List of wireless router firmware projects
Encyclopedia
This is a list of firmware modifications for wireless router
s that have been created and are maintained by people and groups other than the manufacturer of the product. Most of these originated because vendors were compelled to make their source code public as part of it was based on software licensed under the terms of the GNU General Public License
. The Linksys WRT54G series was the starting point for many of these projects.
Wireless router
A Wireless router is a device that performs the functions of a router but also includes the functions of a wireless access point and a network switch. They are commonly used to allow access to the Internet or a computer network without the need for a cabled connection. It can function in a wired...
s that have been created and are maintained by people and groups other than the manufacturer of the product. Most of these originated because vendors were compelled to make their source code public as part of it was based on software licensed under the terms of the GNU General Public License
GNU General Public License
The GNU General Public License is the most widely used free software license, originally written by Richard Stallman for the GNU Project....
. The Linksys WRT54G series was the starting point for many of these projects.
Third-party firmware projects
Many of these will run on various brands of Linux-based devices, such as Linksys, Asus, Netgear etc. The extent of support for (and testing on) particular hardware varies from project to project.Major Projects
- OpenWrtOpenWrtOpenWrt is a Linux distribution primarily targeted at routing on embedded devices. It comprises a set of about 2000 software packages, installed and uninstalled via the opkg package management system. OpenWrt can be configured using the command-line interface of BusyBox ash, or the web interface...
- Customizable firmware written from scratch with a combined SquashFSSquashFSSquashFS is a compressed read-only file system for Linux. SquashFS compresses files, inodes and directories, and supports block sizes up to 1 MB for greater compression...
/JFFS2JFFS2Journalling Flash File System version 2 or JFFS2 is a log-structured file system for use with flash memory devices. It is the successor to JFFS. JFFS2 has been included in the Linux kernel since the 2.4.10 release. JFFS2 is also available for a couple of bootloaders like Das U-Boot, Open...
file system and the package manager opkgOpkgOpkg is a lightweight package management system based upon the now defunct ipkg. It is written in C and resembles APT/dpkg in operation. It is intended for use on embedded Linux devices and is used in this capacity in the OpenEmbedded and OpenWrt projects....
(LinuxLinux kernelThe Linux kernel is an operating system kernel used by the Linux family of Unix-like operating systems. It is one of the most prominent examples of free and open source software....
/GPL)- Bluebox - OpenWrt-based automatic open Internet scanning and bridging software that runs on WRT54G. http://linksysco.com/box.php
- ChillispotChillispotChilliSpot is an open source captive portal or wireless LAN access point controller. It is used for authenticating users of a wireless LAN. It supports web based login, which is today's standard for public HotSpots, WISP "smart-client" authentication, and it supports Wi-Fi Protected Access...
- Captive portalCaptive portalThe captive portal technique forces an HTTP client on a network to see a special web page before using the Internet normally. A captive portal turns a Web browser into an authentication device. This is done by intercepting all packets, regardless of address or port, until the user opens a browser...
software that runs on OpenWrt, available under GPLGNU General Public LicenseThe GNU General Public License is the most widely used free software license, originally written by Richard Stallman for the GNU Project....
.- FONFONFon is a company that operates a system of dual access wireless networks. Fon is the largest Wi-Fi network in the world, with over 4 million hotspots....
- ChillispotChillispotChilliSpot is an open source captive portal or wireless LAN access point controller. It is used for authenticating users of a wireless LAN. It supports web based login, which is today's standard for public HotSpots, WISP "smart-client" authentication, and it supports Wi-Fi Protected Access...
-based worldwide Hotspot network. After unsuccessfully attempting to develop a version that supports 2 SSIDs (one private, one public), FON abandoned the WRT54G series, and now distributes a router called La Fonera, which does support 2 SSIDs.
- FON
- Coova - OpenWrt based with focus on Wireless Hotspot functionality.
- FreifunkFreifunkFreifunk.net is a non-commercial open Grassroots initiative to support free radio networks in the German region. Freifunk.net is part of the international movement for free and wireless radio networks...
- OpenWrt-based, German software supports wireless mesh networks with OLSR and B.A.T.M.A.N.B.A.T.M.A.N.The Better Approach To Mobile Adhoc Networking, or B.A.T.M.A.N., is a routing protocol which is currently under development by the “Freifunk”-Community and intended to replace OLSR.... - MerakiMerakiMeraki is a cloud networking company that provides hardware and software for building large scale wired and wireless networks. These networks are used by businesses, schools, and other organizations that need wireless access points, multi-site wired networks, or both. It uses a centralized...
- OpenWrt-based Mesh Networking Wifi AP developed through Roofnet project - OpennetFirmware - Firmware based on OpenWrt and parts of Freifunk.
- PacketProtectorPacketProtectorPacketProtector is an OpenWrt based firmware replacement for wireless routers such as the Linksys WRT54G series and Asus Routers, with a focus on security tools. In addition to the functionality provided by OpenWrt, additional added packages include Snort, Snort-inline, OpenVPN, DansGuardian and...
