OpenWrt

Infobox_Software
name= OpenWrt


caption=The web interface from OpenWrt 0.9
Description=Open Source RouterOS
developer= [http://openwrt.org/ openwrt.org]
latest release version=Kamikaze 7.09
latest release date=release date|2007|09|30
operating system=Linux
genre= Router-OS
license= GPL
website= [http://openwrt.org/ 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. However, some features still require proprietary software. For example, wifi support on linksys wrt54gl needs proprietary wl.o kernel module that is only available for linux 2.4. [cite web|url=http://wiki.openwrt.org/OpenWrtDocs/Hardware/Linksys/WRT54GL|title=OpenWrtDocs/Hardware/Linksys/WRT54GL]

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 different requirements.

X-Wrt

A related project [http://code.google.com/p/x-wrt/ X-Wrt] , is an extension of OpenWrt for the end-user. X-Wrt 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 [http://wiki.x-wrt.org/index.php/White_Russian_Presentation 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.

Other distributions based on OpenWrt

* [http://wiki.buenosaireslibre.org/Obelisco Obelisco] - (Website in Spanish)
* [http://midge.vlad.org.ua/wiki/ Midge]
* [http://packetprotector.org PacketProtector] - OpenWrt-based security distribution that includes IDS, IPS, VPN, and web antivirus capabilities.
* [http://coova.org Coova] - OpenWrt-based with focus on wireless hotspots.
* [http://freifunk.net/wiki/FreifunkFirmware Freifunk] - German software supports wireless mesh networks with OLSR, based on OpenWrt, Available in several languages.
* [http://www.blogin.it/ 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 B.A.T.M.A.N. routing algorithm.

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. [cite web|url=http://openwrt.org/?p=27|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20060619234857/http://openwrt.org/?p=27|archivedate=2006-06-19|title=NOTICE OF LICENSE TERMINATION|publisher=OpenWrt|date=March 11 2006|accessdate=2007-08-09] 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. [cite web|url=http://forum.openwrt.org/viewtopic.php?pid=22625#p22625|title=sveasoft post to forum.openwrt.org|date=12 March 2006|accessdate=2007-08-07|publisher=OpenWrt] Each group denies the other's allegations.

References

See also

*Other WRT54G Third-party firmware projects

External links

* [http://openwrt.org/ OpenWrt homepage]
* [http://www.linksys.com/gpl/ Linksys GPL Code Center]
* [http://wiki.openwrt.org/TableOfHardware List of supported Hardware]
* [http://wiki.openwrt.org/OpenWrtPackages List of available supported packages]
* [http://www.ipkg.be Unofficial OpenWrt package tracker] to find ipkg packages on external repositories. These packages are not supported by the OpenWrt community, and using official packages is recommended.
* [http://www.macsat.com A large collection of easy to follow tutorials for setting up various services on OpenWrt (www.macsat.com).]
* [http://mobilesociety.typepad.com/mobile_life/2007/01/wifi_network_tr.html How to trace WiFi frames using OpenWrt, Kismet and Wireshark]
* [http://www.hendlsofen.de/WRT54GL/eng/WRT54GL_main.html Howtos for configuration of various applications with OpenWrt]
* [http://www.ezplanetone.com/xwiki/bin/view/Router/ WRT Load Balancer Project]
* [http://x-wrt.org/ X-Wrt - End-user adaption of OpenWrt]