Equipment Support > Hardware By Brand > Linksys > Sveasoft's vs WiFi-Box

reply to joey911

Re: Sveasoft's vs WiFi-Box

Wifi, why do you think we are here for accuse you? You did the project for free we wouldent want to bash you on the excellent work you have done. We are not misunderstanding you man please hear us out.

Hey everyone,

I've been in contact a bunch with WiFi over the past few weeks, hence why I've been posting a bunch of answers to questions about his firmware.

I just tonight verified that he has applied for a project at SourceForge.net

When the project goes online it will be titled 'WiFi-Box'
He applied for the project account on 1/10 and has yet to hear back form the SF staff. Typically turn around is 2-3 days, but they may be backlogged as everything has to be done manually.

You can rest assured that he will be providing the source and will be attributing the code to those who have written it.

I believe a large part of this stems from a bit of language barrier. I know that once the project goes live a whole bunch of people will be chomping at the bit to add their own code and ideas; the idea of integrating ideas from each of the firmwares is part of the point of GPL, let the community access and improve upon open code and then make it available for others.

So, anyways, I too am anxiously awaiting the next version and the source code. We'll keep you updated as to the status!

For now - everyone enjoy the amazing benefits that both Sveasoft and WiFi have brought you - I know I am! Its made this router purchase more than worthwhile!
--
Comcast-}WRT54G-}BEFSR41v2&BEFSR81wired-} K6-550, XP2800+, P4 2.4wireless-}Toshiba S1292, iPAQ h2215

Oh - and to get back on the topic of the original post ---

Here are the features that the latest WiFi firmware has on top of the latest available Linksys version. Someone else feel free to chime in on Sveasoft's list of added features

See we can all get along

Local DNS Server
Static DHCP (thanks for Wumpus and Sveasoft forum for this patch)
Autorun Bash Shell Script (ABSS)
Restored Ping hack functionality
Transmit Power Hack Built-In (!!)
Antenna Diversity Selection
Support for DYNDNS Custom
Remote Wake On Lan Support
Added Support for 255.255.0.0 and 255.0.0.0 Lan Net Mask
Working Multi PPTP Passthrough
SNMP support
Latest BusyBOX installed
Worldwide Channel support 1-14 even in US release
Added Status page with uptime and CPU load info
Added more Server Profiles (Ident, MSN, VNC, et cetera) for Port Forwarding
Added Reboot Router/Service button (Administration) for soft reboot router OR manual reboot all Service
Fixed Linksys' problem with FTP Passive mode
Added support for ZoneEdit.com
Added Server Profiles for easy port forwarding w/ 20 templates

VPN features
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VPN (PPTP) server (Up to 1024 clients but max 5 due to RAM limit)
Support for WAN connect to Local PC behide WRT54G VPN
Support for VPN to WAN, using like a router VPN
Full Compress and Crypto mode, Faster/Better with full M.S 64/128 Bits Crypto
Full support for Windows 9x/2K/XP and Linux with PPTP Client

Added Telnet access to router- features:
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Password protection (logon: root & password: same as router)
Turn on/off Telnetd service (Under Administration->Management)
Auto block telnet access from WAN to LAN

Currently defined functions:
[addgroup, adduser, busybox, cat, chmod, chroot, clear, cp, date, echo, egrep, env, expr, false, fgrep, free, getty, grep, hexdump, hostname, ifconfig, kill, killall, klogd, ln, login, logread, ls, lsmod, makedevs, mesg, mkdir, modprobe, more, msh, mv, nc, netstat, nslookup, passwd, ping, ps, pwd, reboot, reset, rm, rmdir, rmmod, route, sh, sleep, strings, stty, sync, syslogd, tail, telnet, telnetd, test, top, touch, traceroute, true, tty, uptime, vi, wget, yes]
--
Comcast-}WRT54G-}BEFSR41v2&BEFSR81wired-} K6-550, XP2800+, P4 2.4wireless-}Toshiba S1292, iPAQ h2215

reply to jdepew

said by jdepew:

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So, anyways, I too am anxiously awaiting the next version and the source code. We'll keep you updated as to the status!

For now - everyone enjoy the amazing benefits that both Sveasoft and WiFi have brought you - I know I am! Its made this router purchase more than worthwhile!

