Home routers and ANCIENT Linux kernels
by taylorkh from LinuxQuestions.org on (#5EF9W)
I saw this on Bruce Schneier's page this morning https://www.schneier.com/blog/archiv...-security.html which got me wondering...
The DSL modem/router supplied by my ISP (Centurylink) is a Zyxel PK5001Z which appears to be a custom item made for Centurylink. I can TELNET to the thing using the default credentials baked in (which is a bit disappointing)! and uname -a tells me the kernel is 2.6.20.19. Centurylink has offered no firmware updates for YEARS. "Tech" support argued with me that the device was NOT running Linux. That said...
Would it make sense to switch the modem/router to transparent bridged mode and put a small Linux box (Raspberry Pi perhaps) between the modem/router and my LAN? It could serve to get my IP address from Centurylink and then provide gateway, router, firewall services. At least I could keep its software updated.
TIA,
Ken
The DSL modem/router supplied by my ISP (Centurylink) is a Zyxel PK5001Z which appears to be a custom item made for Centurylink. I can TELNET to the thing using the default credentials baked in (which is a bit disappointing)! and uname -a tells me the kernel is 2.6.20.19. Centurylink has offered no firmware updates for YEARS. "Tech" support argued with me that the device was NOT running Linux. That said...
Would it make sense to switch the modem/router to transparent bridged mode and put a small Linux box (Raspberry Pi perhaps) between the modem/router and my LAN? It could serve to get my IP address from Centurylink and then provide gateway, router, firewall services. At least I could keep its software updated.
TIA,
Ken