Customizing your home router with OpenWrt
SSL Extension
If you need to manage OpenWrt in an untrusted LAN environment, it makes sense to install the SSL extension, which you can access via System. To install, click the Install Matrix Tunnel button. Because of the restricted memory space, you should carefully consider which packages you need before installing. If not, you might run out of space for critical extensions at a later stage.
WLAN
The comprehensive WLAN configuration options, which by far outclass the original firmware, are some of the most interesting aspects for many users. To access the basic settings, press Network | Wireless, where you can specify the operating mode for the wireless network. Options include Client, Ad Hoc, and Access Point. The latter is the default, which is typically the right choice for most application scenarios.
When you boot a WLAN client, it first broadcasts a message to discover reachable access points. Setting ESSID Broadcast to Hide makes your router invisible to the rest of the world.
OpenWrt also gives you various encryption options for protection against unauthorized use; you are strongly advised to enable them. Your options include 48- and 128-bit WEP encryption and WPA, version 1 or 2, which is far more secure. To use WPA, you must install add-on software via the Install NAS Package option.
The advanced WLAN configuration is accessible via Advanced Wireless. The Restrict access (MAC address) filter lets you restrict access to the router to specific MAC addresses. If the router and client are further apart, you can modify the transmitter output below Transmit Power (in mw).
Analysis
OpenWrt offers far more statistical options than the original software, and it will help you analyze various events on the device. The Graphs link in the top menu bar takes you to the graphical processor and network load display (Figure 5); the software updates this every second, giving you a real-time view of the device's health state.

Clicking the Status link opens up a submenu in which you can query various system parameters, starting with the loaded modules, the connected clients, and the current network status. This screen gives you a comprehensive overview of almost any critical system status metric. The Processes entry takes you to a list of all active processes, which is refreshed at 20-second intervals. Clicking Stop Refreshing stops the refresh and displays a pull-down menu next to the process names.
From the pull-down menu, you can kill individual processes by sending the SIGHUP, SIGKILL, or SIGTERM signals. Status | Wireless displays the connected WLAN clients and also acts as a WLAN scanner to discover other WLAN devices. Currently, the device lacks a function for disconnecting connected clients.
Clicking on Log opens a system log configuration window that lets you write logfiles to an external machine (log server). The submenu also lets you access the system and kernel logs and the firewall protocol. Filtering options are restricted to searching for keywords.
« Previous 1 2 3 4 Next »
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Find SysAdmin Jobs
News
-
OpenMandriva Lx 23.03 Rolling Release is Now Available
OpenMandriva "ROME" is the latest point update for the rolling release Linux distribution and offers the latest updates for a number of important applications and tools.
-
CarbonOS: A New Linux Distro with a Focus on User Experience
CarbonOS is a brand new, built-from-scratch Linux distribution that uses the Gnome desktop and has a special feature that makes it appealing to all types of users.
-
Kubuntu Focus Announces XE Gen 2 Linux Laptop
Another Kubuntu-based laptop has arrived to be your next ultra-portable powerhouse with a Linux heart.
-
MNT Seeks Financial Backing for New Seven-Inch Linux Laptop
MNT Pocket Reform is a tiny laptop that is modular, upgradable, recyclable, reusable, and ships with Debian Linux.
-
Ubuntu Flatpak Remix Adds Flatpak Support Preinstalled
If you're looking for a version of Ubuntu that includes Flatpak support out of the box, there's one clear option.
-
Gnome 44 Release Candidate Now Available
The Gnome 44 release candidate has officially arrived and adds a few changes into the mix.
-
Flathub Vying to Become the Standard Linux App Store
If the Flathub team has any say in the matter, their product will become the default tool for installing Linux apps in 2023.
-
Debian 12 to Ship with KDE Plasma 5.27
The Debian development team has shifted to the latest version of KDE for their testing branch.
-
Planet Computers Launches ARM-based Linux Desktop PCs
The firm that originally released a line of mobile keyboards has taken a different direction and has developed a new line of out-of-the-box mini Linux desktop computers.
-
Ubuntu No Longer Shipping with Flatpak
In a move that probably won’t come as a shock to many, Ubuntu and all of its official spins will no longer ship with Flatpak installed.