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reply to Wifi Box

Yes it's true but do you need ask Microsoft give you the source code of Windows for you curious because you never trust to use it if you can't inspection ?

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Microsoft® is under no obligation to provide their source code, as they either wrote the code for Windows solely themselves, or licensed it as closed, proprietary source from another vendor with a specific agreement that the source not be revealed. They also wrote the license under which their binaries are distributed, and it includes no language requiring them to provide the source. That said, I'd take it if they'd give it to me. But they don't have to.

You are, however, bound by the license agreement for the source code on which you built your version of the firmware; that source code was distributed under the GNU General Public License which LEGALLY REQUIRES you to publish the source. You have, so far, failed to do so. That's the issue, pure and simple. Comply with the GPL, and the problem disappears.

And not having a SourceForge account is a pretty odd reason for failing to distribute the source. Tar it up and post it on your web page with the binaries. That's all it takes to stop the bitching.

Actually, I'm going to stop my bitching now anyway. I've said my piece.

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PorkRind - The Other Crunchy White Meat Byproduct

Pork, please chill - we're all friends here. He has a SourceForge account, but a project has to be applied for and created by the SourceForge staff. That's what he's waiting on. Yes, he could post it to his site, but felt this was the better way of doing it so that everyone would have a central place for updates and collaboration. I have told him that he is in violation of the GPL by not posting the source and he understands and thats why he's working to get it up. He's also 6 hours ahead of us guys on the East Coast, so he's responding at 4 or 5am with English as a 2nd language, so he's doing the best he can with the responses. And PorkRind, before you start your first two postings flaming a guy working hard for you, develop a relationship with the community and contribute positively. Anyways - thanks everyone! Have a good night.0

Other than that - can we please get BACK ON TOPIC - the features available and upcoming on the firmware variants out there.

Anybody else know of any other projects for this router?

Oh, personally, I LOVE the idea of WDS that Sveasoft has got implemented. I think I'm going to pick up another router just to try messing with that. Another cool feature of Sveasoft is the powerful bandwidth management - tre cool.

--
Comcast -> WRT54Gv1 -> BEFSR41v2 & BEFSR81
wired -> K6-550, XP2800+, PIII-S 1.4, Slimp3, XBOX Live
wireless ->Toshiba S1292, iPAQ h2215, WPS54GU2 w/ Brother HL-1440

reply to PorkRind

said by PorkRind:

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Yes it's true but do you need ask Microsoft give you the source code of Windows for you curious because you never trust to use it if you can't inspection ?

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Microsoft® is under no obligation to provide their source code, as they either wrote the code for Windows solely themselves, or licensed it as closed, proprietary source from another vendor with a specific agreement that the source not be revealed. They also wrote the license under which their binaries are distributed, and it includes no language requiring them to provide the source. That said, I'd take it if they'd give it to me. But they don't have to.

You are, however, bound by the license agreement for the source code on which you built your version of the firmware; that source code was distributed under the GNU General Public License which LEGALLY REQUIRES you to publish the source. You have, so far, failed to do so. That's the issue, pure and simple. Comply with the GPL, and the problem disappears.

And not having a SourceForge account is a pretty odd reason for failing to distribute the source. Tar it up and post it on your web page with the binaries. That's all it takes to stop the bitching.

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PorkRind - The Other Crunchy White Meat Byproduct

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To PorkRind:

Actually I had the same curiosity, but you spoke it up before me...

reply to jdepew

said by jdepew:

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Fixed Linksys' problem with FTP Passive mode

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Morac,

Actually I don't know what was fixed as I never had a problem with passive FTP myself. Apparently others did and WiFi fixed it. I will try to find out more specific details.

reply to Morac

said by Morac:

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said by jdepew:

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Fixed Linksys' problem with FTP Passive mode

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I'm curious, what is the problem with FTP passive mode with Linksys's firmware?

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reply to PorkRind
Pork Rind,

You are not quoting the GPL properly,

The GPL states thats if one modifies GPL'd code, then one must make that code available also via GPL, it says nothing about freely created works. Also if WiFi, or Svea soft is building a bootable kernal binary, they only have to provide the sources with which to create that binary. If there is anything original that is in addition to the kernel, they do not need to GPL it. If they do not modify the code that they use that is GPL'd they do not have to publish the source.
Their are lots of proprietary Linux code out there, it just cannot be part of the kernel. or comprise any code from a GPLd work.

