Draft:RaspAP

RaspAP (from Raspberry Pi access point) is an open-source wireless router project for embedded operating systems based on Linux. The software is optimized for low-power embedded devices with wireless networking capabilities, such as the Raspberry Pi, but can be installed on almost any Linux device.

In addition to creating a wireless access point, RaspAP also provides a graphical user interface to configure many aspects of a wireless network, such as DHCP, dnsmasq and optional services including WireGuard, OpenVPN, Dynamic DNS, a network firewall and ad blocking.

History
The RaspAP project was started by Lawrence Yau (sirlagz) in a 2013 blog post entitled "RaspAP WebGUI" in which he described a method to use a web page rather than ssh to control Wi-Fi and the hostapd service on a device running Raspbian.

Following a collaboration with Lawrence, the project was updated and hosted on GitHub by Bill Zimmerman (billz) and the first general release was introduced in February 2015. Since that time several contributors have joined the project.

An early release of RaspAP was first profiled by Adafruit Industries and Geekzone shortly thereafter. As the project grew in scope and functionality, it was presented as a viable alternative to popular router software such as pfSense. Most recently, it was featured in the German edition of PC World magazine.

Features
RaspAP's Quick installer automates the process of creating a routed wireless access point (AP) with a known-good default configuration. The default routed AP creates a wireless subnet and assigns IP addresses to clients via DHCP. Alternatively, RaspAP has support for a bridged AP mode whereby an upstream router handles IP assignment. In this configuration AP clients are able to access other devices in the router's network.

RaspAP supports multiple VPN configurations, including OpenVPN and WireGuard. Likewise, the Quick installer may also be used to generate an SSL certificate, create a captive portal or modify the operating system to use a "minimal write mode" that substantially reduces the risk of microSD card corruption and also helps to extend the card's lifespan.

Optional modules that may be used to enhance RaspAP include a network firewall, Dynamic DNS (DDNS) and support for physical network devices such as tethered phones, USB modems/routers and WLAN adapters as a source of data connectivity. The latter expands the practicality of RaspAP as a mobile AP for travel and/or field applications.

Adoption
RaspAP has been adopted as a component for other efforts. For example:


 * Arduino mobile development with Blynk - courseware using the Blynk platform for building projects with Arduino Nano 33 IoT and ESP32
 * Butter Box - an app store, encrypted chat and more, available over WiFi from an off-grid Raspberry Pi
 * Create your own portable RFID pentest kit - based on the Proxmark 3 with RaspAP used for wireless remote control
 * Et si on Utilisait Minecraft au Collège ? - uses Minecraft in a multi-user school setting to teach collaborative design
 * Helinä Rautavaara Ethnographic Museum - an interactive media installation at a museum in Espoo, Finland
 * iTex Gloves - an in-home evaluation of an e-textile glove system for tele-assessment of Parkinson’s Disease
 * Low-cost wireless endoscope camera - an affordable wireless endoscope to aid visualisation during rigid endoscopy and minimally invasive surgery (MIS)
 * Subsea resident autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) - used for wireless communication with the AUV's dock module
 * WiFilter - a WiFi filter box boosted by machine learning to protect children from adult content