OpenWrt
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Developed by | openwrt.org |
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| Latest release | Kamikaze 8.09 / 2009-02-19 |
| Operating system | Linux |
| Type | 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. Some features used to require proprietary software. Before the introduction of OpenWRT 8.09, using Linux 2.6.25, and the b43 kernel module, WLAN for many Broadcom-based routers was only available through the proprietary wl.o module that was also only provided for Linux 2.4.[1]
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[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 different requirements.
[edit] Web interface
OpenWrt, prior to release 8.09, had a minimal web interface. In release 8.09 of OpenWrt a new, more capable web interface is preinstalled.[2]. This interface is based on LuCi, an MVC framework written in Lua.[3]
The X-Wrt project provides an alternate web interface, webif², for current and previous version of OpenWRT. It has more than 40 control and status pages.
[edit] Other distributions based on OpenWrt
- Chillifire - OpenWrt-based firmware with focus on wireless hotspot management
- 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.
- 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.
- Gargoyle Router Firmware - A web interface for OpenWrt that places a strong emphasis on usability
- FreeWRT - A fork of the OpenWrt project.
- X-Wrt - Enhancements to the OpenWrt web interface.
[edit] Sveasoft controversy
On 2006-03-11, the OpenWrt developers publicly announced that Sveasoft had violated its GPL license terms, and that Sveasoft's continuing distribution of OpenWrt was prohibited.[4] 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.[5] Each group denies the other's allegations.
[edit] References
- ^ "OpenWrtDocs/Hardware/Linksys/WRT54GL". http://wiki.openwrt.org/OpenWrtDocs/Hardware/Linksys/WRT54GL.
- ^ OpenWrt 8.09 release notes OpenWrt download page for 8.09. Retrieved February 23, 2009.
- ^ About LuCIAbout - LuCI Project' Retrieved February 28, 2009.
- ^ "NOTICE OF LICENSE TERMINATION". OpenWrt. March 11, 2006. Archived from the original on 2006-06-19. http://web.archive.org/web/20060619234857/http://openwrt.org/?p=27. Retrieved on 2007-08-09.
- ^ "sveasoft post to forum.openwrt.org". OpenWrt. 12 March 2006. http://forum.openwrt.org/viewtopic.php?pid=22625#p22625. Retrieved on 2007-08-07.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- OpenWrt homepage
- Linksys GPL Code Center
- List of available supported packages
- 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,
- A large collection of easy to follow tutorials for setting up various services on OpenWrt
- How to trace WiFi frames using OpenWrt, Kismet and Wireshark
- Howtos for configuration of various applications with OpenWrt
- WRT Load Balancer Project
- X-Wrt - End-user adaption of OpenWrt
- Webif² - X-Wrt's enhanced web management console
- LuCI project
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