Transformar routers baratinhos em super routers - Firmwares livres

Hoje vou enunciar alguns exemplos de frimware's alternativos assim como os routers que os suportam.

Exemplo de alguns firmware's alternativos via wikipedia:

* DD-WRT
* OpenWRT - X-Wrt (extensão ao OperWRT para o utilizador final)
* FreeWRT - fork do projecto OpenWRT
* Tomato Firmware
* Sveasoft

Algumas das características deles:

OpenWRT - 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.

DD-WRT - Many of DD-WRT’s features are not included in typical router firmware. These features include support for the Kai network, daemon-based services, IPv6, WDS, RADIUS, advanced quality of service, radio output power control, overclocking capability, and software support for a Secure Digital Card hardware modification.

A lista completa deste poderoso firmware na wikipedia.

FreeWRT - FreeWRT uses either JFFS (writeable root-filesystem) or SquashFS as read-only root-filesystem in combination with a writable overlay filesystem. A large amount of additional software packages can be installed via ipkg, a package management system similar to the Debian-style dpkg. As a lot of peripheral hardware is supported (like webcams, USB soundcards, printers, USB harddisks) there is a vast amount of possible usage scenarios in combination with the available software (NAS, Print server, media player etc.)

Tomato firmware - algumas características tais como: Interactive Ajax based GUI using SVGGUI look and feel changes). CLI access (BusyBox) via TELNET or SSH (using Dropbear). DNS forwarder (using Dnsmasq).Netfilter/iptables with customizable settings, IPP2P and l7-filter. Advanced QoS: 10 unique QoS classes defined, real-time graphs display prioritized traffic with traffic class details.Wireless LAN Radio power of adjustement , antenna selection, and 14 wireless channels.

Sveasoft - Sveasoft firmware is typically advertised as being able to increase the router’s radiotransmission power from 28 milliwatts to 251 milliwatts, as well as being able to use 14 channels for 802.11b transmissions instead of the 11 normally permitted in the U.S. or 13 permitted elsewhere.Other features include QoS support, Wireless Distribution System support, wireless bridging, client mode support (CPE), a PPTP VPN server and client, downloadable packages and IPv6support.The latest version of the Talisman firmware supports up to 16 Ethernet VLANs, up to 15 virtual wireless VLANs each with their own WEP, WPA, or WPA2 encryption and SSID, and bandwidth management and firewall features.

[Via Wikipedia]

Segundo a mesma wikipedia as marcas que geralmente os suportam são:

* Linksys
* Netgear
* D-Link
* Asus

Relativamente aos modelos, o que deu inicio a tudo é o Linksys WRT54G series.

A Netgear tem neste momento o seu NETGEAR WGR614L, o qual é de raiz um router para os amantes do Software Livre e das experiências ;) , tendo criado a própria Netgear, um site de apoio à comunidade.

A Asus é outra das marcas conhecidas que têm hardware compatível com estes firmwares, trata-se do Asus WL-500g, o qual é talvez o maior concorrente neste momento à Linksys.

A lista completa de routers suportados pelo OpenWRT.

A lista suportada pelo DD-WRT.

A lista suportada pelo FreeWRT.

Para finalizar deixo alguns valores de mercado para alguns destes routers, o interessante é que routers de preço relativamente baixo,, com estes firmwares tornam-se em routers que poderiam custar muito mais, tendo mesmo preços proibitivos.

Mais uma vez o Software Livre pode ser e é o grande amigo dos estudantes e profissionais de redes, estes firmwares são bem interessantes para testar o que se lê e estuda para as certifcações.

Linksys WRT54G series

Asus WL-500

Netgear WR614L