Re: build a hack box of choice?

Hi

Scott Serr wrote:
> I might be narrow minded, but... hardware specifically for WiFi Linux 
> projects.  I want the hardware to be much closer in cost (and function) 
> to a SOHO router than the general purpose stuff that in my opinion costs 
> to much to really catch on.

I've been searching for this for about two years, but it is
a moving target... as soon as appear a port the hardware is
changed (while mantaining the model number -- that is ugly,
at least!)

ppl that have the knowledge to do the ports are always busy
with other things. the problem is that debugging the boot
process of an unknown cheap hardware is very time consuming
(and it is also the most difficult part of porting, followed
by tweaking the kernel -- if the processor isn't supported)

> I like at the price of the 802.11g APs and routers...  Under $50 after 
> rebates on some of these.  If a company were to negotiate with 
> Netgear/Dlink/Linksys or their OEMs for the same thing, with complete 
> hackability... it would be well worth $100 I would think.

that's exactly the promise of actiontec dual pc modem router,
but actiontec lack to sell the ... daughterboard that permits
un-brick a failed reflash (go understand these guys!!)

I agree with all arguments about using SOHO routers as
cheap hardware. many units are prebuilt with linux but
as they are made on east asia, on where GPL means nothing,
the time to hack/produce a working distrib is enormous
(check seattlewireless success on s3c4510b for quite some
time now but still hoosed on acx100 cardbus support!)

Petr Novak (from HRI project) did a successfull hack on
SMC7004ABR rev.2 (with a samsung s3c4510b compatible
processor), including a firmware that can be uploaded
using SMC's tools. it is not a complete distribution, yet,
but it is the closest I've ever seen (I updated some
pages on the project yesterday, will add more info on
Petr Novak's port later today -- check the site to know
more!)

I was told hacking on linksys WRT54/WAP54 had success
but as 5.1GHz isn't legalized here in Brazil I didn't
bother to look into. I must say that I don't think most
cheap wireless SOHO routers are good to WISPs, mainly
because lack of processor power/flash/ram -- pcengines
board would fit even better than soekris in this matter
-- but the lan routers are fine to most usage ( SMC7004ABR
has the advantage of comming with a printer port -- I
imagine if a quickcam on it would permit a cheap "Axis-cam"
alternative ;-) )

Cheers
!3runo