# Tomato

> Linux-based firmware for gateway routers

**Wikidata**: [Q250918](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q250918)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomato_(firmware))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tomato

## Summary
Tomato is a Linux-based firmware designed for gateway routers, providing an embedded operating system with features tailored for home networking. It is a Linux distribution that builds upon the Linux kernel and core GNU components, offering customization and performance optimizations for router hardware.

## Key Facts
- **Based on Linux**: Tomato is a Linux distribution designed specifically for router firmware.
- **Inception**: First released in 2008.
- **Latest version**: 1.28, released on June 28, 2010.
- **License**: GNU General Public License (GPL).
- **Platforms**: Supports MIPS and ARM architectures.
- **Derived from HyperWRT**: Tomato was based on HyperWRT, another embedded operating system for wireless routers.
- **Operating system**: Linux.
- **Aliases**: Also known as TomatoUSB.
- **Website**: [PolarCloud's Tomato page](https://www.polarcloud.com/tomato) (archived version available).
- **Instance of**: Embedded operating system, Linux distribution, and open-source software.
- **Subclass of**: Router firmware.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Tomato firmware used for?
A: Tomato firmware is used to replace the default firmware on gateway routers, providing enhanced features, customization, and performance optimizations for home networking.

### Q: Is Tomato open-source?
A: Yes, Tomato is open-source software licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL).

### Q: What architectures does Tomato support?
A: Tomato supports MIPS and ARM architectures, making it compatible with a wide range of router hardware.

### Q: How does Tomato differ from HyperWRT?
A: Tomato was derived from HyperWRT but evolved into a separate project with additional features and optimizations tailored for router firmware.

### Q: Where can I find the latest version of Tomato?
A: The latest version (1.28) was released on June 28, 2010, and can be accessed via the archived PolarCloud website.

## Why It Matters
Tomato firmware played a significant role in the router customization community by providing users with more control over their networking hardware. As a Linux-based distribution, it leveraged the stability and flexibility of the Linux kernel while adding features specific to router firmware. Its development highlighted the growing trend of open-source solutions for embedded systems, allowing users to optimize their routers for performance, security, and customization. While its development has slowed, Tomato remains a notable example of how open-source software can enhance consumer-grade networking devices.

## Notable For
- **Linux-based router firmware**: One of the first widely used open-source firmware projects for home routers.
- **Customization and performance**: Provided advanced features beyond stock router firmware.
- **Community-driven development**: Built on contributions from the open-source community.
- **Architecture support**: Compatible with MIPS and ARM, expanding its hardware compatibility.
- **Legacy in router modding**: Influenced later projects like DD-WRT and OpenWRT.

## Body
### Overview
Tomato is a Linux-based firmware designed for gateway routers, offering an embedded operating system with features tailored for home networking. It is a Linux distribution that builds upon the Linux kernel and core GNU components, providing customization and performance optimizations for router hardware.

### History and Development
- **Inception**: Tomato was first released in 2008.
- **Derivation**: It was based on HyperWRT, another embedded operating system for wireless routers.
- **Latest version**: Version 1.28 was released on June 28, 2010.

### Technical Specifications
- **License**: GNU General Public License (GPL).
- **Platforms**: Supports MIPS and ARM architectures.
- **Operating system**: Linux.
- **Aliases**: Also known as TomatoUSB.
- **Website**: [PolarCloud's Tomato page](https://www.polarcloud.com/tomato) (archived version available).

### Significance
- **Open-source router firmware**: Tomato was one of the first widely used open-source firmware projects for home routers.
- **Customization and performance**: It provided advanced features beyond stock router firmware, allowing users to optimize their networking hardware.
- **Community-driven development**: The project was built on contributions from the open-source community, reflecting the collaborative nature of Linux-based projects.

### Legacy
- **Influence on later projects**: Tomato's development influenced later projects like DD-WRT and OpenWRT.
- **Architecture support**: Its compatibility with MIPS and ARM architectures expanded its hardware compatibility.
- **Legacy in router modding**: Tomato remains a notable example of how open-source software can enhance consumer-grade networking devices.

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "SoftwareApplication",
  "name": "Tomato",
  "description": "Linux-based firmware for gateway routers",
  "url": "https://www.polarcloud.com/tomato",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q65143786",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomato_(firmware)"
  ],
  "applicationCategory": "Router Firmware",
  "operatingSystem": "Linux",
  "license": "https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html",
  "datePublished": "2008",
  "softwareVersion": "1.28",
  "additionalType": "Linux Distribution"
}

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013