Recently, iKuai router system 3.6.0 has been released, which supports the CPU frequency adjustment mode that I am interested in. Users of iKuai routers can update now. So, what is CPU frequency adjustment?

Simply put, CPU frequency adjustment is to adjust the operating frequency of the CPU. Running at a lower frequency can reduce power consumption, while running at a higher frequency can improve efficiency. Before this update, it seems that iKuai routers could only run at the base frequency. Take Beelink GK55, a router used by Xiaoz, as an example. The CPU J4125 has a base frequency of only 2.00 GHz. After enabling frequency adjustment, it can theoretically reach the maximum frequency of 2.70 GHz, fully unleashing its performance (which is particularly important when there are multiple connected devices or running virtual machines).

iKuai OS 3.6.0 Update

There are quite a few updates in this release.

New Features:

1. System Settings - Advanced Settings - CPU Interrupt Control: CPU frequency adjustment mode
2. Advanced Applications - Samba Service
3. System Settings - RAID Management
4. System Settings - Advanced Settings - Kernel Settings (such as enabling BBR and link session timeout)
5. Network Settings - VPN Client - SDWAN (experience SDWAN intelligent networking)

Bug Fixes:

1. Docker plugin may fail to start on boot

Optimizations:

1. Kernel version upgraded to 5.10.99
2. Support for Intel 11th generation and AMD Ryzen
3. Updated a large number of network card drivers
4. Integrated the latest HyperV drivers
5. Deeply optimized system forwarding performance
6. Deeply optimized PPPOE forwarding performance
7. Recommendation: For devices that are not too old, it is recommended to use a 64-bit system (with 2GB or more memory) for better performance.

Enabling CPU Frequency Adjustment Mode

After updating to 3.6.0, open System Settings - Advanced Settings - CPU Interrupt Control: CPU frequency adjustment mode to make adjustments. The default mode is "ondemand - fast adjustment mode".

The meanings of the different modes are as follows:

• performance mode: In this mode, the system will run at the maximum set frequency at full load. The frequency will always stay at the maximum value within the set range.
• conservative mode: In this mode, the system will set a lower frequency to reduce response parameters. The frequency will decrease faster when idle, making it more energy-efficient. However, the CPU speed adjustment will be relatively slower.
• powersave mode: In this mode, the system will run at the minimum set frequency with low load.
• ondemand mode: This mode is generally the default mode of the system. The CPU frequency is automatically adjusted according to the needs. The feature of this mode is that the frequency increases only when certain conditions are met, and the response is quick. The frequency decreases without the need for triggering, gradually lowering when not in need of high frequency.
• schedutil mode: Faster response speed and more accurate frequency adjustment, more energy-efficient.

Personal Recommendation

If there are no special circumstances, the default "ondemand" mode is generally sufficient. If you are running virtual machines for a long time and pursuing better performance, you can try the "performance" mode. With the support for CPU frequency adjustment in iKuai, the CPU performance of the software router can be better utilized. It is recommended to update in a timely manner.

For detailed information about iKuai CPU interrupt control, please refer to the official documentation: CPU Interrupt Control