ARROW Device
The ARROW device is a rugged, portable mini PC built for security testing and remote network operations in the field. You drop it on a target network, it dials home over an always-on VPN, and you work it remotely as if you were sitting in front of it.
Front view with ARROW branding and cooling vent
Back view with chevron pattern design
Overview
Section titled “Overview”The ARROW is the flagship hardware device in the ARROW platform. It is a custom Linux computer that ships with everything a remote engagement needs already in place:
- A full Kali Linux environment with your penetration testing tools pre-installed
- An always-on VPN that fails over to cellular, so the device stays reachable even without wired internet
- A rugged aluminum enclosure that holds up in the kinds of places you actually deploy
- Hardware-encrypted storage and Secure Boot, so a lost or seized device does not leak your data
Technical Specifications
Section titled “Technical Specifications”The ARROW device is built on the LattePanda 3 Delta platform with custom modifications by VTEM Labs.
Processing & Memory
Section titled “Processing & Memory”| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Celeron N5105 Quad-Core (2.0GHz base, 2.9GHz burst) |
| Architecture | 11th Gen Intel (Jasper Lake) |
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR4 2933MHz |
| Base Storage | 64GB eMMC 5.1 |
| Added Storage | 1TB NVMe SSD (LUKS encrypted) |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics (up to 800MHz) |
| TPM | TPM 2.0 (built-in) |
Connectivity
Section titled “Connectivity”| Interface | Details |
|---|---|
| Ethernet | 1x Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) |
| USB | 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A, 1x USB-C (PD/DP/USB 2.0) |
| Cellular | Sierra Wireless EM7455 / EM7565 LTE-Advanced or Quectel EM060K-GL (built-in antenna) |
| LTE Bands | B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B7, B8, B12, B13, B14, B17, B18, B19, B20, B25, B26, B28, B29, B30, B32, B38, B39, B40, B41, B42, B43, B46, B48, B66, B71 (varies by modem) |
| 3G Fallback | UMTS/HSPA+ B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B8 |
| Wi-Fi | Intel AX201 Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax, 2.4GHz/5GHz 160MHz) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| GNSS | GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo (via LTE modem) |
Video Output
Section titled “Video Output”| Interface | Details |
|---|---|
| HDMI | HDMI 2.0b (up to 4096×2160 @ 60Hz HDR) |
| DisplayPort | DP 1.4 via USB-C (up to 4096×2160 @ 60Hz HDR) |
| eDP | Internal connector (up to 1920×1080) |
| Multi-Display | Supports triple display output |
Physical Specifications
Section titled “Physical Specifications”| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 5.1” × 4.5” × 1.6” (130 × 115 × 40 mm) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (420g) without enclosure |
| Enclosure | Custom ARROW aluminum case with heatsink |
| Cooling | Active (redesigned cooling fan) |
| Operating Temp | 32°F to 113°F (0°C to 45°C) |
| Power Input | 12V DC via barrel jack or USB-C PD |
| TDP | 10W typical |
Expansion & I/O
Section titled “Expansion & I/O”| Interface | Details |
|---|---|
| M.2 M Key | PCIe 3.0 x2 (NVMe SSD - 1TB installed) |
| M.2 B Key | PCIe 3.0 x1 + USB (LTE modem installed) |
| Arduino | Integrated ATmega32U4 coprocessor |
| GPIO | 12 analog inputs, up to 23 digital I/O (7 PWM) |
| Serial | RS232 header (COM port) |
| Audio | 2-channel output with 2W amplifier |
Software
Section titled “Software”| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Kali Linux (custom ARROW image) |
| VPN | NetBird client (always-on) |
| Management | ARROW Control agent |
| Encryption | LUKS2 full-disk encryption (1TB NVMe) |
| Secure Boot | UEFI Secure Boot enabled |
What’s in the Box
Section titled “What’s in the Box”Every ARROW device ships with:
- 1x ARROW device unit (with built-in LTE antenna)
- 1x 36W power adapter with regional plug
- 1x Ethernet cable (1m Cat6)
- 1x Quick start guide
- 1x Carrying case (foam-padded)
If you asked for them when you requested the device, you may also receive:
- ALFA AWUS036AXM WiFi 6E adapter for wireless security testing
- ALFA AWUS036ACH wireless adapter
- VESA mounting bracket
Initial Setup
Section titled “Initial Setup”There is very little to do here. VTEM Labs provisions the device for your engagement before it ships, so first boot is mostly a matter of giving it power and a way to reach the internet.
