OpenWrt
OpenWrt (from open wireless router) is an open-source project for embedded operating systems based on Linux, primarily used on embedded devices to route network traffic. The main components are Linux, util-linux, musl, and BusyBox. All components have been optimized to be small enough to fit into the limited storage and memory available in home routers.
OpenWrt 18.06.1 login screen | |
| Developer | OpenWrt Project |
|---|---|
| OS family | Linux (Unix-like) |
| Working state | Current |
| Source model | Open source |
| Initial release | January 2004 |
| Latest release | 23.05.2 / 15 November 2023 |
| Repository | |
| Available in | English, Chinese, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Spanish, Welsh + 25 partially translated languages |
| Update method | opkg |
| Package manager | opkg |
| Platforms | 50 different platforms using the following Instruction sets: ARC, ARM, m68k, MIPS, PowerPC, SPARC, SuperH, x86, x86-64 |
| Kernel type | Monolithic (Linux) |
| Userland | BusyBox |
| Default user interface | CLI, WebUIs (LuCI) |
| License | Free software (GPL and other licenses) |
| Official website | openwrt |
OpenWrt is configured using a command-line interface (ash shell) or a web interface (LuCI). There are about 8000 optional software packages available for installation via the opkg package management system.
OpenWrt can run on various types of devices, including CPE routers, residential gateways, smartphones, pocket computers (e.g., Ben NanoNote). It is also possible to run OpenWrt on personal computers and laptops.