What is OpenWRT?

[sara sh]

Hi all,
I want to know what is OpenWRT? Is it just a Linux distribution or something else? and what is the relevant between the OpenWRT and the OpenFlow?
Thanks in advance.

 

[ultimatebob]

Hi all,
I want to know what is OpenWRT? Is it just a Linux distribution or something else? and what is the relevant between the OpenWRT and the OpenFlow?
Thanks in advance.

It's custom router firmware. It's not really a Linux distribution per se, but it does run a Linux kernel and BusyBox.

It's allows you to add "premium" router features like content blocking, paid hotspot, and bridge networking that the router might not support by default.

It also voids your warranty if you get caught using it, or make sure to flash the firmware back to the factory image if you need to send the router back for an RMA.

 

[sara sh]

It's custom router firmware. It's not really a Linux distribution per se, but it does run a Linux kernel and BusyBox.

It's allows you to add "premium" router features like content blocking, paid hotspot, and bridge networking that the router might not support by default.

It also voids your warranty if you get caught using it, or make sure to flash the firmware back to the factory image if you need to send the router back for an RMA.

Thanks for your answer, so how can we use it, can we install it on routers or there is some routers which have it by default? and as I asked what is it's relationship with the OpenFlow?

 

[ultimatebob]

Most people install OpenWRT on a consumer grade router overtop of the factory firmware, but you can find a few routers that have it preinstalled.

Take a look at DD-WRT and Tomato, as they are two other router firmware packages available.

I'm not familiar with OpenFlow, so you'll have to get someone else to help you with that one.

 

[JackMDS]

Thanks for your answer, so how can we use it, can we install it on routers or there is some routers which have it by default? and as I asked what is it's relationship with the OpenFlow?

Hm.. I would say that a more functional approach would be to think about the Features that you are looking for and install the best firmware that supports these features.

 

[ultimatebob]

This line of questions that Sara is asking in the Network forum are interesting. I wonder if she's writing a research paper on the subject.

I wonder what the MLA guidelines are for citing Anandtech Forums as an information source?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

OpenFlow is, super-simply, yet another communications protocol.

http://archive.openflow.org/wp/learnmore/

It walls off traffic and lets engineers tinker on the same network as the facebook users and youtube watchers without fouling things up.

OpenWRT supports the feature. They are not otherwise related.