WisGate Connect Router | Industrial edge router with 4 Ethernet ports, MiniPCIe expansion, and CM4/CM5 support | RAK7392

What is the WisGate Connect Router? The WisGate Connect Router is a 4-port industrial gateway for networking and edge computing applications built around the Compute Module 4 (CM4) for Raspberry Pi and designed for future CM5 compatibility. It combines three 1GbE ports, one 2.5GbE port, and a MiniPCIe expansion slot into a compact system that can be used for custom routers, IoT gateways, VPN appliances, protocol translators, and edge computing gateway applications. Unlike typical networking solutions for the Raspberry Pi that rely on USB Ethernet adapters, it provides native multi-port Ethernet connectivity, reducing integration complexity and improving deployment consistency. The MiniPCIe slot supports LoRa concentrators and other wireless modules, while WisBlock IO and Sensor slots allow additional industrial interfaces through I²C and GPIO. The gateway also includes RAKPiOS with Docker support, an onboard RTC with battery backup, USB 3.0 connectivity, and an aluminum-base enclosure that assists with thermal management. RAKPiOS is a Linux distribution that includes hardware drivers, networking utilities, and deployment tools specifically configured for CM4 platforms. This combination is ideal for industrial IoT infrastructure, edge networking, and custom connectivity solutions that need both flexible networking and hardware expandability. Raspberry Pi is a trademark of Raspberry Pi Ltd. LoRa® is a registered trademark or service mark of Semtech Corporation or its affiliates. Who Should Use the WisGate Connect Router? The WisGate Connect Router is designed for organizations and developers that need networking, wireless connectivity, and edge computing capabilities in a single platform. It can serve as a CM4 router for Raspberry Pi deployments where routing, protocol conversion, and application hosting must operate together at the edge. User Type Typical Application System Integrators Industrial IoT gateway deployments Network Engineers VPN gateways and network appliances IoT Developers Edge computing and data processing Solution Providers for LoRaWAN Gateway host platforms Industrial Automation Teams Protocol translation and telemetry OEM Product Developers Custom networking and edge products Why You Need the WisGate Connect Router Building edge networking systems often requires combining multiple boards, adapters, and software components. The WisGate Connect Router simplifies deployment by providing networking, wireless expansion, and edge computing capabilities in a single platform, whether deployed as an industrial IoT gateway or protocol translation platform. Why it’s useful: Simplified deployment: Reduces hardware integration effort for custom networking projects. Flexible expansion: Supports LoRa, and future connectivity requirements. Faster prototyping: Deploy services quickly using preconfigured software tools. Infrastructure consolidation: Combines routing, edge computing, and gateway functions. Common Deployment Scenarios The same hardware platform can support different networking and edge-computing architectures depending on the installed modules and software stack. Deployment Scenario Role Smart Factory Modbus-to-MQTT protocol gateway LoRaWAN Infrastructure Gateway host and local application server Branch Networking VPN router and firewall appliance Building Automation Edge controller and protocol translator Edge Analytics Local data collection and processing platform Key Features of the WisGate Connect Router 4 Ethernet Ports 3 × 1GbE 1 × 2.5GbE (CM4 bandwidth-limited, optimized with software tuning) Raspberry Pi CM4/CM Compatible Select CM4 with various RAM/storage options Ready for future CM5 modules MiniPCIe Slot for LoRa Supports USB and SPI interfaces Add LoRaWAN concentrators WisBlock IO and Sensor Slots Expand with I²C or GPIO-based modules Ideal for Modbus, relay control, or sensor inputs Certain WisBlock expansion configurations may require an alternative enclosure, depending on the installed modules 2 × USB 3.0 Ports 2 × USB-C Ports One for console access, one for OS