1. Physical Connections
Section titled “1. Physical Connections”- Connect the power adapter to the DC input jack, or use USB-C PD.
- Optionally connect an Ethernet cable if you want wired internet during setup.
- Press the power button. The LED turns blue while the device boots.
The LTE antenna is built in, so if you skip the Ethernet cable the device connects over cellular on its own.
2. First Boot
Section titled “2. First Boot”Because the device is pre-configured, first boot runs itself. Without any input from you, it will:
- Boot with LUKS encryption already enabled, using your organization’s recovery key
- Bring up the NetBird VPN and join your organization’s network
- Register itself, so it shows up in your ARROW portal within a few minutes
There is nothing to configure. Power it on and it is ready. If it does not appear in the portal after a few minutes, see Device Not Appearing in Portal below.
3. Verifying Connectivity
Section titled “3. Verifying Connectivity”The fastest way to confirm the device is online is from the ARROW Portal: open Devices, find your device, and look for an Online status with a green indicator.
If you want to check from the device itself, click Open Control on the device in the portal to launch ARROW Control, which confirms connectivity and gives you a terminal for diagnostics.
Connecting to Your ARROW Device
Section titled “Connecting to Your ARROW Device”Most of the time you will work through ARROW Control in the browser. SSH and a direct console are there for when you need them.
Via ARROW Control (Recommended)
Section titled “Via ARROW Control (Recommended)”ARROW Control is a web interface for managing the device, with a terminal, file manager, and system monitoring built in:
- Log in to the ARROW Portal
- Open Devices and select your ARROW device
- Click Open Control
Via SSH over VPN
Section titled “Via SSH over VPN”When you want a raw shell, SSH in over the VPN:
# Connect using the device's VPN IPssh arrowuser@<device-vpn-ip>
# Or use the device hostnamessh arrowuser@arrow-<device-id>.netbird.cloudSSH only works while your own NetBird VPN is connected, since that is the network path to the device.
Via Direct Console
Section titled “Via Direct Console”If you are physically next to the device, connect a monitor over HDMI and a USB keyboard, then log in with your configured credentials.
Network Configuration
Section titled “Network Configuration”Cellular Failover
Section titled “Cellular Failover”The device keeps itself online without you watching it. It falls over to cellular when primary Ethernet drops, when Wi-Fi signal falls below threshold, or when you trigger a failover by hand. The switch typically completes in under 10 seconds.
Static IP Configuration
Section titled “Static IP Configuration”By default the device uses DHCP. To pin a static IP instead, open ARROW Control, go to Network Settings, select the interface (eth0, eth1), choose Manual configuration, and enter the IP address, subnet, gateway, and DNS.
Firewall Rules
Section titled “Firewall Rules”The device runs ufw and ships locked down: inbound traffic is denied by default, and only the ports you actually need are open.
| Rule | Description |
|---|---|
| Allow SSH (22) | Inbound SSH access |
| Allow ARROW Control (8080) | Web management interface |
| Allow VPN | NetBird WireGuard tunnel |
| Deny all other inbound | Default deny policy |
Troubleshooting
Section titled “Troubleshooting”Physical Device Issues
Section titled “Physical Device Issues”Device won’t power on. Confirm the adapter is connected and the outlet has power, then try a different outlet or power source and check the cable and connector for damage. If you are powering over USB-C PD, make sure the charger supports 20V output; not all do.
Device is frozen or unresponsive. Try a soft restart first by holding the power button for 4 seconds and releasing. If that does nothing, force it off by holding the button for 10 or more seconds, wait 10 seconds, then power it back on. If it is still unresponsive, pull power for 30 seconds and reconnect.