And besides who cares? I have used both, and both work well. With sveasoft and Wifi there is a risk that mailicous code is present. And the authors may not even be aware of it. What if the code they used has a bug/virus in it and they did not know? There is a reason that both say "USE THIS FIRMWARE AT YOUR OWN RISK" What right have any of you to judge their actions? Are you Linus Torvalds?
Both parties are not making this firmware for fun, they are making it because they need it and because it works they let us use it. Be thankful. I am not trying to flame, but geez chill out guys. No I do not know WiFi or Sveasoft.

My apologies; I felt my case had been made, and had planned to make no further comments. However, the accuracy of my statements has been called into question. I hope this post will put that issue to rest.

Peaches28, I suggest you go reread the GPL in the context of the software in question. Below are relevant sections directly quoted from the GPL, under which the LinkSys source (from which Wifi-Box's firmware is derived) is distributed:

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"These requirements apply to the modified work as a whole. If identifiable sections of that work are not derived from the Program, and can be reasonably considered independent and separate works in themselves, then this License, and its terms, do not apply to those sections when you distribute them as separate works. But when you distribute the same sections as part of a whole which is a work based on the Program, the distribution of the whole must be on the terms of this License, whose permissions for other licensees extend to the entire whole, and thus to each and every part regardless of who wrote it."

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(snip)

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"3. You may copy and distribute the Program (or a work based on it, under Section 2) in object code or executable form under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above provided that you also do one of the following:

a) Accompany it with the complete corresponding machine-readable source code, which must be distributed under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above on a medium customarily used for software interchange; or,

b) Accompany it with a written offer, valid for at least three years, to give any third party, for a charge no more than your cost of physically performing source distribution, a complete machine-readable copy of the corresponding source code, to be distributed under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above on a medium customarily used for software interchange; or,

c) Accompany it with the information you received as to the offer to distribute corresponding source code. (This alternative is allowed only for noncommercial distribution and only if you received the program in object code or executable form with such an offer, in accord with Subsection b above.)"

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What right have any of you to judge their actions? Are you Linus Torvalds?

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PorkRind,

Good point! IMHO, there is no reason at all for you to apologize. You just said the truth, the whole truth nothing but the truth. Is the truth so offending that everyone of us should agree that "the emperor wears the cloth"?

said by PorkRind:

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but no one here seems to view this firmware in that context, regardless of the Free Software Foundation's legally binding definition.

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reply to PorkRind
My mistake!

Pork rind you may step down from your soap-box, and remove your GPL preisthood collar!

Thank you for pointing out that I was mistaken about the GPL, but seriously back off a little.

I know you are quite passionate about this but do not forget that this is a grass roots movement, as Linux itself and lots of other GPL'd projects are. The rules are not assidously followed, and if followed only if one is made to, or when the author finally gets around to it. After all most of this code is written as a hobby after one comes home from work, and any legal requirements of a hobby are not taken as seriously as if this were a commercial venture. And even if so hey this is a hobby right, I will eventually get around to it. Just about every GPL project that I participate in has some of this mentality, and it is supposed to fun! All that matters is that WiFi does offer the source, hopefully he won't take a year but man cut the guy some slack, what if he is working 60-70 hours a week, and does not have time?

The whole purpose of my post regarding the GPL was to inform those interested in his firmware that it is not being distributed according to the license agreement under which it was derived; the source remains inaccessible. The availability of Sveasoft's source is certainly a feature that will be important to some, and is thus an advantage of that firmware release. The relative features of each firmware release were, after all, the subject of this thread.

And as far as cutting Wifi-Box some slack is concerned, he's perfectly free to do whatever he wants, assuming the FSF doesn't threaten legal action. My purpose was to inform those assessing the merits of the two distributions of the potential risks of using firmware for which the source is unavailable. It wasn't until I was called out on my "interpretation" of the GPL that this really started to get out of hand.

The facts are there. Make your own decisions.
--
PorkRind - The Other Crunchy White Meat Byproduct

said by PorkRind:

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The availability of Sveasoft's source is certainly a feature that will be important to some, and is thus an advantage of that firmware release. The relative features of each firmware release were, after all, the subject of this thread.

The facts are there. Make your own decisions.

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