Centralized Management of Multiple OpenWRT Access Points

Managing multiple Access Points (APs) running OpenWRT can be a complex task, especially when you need to centralize management for security, monitoring, and convenience. This article explores various strategies and tools that can help in achieving this goal, focusing on key aspects such as authentication, configuration deployment, and monitoring. By leveraging technologies like Ansible, RADIUS, and open-source management interfaces, you can efficiently manage multiple OpenWRT APs from a central location.

Authentication and Authorization with RADIUS

When it comes to managing multiple APs, ensuring security through robust authentication and authorization is crucial. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by integrating RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service). RADIUS allows you to centrally manage user authentication and authorization, making it an ideal solution for managing multiple APs.

To set up RADIUS with OpenWRT, you'll need to follow several steps. First, install the necessary packages on your RADIUS server and your OpenWRT devices. Then, configure the RADIUS client settings on each AP and create user accounts on the RADIUS server. This setup ensures that all APs are synchronized and that users can log in seamlessly across all access points.

Here is a basic guide to get you started:

Install the RADIUS packages on your RADIUS server:

ipkg updateipkg install wvdialipkg install avahi-daemon

Configure the RADIUS client settings on each OpenWRT AP:

Enable the RADIUS client service: /etc/config/radiusclientEnter the RADIUS server IP address and shared secret: /etc/config/radiusclientSave and reboot the AP: reboot

Create user accounts on the RADIUS server:

Install the RADIUS server software and configure it to manage user accounts: radiusd -X -d /var/run/radiusdAdd user credentials: /etc/raddb/users

Test the setup:

Use a RADIUS test tool to verify authentication and authorization: radtest username password 192.168.1.10 123456 default

With RADIUS configured, you can now manage multiple APs more securely and efficiently.

Using Ansible for Scripted Configuration Deployment

Once you have set up RADIUS to handle authentication and authorization, the next step is to automate the deployment of configurations across all your OpenWRT APs. This is where Ansible, a popular automation tool, comes into play. Ansible allows you to write playbooks that define and apply configurations on remote devices, making it an ideal choice for managing multiple APs.

Here’s how you can use Ansible to deploy configurations:

Install Ansible on your management server:

Install Ansible using a package manager: sudo apt-get install ansible

Configure Ansible by editing the file to include your OpenWRT APs:

Add the inventory of your APs: [openwrt]Specify the hostname or IP address of each AP: 192.168.1.10 192.168.1.11

Create an Ansible playbook to apply the desired configurations:

Create a new file, e.g., deploy_config.ymlAdd tasks to configure your APs: - name: Configure OpenWRT APSave and run the playbook: ansible-playbook deploy_config.yml

By automating configuration deployment with Ansible, you can ensure that all your APs are consistently configured and up-to-date, simplifying the management process.

Centralized Monitoring with Rsyslog

To complete the picture of centralized management, it is essential to monitor the configured APs for performance issues, security breaches, or other critical events. Rsyslog, a powerful logging tool, can be used to centralize logs from all your APs and send them to a central log server. This makes it easier to monitor and troubleshoot issues in real-time.

Here’s how you can set up Rsyslog for centralized logging:

Install Rsyslog on both your APs and the central log server:

Install Rsyslog using a package manager: sudo apt-get install rsyslog

Configure Rsyslog to send logs to the central log server:

Edit the Rsyslog configuration file: Add a rule to specify the network address of the central log server: *.* @192.168.1.12Save and restart Rsyslog: sudo service rsyslog restart

Configure the central log server to receive and process logs:

Please consult the Rsyslog documentation for detailed instructions on setting up the central log server.

With centralized logging in place, you can easily monitor and analyze logs from all your APs, ensuring that any issues are promptly addressed.

Exploring Open-Source Management Interfaces

While RADIUS, Ansible, and Rsyslog offer robust management capabilities, there are also open-source management interfaces available that can help you manage multiple OpenWRT APs. These interfaces provide a web-based dashboard for monitoring and configuring your APs, making it easier to manage multiple devices without writing complex scripts.

Some popular open-source management interfaces for OpenWRT include:

Fail2ban: While primarily designed to block brute-force attacks, Fail2ban can also be used for centralized monitoring and can be integrated with Rsyslog.

OpenWRT-WebUI: A userspace web interface for OpenWRT that provides an easy-to-use dashboard for managing your APs.

These interfaces can be valuable tools, especially for organizations that prefer a more user-friendly approach to management. However, they may not be as fully featured or widely adopted as commercial solutions, so it’s important to evaluate their suitability for your specific needs.

Conclusion

Centralizing the management of multiple OpenWRT APs is a complex but achievable task. By leveraging tools such as RADIUS for authentication and authorization, Ansible for configuration deployment, and Rsyslog for centralized monitoring, you can significantly simplify the management process. Additionally, exploring open-source management interfaces can provide further streamlined management options. By implementing these strategies, you can ensure that your APs are managed efficiently, securely, and consistently.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is OpenWRT?
A: OpenWRT is a high-performance firmware for use with various wireless access points and routers, based on the Linux operating system.

Q: Can I use commercial management tools for OpenWRT APs?
A: Yes, there are commercial management tools available that offer advanced features and user-friendly interfaces. However, open-source solutions like Ansible and Rsyslog can also be effective and cost-efficient.

Q: How critical is centralized logging for managing multiple APs?
A: Centralized logging is crucial for monitoring the health and security of your APs. It allows you to track events in real-time, identify issues, and implement proactive measures to keep your network secure.