Linux Firmware For Some 802.11b Access Points

drwho writes "This just unveiled at the BAWUG meeting tonight: Linux firmware for Access Points. Check this URL for more info. I haven't tried it yet but it looks great!" The upshot is that certain Access Points can be flashed with a stripped-down Linux system, which makes them more flexible than they'd be under the included firmware. There are even some screenshots of a modded access point booting up.

firewall replacement

[47PHA60]

One thing that irks me to no end is that my home firewall is a noisy old Pentium 200 with disks and fans. I've been looking into embedded systems to do this, and the current access points I've seen are not effective firewalls at all; no logging, and they don't _reall_ block everything, even though they say they do. A small Linux kernel which does not need to be built up with support for PCI, two ethernet cards, disks and multiple filesystems might just do the trick.

Same Some Bucks?

[blitzrage]

I think that this is a cool idea. You can now upgrade and fix bugs, security holes etc.. yourself instead of having to wait for the vendor to do it (if they do it). Not to mention if you have a really old AP, maybe you can get it out and play around with Linux on it. This could allow you to take old AP's that people are pretty much throwing out, and recycle them. Might save you a few bucks. That'd be cool.

Re:2.4.x

[autocracy]

Other quick thought - wouldn't that take up all the RAM while processing packets?

Re:2.4.x

[1010011010]

Another thought:

IPSec on the access point. Screw WEP!

Repeater?

[1010011010]

Could someone elaborate on the repeater functionality? Could I place unwired access points at regular distances, with only the one at the end wired to the regular network, and roam all down the chain with an 802.11b device (PDA for instance)?

Re:2.4.x

[louissypher]

With the embedded processor that those access points have (16.4 BogoMips), forget IPSEC.

Try an old Laptop

[luiss]

Try getting hold of an old laptop. I got a 486 toshiba satelite for about $20, added two cheap PCMCIA ethernet cards, and loaded linux on it.

No fans (I think), battery backup, and LCD screen, nice...

There is a Linux on Laptops FAQ somewhere out there where you can check for compatability. Ebay is a good place to check for cheapo laptops. Just whatch out the the amount of RAM available. With no CD-ROM most of the old cheapo laptops can be a pain to get linux loaded, if your working from a distro whose imstall img can be over 8MB in size.