stronger access control and operational flexibility.​

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Banana Pi R4 Platform Release Notes

Cellular Network highlights

• Tested in North America & APAC regions for WWAN0,USB RNDIS

Flashing mechanism

• Primary

  • Prerequisites:You may need to compile your own uboot and copy files to build system before build.The reason is uboot code is not fully open.as of now we are not authorized to host binaries in RDKM(SD Monolitic image build and flashing steps for BPI R4.)

Hardware & Peripherals

• Banana Pi R4 Router Board
• BE14 Wi-Fi 7 card & Antennas
• Quectel EM05-G Cellular Modem
• Power supply & Heat sinks
• Android Phone
• Silabs IOT radio,TP Link smart plug,onvis smart plug (Reference IoT usermanual for more details)
• Case (Optional)
• serial cable

How to get bananapi R4

• https://www.amazon.com/Development-MediaTek-MT7988A-onboard-Network/dp/B0DFBLL1CX/ref=sr_1_3?crid=F4K6S2C1WSLY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.VcoMSeqhcGQZZ_Izyt-ezSl4nissusDy-9DX3HtClc5bM0CS1tY8XJu61qTPGaRRTQcyNK6BYUXP_vPjx0FIXXkdDGjpgGdSIzz0IQ0Xy2Qrw5_58JPNNl5PQUT6Arvw64sR8D7uwWeqZY0WAlGFZfff303GAp8FdafZ9UWHJ6TFcUIZh_jtU4Wrr9u131p7plmRCHSqIU-dAFGS4Z_plaknOogJtU7PtddRVlPLHd8.SU2S2lZCwzak9CRvg1LH_uRzc_0UKs1UeQqvk5xvIO0&dib_tag=se&keywords=banana+pi+r4&qid=1729895436&sprefix=bananapi+r4%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-3
• Cellular Modem - Quectel EM05-G LTE M.2 Module/Simcom Module 8200EAM2
  • Note: For testing with other CellularModules,There might need some changes in ModemManager (You can plan it on your own)

Features supported in RDK-B 2026 Q1 release

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Validation  Status

Sanity Status 

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erouter0 interface got Wan IPv4 and IPv6

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brlan0 interface got default LAN IP & Ipv6

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Able to take SSH Connection

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All CCSP process are running

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Able to Ping www.google.com & ping -6 www.google.com in Gateway (i,e erouter0)

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All systemd services are running

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Able to connect LAN client

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LAN client got IP from default pool range for Ipv6 and Ipv4

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LAN client should open with CaptivePortal Page

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Able to connect wireless client

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Wireless client got IP from default pool range(i,e 2G,5G,6G) for Ipv4 and Ipv6

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Wireless client can access the CaptivePortal Page(i,e 2G,5G,6G)

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Internet should work on Connected clients after changing the default credentials

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Using dmcli to check the CCSP TR-181 DataModels

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WebUI page should be loaded on Connected clients after changing the default credentials

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WebUI page should be loaded through erouter0IP via RM

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wifi0, wifi1, wifi2 interfaces should be UP and RUNNING

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All ccsp logs files should be generated in /rdklogs/logs folder

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Factory Reset

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Device stable

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Features Status

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WebPa get and set should work, query device.

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LogUpload/Logrotation 

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RFC 

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Webconfig

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Telemetry 2

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Usppa get and set are working through DM’s

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Cellular Mode

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Local WebUI

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PASS

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Firewall

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WPA

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CPU Proc Analyser

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WAN Connectivity (i,e Ipv4)

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WiFi Connectivity

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LAN Connectivity

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SNMP

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Bridge Mode 

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List of Supported Features - User Manual's

