OpenWrt
What is OpenWrt?
OpenWrt is described as a Linux distribution for embedded devices.
Instead of trying to create a single, static firmware, OpenWrt provides a fully writable filesystem with package management. This frees you from the application selection and configuration provided by the vendor and allows you to customize the device through the use of packages to suit any application. For developer, OpenWrt is the framework to build an application without having to build a complete firmware around it; for users this means the ability for full customization, to use the device in ways never envisioned.
> Supported Devices
New Release Candidate
It is well known fact that it takes time to build quality, and sometimes
more time than expected. The OpenWrt developers would like to announce
the availability of OpenWrt Kamikaze 8.09 RC1.
You can find it at http://downloads.openwrt.org/kamikaze/8.09_RC1
Release Candidate 1 for Kamikaze 8.09
New changes/features include:
* Busybox upgraded to 1.11.2
* Kernel upgrades for all targets
* uClibc upgraded to 0.9.29
* Firewall rewrite, fully modular netfilter/iptables support
- Syntax of /etc/config/firewall converted to UCI
* ipkg package manager replaced with opkg
- package lists moved to ramdisk, lists are not retained between reboots.
- `opkg update' must be run after each reboot before new packages are installed
* Broadcom 47xx running reliably with the new Kernel, including b43 wireless driver
- WEP, WDS and multi-SSID not yet supported
- AP mode and STA mode are supported with WPA, WPA2, or no encryption
* IMQ and Traffic shaping fixed with newer kernels (2.6.25+)
* Sysupgrade for x86, broadcom and adm5120
* New web interface (LuCI, Lua Configuration Interface)
* New HAL and driver for Atheros based WiFi cards
* Attention towards the integration of security updates
* Build system cleanup
* Package maintaining and updates between releases
Supported targets:
* AMD Alchemy (MeshCube)
* Atheros AR531x/231x based routers
* Atheros AR71xx based routers
* Atmel AVR32
* Broadcom 47xx based routers (Linux 2.4 and 2.6)
* Infineon/ADMtek ADM5120
* Infineon Danube/TwinPass
* Intel IXP42x/43x
* MagicBox
* MikroTik RouterBoard 532
* RDC SoC
* Texas Instruments AR7
* User-Mode Linux (source code release only)
* x86 based boards
Known Issues:
* New uClibc version breaks ABI compatibility with older releases.
* Wireless no longer supported on older Broadcom devices (bcm4710/bcm94702)
- Support was dropped in upstream Broadcom wl driver and b43
- b43legacy (which adds support for such hardware) might be added in a future release
The OpenWrt Team
New Broadcom BCM63xx codebase with GPL'd Ethernet and USB support
Changeset https://dev.openwrt.org/changeset/13001 introduces a new Broadcom BCM63xx SoC codebase which supports the following parts :
- new core support (arch/mips/bcm63xx)
- integrated ethernet MAC
- integrated ethernet PHY
- OHCI and EHCI USB host controllers
- BCM6348 and BCM6358 board support
This work was done by Maxime Bizon from Freebox SA for whom I would like to give huge thanks for his high quality and valuable work
as well as this great contribution.
Prior to this codebase, we were sticking with some old and hardly maintainable BCM63xx codebase.
I encourage the OpenWrt community to test this codebase and report any problems you meet using Trac at https://dev.openwrt.org.
Future work will focus on :
- adding support for BCM6338, BCM6345, BCM6368 and BCM6816 using the existing infrastructure
- merging watchdog and master SPI drivers
ADI's IXP4xx boards gain OpenWrt support
The OpenWrt project is pleased to announce full support for the Pronghorn SBC and Pronghorn Metro wireless routers and the Sidewinder Converged Gateway from ADI Engineering.
