Add USB to a cheap Linux based router

Most of the routers that lie on stores shelves are really little PCs: most of them contain small amounts of RAM, CPUs, and a small amount of storage. That means it's possible to run whole operating systems on them, bringing the possibilities of Linux to the little box that used to mindlessly serve data around your network. A hack that adds a USB port to a router is now getting the attention it deserves: using a Sweex LB000021 (a dead cheap router that goes for around $40) with flashed firmware, it's possible to solder on a USB port and hook up USB devices like portable flash drives, and potentially printers. Those kind of features tend to be exclusive to relatively high priced consumer routers, so it's nice to see that those competent with a soldering iron can cut a few corners and get similar features for much less. Just make sure you check and see that smoke doesn't come out of anything when you switch it on: "that's not what it's supposed to do," apparently.

[Via Hackaday]

[Steve @ Apr 23rd 2007 1:52AM]

" FIRST ONE YEY but why would any one use linux? its just dumb why would any one just complacte there life more? OS X AND VISTA OWN ALL!!!!!!!!!!! "

(a) learn how to spell
(b) read the story
(c) stfu
(d) OS X and Vista are not for routers
(e) Your entire geek cred has been totally revoked

[nizzy1115 @ Apr 23rd 2007 2:15AM]

"(e) Your entire geek cred has been totally revoked"

ROFL!

[... @ Apr 23rd 2007 2:24AM]

Well last time i checked half the computers in the world had trouble running vista, i don't think a router is quite up for the task. Linux comes in many different forms from 1mb to 1gb, lots of flexibility...

[Feba @ Apr 23rd 2007 2:26AM]

To add to steve's comments:
f) You're first. Big deal. This is a blog that has comments posted frequently, not a Times Square PS2.
g) If linux is "too complicated" for you, I think you should reconsider who you're calling "dumb."
h) Have you ever used Vista?
i) Do you know what a router is?
j) YAY IS SPELLED WITH AN "A".
k) If you don't know how to properly use multiple exclamation marks, just stick to one.
l) Anyone who is intelligent enough to do soldering shouldn't have any problems running linux, under section g.
m) Wait, do you even know what linux is?

[Tavis Veighey @ Apr 23rd 2007 2:50AM]

This is not Digg, So move on, get a live, and don't let the door hit you on your way out.


I do not what ass prints on my new door!

[Chris @ Apr 23rd 2007 3:08AM]

For the sake of my own mental health, I'm telling myself the first commenter was being ironic.

[Andir3.0 @ Apr 23rd 2007 3:13AM]

Can you "be ironic" on purpose? You mean sarcastic?

[LokiClock @ Apr 23rd 2007 7:43AM]

Yes, someone can be ironic on purpose.

1. the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning: the irony of her reply, “How nice!” when I said I had to work all weekend.
2. Literature.
a. a technique of indicating, as through character or plot development, an intention or attitude opposite to that which is actually or ostensibly stated.
b. (esp. in contemporary writing) a manner of organizing a work so as to give full expression to contradictory or complementary impulses, attitudes, etc., esp. as a means of indicating detachment from a subject, theme, or emotion.





This can be anything from being sarcastic to just saying something without actually meaning it, like invoking a massive amount of racial slurs for the sole purpose of having other people hear you say them, maybe to make them think you're racist, when you are not, in fact, racist.

Note the Latin root of irony is the word for sarcasm.

[Rynth @ Apr 23rd 2007 5:49AM]

Well, your Geek points took a steep dive.. Infact, you hitting at around minus 10,000,000 Geek points..

Unlucky.

Oh, and however did you get so illiterate?! doesn't your web-browser have a spellcheck.. Nevermind.

Enjoy your I-explorer goodness.

[orvtech @ Apr 23rd 2007 9:27AM]

nice, but it is unclear how much RAM and CPU does this router has. for $79 you can get an NSLU2 from linksys which has 2 USB ports, 32MB of ram, 8Mb of flash and a embedded intel that runs at 133Mhz, this can be over clocked at 266Mhz, i do have mine running a test website with some pics at http://www.orvtech.com , it is running gentoo linux with some basic services (http, ftp, irc, ssh, torrents, bind, etc...). i cant imagine how on earth would be possible to run vista or OSX in that hardware. don't get me wrong I am an OSX fan but i have clear that it will not be possible to run same services stable. i do have experience getting it to work on other platforms as you can see on a little video that i did on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aov-1xZXQ3I

[Rob @ Apr 23rd 2007 10:06AM]

Crap, am I an ironic person or a sarcastic person??? I say I'm sarcastic, but perhaps I'm really ironic? I've been living a lie all my life!

[Colin @ Apr 23rd 2007 10:01PM]

Okay slightly deviating from the point at hand folks, put down your guns and daggers and think.....linux on a router! SWEET! 100% wicked! while your all there backlashing at Surkhail (why waste time) i'm busy stripping my router and getting down to the nitty gritty. Man this is SO SO SO sweet(x) as the case may be!

[Ryan @ Apr 29th 2007 1:16AM]

Natural disasters will be no longer "natural". Using Linux saves the natural.

Not can we consume so many but we want too much. Thank to the release of Vista, we know we don't need it. Neither do we need Mac.