Open Linux Router Project Announced

ClarkConnect, IPCop, m0n0wall, and Smoothwall are among the Linux distributions currently available that are targeted for use as a firewall or network server. However, shortly another contender will be launching into this arena and that is the Open Linux Router.

Open Linux Router developers acknowledge Vyatta's open-source router; however, it is just that, a router -- not to mention it is poorly designed interface. The Open Linux Router hopes to provide much more than basic router functionality. Among the features that developers hope to tack on is a file sharing server, firewall, and the capability to add services all on the same device. Users will be able to add (or remove) additional functionality as they see fit. The project aims to provide "true modularity" where the user can simply and cleanly add or remove modules for services they want. The end-user will not be challenged by dependency issues or other conflicts when using OLR modules.

Among the tentative list of features include a web interface via SSL, serial console, wireless support, VLAN support, packet filtering, DynDNS, SNMP agent and management, traffic shaper, SVG-based traffic grappher, Samba support, and much more. The Open Linux Router will also feature a user portion for collaboration, sharing an audio library inside of a household, and provide other media implementations.

The aim for the interface is to be simple, while at the same time will feature some relatively advanced options. The open-source model backs all of these benefits by complying with the GNU GPLv2 license. While far from completion, presently this code is available through Google Code with its Subversion repository.

Once out, for those users wishing to setup their own Linux-based routers, the process should now become one-step easier. The inaugural release of the Open Linux Router will likely occur in May or June of this year. Phoronix will cover the Open Linux Router in greater detail as its release nears. Additional information on this upcoming open-source project can be found at http://www.openlinuxrouter.com/.