2.3.1 Connect via Type-C (RDK X5)
Applicability
Type-C connection is the fastest way to connect devices on RDK X5: a single Type-C data cable enables direct communication between your PC and the board—no router or manual IP configuration required. This method supports only the RDK X5; for other board models, please use SSH Connection or Serial Connection.
Under the hood, it relies on the USB CDC RNDIS protocol: the board’s USB Device Controller emulates itself as an Ethernet adapter. Once recognized by the PC, a virtual USB Ethernet adapter appears, enabling communication between the PC and the board—functionally equivalent to connecting two devices directly via an Ethernet cable.
Prerequisites
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Board Model | RDK X5 (including both 4GB and 8GB RAM variants) |
| Data Cable | Full-featured Type-C data cable (must support data transfer; common phone charging cables often only support power delivery, not data) |
| Board Image | Official RDK image or a custom image that retains RNDIS configuration |
| Studio Client | Desktop client (logged in) |
| PC OS Permissions | Administrator privileges (required to configure the IP address of the virtual network adapter during first-time setup) |
Procedure
Step 1: Physical Connection
Connect your PC to the RDK X5 using a full-featured Type-C data cable. Within approximately 5–10 seconds after the board boots up, the PC should recognize the USB virtual network adapter.
If the USB network adapter does not appear on the PC, the most common cause is that the cable only supports charging (lacks data transfer capability). We recommend keeping a dedicated "debugging-only" full-featured data cable clearly labeled for development purposes.
Step 2: Select Type-C Connection in Studio
Open the RDK Studio desktop client, click Add Device in the top toolbar, and select Type-C Flash Connect in the pop-up window. Studio will scan for USB network adapters on your PC; recognized adapters are typically displayed as RNDIS or Ethernet adapter (USB).
If multiple adapters appear in the list, Studio will highlight the recommended match. Select this item to proceed.
Step 3: Automatic IP Configuration
After confirming the target network adapter, the desktop client will automatically assign a static IP address 192.168.128.100/24 to the USB virtual network adapter. This operation requires administrator privileges:
- Windows: A UAC prompt appears—click Yes.
- macOS: A sudo privilege escalation dialog appears—enter your user password.
- Linux: A polkit privilege escalation dialog appears.
Once IP configuration is complete, Studio proceeds to the next step.
Step 4: Automatic SSH Connection Establishment
Studio establishes an SSH session using the following default credentials:
| Field | Default Value |
|---|---|
| Board IP | 192.168.128.10 (factory preset, fixed) |
| Username | root |
| Password | root |
Upon successful connection, the board appears in the Current Device dropdown in the top toolbar and is automatically activated as the target device for subsequent operations. Simultaneously, Studio runs background diagnostics to detect the board model, image version, CPU/RAM specs, and other information.
IP Addressing Scheme
In Type-C connection mode, the fixed subnet 192.168.128.0/24 is used:
| Endpoint | IP Address |
|---|---|
| PC side (USB virtual network adapter) | 192.168.128.100/24 |
Board side (usb0 interface) | 192.168.128.10/24 |
Do not modify these addresses. AI Dock’s troubleshooting and auto-recovery templates rely on this convention.
Handling Reconnection After Unplugging
When you unplug and reinsert the Type-C cable, the PC typically re-enumerates the USB virtual network adapter, and the IP configuration is automatically restored. Click the Refresh button in Studio to trigger device rescan.
If the IP configuration is not automatically restored upon reinsertion (due to differing network adapter management policies across operating systems), simply repeat Step 3.
Common Issues
| Symptom | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| USB network adapter not appearing on PC | Data cable supports charging only | Replace with a full-featured data cable |
| USB adapter shows "Not Connected" | RNDIS not started on board, or non-official image used | Wait for board boot completion; verify image version |
| USB adapter connected but SSH fails | PC-side IP not properly configured | Restart Studio and ensure the IP configuration prompt was approved |
| Desktop client doesn’t prompt for permissions | Client not running with admin privileges | Close Studio and relaunch it as Administrator (right-click → Run as administrator) |
For a complete troubleshooting checklist, see 5.3 Type-C Flash Connect Failure.
Next Steps
After successfully connecting via Type-C, we recommend configuring Wi-Fi on the board (2.4 Configure Network) so you can maintain remote access even after unplugging the cable.