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Linux Firmware For Some 802.11b Access Points

Posted by timothy on from the now-that-is-a-busybox dept.

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.

4 of 151 comments (clear)

  1. 2.4.x by tulare · · Score: 5, Interesting

    A quick thought - iptables on an access point? That I like. Think of all the possiblities...

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    political_news.c: warning: comparison is always true due to limited range of data type
    1. Re:2.4.x by tulare · · Score: 4, Interesting
      Not a bad point, actually. I don't imagine that you could run all the packets through some 500-line list of various netfilter errata. What I had in mind would be more like
      1. iptables -A INPUT -s --source-mac [mac address of my allowed devices] -j ACCEPT

      2. iptables -P INPUT DROP
        iptables -t nat -A POSTROUTING -o [er, whatever the interface is called] -j MASQUERADE
      Not neccessarily complete or accurate in terms of syntax, but you get the gist. Nothing requiring too much memory usage, but enough to ensure you can limit the use of the access point to trusted devices.
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      political_news.c: warning: comparison is always true due to limited range of data type
  2. Hmm, security? by RC514 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    After the initial install with the SRAM card the access point can be upgraded over the network.

    Does that mean the vendors of access points do not write protect the operating system on the hardware level? Or are future modifications only possible when the jumper remains in the upgrade position? If the jumper becomes meaningless after the upgrade, its implementation is a serious design flaw and an undetected rooting waiting to happen.

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  3. Use serial port for modem backup? by Fencepost · · Score: 4, Interesting

    One of the features that I like about the MultiTech router/switch I have is that a modem can be hung off the serial port and used as a backup connection. What would it take to do the same with this, and is there a getty out there that would support operating both ways (i.e. use a modem for dialout, but if a terminal was connected instead then allow login).

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    fencepost
    just a little off