https://www.channelfutures.com/wp-content/themes/channelfutures_child/assets/images/logo/footer-new-logo.png
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • SDN/SD-WAN
    • Cloud
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Telephony/UC/Collaboration
    • Cable
    • Mobility & Wireless
    • Fiber/Ethernet
    • Data Centers
    • Backup & Disaster Recovery
    • IoT
    • Desktop
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Analytics
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Channel Research
    • Business Models
    • Distribution
    • Technology Solutions Brokerages
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Best Practices
    • Vertical Markets
    • Regulation & Compliance
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 2022 MSP 501 Rankings
    • 2022 NextGen 101 Rankings
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • From the Industry
    • Reports/Digital Issues
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • Channel Futures TV
  • EMEA
  • Channel Chatter
    • Back
    • People on the Move
    • New/Changing Channel Programs
    • New Products & Services
    • Industry Honors
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Advisory Boards
    • Industry Organizations
    • Our Sponsors
    • Advertise
    • 2023 Editorial Calendar
  • Awards
    • Back
    • 2022 MSP 501
    • Channel Influencers
    • Circle of Excellence
    • DE&I 101
    • Technology Advisor 101 (TA 101)
  • Events
    • Back
    • 2023 Call for Speakers
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • MSP Summit
    • Channel Partners Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
    • Industry Events
  • About Us
  • DE&I
Channel Futures
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • SDN/SD-WAN
    • Cloud
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Telephony/UC/Collaboration
    • Cable
    • Mobility & Wireless
    • Fiber/Ethernet
    • Data Centers
    • Backup & Disaster Recovery
    • IoT
    • Desktop
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Analytics
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Channel Research
    • Business Models
    • Distribution
    • Technology Solutions Brokerages
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Best Practices
    • Vertical Markets
    • Regulation & Compliance
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 2022 MSP 501 Rankings
    • 2022 NextGen 101 Rankings
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • From the Industry
    • Reports/Digital Issues
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • Channel Futures TV
  • EMEA
  • Channel Chatter
    • Back
    • People on the Move
    • New/Changing Channel Programs
    • New Products & Services
    • Industry Honors
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Advisory Boards
    • Industry Organizations
    • Our Sponsors
    • Advertise
    • 2023 Editorial Calendar
  • Awards
    • Back
    • 2022 MSP 501
    • Channel Influencers
    • Circle of Excellence
    • DE&I 101
    • Technology Advisor 101 (TA 101)
  • Events
    • Back
    • 2023 Call for Speakers
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • MSP Summit
    • Channel Partners Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
    • Industry Events
  • About Us
  • DE&I
    • Newsletter
  • REGISTER
  • MSPs
  • VARs / SIs
  • Agents
  • Cloud Service Providers
  • Channel Partners Events
 Channel Futures

Open Source


TP-Link Promises Ban on Open Source Wireless Router Firmware

  • Written by Christopher Tozzi
  • March 15, 2016

In a sign that device manufacturers are taking seriously the FCC's new restrictions on open source firmware, TP-Link has announced that it will no longer sell wireless routers in the U.S. that support Linux-based firmwares like DD-WRT.

In a sign that device manufacturers are taking seriously the FCC’s new restrictions on open source firmware, TP-Link has announced that it will no longer sell wireless routers in the U.S. that support Linux-based firmwares like DD-WRT.

The backstory: As we reported in September, the FCC last year introduced new rules designed to control the radio frequencies of wireless routers more strictly. The goal is to prevent routers from sending signals at frequencies or power levels for which they are not authorized, since doing so could interfere with other types of communications.

Normally, the software that comes preinstalled on your router will only let you send authorized signals. But it has long been possible to circumvent that restriction by replacing the router’s operating system with a variety of different open source firmwares, which are based on the Linux kernel.

The FCC’s new rules suggested — with a little ambiguity — that device manufacturers should prevent customers from installing third-party firmwares on their devices in order to enforce compliance with transmission regulations. And while it was uncertain at first whether companies would actually do so, the change is now coming to pass.

TP-Link has posted a statement on open source firmware that explains, in no uncertain terms, that “devices sold in the United States will have firmware and wireless settings that ensure compliance with local laws and regulations related to transmission power.” The company cited the FCC rules as the basis for its new policy.

