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Project Ideas — What Can You Do With a $8 Linux Server?

The OpenStick gives you a full Debian Linux system with LTE, WiFi, and USB in a tiny USB stick form factor. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Portable SSH Jump Host
Plug it into any USB charger, insert a SIM card, and you have a ...

Building a Custom Kernel for Your Device

For advanced users who want to customize their kernel or add hardware support.

Prerequisites
You need a Linux PC (x86_64) for cross-compilation:
sudo apt install build-essential gcc-aarch64-linux-gnu bc bison flex libssl-dev
sudo apt install device ...

Display Support — GC9107, ST7735, ILI9341, Framebuffer

Some OpenStick models have built-in displays, and you can also connect external SPI displays.

MF800B-E LCD — Built-in GC9107 Display
The MF800B-E LCD model comes with a 128x128 pixel GC9107 display connected via SPI. When properly ...

Common Boot Problems & Solutions

A collection of the most common issues after flashing and how to fix them.

Stuck at Boot Logo
Cause: Wrong kernel/boot image for your device model.
Fix: Enter EDL mode and re-flash the boot partition with the correct image for your specific board.

Boot Loop ...

Bricked? EDL 9008 Recovery Guide

Do not panic. If your device does not boot, you can almost always recover it using Qualcomm EDL (Emergency Download) mode.

What is EDL 9008 Mode?
EDL (Emergency Download) is a Qualcomm low-level recovery mode that works even if the bootloader is corrupted. It ...

USB Gadget Networking (RNDIS/ECM)

When you plug your OpenStick into a PC, it appears as a USB Ethernet adapter. This is the primary way to access the device for initial setup.

Default Configuration
By default, the OpenStick uses RNDIS (Remote Network Driver Interface Specification) to create a ...

Setting Up WiFi Hotspot (hostapd)

Turn your OpenStick into a WiFi hotspot that shares your LTE connection.

Install Required Packages
sudo apt install hostapd dnsmasq

Configure hostapd
Edit /etc/hostapd/hostapd.conf :
interface=wlan0
driver=nl80211
ssid=OpenStick
hw_mode=g
channel=6
wmm ...

ModemManager vs qmi-network — When to Use Which

There are two main approaches to manage the LTE modem on your OpenStick device.

ModemManager (mmcli) — Recommended for Most Users
ModemManager is a system service that automatically detects and manages the modem.

Easy to use with mmcli command ...

LTE Setup & APN Configuration Guide

Getting LTE mobile data working is one of the most common tasks after flashing. This guide covers everything you need.

Install ModemManager
sudo apt install modemmanager

Check if Modem is Detected
mmcli -L
You should see something like:
/org ...

After Flashing — First Steps

Congratulations on flashing your device! Here is what to do next.

Connecting to Your Device

Option A: USB (recommended for first setup)
Plug the device into your PC via USB. It will appear as a USB Ethernet adapter (RNDIS). Connect via SSH:
ssh user@192.168.200 ...