Open firmware for router

[Michael Torrie]

Michael Torrie wrote:
> Richard Esplin wrote:
>> Will an open firmware like OpenWrt, DD-Wrt, or Tomato work on routers that do 
>> not have wireless hardware? Google suggests that it won't, but I wanted to 
>> check with you experts.
> 
> Of course.  While Tomato is specifically geared for wireless hardware it
> probably works.  I know that OpenWrt, and probably DD-Wrt, absolutely
> work without wireless.  I tend to avoid DD-Wrt because large parts of it
> are not open source and you have to pay to get DD-Wrt on x86 hardware
> (if you use an Alix embedded board for example).

I should qualify that.  If the processor and flash system are supported
by OpenWrt, then yes, OpenWrt can run on it.

Wireless is just a peripheral in many routers, in a MiniPCI slot.  So
you could have it without, or swap out a different wireless card.