Of course, what TP-Link is not mentioning is that it and other device manufacturers also gain a business advantage by embracing the FCC rules. While these companies have generally tolerated, and sometimes actively supported, open source router firmwares, such solutions sometimes compete with the vendors’ own products. You can, for instance, use third-party firmwares to turn almost any old, low-cost router into a “repeater,” which can strengthen the wireless signal in your house by duplicating the signal from your main router. But companies like TP-Link would prefer that you instead purchase their products for boosting wireless signals. By closing off the DIY route, these vendors stand to increase sales of their own devices.

TP-Link has not offered details on the technical aspects of its new policy. Until the next generation of routers from TP-Link and other vendors is fully rolled out, it’s hard to say how successful manufacturers will be in totally preventing the use of third-party firmwares. Hackers will hack, and history shows that it’s rarely possible to prevent device modifications by people who are willing to invest enough time in figuring out how to work around restrictions.

Still, TP-Link’s support for the FCC rules is a sign that, at a minimum, using open source firmware on wireless routers will now be much more difficult to do in a legal way. Whatever individuals put on their routers at home, the age when businesses could take advantage of open firmwares seems to be coming to an end.

Tags: Agents Cloud Service Providers MSPs VARs/SIs Open Source

Most Recent


  • Virtual data center
    VMware vSphere Upgrade Supports AI Workloads On-Prem with Nvidia GPUs
    The new release makes way for virtualizing HPC servers running AI workloads.
  • Cyber attack
    Microsoft Cyberattack Continues Growing in Severity, Victims Racking Up
    Microsoft had almost two months to push out the patch it shipped on Mar. 2.
  • Important Announcement
    5 Key Announcements from Microsoft Ignite
    Password-less authentication, Azure Arc and simplifying edge development were among the popular topics.
  • Five, 5
    Top 5 Managed Services that Support Business Development
    MSPs can handle IT operations maintenance chores and free company resources for business development.

10 comments

  1. Avatar Anonymous March 16, 2016 @ 1:04 am
    Reply

    No TP-Link for me…hanging
    No TP-Link for me…hanging on to my Asus RT-N66U with Tomato Shibby as long as it lives. Maybe I’ll buy a new one now and keep it for the future.

  2. Avatar Anonymous March 16, 2016 @ 2:05 am
    Reply

    This is just FUD
    This is just FUD

  3. Avatar Anonymous March 16, 2016 @ 4:53 pm
    Reply

    So TP-Link comply with an ill
    So TP-Link comply with an ill thought out law in the US and post a statement as to why they are having to do this.

    Meanwhile thier ‘open’ products are still available globally with no such restrictions.

    Anyone with an interest in purchasing such equipment in the US is likley to know how ebay works so can easily circumvent this.

    I have bought TP-Link kit in the past and generally have a high opinion of it. This does not change that opinion. It just means I am less likely to consider moving to the U.S.

  4. Avatar Anonymous March 16, 2016 @ 7:01 pm
    Reply

    There is no such thing as
    There is no such thing as digital security. If it has an eprom, it can be erased and reprogrammed…

  5. Avatar Anonymous March 16, 2016 @ 8:47 pm
    Reply

    An FCC ruling is not a law
    An FCC ruling is not a law since only congress can make law. Is TP-Link so afraid of the government that it will do whatever the FCC dictates without question?

  6. Avatar zandak March 16, 2016 @ 8:49 pm
    Reply

    The FCC ruling is not Law,
    The FCC ruling is not Law, Only Congress can make Law.

  7. Avatar AC March 17, 2016 @ 12:44 am
    Reply

    Sucks for TP-Link. Without
    Sucks for TP-Link. Without using third-party firmware, their products are not worth buying. They are almost literally useless as shipped.

    The only TP-Link product I own was specifically purchased because I could replace the worthless factory firmware with something useful. No more TL-Link sales to me.

  8. Avatar oiaohm March 17, 2016 @ 2:20 am
    Reply

    Time for kit based routers.
    Time for kit based routers. With the volume of boards like the Raspberry PI…. and wifi items that can act as AP. It should be more than possible.

    A router shipping as 3+ parts case, motherboard and wifi interfaces only the wifi interfaces would have to obey FCC rules.

    Depending on the rights to modify existing product had to come to the end at some point.

    Also FCC regulation is starting to get a little hard with how much is becoming software defined radio.

  9. Avatar Anonymous March 17, 2016 @ 3:43 pm
    Reply

    It’s worth mentioning that
    It’s worth mentioning that the FCC rules expressly do not prohibit 3rd party firmware, merely state that where 3rd party firmware is allowed, the radio parameters must be protected from being out of compliance with FCC regs.
    TP-Link have just chosen the cheapest and easiest way to do this.

