Description

BCWLinux is a modular Hotspot Linux distribution built from scratch for PC use. It can be run from a CD or installed to a hard disk or CF card. The intention of BCWLinux is to provide a consistent, easy to use, CD-ROM based network operating system capable of running various add-on modules to help build Community Wireless Neworks.

The core distribution is intended to run on any PC compatible platform with minimal resources. BCWLinux is also compatible, script wise, with WirelessRouterApplicationPlatform (WRAP) and Soekris devices, although development is focused on regular PC hardware.

Features

A secure (SSL) web configuration wizard for the easy setup of a Hotspot WifiDog/Community Network portal/interfaces
Read only filesystem, with the exception of the config file
All configuration is stored in one file
Mesh support (OLSR)
Master mode configuration for Atheros/Prism cards

Requirements (PC)

486 PC Compatible
CD-ROM
24Mb RAM (32Mb or more is strongly suggested)
Any size HDD for content storage/modules (if used as CWN portal)
Linux compatible ethernet/wireless adapter (PCI cards are suggested)

Requirements (WRAP/Soekris)

128Mb CF card
PC running Linux (to copy filesystem; CF image will be available later)

Status

BCWLinux is currently in development. Recent builds are stable enough to be deployed on a PC based hotspot.

Download

See top of page.

Development

We are currently looking for people contribute code/time to the project. The following roles are available:

PHP coder (shell scripts/web interface)
Linux hacker (optimizing base system in terms of memory usage/scalability)

If you would like to help, contact IvanZupan via email or zivan56 on #bcwireless or post a message to the BCWLinux Software discussion group.

Testing

/TestingWithQemuUnderWindows : some notes on using qemu with win32 and BCWLinux

Documentation

Documentation can be found on the Setup page.

Road Map

Presently BCWLinux provides a command line interface, WifiDog, Atheros+Prism support and a hardware autodetection (PCMCIA, PCI, and ISA bus) Here are things needing to be done:

Development of the BCWLinux Web interface (PHP) including "Wizard" and auto-configuration scripts.
Package management (IN PROGRESS)
- A package distribution format for loading and configuring BCWLinux modules such as BCWLibrary
- A web based manager and update mechanism.
Remote management of multiple hotspots from a remote location

CategoryWirelessOperatingSystems