1
I have a very old AirPort Extreme, the A1408. Is it possible to install Linux on it, using the AirPort functionally as a hard disk, and then boot from that? I have also heard that AirPorts run NetBSD. Can you boot into that and run commands?
Kognise
Posted 2017-11-03T02:57:09.310
Reputation: 151
3
You're right that your A1408 (2010 3 spatial stream 802.11n) AirPort Extreme runs NetBSD, but Apple has never exposed a way to SSH or telnet in, nor have they exposed a serial console to do the same thing locally. Apple's firmware update process is pretty secure, with encrypted connections and firmware image signature verification, which adds layers of complexity that make it a much less interesting target for hobbyists. Jailbreaking AirPort Extremes just isn't as enticing as jailbreaking iPhones.
Spiff
Posted 2017-11-03T02:57:09.310
Reputation: 84 656
1
No, you cannot install Linux on an AirPort Extreme. They do not have the hardware needed to run an OS, just some firmware to run networking functionality.
Keltari
Posted 2017-11-03T02:57:09.310
Reputation: 57 019
Then can I do the second thing I mentioned, booting into netbsd into a command line interface? – Kognise – 2017-11-03T04:08:22.977
No, does not run NetBSD or any OS. It is simply custom firmware. – Keltari – 2017-11-03T04:30:09.043
You’re right that Linux on AirPort base stations isn’t a thing, but that second sentence is some kind of myth or misunderstanding. OP is right, AirPort base stations run NetBSD. There’s nothing about the hardware that would preclude them from running Linux. – Spiff – 2017-11-03T04:39:17.140
What about this video: https://youtu.be/YdN7ImkURaM ?
– Kognise – 2017-11-04T01:17:04.067@Spiff do you know how he/she did that? – Kognise – 2017-11-04T12:17:05.770
@UnknownUser It looks like s/he soldered leads onto pads on the circuit board to get access to the serial console. Notice s/he’s running minicom, not ssh. – Spiff – 2017-11-05T04:23:10.613
I've been looking, and I can't find where to tap into the serial console. For such a popular device, there's an astonishing lack of any information on the hardware and software for it. An eerie silence, to be sure. – Nate – 2019-01-30T04:06:21.190