flashing Onboard RTC with Battery Backup Accurate timekeeping even during power loss Industrial-Grade Enclosure Aluminum base acts as a heatsink SMA holes for WiFi or LoRa antennas 12V Power Adapter Included Standard 2.1mm barrel jack (12V/2A) System Architecture The WisGate Connect Router combines networking, wireless connectivity, and application hosting into a single edge platform. Layer Function Sensors / PLCs Data generation LoRa Concentrator Wireless connectivity Gateway Routing, protocol conversion, edge processing Docker Services MQTT, Node-RED, VPN, databases Cloud Platforms Data storage, visualization, analytics What Can You Build With the WisGate Connect Router? The WisGate Connect Router can be adapted to a wide range of industrial networking and edge-computing applications. Solution Typical Components Industrial IoT Gateway MQTT, Modbus, Docker MiniPCIe Gateway for LoRaWAN LoRa concentrator, network services VPN Security Appliance WireGuard or OpenVPN Protocol Translation Gateway Modbus, MQTT, REST APIs Edge Analytics Platform Databases and local processing Protocol Gateway Applications Many industrial systems use multiple communication protocols that cannot communicate directly. The WisGate Connect Router can host protocol translation services that bridge operational technology systems with cloud platforms and enterprise applications. Common examples include: Modbus to MQTT conversion Serial device integration Data aggregation from multiple sources MQTT forwarding to cloud services Remote telemetry collection Edge data normalization before cloud transmission This architecture reduces the need for multiple dedicated gateway devices and simplifies deployment management. Comparison: WisGate Connect Router vs Typical CM4 Router Boards Feature WisGate Connect Router (This Product) Seeed reRouter CM4 Waveshare CM4 Router Board Sixfab Cellular Gateway CM4 for Raspberry Pi Yes Yes Yes Yes Migration Path to CM5 Yes Limited Limited Varies Four Ethernet Ports Yes No Varies Varies 2.5GbE Interface Yes No Some Models Varies MiniPCIe Expansion Yes (USB + SPI) Limited Partial Cellular-Focused Concentrator Support for LoRa Yes Limited Limited Limited Docker Deployment Native via RAKPiOS User Configured User Configured User Configured WisBlock Expansion Yes No No No GPIO / Industrial IO Expansion Yes Limited Limited Limited Protocol Gateway Applications Yes Partial Partial Partial MQTT / Node-RED Hosting Yes Yes Yes Yes VPN Appliance Use Yes Yes Yes Yes Gateway Host Platform for LoRaWAN Yes Limited Limited Limited Industrial Edge Computing Yes Moderate Moderate Moderate Custom Linux Application Hosting Yes Yes Yes Yes Target Deployment Networking + Edge Computing + Wireless Expansion Networking + Edge Projects CM4 Networking Hardware Cellular Connectivity Use Case Examples for WisGate Connect Router Use Case #1: Smart Factory Protocol Gateway A manufacturing integrator experienced 14% delayed telemetry updates when using separate protocol gateways and routers. After deploying the RAK7392 with Dockerized Modbus-to-MQTT services, 30 days of testing reduced delays to 2%. Validation covered 50 production machines with 100% deployment consistency. System commissioning became much easier to document and maintain. Use Case #2: Building Automation Edge Gateway A building automation integrator needed to connect HVAC systems, energy meters, and environmental sensors across multiple commercial buildings. Using the RAK7392 as an edge gateway running local MQTT and protocol translation services, the team connected over 120 field devices while reducing cloud traffic by 40%. Commissioning time was shortened by 25% compared to their previous multi-device architecture. What’s in the Box 1 pc WisGate Connect Router RAK7392 (Include 8GB Raspberry Pi CM4) 1 pc 12V 2A Power Adapter 1 pc LoRa Antenna (RP-SMA Male Connector) 1 pc WiFi Antenna (SMA Male Connector) How to Get Started with WisGate Connect Router Overview for WisGate Connect Router RAK7392 Quick Start Guide for WisGate Connect Router RAK7392 Compatible Hardware for WisGate Connect Router RAK7392 Services for WisGate Connect Router RAK7392 Datasheet for WisGate Connect Router RAK7392