- OpenWrt-based security distribution that includes IDS, IPS, VPN, and web antivirus capabilities. - GargoyleGargoyle (router firmware)Gargoyle is a free OpenWrt-based Linux distribution for a range of Broadcom chipset based wireless routers, mainly the older-model Linksys WRT54G , Asus Routers and Netgear WNR3500L...
- A web interface for OpenWrt that places a strong emphasis on usability. Features include an AJAX interface, dynamic DNS, QoS, bandwidth monitoring and access restrictions. (LinuxLinux kernelThe Linux kernel is an operating system kernel used by the Linux family of Unix-like operating systems. It is one of the most prominent examples of free and open source software....
/GPL) - LuCILuciLuci is an English feminine given name variant of Lucy and an Italian surname derived from the Latin personal name Lucius...
- A web interface for OpenWrt written in Lua - X-WrtX-WrtX-Wrt is a set of packages and patches to provide a web interface for the Linux distribution OpenWrt. Although OpenWrt includes the X Window System which provides a graphical interface when installed on systems with video display capabilities, this feature is unavailable on residential gateways...
- A web interface for OpenWrt (LinuxLinux kernelThe Linux kernel is an operating system kernel used by the Linux family of Unix-like operating systems. It is one of the most prominent examples of free and open source software....
/GPL) - UseMyNet - Captive Portal and Hotspot software that runs on OpenWrt.
- WiFiDog Captive PortalWiFiDog Captive PortalWiFiDog is an open source embeddable captive portal solution used to build wireless hotspots.WiFiDog consists of two components: the gateway and the authentication server. WiFiDog was created and conceived of by the technical team of Île Sans Fil....
- WiFi Dog by Ile Sans FilÎle Sans FilÎle Sans Fil , or ISF, is a non-profit community wireless network that provides free public wireless Internet access to mobile users in public spaces throughout the island of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They use open-source software and inexpensive off-the-shelf Wi-Fi hardware to share broadband...
, a Captive Portal software that runs on the OpenWrt platform. - WifiTastic - Hotspot solution for home or small business use. Features credit card billing. Runs on the OpenWrt platform.
- Wirds.net - A project which uses freifunkFreifunkFreifunk.net is a non-commercial open Grassroots initiative to support free radio networks in the German region. Freifunk.net is part of the international movement for free and wireless radio networks...
firmware with chillispotChillispotChilliSpot is an open source captive portal or wireless LAN access point controller. It is used for authenticating users of a wireless LAN. It supports web based login, which is today's standard for public HotSpots, WISP "smart-client" authentication, and it supports Wi-Fi Protected Access...
captive portal and worldspot.net authentication. - HotSpotPA - Captive portal hotspot system with credit card billing, based on OpenWrt.
- DD-WRTDD-WRTDD-WRT is a Linux-based firmware for several wireless routers, most notably the Linksys WRT54G . Like other similar projects, DD-WRT is third-party firmware designed to replace the firmware that ships pre-installed on many commercial routers...
- Based on OpenWrt code. Paid and free versions available. (LinuxLinux kernelThe Linux kernel is an operating system kernel used by the Linux family of Unix-like operating systems. It is one of the most prominent examples of free and open source software....
/GPLGNU General Public LicenseThe GNU General Public License is the most widely used free software license, originally written by Richard Stallman for the GNU Project....
)- AutoAP - AutoAP is an add on to DD-WRT that allows routers to continuously scan for and connect to open (and predefined WEP) wireless networks.
- TomatoTomato FirmwareTomato Firmware is a partially free HyperWRT-based, Linux core firmware distribution for a range of Broadcom chipset based wireless routers, most notably the older-model Linksys WRT54G , Buffalo AirStation, Asus Routers and Netgear's WNR3500L...
- HyperWRTHyperWRTHyperWRT was a GPL firmware project for the Linksys WRT54G and WRT54GS wireless routers based on the stock Linksys firmware. The original goal of the HyperWRT project was to add a set of features—such as power boost—to the latest Linux-based Linksys firmware, extending its possibilities but staying...
-based firmware. Features advanced QoS as well as AjaxAjax (programming)Ajax is a group of interrelated web development methods used on the client-side to create asynchronous web applications...
and SVGScalable Vector GraphicsScalable Vector Graphics is a family of specifications of an XML-based file format for describing two-dimensional vector graphics, both static and dynamic . The SVG specification is an open standard that has been under development by the World Wide Web Consortium since 1999.SVG images and their...
graphs. The Tomato Manual is available at Wikibooks. (LinuxLinux kernelThe Linux kernel is an operating system kernel used by the Linux family of Unix-like operating systems. It is one of the most prominent examples of free and open source software....
