This article continues an overview of the functionality provided by the Tomato Open Source router firmware. The previous article can be found at: Tomato Firmware on the Asus RT-N16 Router – Part 6, Access Restriction and USB-NAS Configuration Options.
The previous article dealt with the different Access Restrictions & USB-NAS Configuration options available, whereas this article will detail the different Administration configuration options available.
The goal is to understand the different options provided by the Tomato Open Source router firmware and compare it with the firmware provided by Asus when you purchase the RT-N16 device. Also, another popular Open Source router firmware distribution from the DD-WRT group has been reviewed.
Administration – Admin Access
Remote access to your home router is disabled for a good reason; it can be a big security hole. Most home users do not pick terribly difficult passwords so cracking this would not be difficult. Once a remote hacker gains access to your router, they can do pretty much anything they want with your home network – this is not something you want to happen!
Along with administrator access you can control which menus are open by default along with the color scheme used by all the different configuration screens. The SSH and Telnet Daemon’s can also be enabled at startup.
Administration – Bandwidth Monitoring
We reviewed the bandwidth monitoring screens earlier, but this screens gives you the ability to configure where the data should be saved.
Administration – Buttons / LED
This is firmware so it makes sense that you should be able to configure the buttons to perform certain actions within the software.
Administration – CIFS Client
This screen has more options to provide access to files and directories on another computer.
For more information see the tutorial: Connect your router to Freenas Samba server w/ router’s CIFS client.
Also, see the following link on general information on the LinuxCIFS utils.
Administration – Configuration
No firmware would be complete without the capability to backup and restore the current configuration.
Administration – Debugging
Different options are available for you to enable or disable debugging on certain features in your firmware.
Administration – JFFS
JFFS allows you to configure a part of the internal flash memory to be used for storage. This is the same internal flash where the Tomato firmware is installed.
See more information on JFFS at TomatoUSB’s JFSS documentation page.
Administration – Syslog
Configuration options for the system log are available from this screen. Included are options to store the log on a remote system along with whichever events should be written to the log.
Administration – Scheduler
A built-in scheduler is included which allows you to either schedule a regular reboot of the router, in off hours, or to schedule custom commands.
Administration – Scripts
Custom scripts can be executed by the firmware’s “Init”, “Shutdown”, “Firewall” or “WAN Up” processes.
Administration – Upgrade
This screen includes a simple option to upgrade the firmware.
About
Last, but certainly not the least, is the “About” screen for the Tomato Firmware.
Next Step
Return to the Firmware Overview: Asus RT-N16 Router Firmware Overview
