Integration of Software Router with Wi-Fi for Enhanced Security

The era of networking has moved from dedicated physical network devices to the abstraction of functional software component of those network devices. The functional software component can be run as a software image on any hardware platform. Routers are vital components in any networking environment which routes the information to different networks spread over a geographical area. VyOS is a software router developed by Vyatta, which provides the functionality of a router on generic hardware platform. It is identified that the Wi-Fi module is not integrated with Vyatta software router. Also, websites which use secured protocols, such as hypertext transfer protocol with security (HTTPS), are allowed by default. In this paper, these issues are identified and a suitable driver for Wi-Fi module is developed and implemented. Also, a control mechanism for secured protocols, to allow or block access to the website, is developed and implemented. Test cases are developed to block and allow specific websites. Results show that the websites are blocked successfully and the integration of the Wi-Fi module with the Vyatta software router functioned as expected.