OpenWRT

Swap partition we created earlier to ensure we have plenty of memory available. First, make sure the partition can function as swap:root@OpenWrt:~# mkswap /dev/sda2Then turn activate the swap space:root@OpenWrt:~# swapon /dev/sda2Now run free again to make sure the space was allocated:root@OpenWrt:~# free total used free shared buffersMem: 29212 19160 10052 0 1972-/+ buffers: 17188 12024Swap: 475644 0 475644 This is great, but it won’t stay active if we reboot the system, so we need to let the system know that it should activate swap every time it starts up. You may have noticed a swap section in our fstab file from earlier. In my experience, this doesn’t always activate properly, so I have chosen to ignore it and create a separate startup script to turn on the swap space. This has the added benefit of introducing us to startup scripts, in case we want to create one later to ensure our scanning script restarts when the system resets.Swap Startup ScriptWe will start by creating the startup script:root@OpenWrt:~# vi /etc/init.d/swapon```bashEnter the following into the file, then save it:```bash#!/bin/ash /etc/rc.commonSTART=109STOP=151start() { echo "start swap" swapon /dev/sda2}stop(){ echo "stop"}Make the script executable:root@OpenWrt:~# chmod +x /etc/init.d/swaponNow we need to make a symlink from /etc/rc.d to our script to make the system run it on startup:root@OpenWrt:~# ln -s /etc/init.d/swapon /etc/rc.d/S109swaponIf you’re curious, the S109 part of the link name tells the system in which order the script should be run. If you list the files in /etc/rc.d, you will see that they all start with S##. S109 should put our swap script at the end of the list, so it will run after all of the system scripts.Now reboot the system, SSH back in, and check if the swap space has been activated:root@OpenWrt:~# free total used free shared buffersMem: 29212 19276 9936 0 2152-/+ buffers: 17124 12088Swap: 475644 0 475644If the swap didn’t activate, double check that you set the swapon script to executable.Set up Monitor ModeNow that the system is (mostly) set up, we can get to the fun stuff. We will need to modify the router’s wireless config in order to activate it and set it to monitor mode:root@OpenWrt:~# vi /etc/config/wirelessComment out the line that disables wifi:Use the following settings for wifi-iface:config wifi-iface option device radio0 option network lan option mode monitor option hidden 1Then restart the wifi interface:root@OpenWrt:~# wifi down; wifi upYou may see some error messages, like the ones below, but the wireless should still activate properly.ifconfig: SIOCSIFHWADDR: Invalid argumentcommand failed: Device or resource busy (-16)Check that wireless is up and in monitor mode:root@OpenWrt:~# iwconfiglo no wireless extensions.wlan0 IEEE 802.11bgn Mode:Monitor Frequency:2.412 GHz Tx-Power=15 dBm RTS thr:off Fragment thr:off Power Management:oneth0 no wireless extensions.br-lan no wireless extensions.Install required packagesNow we will install all of the packages and libraries required by our scanning script:root@OpenWrt:~# opkg updateroot@OpenWrt:~# opkg upgrade tar wgetroot@OpenWrt:~# opkg install python tcpdump unziproot@OpenWrt:~# wget tar -xvf scapy-latest.tar.gzroot@OpenWrt:~# cd scapy*root@OpenWrt:~# python setup.py installroot@OpenWrt:~# cd ..; rm -rf scapy*Test the scanning scriptEdit The default git package on busybox seems to have trouble

Pick, you should see a significant improvement over your router’s standard firmware.You’ll also gain additional features, such as OpenVPN client compatibility, that will allow you to accomplish more with your network.As an added benefit, if you want to install them, all of these are more secure than the original branded firmware and receive more frequent updates and upgrades.Of course, before installing custom firmware, make sure to carefully follow the developers’ instructions to avoid hurting your router.Frequently Asked QuestionsIs OpenWrt better than DD-WRT as a router?For newbies, DD-WRT is a fantastic choice. It’s quite easy to use and set up. OpenWrt, on the other hand, is a more advanced router firmware with more features, better support, and a larger level of customization.Is OpenWrt better than stock firmware?From the perspective of a normal user, the stock firmware is adequate. However, for advanced users such as network specialists and anyone concerned about network performance, OpenWrt is a far superior solution. It contains several algorithms from recent studies that outperform the firmware given by the manufacturer. Furthermore, OpenWrt is stable and runs consistently for long periods with little conflicts.Is OpenWrt a safe firewall?By default, OpenWrt provides enough security. If you are unfamiliar with configurations, firewalls, and online security, don’t worry; OpenWrt has been secured by default in such a way that novice people may use it straight away without concern.If you found this article useful, please share it with your friends and relatives.We also ask that you bookmark this page for future reference, as we are constantly adding new information to our articles. Sign up for our free newsletter as well to receive fresh information immediately in your inbox and keep technically up to date.You May Be Interested to ReadBest OpenWrt Routers (Updated)How Long Do Routers Last and When Should You Replace Them?Why Is

Most routers come with appealing Graphic User Interface firmware that allows you minimal customization and control over your router’s settings.However, you may overcome this challenge by utilizing custom router firmware in your router. However, because there are so many alternatives, selecting custom firmware for your router is not a simple process.You may be perplexed as to which one is best for you. DD-WRT and OpenWrt are two of the most popular open-source router firmware options.So we can compare them to see what advantages and disadvantages they each have.We’ve compared the two firmware against each other in our DD-WRT vs OpenWrt comparison to help you determine which is best for your requirements.DD-WRT vs OpenWrt – Full ComparisonThe competition between DD-WRT and OpenWrt is tight. Both custom router firmware have a plethora of functions, making it difficult to pick between them.In this direct comparison of DD-WRT vs OpenWrt, we can compare the user interface, frequency of version updates, setup method, compatibility, QoS support, and VPN settings of both firmware.1. DD-WRT vs OpenWrt – User InterfaceBoth OpenWrt and DD-WRT have more complex user interfaces than most proprietary firmware in popular routers on the market.DD-WRT’s interface is rather smooth when compared to OpenWrt’s, yet has a large range of functionality.However, some users will like OpenWrt’s interface due to the massive number of options it provides.They, too, claim to have discovered several useful DD-WRT features not present in OpenWrt.DD-WRT provides unique features like Wake-on-LAN capability that lets you wake up your linked devices from nearly anywhere in the globe.2. DD-WRT vs OpenWrt-Installation and SetupFor several reasons, comparing DD-WRT vs OpenWrt is not an easy task.One of these is the installation and configuration of router firmware. For an experienced user, both of these custom firmware are rather straightforward to install. You just download the firmware and