EP-0231

N21 Dual 2280 NVMe base for RPI5

Description

Introducing the N21 with ASM1182e as its main chipset, a cutting-edge solution designed to elevate the capabilities of the Raspberry Pi 5 with dual NVMe interfaces. This innovative feature empowers users with enhanced storage performance and flexibility, enabling seamless integration of high-speed NVMe drives for lightning-fast data access and transfer speeds.

With the ASM1182e chipset at its core, the N21 delivers unparalleled efficiency and reliability, ensuring optimal performance for demanding applications and tasks. The dual NVMe interfaces open up a world of possibilities, allowing users to maximize the potential of their Raspberry Pi 5 by effortlessly expanding storage capacity and accelerating data-intensive workflows.

Experience the future of storage technology with the N21, where speed, versatility, and reliability converge to redefine the possibilities of your Raspberry Pi 5 setup. Elevate your projects, streamline your workflows, and unleash the full potential of your system with the N21 and its dual NVMe interfaces.

Features

• Compatible with Raspberry Pi 5 Only
• The bottom-mounted design does not interfere with the use of the top hat.
• It uses custom high-current gold-plated spring pins to ensure sufficient power supply.
• IC: ASM1182e Support PCIe Gen 2
• Supprt two 2230/2242/2260/2280 NVMe SSDs
• Fully compatible with the Raspberry Pi official active cooler
• LED indicators display two drive status
• Features an integrated high-performance PCIe packet switch
• Equipped with two high-efficiency DC/DC step-down converters, delivering a maximum of 3A+3A to power your SSDs
• Compatible with the HAT+ STANDBY power state, automatically turning off when the Pi 5 shuts down

NOTE: The N21 is designed specifically for data storage purposes and if you want to use NVMe boot the Raspberry Pi 5, you need to update to the latest firmware.

Gallery

• Product Outlook

• Product Dimension

• Product Port Definitions

• Supported M.2 NVMe SSD Types

M-key or both with M-key and B-key NVMe SSD

• Features Details

• Installation details need attention

• Application scenario

How to assemble it?

• Please assemble it according to following figure:

How to enable PCIe on Raspberry Pi 5 ?

We assume that you are using Raspberry Pi OS 64bit on Raspberry Pi 5. (codename: bookworm) 

• Step 1. Modify /boot/firmware/config.txt file and adding following parameters:

dtparam=pciex1
dtparam=pciex1_gen=3  # Optional, force to use gen3 speed on NVMe SSD, if can support this function is depends on your NVMe SSD's feature.

• Step 2. Save it and reboot your Raspberry Pi 5 to take effect.

Disk Operations

• Check if SSD drive has been recognized by Raspberry Pi 5.

lsblk

• Make sure the PCIe devices information

• Create Partition

sudo fdisk /dev/nvme0n1 

create one partition by input following characters:

n -> p -> 1 > Enter -> Enter -> w  -> Enter 

n - new p - primary partition 1 - partition number Enter -> first cylinder Enter -> take the whole disk as last cylinder. w - write the partition table to SSD q - quit

• Format the partition

sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/nvme0n1p1 
sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/nvme1n1p1

• Mount Partition to Raspberry Pi 5

 mkdir -pv disk1 disk2 
sudo mount -t ext4 /dev/nvme0n1p1 /home/pi/disk1 -v 
sudo mount -t ext4 /dev/nvme1n1p1 /home/pi/disk2 -v

• Check if the partition has been mounted properly.

df -Th

• Automout the partition by modify /etc/fstab file, you can use vim or nano editor to modify this file /etc/fstab.

sudo vim.tiny /etc/fstab

NOTE: Please take care of the modifications due to wrong parameters may cause the system corrupted.

 
/dev/nvme0n1p1   ext4   /home/pi/disk1    defaults,noatime   0  0 
/dev/nvme1n1p1   ext4   /home/pi/disk2    defaults,noatime   0  0 

Save it and try to auto mount

sudo mount -a 

• Check it by using

df -Th 

Package Includes

• 1 x Dual M.2 NVMe Base for Raspberry Pi 5 (BoardName: N21)
• 4 x M2.5*12+4 mm copper pillar
• 4 x M2.5*4mm Flat head screw
• 4 x M2.5*9mm Double-pass copper pillar
• 1 x Hard drive copper pillar
• 2 x M2*3mm Flat head screw
• 2 x 8.5*40mm PCIe FFC cable
• 1 x M2.5 Screw driver

Keywords

• N21 Dual 2280 NVMe base for RPI5, Dual NVMe SSD bottom board, base board for Dual 2280 NVMe shield.