DebWRT
Encyclopedia
DebWrt is a niche Linux distribution
mainly installed on embedded devices
, e.g. residential gateway
s. It is built on top of a OpenWrt
base which is used to load a fully functional version of Debian
from the RootFS stored on the attached USB storage device. For easy installation and deinstallation of packages it relies on the dpkg
Package management system
. DebWrt uses the command-line interface of bash. There is no web-based GUI interface at this time.
The project itself incorporates a Wiki
, a Forum
and a CVS for project management and bug-tracking.
s, such as DHCP services and wireless encryption via WEP
, Wi-Fi Protected Access
and WPA2. In addition it offers all of the features offered by Debian
that are typically not included in a standard firmware.
Features include:
DebWrt has a fully writable file system
, which allows for package management via the dpkg
package system, allowing users to install new software to meet their individual needs. This contrasts with Linux-based firmwares based on a read-only SquashFS
filesystem (or similar) that offers efficient compression but no way to modify the installed software without rebuilding and flashing a complete firmware image.
Linux distribution
A Linux distribution is a member of the family of Unix-like operating systems built on top of the Linux kernel. Such distributions are operating systems including a large collection of software applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, media players, and database applications...
mainly installed on embedded devices
Embedded system
An embedded system is a computer system designed for specific control functions within a larger system. often with real-time computing constraints. It is embedded as part of a complete device often including hardware and mechanical parts. By contrast, a general-purpose computer, such as a personal...
, e.g. residential gateway
Residential gateway
A residential gateway is a home networking device, used as a gateway to connect devices in the home to the Internet or other WAN.It is an umbrella term, used to cover multi-function networking computer appliances used in homes, which may combine a DSL or cable modem, a firewall, a consumer-grade...
s. It is built on top of a OpenWrt
OpenWrt
OpenWrt is a Linux distribution primarily targeted at routing on embedded devices. It comprises a set of about 2000 software packages, installed and uninstalled via the opkg package management system. OpenWrt can be configured using the command-line interface of BusyBox ash, or the web interface...
base which is used to load a fully functional version of Debian
Debian
Debian is a computer operating system composed of software packages released as free and open source software primarily under the GNU General Public License along with other free software licenses. Debian GNU/Linux, which includes the GNU OS tools and Linux kernel, is a popular and influential...
from the RootFS stored on the attached USB storage device. For easy installation and deinstallation of packages it relies on the dpkg
Dpkg
dpkg is the software at the base of the Debian package management system. dpkg is used to install, remove, and provide information about .deb packages....
Package management system
Package management system
In software, a package management system, also called package manager, is a collection of software tools to automate the process of installing, upgrading, configuring, and removing software packages for a computer's operating system in a consistent manner...
. DebWrt uses the command-line interface of bash. There is no web-based GUI interface at this time.
The project itself incorporates a Wiki
Wiki
A wiki is a website that allows the creation and editing of any number of interlinked web pages via a web browser using a simplified markup language or a WYSIWYG text editor. Wikis are typically powered by wiki software and are often used collaboratively by multiple users. Examples include...
, a Forum
Internet forum
An Internet forum, or message board, is an online discussion site where people can hold conversations in the form of posted messages. They differ from chat rooms in that messages are at least temporarily archived...
and a CVS for project management and bug-tracking.
Features
DebWrt offers all of the features provided in the stock firmware for residential gatewayResidential gateway
A residential gateway is a home networking device, used as a gateway to connect devices in the home to the Internet or other WAN.It is an umbrella term, used to cover multi-function networking computer appliances used in homes, which may combine a DSL or cable modem, a firewall, a consumer-grade...
s, such as DHCP services and wireless encryption via WEP
Wired Equivalent Privacy
Wired Equivalent Privacy is a weak security algorithm for IEEE 802.11 wireless networks. Introduced as part of the original 802.11 standard ratified in September 1999, its intention was to provide data confidentiality comparable to that of a traditional wired network...
, Wi-Fi Protected Access
Wi-Fi Protected Access
Wi-Fi Protected Access and Wi-Fi Protected Access II are two security protocols and security certification programs developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance to secure wireless computer networks...
and WPA2. In addition it offers all of the features offered by Debian
Debian
Debian is a computer operating system composed of software packages released as free and open source software primarily under the GNU General Public License along with other free software licenses. Debian GNU/Linux, which includes the GNU OS tools and Linux kernel, is a popular and influential...
that are typically not included in a standard firmware.
Features include:
- package manager apt-getAdvanced Packaging ToolThe Advanced Packaging Tool, or APT, is a free user interface that works with core libraries to handle the installation and removal of software on the Debian GNU/Linux distribution and its variants...
. - extensible configuration of your network involving VLAN with exhaustive possibilities to configure the routingRoutingRouting is the process of selecting paths in a network along which to send network traffic. Routing is performed for many kinds of networks, including the telephone network , electronic data networks , and transportation networks...
itself - customizable methods to filter, manipulate, delay and rearrange network packets:
- static DHCP leases
- other devices with available linux drivers
- regular bug fixes and updates, even for devices no longer supported by their manufacturers
DebWrt has a fully writable file system
File system
A file system is a means to organize data expected to be retained after a program terminates by providing procedures to store, retrieve and update data, as well as manage the available space on the device which contain it. A file system organizes data in an efficient manner and is tuned to the...
, which allows for package management via the dpkg
Dpkg
dpkg is the software at the base of the Debian package management system. dpkg is used to install, remove, and provide information about .deb packages....
package system, allowing users to install new software to meet their individual needs. This contrasts with Linux-based firmwares based on a read-only SquashFS
SquashFS
SquashFS is a compressed read-only file system for Linux. SquashFS compresses files, inodes and directories, and supports block sizes up to 1 MB for greater compression...
filesystem (or similar) that offers efficient compression but no way to modify the installed software without rebuilding and flashing a complete firmware image.