Asterfusion joined the Telecommunications Infrastructure Project (TIP) Open Converged Wireless (OCW) project team in April 2023 and constructed a TIP-based OpenWiFi controller that can easily and efficiently manage our SONiC NOS-based Layer 2/3 switches.
Next, let’s explore what the Open WiFi Project is and why we joined it.
What is Open WiFi?
Launched in 2021, OpenWiFi is an initiative of the Open Converged Wireless (OCW) Software Project Group under the Telecommunications Infrastructure Project (TIP). It evolved from previous TIP efforts such as OpenRAN, Open Optics and Packet Transport (OOPT). It is a collaborative, open source Wi-Fi software platform developed by the community. It consists of a cloud controller SDK and high-quality access point (AP) firmware that work seamlessly together.
Why choose open WiFi?
By using OpenWiFi, enterprises can reduce the cost of developing and managing Wi-Fi networks, enabling faster and more innovative operations. Unlike the traditional approach where each service provider or OEM builds a WiFi stack from scratch, OpenWiFi offers pre-built stacks and certified hardware, saving time and resources. Furthermore, OpenWiFi provides open APIs for efficient device management through the cloud.
Since OpenWrt and DD-WRT already exist as open source projects, you may be wondering why you need OpenWiFi. Let’s take a closer look at the differences between these three projects.
How is OpenWiFi different from OpenWrt and DD-WRT?
OpenWrt is a customisable, community-driven Linux-based firmware designed for wireless routers and embedded devices. It provides an alternative to proprietary software provided by router manufacturers, giving users greater control over their routers and offering a wide range of installation and configuration features and software packages. With support for various router models and extensive customisation options, OpenWrt is very popular among power users and developers.
DD-WRT is also an open-source firmware project for wireless routers, based on the Linux kernel. Like OpenWrt, it provides alternative firmware options for various router models. However, DD-WRT emphasises user-friendly features and broad compatibility. It offers advanced networking features, VPN support, QoS (Quality of Service) settings and more. Due to its intuitive interface and compatibility with a wide range of router models, DD-WRT is often favoured by users looking for additional functionality and customisation beyond what the manufacturer’s firmware offers.
OpenWiFi aims to create an open and disaggregated Wi-Fi system architecture, fostering innovation, flexibility, and interoperability in wireless networks. This project focuses on developing open-source software and hardware designs for Wi-Fi access points and controllers, providing a framework for customizable and scalable Wi-Fi solutions. It prioritizes the concept of openness within the Wi-Fi ecosystem. It utilizes OpenWrt and embraces all stakeholders, including corporations, industry alliances, and open-source communities. This project allows the usage of a single codebase on any compliant whitebox hardware. Additionally, a standardized open API enables access points to be managed from the cloud. Application developers can utilize this API to create innovative services on the cloud while targeting any device running on the OpenWiFi stack.
In summary, OpenWiFi focuses on creating an open and disaggregated Wi-Fi system architecture, while OpenWrt and DD-WRT are open-source firmware projects that offer alternative firmware options for wireless routers.
The advantages of TIP OpenWiFi include:
Cost Reduction: TIP OpenWiFi is designed to lower the cost of developing and operating Wi-Fi networks . By leveraging open-source software and community collaboration, it aims to reduce the expenses associated with deploying and managing Wi-Fi infrastructure.
Interoperability: TIP OpenWiFi promotes a deeper level of interoperability between hardware and software components. This allows for greater flexibility in choosing Wi-Fi equipment and ensures compatibility between different vendors’ products, leading to a more diverse and competitive market.
Innovation: TIP OpenWiFi is an initiative driven by the Telecom Infra Project (TIP), which consists of leading technology companies . By fostering collaboration and sharing of ideas, TIP OpenWiFi encourages innovation in Wi-Fi technology, leading to the development of new features, improved performance, and enhanced user experiences.
Community-driven: TIP OpenWiFi is a community-developed open-source platform. It encourages participation from various stakeholders, including operators, vendors, and developers, to contribute to its development and improvement. This community-driven approach ensures that the platform reflects the needs and requirements of the industry.
Scalability: TIP OpenWiFi aims to develop and deploy its technologies at a large scale. By focusing on scalability, it enables the provision of internet access to millions of users, helping to bridge the digital divide and improve global connectivity.
Flexibility: TIP OpenWiFi provides a cloud controller SDK and an enterprise-grade access point (AP) firmware that are designed and validated to work seamlessly together . This flexibility allows operators and service providers to choose the components that best suit their specific requirements and easily integrate them into their existing infrastructure.
It’s important to note that these advantages are based on the information available about TIP OpenWiFi and may be subject to change as the project evolves.