/GPL) - DebWRTDebWRTDebWrt is a niche Linux distribution mainly installed on embedded devices, e.g. residential gateways. It is built on top of a OpenWrt base which is used to load a fully functional version of Debian from the RootFS stored on the attached USB storage device. For easy installation and deinstallation...
- Debian on embedded devices (Combines the Linux kernel from OpenWrtOpenWrtOpenWrt is a Linux distribution primarily targeted at routing on embedded devices. It comprises a set of about 2000 software packages, installed and uninstalled via the opkg package management system. OpenWrt can be configured using the command-line interface of BusyBox ash, or the web interface...
and the package management systemPackage management systemIn software, a package management system, also called package manager, is a collection of software tools to automate the process of installing, upgrading, configuring, and removing software packages for a computer's operating system in a consistent manner...
from DebianDebianDebian is a computer operating system composed of software packages released as free and open source software primarily under the GNU General Public License along with other free software licenses. Debian GNU/Linux, which includes the GNU OS tools and Linux kernel, is a popular and influential...
(LinuxLinux kernelThe Linux kernel is an operating system kernel used by the Linux family of Unix-like operating systems. It is one of the most prominent examples of free and open source software....
/GPL) - Sveasoft - Paid and free versions available. Latest versions available via subscription.
- RouterTech.Org - The RouterTech firmware supports a vast number of ADSL Modem/Routers based on the Texas Instruments AR7TI-AR7The Texas Instruments AR7 is a fully integrated single-chip ADSL CPE access router solution. The AR7 combines a MIPS32 processor, a DSP-based digital transceiver, and an ADSL analog front end.- Ownership history :...
chipset, with either the Adam2 or PSP boot loaders. The firmware supports wireless routers using the TNETW1130 and TNETW1350A wifi chips, and also non-wireless routers. Features include support for minixMinixMINIX is a Unix-like computer operating system based on a microkernel architecture created by Andrew S. Tanenbaum for educational purposes; MINIX also inspired the creation of the Linux kernel....
partitions, CIFS and ftpfs mountpoints, selectable DSP and tiatm drivers, the latest BusyboxBusyBoxBusyBox provides several stripped-down Unix tools in a single executable. It runs in a variety of POSIX environments such as Linux, Android, FreeBSD and others, such as proprietary kernels, although many of the tools it provides are designed to work with interfaces provided by the Linux kernel. It...
releases, udpxy, dnsproxy, siproxd, mjproxy, ad blocking, scpSecure copySecure Copy or SCP is a means of securely transferring computer files between a local and a remote host or between two remote hosts. It is based on the Secure Shell protocol....
, miniupnp, netshaper, rshaper, among others. (LinuxLinux kernelThe Linux kernel is an operating system kernel used by the Linux family of Unix-like operating systems. It is one of the most prominent examples of free and open source software....
/GPL)
Minor Projects
- BatBox - RAM based distribution for experimenting, does not change firmware.
- EarthlinkEarthLinkEarthLink , is an Internet service provider headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. It claims 1.94 million subscribers.- Business :EarthLink provides a variety of Internet connection types, including dial-up, DSL, satellite, and cable. Both dial-up and high speed Internet access are available...
's IPv6IPv6Internet Protocol version 6 is a version of the Internet Protocol . It is designed to succeed the Internet Protocol version 4...
Firmware - IPv6 feature added to original Linksys firmware (beta-test version). - EzPlanet - Enhanced firmware based on DD-WRT v24 and including Layer 2 Load Balancer.
- NeighbornodeNeighbornodeNeighbornode is a captive portal on a residential Wi-Fi hotspot containing a message board. It is designed to make neighbors who share an internet connection know each other better...
- Tarifa - Based on stock WRT54GL firmware.
- TinyPEAP - Secure wireless authentication feature added to Linksys firmware.
- WiFi-BoxWiFi-BoxWiFi-Box is a distribution of aftermarket firmware for the Linksys WRT54G series of wireless routers, based on the original Linksys source code...
- No documentation available as of January 2006. - OpenWAG200 - A firmware based on stock firmware for the Linksys WAG200G modem/routers.
Not maintained Projects
- EWRT - Enhanced WRT, with integrated captive portal based on NoCatSplash
- FreeWRT - Experimental firmware based on OpenWrt.
- HyperWRTHyperWRTHyperWRT was a GPL firmware project for the Linksys WRT54G and WRT54GS wireless routers based on the stock Linksys firmware. The original goal of the HyperWRT project was to add a set of features—such as power boost—to the latest Linux-based Linksys firmware, extending its possibilities but staying...
- Original power boost firmware project by Avenger 2.0 to stay close to official WRT54G and WRT54GS firmware but add features such as transmit power, port triggers, scripts, telnet, etc.- HyperWRT +tofu — Based on stock WRT54GS firmware, HyperWRT and some additions.
- Rupan HyperWRT - Based on stock WRT54G firmware and HyperWRT.
- HyperWRT Thibor - Firmware based on stock WRT54GS firmware, HyperWRT (closed) +tofu and other additions.