CWWK U12(13 inch)/U13(19 inch) 1U Rackmount 2.5GbE Router, Intel N3160, 4 Intel i226 LAN
Quick Answer for CWWK Users: CW-U12 / CW-U13
CW-U12 / CW-U13 is a 1U rackmount 2.5GbE network appliance for users who need a low-power router, gateway, VLAN device or lightweight firewall platform for home lab and small office networks.
Both CW-U12 and CW-U13 use the same Intel Celeron N3160 motherboard platform and both provide 4 × Intel I226 2.5GbE LAN ports. The main difference is the chassis size: CW-U12 uses a compact 13-inch 1U chassis, while CW-U13 uses a standard 19-inch 1U rackmount chassis.
It is suitable for OpenWrt, pfSense, OPNsense, VLAN routing, basic VPN access and network testing. For high-throughput IDS/IPS, 10GbE routing or heavy virtualization, we recommend choosing a higher-performance CWWK platform.
Product Introduction for CW-U12 / CW-U13
CW-U12 / CW-U13 is designed for users who want a rackmount network appliance with multiple wired LAN ports, simple installation and low power consumption. It is suitable for routing, small office gateway use, VLAN segmentation, OpenWrt router deployment and home lab network environments.
CW-U12 and CW-U13 use the same motherboard. Both models include 4 × Intel I226 2.5GbE LAN ports, Intel Celeron N3160 processor, SATA and mSATA storage support, Mini PCIe expansion, HDMI output, USB 3.0, RJ45 COM, GPIO and SIM slot support.
| Model | Chassis Size | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| CW-U12 | Compact 13-inch 1U chassis | Short-depth cabinets, compact rack space and smaller network setups |
| CW-U13 | Standard 19-inch 1U chassis | Server racks, network cabinets and standard rackmount installation |
Application Scenarios for CW-U12 / CW-U13
CW-U12 / CW-U13 is suitable for practical wired network deployment. With 4 × Intel I226 2.5GbE LAN ports and a 1U rackmount chassis, it can be used in home labs, small offices, compact network cabinets and lightweight router projects.
| Scenario | How CW-U12 / CW-U13 Fits |
|---|---|
| Home Lab Router | Suitable for building a low-power rackmount router for a home lab environment. |
| OpenWrt Router | Can be used for OpenWrt-based routing, VLAN setup and network testing. |
| pfSense / OPNsense Basic Firewall | Suitable for basic firewall and routing tasks without heavy IDS/IPS workloads. |
| Small Office Gateway | Can separate WAN, LAN, guest network and device network in a small office. |
| VLAN Segmentation | 4 × 2.5GbE LAN ports allow users to create separated network zones. |
| VPN Access Gateway | Suitable for lightweight VPN access and remote network connection. |
Motherboard Overview for CW-U12 / CW-U13
CW-U12 and CW-U13 share the same CW-B1170NP-15 motherboard platform. This motherboard is built around the Intel Celeron N3160 processor and provides 4 × Intel I226 2.5GbE LAN ports for wired network deployment.
The motherboard supports DDR3L memory, SATA and mSATA storage, Mini PCIe expansion, HDMI display output, VGA header, RJ45 COM, internal JCOM, GPIO, USB headers, SIM slot and fan connectors.
Technical Specifications About CW-U12 / CW-U13
The following specifications apply to both CW-U12 and CW-U13 because both models use the same motherboard platform. The main difference is the chassis format.
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model | CW-U12 / CW-U13 |
| Motherboard | CW-B1170NP-15 |
| CPU | Intel® Celeron® N3160 |
| Cores / Threads | 4 cores / 4 threads |
| Base Frequency | 1.60 GHz |
| Cache | 2 MB |
| TDP | 6 W |
| Memory | 1 × DDR3 204-pin SO-DIMM, DDR3L 1600, up to 8 GB |
| LAN Ports | 4 × Intel I226 2.5GbE LAN |
| Storage | 1 × SATA, 1 × mSATA |
| Expansion | 1 × Mini PCIe |
| Display | 1 × HDMI, 1 × VGA header |
| Rear I/O | DC Jack, LED indicator, HDMI, 4 × LAN, dual USB 3.0, RJ45 COM, reset button |
| Internal I/O | VGA header, GPIO, SATA power, USB 2.0 header, front panel header, JCOM1, CPU fan, system fan, SIM slot |
| Power Input | DC IN 12V |
| Motherboard Size | 150 × 140 mm |
| Operating Temperature | -20°C to 55°C |
| Humidity | 5–90% RH, non-condensing |
| Chassis Option | CW-U12: 13-inch 1U chassis / CW-U13: 19-inch 1U chassis |
FAQ About CW-U12 / CW-U13
Which one should I choose, CW-U12 or CW-U13?
Choose CW-U12 if you need a shorter 13-inch 1U chassis for compact rack space. Choose CW-U13 if you need a standard 19-inch rackmount chassis for a normal server rack or network cabinet.
Do CW-U12 and CW-U13 both have four LAN ports?
Yes. Both CW-U12 and CW-U13 provide 4 × Intel I226 2.5GbE LAN ports. The difference is the chassis size, not the LAN port configuration.
Can I use CW-U12 / CW-U13 as an OpenWrt router?
Yes. CW-U12 / CW-U13 can be used as a rackmount OpenWrt router for home lab, small office, VLAN and gateway use.
Is CW-U12 / CW-U13 good for pfSense or OPNsense?
It can be used for basic pfSense or OPNsense routing and firewall tasks. For heavy IDS/IPS, high-speed VPN or 10GbE routing, a higher-performance CWWK model is recommended.
Can I install an SSD inside CW-U12 / CW-U13?
Yes. The motherboard supports SATA and mSATA storage. This can be used for system installation or lightweight local storage.
Is CW-U12 / CW-U13 suitable for Proxmox?
It can run lightweight virtualized or testing environments, but it is not recommended as a heavy Proxmox server. The Intel N3160 platform is better suited for routing, gateway, VLAN and lightweight network services.
Does CW-U12 / CW-U13 support WiFi or 4G expansion?
The motherboard includes Mini PCIe and SIM slot support. Actual WiFi or 4G use depends on compatible modules, antennas, drivers and system support.