LED Indicators. The front LED tells you the device’s state at a glance:
| LED State | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Off | No power - check power connection |
| Solid blue | Normal operation |
| Blinking blue | Booting / activity |
| Solid amber | Standby / sleep mode |
| Blinking amber | Error - contact support |
Overheating. Give the device room to breathe and do not cover the vents. Confirm the fan is spinning, which you should hear during heavy use, and move it away from heat sources or direct sunlight. If it keeps overheating, power it off and contact support.
Device Not Appearing in Portal
Section titled “Device Not Appearing in Portal”If the device does not show up in the portal, work from power outward: confirm the LED is solid blue, check that the cellular antenna is seated and has signal, verify the SIM is activated and has a data plan, and check the VPN with netbird status.
No Internet Connectivity
Section titled “No Internet Connectivity”Check the Ethernet cable and cellular signal first. If the link is up but nothing resolves, test DNS with nslookup google.com, and if that fails, restart networking with sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager.
Encryption Recovery
Section titled “Encryption Recovery”The device ships with LUKS encryption already set up, and VTEM Labs holds recovery keys for every device. If you are locked out, contact support at [email protected]; recovery can usually be done remotely through ARROW Control.
Maintenance
Section titled “Maintenance”Software Updates
Section titled “Software Updates”Updates are managed through ARROW Manager. Open Devices, select your device, click Software Updates, review the changelogs for what is available, and click Install to apply.
Factory Reset
Section titled “Factory Reset”To wipe the device back to factory defaults, open ARROW Control, go to System, then Factory Reset, and confirm. The device reboots and has to be re-provisioned afterward.
A factory reset erases everything on the device, including its encryption keys, so back up anything you need before you run it.
ALFA AWUS036AXM WiFi Adapter
Section titled “ALFA AWUS036AXM WiFi Adapter”The ALFA AWUS036AXM is an optional WiFi 6/6E USB adapter you can request with your device. It exists for the wireless side of an engagement, where the built-in Wi-Fi is not enough: it gives you tri-band coverage and external, replaceable antennas.
When to Request This Adapter
Section titled “When to Request This Adapter”Ask for the AWUS036AXM when your engagement involves wireless work such as:
- WiFi 6/6E penetration testing, with full 802.11ax support including the 6 GHz band
- Extended-range testing, using the high-gain replaceable antennas for more coverage
- Monitor mode and packet injection, with a Linux-friendly chipset your tools already support
- Bluetooth 5.2 assessments, using the adapter’s integrated Bluetooth
Specifications
Section titled “Specifications”| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Chipset | MediaTek MT7921AUN |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax |
| Frequency Bands | 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz / 6 GHz (tri-band) |
| Max Data Rate | 3000 Mbps (600 + 1200 + 1200 Mbps) |
| Bluetooth | v5.2 with integrated antenna |
| USB Interface | USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A |
| WiFi Antenna | 2x RP-SMA connectors with dual-band dipole antennas |
| Power | 2.7W max |
| Dimensions | 87.4 × 28.5 × 12 mm |
| OS Support | Windows 10/11, Linux |
Product Link: ALFA AWUS036AXM
Setup is plug and play. Connect the adapter to any USB 3.0 port, attach both high-gain antennas to the RP-SMA connectors, and Linux detects it with no driver installation. Confirm it came up with ip link show or iwconfig.
Common Use Cases
Section titled “Common Use Cases”Wireless Network Discovery:
# Put adapter in monitor modesudo airmon-ng start wlan1
# Scan for networks across all bandssudo airodump-ng wlan1monWiFi 6E Testing:
# Scan 6 GHz band specificallysudo iw dev wlan1 scan freq 5955-7115Related Documentation
Section titled “Related Documentation”- Device Requests - How to request an ARROW device
- Device Management - Managing devices in the portal
- VPN Management - VPN configuration and access
- ARROW Control Overview - Web-based device management
- Troubleshooting - General troubleshooting guide