PirateBox

First, you should set a password for the root account (which also will enable SSH). Telnet into the router, and run passwd.

The next thing you need to do is set up your network interfaces. Modify /etc/config/network to look similar to this:

config interface 'loopback'
        option ifname 'lo'
        option proto 'static'
        option ipaddr '127.0.0.1'
        option netmask '255.0.0.0'

config interface 'lan'
        option ifname 'eth0'
        option type 'bridge'
        option proto 'static'
        option ipaddr '192.168.2.111'
        option netmask '255.255.255.0'
        option gateway '192.168.2.1'
        list dns '192.168.2.1'
        list dns '8.8.8.8'

assuming that the router's IP address will be 192.168.2.111 and your gateway is at 192.168.2.1.

Next, modify the beginning of the firewall config file (/etc/config/firewall) to look like this:

config defaults
        option syn_flood     '1'
        option input         'ACCEPT'
        option output        'ACCEPT'
        option forward       'ACCEPT'
#Uncomment this line to disable ipv6 rules
#       option disable_ipv6  1

config zone
        option name          'lan'
        option network       'lan'
        option input         'ACCEPT'
        option output        'ACCEPT'
        option forward       'ACCEPT'

config zone
        option name          'wan'
        option network       'wan'
        option input         'ACCEPT'
        option output        'ACCEPT'
        option forward       'ACCEPT'
        option masq          '1'
        option mtu_fix       '1'

Leave the rest of the file untouched.

In /etc/config/wireless, find the line that reads "option disabled" and change it to "option disabled 0" to enable wireless. At this point, you need to reboot the router.

Now, connect a FAT32-partitioned USB Flash drive to the router, and run the following commands on the router:

cd /tmp
wget http://piratebox.aod-rpg.de/piratebox_0.3-2_all.ipk
opkg update && opkg install piratebox*

When you restart the device, you should see a new wireless network called "PirateBox - Share Freely". Plug your router in to a USB battery, and place everything into an enclosure of some kind (preferably something black with the Jolly Roger emblazoned on the side). Congratulations! With little to no hassle, you've created a mobile, anonymous sharing device!

Using the PirateBox

The point of the PirateBox is to be integrated easily into a public space with zero effort on the part of the end user; otherwise, no one ever would use it! This means using it has to be incredibly simple, and it is. If you are connected to the "PirateBox - Share Freely" network and you try to open a Web page, you automatically will be redirected to this page (Figure 1).

Figure 1. PirateBox Home Screen

As you can see, you are given choices as to what you wish to do: browse and download files, upload files or chat with other users—all of which is exceedingly easy to do. Go build your own PirateBox and get sharing!