  10. Avatar Tanner July 3, 2016 @ 12:29 am
    Reply

    Newest firmware – it
    Newest firmware – it rocks.
    http://www.followers-like.com

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your Channel Futures account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • modern applications
    Making Modern Applications More Secure
  • Virtual data center
    3 Disruptive Networking Technologies Coming to Your Data Center
  • Risk level
    Cloud Security Provider Says Policy Gap Puts AWS Security at Risk
  • HPE Ezmeral
    HPE Ezmeral Updates Drive ‘Data-Driven Digital Transformation’

Upcoming Events

View all

Channel Partners Conference & Expo

May 1, 2023 - May 4, 2023

Channel Partners Europe

June 13, 2023 - June 14, 2023

Channel Futures Leadership Summit

October 30, 2023 - November 2, 2023

Galleries

View all

Kaspersky Study: Dark Web Ads Offer Jobs, Careers in Cyber Crime

January 30, 2023

7 Channel People Making Waves This Week at 8×8, Intel, Google Cloud, RingCentral, More

January 27, 2023

Intelisys AMP’d Images: Partners Explore B2B Purchasing Trends, CX, Security Solutions

January 27, 2023

Industry Perspectives

View all

The Benefits of Hiring an Investment Bank

January 30, 2023

Make the Most of the Gift of Time in 2023

January 25, 2023

Strong Partnerships Ease Challenging UPS Upgrade

January 24, 2023

Webinars

View all

Next-Generation MSP Platform: The Building Blocks for Your Business

February 15, 2023

Security Secrets of the MSP 501: How to Be a Cyber Leader in 2023

December 15, 2022
  • 1

Cybersecurity Certifications: Their Evolving Role in the Fight Against Increasing Attacks

December 13, 2022

White Papers

View all

Overcoming Your Endpoint Security Limitations with a Skeleton Crew

October 25, 2022

Embracing the Zero Trust Mindset For Endpoints

October 24, 2022

Endpoints are the Destination

October 24, 2022

Channel Futures TV

View all

Coffee with Craig and James Episode 117: Cato Networks, Video Killed the Podcast Stars

Retired Astronaut Capt. Scott Kelly Previews His CP Expo Keynote

December 21, 2022

Fusion Connect Eyes Future with Intrado UC, Managed Network Customers

September 23, 2022

RingCentral Focused on Hybrid Work, Microsoft Teams, Other Integrations

September 23, 2022

Twitter

ChannelFutures

.@Avant_CCC offers tips on #CPaaS sales, ideal customers and tech benefits on #ChannelFuturesTV.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

January 30, 2023
ChannelFutures

.@kaspersky study examines thousands of employment ads on the #DarkWeb. dlvr.it/ShhH2m https://t.co/zli195hsBz

January 30, 2023
ChannelFutures

.@IngramCloud makes important @Microsoft-related changes to its #cloudmarketplace. dlvr.it/ShhCpR https://t.co/0zwCkUOH5z

January 30, 2023
ChannelFutures

A @NICELtd - @Cognizant partnership promises to accelerate customer adoption of advance #CX solutions.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

January 30, 2023
ChannelFutures

Cybersecurity advisory warns of hackers' malicious use of #RMM. @CISACyber dlvr.it/ShYRwg https://t.co/zsBvQWqOYY

January 27, 2023
ChannelFutures

Reaction to #Intel earnings coming in fast and furious. Find out what investors are saying, and how CEO Pat Gelsing… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

January 27, 2023
ChannelFutures

Our latest #GatelyReport looks at #cybersecurity M&A, investment with @progresspartner, @cyber_advisory, @FBI Hive… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

January 27, 2023
ChannelFutures

.@channelsmart says plan and boost client #retention efforts to reduce #churn. dlvr.it/ShXvhj https://t.co/4jyHPCjTBn

January 27, 2023

MSP 501

The industry's largest and most comprehensive partner awards program.

Newsletters and Updates

Sign up for The Channel Report, Channel Futures Update, MSP 501 Newsletter and more.

Live Channel Events

Get the latest information on the next industry-leading Channel Partners event.

Galleries

Educational slide shows and images from live events.

Media Kit And Advertising

Want to reach our audience? Access our media kit.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • Channel Partners Events
  • Telecoms.com
  • MSP 501
  • Black Hat
  • IoT World Today
  • Omdia

WORKING WITH US

  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter

FOLLOW Channel Futures ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2023 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X