An announcement from the WISP-Dist project . . .

The WISP-Dist project is pleased to announce its first public release. “WISP-Dist” is a modular embedded Linux distribution for wireless routers, but can be used for other purposes as well. The entire system fits in 8MB flash / 16MB RAM. Highlights include an easy-to-use menu interface, command line access, an Access Point mode (on selected cards), OSPF/RIPv2, bandwidth shaping, NAT and other goodies. The goal is to create an open, customizable and easy-to-use solution for wireless routers.

Highlights . . .

• Completely open system based on Linux kernel 2.4 and LEAF Bering
  
• Entire distribution fits in 8 MB flash, of which 1.2MB are currently free for additional packages
  
• Works on 16MB RAM
  
• Simple to use menu-based configuration system for basic functionality
  
• Command-line access for advanced configuration
  
• Local access via console or serial port
  
• Remote access via SSH
  
• Statistics available via SNMP
  
• OSPF, RIPv2 dynamic routing support integrated; networks built this way are much easier to debug and tune than bridging-based networks
  
• NAT
  
• Bandwidth shaping
  
• VLAN trunking support: service several customers from one CPE connected to a switch
  
• Access Point support for Prism2, Prism2.5
  
• MAC filter (access list) support for AP
  
• Advanced network diagnostics: NTOP, tcpdump
  
• Remotely upgradable
  
• Modular: you can add/remove packages
  
• Can log all system events to remote system via SYSLOG protocol
  
• checkping: system will reboot if some of the specified hosts are unreachable (useful when radios get stuck)
  
• Easy to service: all files are stored on standard FAT partition
  
• Compatible with LRP (LEAP) packages
  
• Supported wireless cards: Aironet LMC352; Lucent/Avaya WaveLan; Prism2-based cards (Teletronics, Zcomax, D-Link, LinkSys …)
  
• Generally, all modern hardware is supported

 
This article was originally published on LinuxDevices.com and has been donated to the open source community by QuinStreet Inc. Please visit LinuxToday.com for up-to-date news and articles about Linux and open source.