OpenWrt

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OpenWrt

The web interface from OpenWrt 0.9
Developed by openwrt.org
Latest release Kamikaze 7.09 / 2007.09.30
OS Linux
Genre Router-OS
License GPL
Website openwrt.org

OpenWrt is a Linux-based firmware program for embedded devices such as residential gateways. Support was originally limited to the Linksys WRT54G series, but has since been expanded to include other chipsets and manufacturers, including Netgear, D-Link, Asus and many others. The most popular routers seem to be the Linksys WRT54G series and the Asus WL-500g. OpenWrt primarily uses a command-line interface, but also features an optional web-based GUI interface. Technical support is provided through the forums and IRC channel.

The development of OpenWrt was initially aided by the ease of modification afforded by manufacturers' use of software licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL), which requires manufacturers to release all changes made to code originally licensed under the GPL. Initially using this as a base and later as a reference, developers created a distribution that offers many features not previously found in consumer-level routers.

Contents

[edit] Features

The primary feature of OpenWrt is a fully writable JFFS2 file system, which allows for package management via the ipkg package system. This makes OpenWrt very versatile and adaptable to many particular situation.

[edit] X-Wrt

A related project X-Wrt, is an extension of OpenWrt for the end-user. OpenWrt itself is a basic framework system, with a minimal web-management console that can be built upon by software coders. X-Wrt's primary enhancement is webif², a web-management console with more than 40 control and status pages for a router. Webif² has pages that include graphical traffic and system status monitoring, and pages for the control and status of the network, wireless, and security. Controls are provided for Data logging, Booting, cron, NVRAM, file editing, Linux package management, SNMP, backup and restore, Firmware upgrade, WAN, VLAN, Wi-Fi, WEP, WPA, WDS, MAC filtering, Firewall, Port forwarding, DHCP, Dnsmasq, Hostnames, IP control, Routing, UPNP, QoS, DynDNS, WoL, OpenVPN, PPTP, and Hotspots.

[edit] Other distributions based on OpenWrt

  • Obelisco - (Website in Spanish)
  • Midge
  • PacketProtector - OpenWrt-based security distribution that includes IDS, IPS, VPN, and web antivirus capabilities.
  • Coova - OpenWrt-based with focus on wireless hotspots.
  • Freifunk - German software supports wireless mesh networks with OLSR, based on OpenWrt, Available in several languages.
  • B.A.T.M.A.N - B.A.T.M.A.N. (better approach to mobile ad-hoc networking) is a new routing protocol for multi-hop ad-hoc mesh networks.
  • RO.B.IN - ROBIN (ROuting Batman Inside) is an Open Source mesh network project, deployed on top of OpenWRT kamikaze, running on any Atheros AP51 routers such as Meraki Mini or La Fonera and using the BATMAN routing algorithm.

[edit] Sveasoft controversy

On March 11, 2006, the OpenWrt developers publicly announced that Sveasoft had violated its GPL license terms, and that Sveasoft's continuing distribution of OpenWrt was prohibited.[1] In return, Sveasoft claimed that OpenWrt was illegally redistributing software copyrighted by Sveasoft and Broadcom and placing them under the GPL without being authorized to do so by the copyright holders.[2] Each group denies the other's allegations.

[edit] References

  1. ^ NOTICE OF LICENSE TERMINATION. OpenWrt (March 11, 2006). Archived from the original on 2006-06-19. Retrieved on 2007-08-09.
  2. ^ sveasoft post to forum.openwrt.org. OpenWrt (12 March 2006). Retrieved on 2007-08-07.

[edit] See also

Free software Portal

[edit] External links

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