OpenWrt
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| OpenWrt | |
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| Developer: | openwrt.org |
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| Latest release: | Whiterussian 0.9 / 2006.02.13 |
| OS: | Linux |
| Use: | Router-OS |
| License: | GPL |
| Website: | openwrt.org |
OpenWrt is a GNU/Linux based firmware for embedded devices based upon Broadcom chipsets, such as Wi-Fi routers made by Asus, Belkin, Dell, Linksys, U.S. Robotics and Viewsonic, among others. The most popular routers among OpenWrt users seem to be the Linksys WRT54G series and the Asus WL500G Deluxe, although OpenWrt is supported on many other devices from different companies, and is being ported to even more devices, platforms and architectures. OpenWrt primarily uses a command-line interface, and until recently, did not have a web-based GUI interface, which is standard in most stock router firmware. Technical support is only provided through the forums and IRC channel.
The development of OpenWrt is possible because device manufacturers use software portions licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL) and are thus legally bound to release the source code of these portions. Using this as a reference, developers created a distribution from scratch that offers many possibilities not previously found in consumer-level routers.
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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 any particular situation.
The current stable release of OpenWrt is White Russian 0.9.
[edit] Sveasoft controversy
On March 11, 2006, the OpenWrt developers publicly announced[1] that Sveasoft had violated its GPL license terms, and that Sveasoft's continuing distribution of OpenWrt was prohibited. In return, Sveasoft claimed[2] 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. Both groups deny the other's allegations.
[edit] Gnu/Linux Distros based on OpenWrt
[edit] See also
- DD-WRT
- Other WRT54G Third-party firmware projects
- X-Wrt End user extensions to OpenWrt
[edit] External links
- OpenWrt homepage
- Linksys GPL Code Center
- List of supported Hardware
- 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
