Router as embedded Linux?

[Neil Cherry]

Mike McCarty wrote:
> Neil Cherry wrote:
>> Mike McCarty wrote:
>>
>>> Has anyone considered using a cheap router as a cheap embedded
>>> Linux machine? Or are the peripherals present just too skimpy?
>>
>>
>> You mean like a Soerkis box? Or the WRT54G (a MIPS processor, I
>> think). I had a working setup on a PC running at 333MHz, no hard
>> drive, net booted, 64M RAM (only needed 12M).
> 
> Yes, that's the idea. I was wondering about tinkering around
> with a router as an embedded machine. Some years ago, I fiddled
> with a couple of machines which were originally modems, with
> 8031 processors in them. They made fine little embedded processors.
> I used the LED ports (you know, the status LEDs like "high speed",
> and "DTR" and "CTS" etc.) for my output bits, and the DIP switch
> configuration I took out to a panel for input bits, and of course
> it had RS232 built in.

I don't think that Linux will run on a 8031. :-) But there are
other such projects. Some one suggested the slug (Linksys
NSLU2) which is a good example of what you can do. I have a
camera that runs Linux (NC1000-W10) unfortunately they
didn't release the source but I'm hacking at it. Eventually
I'll be able to recompile Linux and it's tools. I also have
an old Zyxel and Netgear router that I may try to put Linux
on. It didn't run Linux when it first came out but they
have ARM chips and enough RAM and flash.

-- 
Linux Home Automation         Neil Cherry       ncherry at linuxha.com
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