German networking equipment integrator Saxonia is shipping an x86-based outdoor WiFi router that runs Debian Sarge. The Meshnode router boots a 2.6.15 Linux kernel from CompactFlash, and offers lots of room to install most any normal x86 Debian package, the company says.

(Click for slightly larger view of Meshnode router)

The Meshnode router includes two WiFi radios, and supports mesh configurations based on OLSR (optimized link state routing). Because it runs a normal Debian Linux distribution, the device might be a good platform for WiFi hackers and developers interested in running fairly full Linux environments. The stock filesystem weighs in at 59MB, leaving 5MB of room on the standard 64MB of Flash, or much more with larger cards. Saxonia offers the device with cards up to 256MB.

The Meshnode router boots Debian Sarge from Flash, and has two radios

Additionally, Meshnode's x86 Linux distribution is available as a download that might be useful to x86 router hobbyists who need obscure packages not available through normal x86 router distributions, such as LEAF (Linux embedded appliance firewall). Meshnode Linux is based on the full GNU C libraries, rather than the uClibc used in Leaf, and it contains lots of luxuries, such as a full bash shell. More details may be available through a Meshnode Wiki, here.

Saxonia spokesperson Steffen Dreise said, “The hardware is based on x86, so every Debian package can be installed.”

Availability

The Meshnode is available now, with base configurations priced at about 500 Euros. Additional details can be found here.

 
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