Start9’s RISC-V Router runs StartWRT (OpenWrt fork) on a SpacemiT K1 8-core chip with full open-source boot stack and per-device security profiles.
Key Takeaways
Built on SpacemiT K1 (8-core RISC-V), 4GB LPDDR4, 16GB eMMC, Wi-Fi 6 via AsiaRF AW7915-NP1 Mini PCIe; ships no later than September 2026.
Security Profiles assign per-device DNS, internet access rules, and VPN routing based on entry point: Ethernet port, WiFi password (Identity PSK), or inbound VPN server.
Outbound VPN chaining (e.g. Mullvad then Proton) prevents any single provider from seeing full activity.
StartOS integration automates port forwarding for self-hosters running Start9 servers on clearnet.
WiFi radio firmware and two early boot binaries remain closed-source; open replacements are in progress.
Hacker News Comment Review
BananaPi F3 uses the same SpacemiT K1 chip for roughly $100-120, raising the question of what differentiated value Start9 adds beyond software and form factor.
Mainline kernel support for SpacemiT K1 boards is uncertain; commenters flagged that BananaPi F3 may require a vendor Frankenstein kernel, which would undercut the open-source story if the same applies here.
Notable Comments
@freedomben: questions whether BananaPi F3 can run a mainline or near-mainline kernel, citing prior HN warnings about vendor-only kernel support.