1. Webpa - WebPA Feature Support on BPI R4 - User Manual
2. RFC -RFC Feature Support in RDKB BPI - User manual
3. WebConfig -WebConfig Feature Support in RDKB BPI - User Manual
4. Telemetry 2 - Telemetry 2.0 Feature support for RDKB BPI -User Manual
5. Log Rotate -Log Rotation Feature Support in RDKB BPI - User manual
6. Cellular -  Cellular Feature support in RDKB BPI - User Manual
7. UspPa 
   1.  Including UspPa in a device
   2. TR-369/USP on RDK-B
   3. OBUSPA 8.0 User Manual(Engineering Version)
8. CpuProcAnalyser - Cpuprocanalyzer Feature support in RDKB BPI - User Manual
9. OneWifi - OneWifi Integration in RDKB BPI - User Manual
10. Selfheal - Self Heal Feature in BPI - User manual
11. TR-69 - TR069 Support for Bananapi R4
12. SNMP - SNMP Support for BPIR4 - Preferred Program - RDK Central Wiki
13. OneWifi with Single WiPhy support 
    1. OneWifi Integration in RDKB BPI - User Manual
    2. Single wiphy design for Onewifi/rdk-wifi-hal
14. Crashupload - Crash Upload Feature RDK-B - RDK - RDK Central Wiki
15. Test and Diagnostics similar to RPI- Test and Diagnostic on R-Pi
16. Bridge Mode similar to RPI- BridgeMode Feature support in RPI
17. DAC similar to RPI 
    1. Containerization using META DAC SDK in RDK-B RPI
    2. DAC on BPI R4 RDK-B -64 bit
    3. iperf3 application
18. eSDK - RDKB: Extensible SDK support on (BananaPi R4) Yocto 4.0 Kirkstone build
19. PopulateSDK : Creating Yocto SDK 
20. SD card support - SD Monolitic image build and flashing steps for BPI R4.
21. SpeedTest  Support : IMP/gateway speedtest integration in Banana Pi R4 - Preferred Program - RDK Central Wiki
22. WPS support https://wiki.rdkcentral.com/display/ASP/WPS+PBC+integration+in+RDK-B+BPI+R4
23. Port Triggering (same as RPI)  https://wiki.rdkcentral.com/display/RDK/Port+Triggering+in+RPI
24. TelcoVoice - Telco Voice Manager
25. Firmware upgrade - Firmware Upgradation for BPI using Xconf Server
26. USB Dongle(RNDIS/MODEM type) support to CellularManager - Cellular RNDIS Feature User Manual
27. ACL (MAC Filering) support - MAC Filtering in BPI
28. RDK Remote Debugger - RDK Remote debugger - Diagnostic Debug Data Collection Tool
29. DHCP Manager - DHCP Manager Support for BPIR4
30. MAP-T Support - MAPT in RDK-B BPI R4
31. Barton Support - RDK-B IoT Barton

Roadmap of new Features

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• Board bringup
• Core RDK-B Porting
• Ethernet WAN support
• LAN support
• Basic Wi-Fi bringup
• WebPA
• TR369
• Telemetry 2.0
• RFC
• Cellular WAN support
• DHCP(IPv4,IPv6)
• CPU Proc Analyzer
• Local WebUI
• Webconfig
• Log upload/Log rotation
• Firewall

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• Selfheal
• TR-69
• SNMP
• Onewifi with single WiPhy support(First RDK-B device with this design)
  • 2.4 Ghz
  • 5 Ghz
  • 6 Ghz
• Crashupload
• Test and Diagnostics
• Bridgemode
• SD Card Support
• DAC
  • Bundlegen support for BPI R4
  • meta-dac-sdk support for BPI R4
• eSDK
• PopulateSDK
• Factory reset
• Configurable WAN support
• USP 8.0 migration

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• Speedtest
• Port Triggering
• WPS

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•  No Release due to GitHub migration

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• TelcoVoice
• Firmware upgrade
• EasyMesh Gateway
• EasyMesh Extender
• IEEE1905
• Kernel Migration to 6.6
• USB Dongle(RNDIS/MODEM type) support to CellularManager
• WiFi 7
• DAC support with meta-rdk-broadband-apps layer

