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OpenWRT vs. FCC – Forced Firmware Lockdown? [video]

cnx-software.com

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Re: OpenWRT vs. FCC – Forced Firmware Lockdown? [video]

#31

Post by cpncrunch »

jMyles wrote: post #24

This appears to me to be a clear-cut example of prior restraint, if common sense standards of free speech are to be applied to source code.

I'm not sure that is a valid analogy. They're not trying to prevent "free speech", just stop idiots who don't know what they're doing from interfering with aircraft weather radar.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10137739

edit please read the background before downvoting, and you'll see what I mean. Also, there is no loss of freedom here. As long as your radio software is separate from the router software, there is no issue at all.

Re: OpenWRT vs. FCC – Forced Firmware Lockdown? [video]

#32

Post by cpncrunch »

wyager wrote: post #10

A government-mandated locked-down radio firmware isn't much better than a government-mandated locked-down main firmware. The FCC should punish crimes, not impose prior restrictions on innocent people.

The reason they're doing this is because a lot of crimes have been committed -- resulting in interference with weather radar.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10137739

Re: OpenWRT vs. FCC – Forced Firmware Lockdown? [video]

#33

Post by cpncrunch »

uuuusername wrote: post #29
nickysielicki wrote: post #26

If you're in the US please take 5 minutes and do something about this. This is a big deal. Make a phone call about this: > 1 (888) 225-5322 Send an email: > Chairman Tom Wheeler: Tom.Wheeler@fcc.gov > Commissioner Mignon Clyburn: Mignon.Clyburn@fcc.gov > Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel: Jessica.Rosenworcel@fcc.gov > Commissioner Ajit Pai: Ajit.Pai@fcc.gov > Commissioner Michael O’Rielly: Mike.O'Rielly@fcc.gov Write…

PLEASE put in comments on this proceeding, everyone! WE NEED YOUR HELP!

First I would advise you to understand why this is being done.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10137739

Re: OpenWRT vs. FCC – Forced Firmware Lockdown? [video]

#34

Post by esaym »

atmosx wrote: post #18

I recently bought an ADSL modem/router TP-Link 8970 (or something). The thing is awesome, except for that fact that it doesn't support OpenVPN... Supports PPTP or IPSec. Now if only, I could install OpenWRT on it. Since OpenWRT makes ROUNDS around every custom software I've seen on low-end ADSL modem/routers makes me wonder why on earth companies don't just ship OpenWRT and get over with it?

I didn't even know OpenWRT could work on a DSL modem? I wonder what it would take to get it working on the new ATT IPDSLAM based DSL network?

Re: OpenWRT vs. FCC – Forced Firmware Lockdown? [video]

#36

Post by mindslight »

ansible wrote: post #30
mindslight wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You built a server that also happens to route? I was thinking the low brow option would be an old laptop, but that's not going to suffice for someone who wants to keep up with wireless protocols (due to the same FUD under discussion). Obviously you can fix this (coreboot or modded BIOS), but specificity and tinker factor is going way up. It's the rise of low power general boards that really make this practical. I tri…

I was thinking the low brow option would be an old laptop, but that's not going to suffice for someone who wants to keep up with wireless protocols Many laptops have mini-PCIe slots for the WLAN, so you could buy a new card and stick it in. Note that if you want to run 5GHz and the laptop didn't previously support it, you might need new antennas too. The other caveat is that with some laptops the BIOS will allow only…

> some laptops the BIOS will allow only a particular WLAN card to be used

Yeah, that's what I was referring to. The FUD of "unapproved changes" invalidating the FCC's approval for the antenna system leads the manufactures to create those restrictions. Since the end user making a modification well after the sale has nothing to do with the manufacturer, I call it FUD. (Of course the user isn't selling their modified device over state lines either, but I disgress).

My experience is primarily limited to Thinkpads and a few crappy consumer models that I've inherited. But I figure the better designed laptops that can make it to "old" and not overheat with continuous usage are more likely to have those restriction lists.

Re: OpenWRT vs. FCC – Forced Firmware Lockdown? [video]

#38

Post by wmf »

mindslight wrote: post #19
atmosx wrote: post #18

I recently bought an ADSL modem/router TP-Link 8970 (or something). The thing is awesome, except for that fact that it doesn't support OpenVPN... Supports PPTP or IPSec. Now if only, I could install OpenWRT on it. Since OpenWRT makes ROUNDS around every custom software I've seen on low-end ADSL modem/routers makes me wonder why on earth companies don't just ship OpenWRT and get over with it?

Their firmware is the feature they're selling you. The hardware is generic and without their wonderful firmware, they'd be competing solely on price. This is what the skinjobs think, at least. BTW, openvpn performance sucks eggs on the processors used in consumer routers.

AFAIK most lower-end routers have pretty generic firmware (with their logo added) as well. Maybe paying a no-name firmware sweatshop to tweak some reference firmware is cheaper than tweaking OpenWhatever.

Re: OpenWRT vs. FCC – Forced Firmware Lockdown? [video]

#39

Post by slavik81 »

Lord_Nightmare wrote: post #21
naner wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It says they're accepting feedback until August 16th... So until 12 days ago.

The initial comment period has been extended September 9th. This was requested by the ITT and TIA.

You originally said the IEEE. Was that mistaken? What's the ITT and TIA?

Re: OpenWRT vs. FCC – Forced Firmware Lockdown? [video]

#40

Post by AceJohnny2 »

atmosx wrote: post #18

I recently bought an ADSL modem/router TP-Link 8970 (or something). The thing is awesome, except for that fact that it doesn't support OpenVPN... Supports PPTP or IPSec. Now if only, I could install OpenWRT on it. Since OpenWRT makes ROUNDS around every custom software I've seen on low-end ADSL modem/routers makes me wonder why on earth companies don't just ship OpenWRT and get over with it?

Many Buffalo routers ship with DD-WRT, a fork of OpenWRT:

http://www.buffalotech.com/products/wireless/dd-wrt-1

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