Pronghorn SBC IXP425, Dual radio, 16MB flash, 64MB SDRAM, 2x 10/100 Ethernet, Compact Flash, Dig I/O
Pronghorn Metro IXP425, Quad radio, 16MB flash, 64MB SDRAM, 2x 10/100 Ethernet, Compact Flash, Temp/Voltage monitor
Sidewinder IXP465, 64MB flash, 128MB DDR, 10/100 Ethernet, 5 port Ethernet switch, 4 FXS voice, 3x USB, SATA, 2x miniPCI
For further information about the boards and availability, please contact ADI Engineering.
New HAL release for Atheros Hardware
We would like to announce the release of a new HAL for Atheros WLAN devices. The new HAL is the result of a collaboration between OpenWrt.org, DD-WRT and MakSat Technologies (P) Ltd. It is the first result of a common effort, and the present collaborators would like to share the product of this work. We intend to provide reliable and continued support for other projects using this new HAL for Atheros WLAN devices.
The HAL provides a defined API to access and contol Atheros WLAN chipsets, and is an integral part for many drivers such as MadWifi. Comparing it with the HAL that's currently used by MadWifi, the most important changes are:
* many known bugs have been fixed
* improved noise immunity measures
* added support for additional architectures, such as ARM11, MIPS64 and MIPS32r2
* enhanced support for Atheros WiSOC (Wireless System on Chip)
* added support for Atheros AR7100
Home of the new HAL will be the website of the madwifi.org project, http://madwifi.org.
Future development will be coordinated here, and the bug tracking facility can be used to report bugs or file feature requests.
For commercial requests please contact hal@maksat.de
The following is a list of links to involved projects and/or already available vendor solutions using the new HAL for Atheros WLAN devices:
.
OpenWrt.org - embedded linux distribution and development environment
.
DD-WRT.com - professional and end user firmwares for common wireless routers and boards
.
MakSat Product Line - offers tough hardware and special software enhancements for all areas and very inexpensive small APs
Notice: This announcement can be copied as is, as long as the hyperlinks, emails and names are not changed
CommentsGateworks switches to OpenWrt
The OpenWrt project is pleased to announce that Gateworks' new Cambria Network Platform now ships with OpenWrt as the factory BSP.
The first member, the GW2358 is targeted at next generation high performance multi-radio wireless access points, mesh networks, backhauls, repeaters and VPN appliances.
Features:
CPU: Intel IXP435 @ 667MHz
Memory: 128MB
Flash: 32MB
Ethernet ports: 2x 10/100 Mbits/s
Expansion: 4x miniPCI slots, 2x USB 2.0, CF
Other features: Digital I/O, EEPROM, RTC, temp/voltage sensor, serial ports, extended temperature
Optional features: RS485 serial, GPS reciver
Full support for the Cambria family is already available in the development tree and will be part of the next stable release.
CommentsOpenWrt at LinuxWorld
This years LinuxWorld Conference and Expo hosts The Mobile Linux Conference. This conference in a conference is intended to explore the present state of the art in terms of mobile and embedded Linux-based solutions, and how these are pushing the development ahead. One of the tutorials on the program takes a closer look at embedded Linux development, using the NSLU2 in combination with OpenWrt Kamikaze as example: http://www.linuxworldexpo.com/live/12/c … ONYB007TJR
CommentsNew OpenWrt Kamikaze Release in August
The OpenWrt project will over the next two months focus on a new Kamikaze release. The official name is to be: OpenWrt Kamikaze 8.08 Release. The planned schedule will take the following shape:
*Last day in July - final release candidate: 8.08 RC-1. This will be a feature freeze, and all changes after this point will be bug fixes.
*Last day in August - final release: OpenWrt Kamikaze 8.08 Release.
OpenWrt Kamikaze 8.08 Release will, amongst other, focus on bringing the following features:
- Firewall rewrite
- Broadcom 47xx running reliably with the new Kernel, not including wifi
- IMQ and Traffic shaping tested with newer kernels, especially 2.6.25
- Sysupgrade for more platforms (x86 is tested again)
- The new web interface (LuCI, Lua Configuration Interface)
- Full support for new platforms and targets
- Attention towards the integration of security updates
- Package maintaining and updates between releases
The OpenWrt Team