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• ACL (MAC Filering) support in BPI build 
• RFC manager integration
• RDK Remote Debugger  Integration
• Dhcp Manager Integration
• Map-T Integration
• IOT support (Barton) - Matter Over wifi,Matter over Thread,Bluetooth
• DFS Testing in Non MLO Image
• MLO support in Wi-Fi 7

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• WAN Over WiFI
• RDK Generic Broadband Dev Image
• wrynose
• PPPoE
• Edge AI support

References

• About Bananapi R4 - https://www.banana-pi.org/en/bananapi-router/155.html
• Cellular Modem - https://en.simcom.com/product/SIM8200EA_M2.html
• https://wiki.banana-pi.org/Getting_Started_with_BPI-R4#2.EF.BC.89_4G.2F5G_Module
• EM05-G

  • View file
    name Quectel_EM05_Series_LTE_Standard_Specification_V1.7(1).pdf height 250

     
• Silabs radio - https://www.silabs.com/development-tools/wireless/efr32xg24-explorer-kit?tab=overview
  • Pls reach out to support@rdkcentral.com for getting the latest firmware for the above silabs radio
  • Use simplicity studio software from silicon labs to upgrade firmware
• Matter over wifi smart plug - amazon.com/TP-Link-Tapo-Supported-P125M-3-Pack/dp/B0BXMNJDW3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=22JN3ZB4RMXH3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.0IIMtQoBM17C4dXY9nxVKrk7tgi18x67ACF-0SyYFCIMexngu0iSnPs6QgwEJ1YGb7xGpDFaXNRvQxuqchwWAsqVjLJ4Jo5dMQiZOtZObfth4mpqxX1_yVGUoCxxJfORgmLClt0aWB9XohRvkMlERKOZ8UjpT15uawnV88iZ_pnDvxWl8Gz4fuXcjry7ZUzhuPkK0dvB_10rBTtFu7Mox1SL0ROfnebituTVevvpR3DGtV9u1ZcOER78F9Yl7hHWtfQlnje_MGfJUB3KdY25in4__-udTPAMIGp6Lyykeug.tiEXHp4cCdz3jA5N5i3dw50z5vlJf8sw-fdKdDAOXNo&dib_tag=se&keywords=tapo+p125m&qid=1777564328&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=p125m%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-1
• Matter over thread smart plug - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWTKW9BB?ref=nb_sb_ss_w_as-reorder_k1_1_5&amp=&crid=24VZCECYSZJPR&sprefix=onvis&th=1

Reference image 

• Can be provided to RDK-B Licenses on demand

Test results reference

• RDKB-E2E-Test-Report-2026Q1-13Apr26.xlsx

For support

• Please reach out to support@rdkcentral.com

References

• https://docs.banana-pi.org/en/BPI-R4/BananaPi_BPI-R4

Known issues

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Component

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JIRA / Reference

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Details

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1

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eSDK is not working

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RDKBACCL-1102

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eSDK FAIL in 2026 Q1 release. PopulateSDK is PASS. Under investigation.

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2

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WebUi page is not loaded in bridge mode

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RDKBACCL-512

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Issue is there from Q4 2024

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3

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SNMP get/set is not working

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RDKBACCL-1468

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Issue observed with MLO enabled builds

Known issues in WiFiagent build

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Component

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JIRA / Reference

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Details

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1

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Unable to connect WiFi clients

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RDKBACCL-1685

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• This is caused by continuous hostapd restart due to a driver-level crash triggered by the MAC-ACL patch. After excluding this patch for WifiAgent builds, clients were able to connect successfully on every boot.
• Fix: https://github.com/rdkcentral/meta-cmf-bananapi/pull/453

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2

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LAN clients are not working after device reboot in Bridge mode

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RDKBACCL-1755

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• In bridge mode, LAN clients were not getting IP after reboot because erouter0 was not added to brlan0 as EthAgent started late. After the workaround fix, erouter0 was renamed successfully within 1 minute. But working on the actual root cause for this and those changes will be updated in the next release.
• Workaround Fix: https://github.com/rdkcentral/meta-cmf-bananapi/pull/457/changes

Known issues in Non MLO build

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