Headless device Archives

NanoPi Neo LTS with CNC Metal-Case Heatsink 256M/512M RAM Allwinner H3 Quad Cortex-A7 1.2GHz,OpenWRT,Ubuntu Linux Armbian DietPi

NanoPi Neo LTS with CNC Metal Case: First Impressions and 5-Star Review

After just 8 days, my NanoPi Neo LTS, complete with a CNC metal case, arrived, and I’m once again impressed by the speed of AliExpress’s delivery. The packaging was secure and well-protected, as you can see below, leaving no room for complaints. With such fast shipping and good packaging, the experience started on a high note.

The NanoPi Neo LTS has a satisfying weight, and the build quality feels solid. The CNC metal case fits perfectly, giving the device a sturdy, heavy-duty feel. For a device priced at £22.16, this level of quality exceeded my expectations. The first impression of both the product and AliExpress’s service was excellent.

Images

Hardware Spec

CPU: Allwinner H3, Quad-core Cortex-A7 Up to 1.2GHz
DDR3 RAM: 512MB
Connectivity: 10/100M Ethernet
USB Host: Type-A x 1, 2.54 mm pin x 2
MicroSD Slot x 1
MicroUSB: OTG, for power input
Debug Serial Port: 4Pin, 2.54 mm pitch pin header
Audio input/output Port: 5Pin, 2.0mm pitch pin header
GPIO: 2.54mm pitch 36pin. It includes UART, SPI, I2C, IO etc
Power Supply: DC 5V/2A
PCB Dimension: 40 x 40 mm
Working Temperature: -20℃ to 70℃
Weight: 14g(WITHOUT Pin-headers)
OS/Software: u-boot, UbuntuCore and Android

Micro SD card Test

Samsung PRO Ultimate microSD memory card, 128 G

Write Test

NanoPi-NEO:~$ sudo dd if=/dev/zero of=/testfile bs=4M count=100 conv=fdat async 100+0 records in 100+0 records out 419430400 bytes (419 MB, 400 MiB) copied, 19.594 s, 21.4 MB/s

Read Test

NanoPi-NEO:~$ dd if=/testfile of=/dev/null bs=4M 100+0 records in 100+0 records out 419430400 bytes (419 MB, 400 MiB) copied, 17.8108 s, 23.5 MB/s

Network Speed Test

Setup Process: Simple and Straightforward

To set up the device, I paired it with a 128GB Samsung PRO Ultimate microSD card. I then visited the device’s wiki page, where I found the latest OS images. I opted for the Debian image and used Win32DiskImager to write the OS image to the SD card. The entire process was straightforward, very similar to setting up any Raspberry Pi device.

Once the SD card was ready, I connected the NanoPi to power and a network cable, inserted the SD card, and located its IP address. Afterward, I used PuTTY to start an SSH session. The default login credentials were:

Username: pi
Password: pi

It’s highly recommended that you change the default password right away. Alternatively, creating a new user with administrative privileges is a good idea for better security. Since this device is headless (no monitor output), all interaction will be done via SSH or network.

Initial Setup Hiccups

After logging in, I ran apt update and apt upgrade, but the process was slowed down by an unusual Alibaba redirect in the package sources. To resolve this, I edited the /etc/apt/sources.list file and replaced the redirect with the default repository links. Once I made that change, both apt update and apt upgrade worked flawlessly.

Given the odd redirect, I thought it would be a good idea to run a virus and rootkit checker on the system. Luckily, the scan came back clean, reassuring me that the system was secure and ready for use.

Future Plans for the NanoPi Neo

So, what’s the plan for this device? The first idea that came to mind was setting it up as a NUT (Network UPS Tools) server. I’ll use it to monitor my UPS, which is tucked away in the loft powering my network switch, access point, and network TV tuner. Currently, the UPS is a “fire-and-forget” setup, but with the NanoPi, I’ll be able to monitor the battery status and even schedule regular battery tests. This will provide peace of mind and help ensure everything runs smoothly.

5-Star Value and Service

In terms of value for money, the NanoPi Neo LTS gets 5 stars from me. At just £22.16, it’s hard to beat for what it offers. AliExpress also deserves 5 stars for their service—the ordering process was simple, and shipping (including taxes) was handled smoothly. Receiving the item from China to the UK in just 8 days is impressive, to say the least.

In fact, my experience was so positive that I’ve already ordered a second device. The next NanoPi Neo will monitor another UPS, this time for the router in my living room.

Order Date: 1st October

Delivery Date: 9th October

Cost: £22.16 Including Tax & Shipping

Buy Link

Buy Link – NanoPi Neo LTS with CNC Metal-Case 512mb Memory Verison

Buy Link – Samsung PRO Ultimate microSD memory card, 128 G

Useful Links

Full Hardware and Installatio n WIKI

Week 1 – Summary

Coming Soon…

Month 1 – Summary