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OpenVPN with Root - Updated 8/19

Easy way - OpenVPN on rooted/S_OFF Incredible with BusyBox installed:
This is by far the easiest way to set up OpenVPN. Make sure you copy your config file and any relevant keys to a folder on your sdcard. First, you need to know where BusyBox is installed, and if you already have the tun.ko module. For BusyBox, for most Roms based off the 2.2 8/1 leak, the location is /system/xbin. An easy way to check on your phone:
adb shell
find / -iname "iptunnel"
The path containing the file is where BusyBox is installed. If you don't have it installed, you can follow the instructions at the bottom of this post to install it.
The tun.ko module depends on your kernel. With the hydra 2.2 kernels, the location is /system/lib/modules/tun.ko . Easy way to check:
adb shell
find / -iname "tun.ko"
If you do not have tun.ko on your system, then you can download it for 2.2 (tun.zip) or 2.1 (inside openvpn.zip) attached to this post.
Next, download the following two apps from the Android Market:
OpenVPN Installer
OpenVPN Settings
Next, run OpenVPN installer, click install, give it an install path (I prefer /system/xbin), and give it the path to BusyBox.
Finally, run OpenVPN Settings. Go to Menu -> Advanced, make sure "Load tun kernel module" is checked.
Click on "TUN module settings"
Change "Load module using" to insmod
Change "Path to tun module" to... the path to your tun.ko file. Click back.
Update "Path to configurations" and "Path to openvpn binary".
That should be it!
This is how to run OpenVPN on a rooted Incredible using unrEVOked root and the stock 2.1 ROM with S_ON
NOTE: This is only for rooted Stock 2.1 without S_OFF. If you have S_OFF via unrevoked forever, just use Openvpn Installer and Openvpn Settings, both available in the market. Much easier!
This is my first time doing something like this, so bear with me if it is a little rough!
You must have root access to set this up. You do NOT need to go back into recovery adb though.
First, download the attached openvpn.zip containing the following:
tun.ko - kernel module for 2.1.
openvpn-static - statically compiled openvpn
If you are using 2.2, tun.zip contains the module compiled for the 2.2 kernel (thanks Apalyan!)
You will already need to have a working client.conf, and any associated keys. Copy the following files into a folder named 'openvpn' on the sdcard, or push with the following:
adb mkdir /sdcard/openvpn
adb push tun.ko /sdcard/openvpn/tun.ko
adb push client.conf /sdcard/openvpn/client.conf
adb push client.key /sdcard/openvpn/client.key
adb push client.crt /sdcard/openvpn/client.crt
adb push ca.crt /sdcard/openvpn/ca.crt
adb push openvpn-static /sdcard/openvpn/openvpn-static
The following must be done in a root shell:
adb shell
su
mkdir /data/openvpn
dd if=/sdcard/openvpn/openvpn-static of=/data/openvpn/openvpn
chmod 700 /data/openvpn/openvpn
Use the OpenVPN Settings configuration below to start/stop openvpn.
Note: All of the code was already written and ported to Android by the guys behind OpenVPN Settings. I just compiled a new tun.ko from the Incredible kernel source, and recompiled the statically linked openvpn with updated paths to ifconfig and route.
ADDED (thanks wraithdu!):
If you have trouble with post-connection routing, you may need to install busybox for a more powerful route/ipconfig. Instructions are here:
---
busybox is installed by the latest rooting process, but it's not a full install, ie it does not create all the command links. I got the file from the Titanium Backup site:
http://www.matrixrewriter.com/android/files/busybox-1.15.3.zip
To install:
1) extract and push busybox to your sdcard, reboot into recovery
2) mount /system
3) if you don't have /system/xbin (you should), create it
adb shell:
# mkdir /system/xbin (if necessary)
dd if=/sdcard/busybox of=/system/xbin/busybox
cd /system/xbin
chmod 755 busybox
./busybox --install .
4) reboot and done
OPTIONAL - before rebooting replace the busybox installed by the root process in /system/bin
1) mv /system/bin/busybox /system/bin/busybox.bak
2) cp /system/xbin/busybox /system/bin/busybox

OpenVPN Settings Instructions
OpenVPN Settings v. 4.6 works flawlessly with this! Here are setup instructions:
Install OpenVPN Settings v. 4.6 from:
Can't post links yet, do a google search for OpenVPN Settings, go to the Google Code download page, and download version 4.6.
Then, launch OpenVPN Settings, press Menu -> Advanced, and fill in the following settings:
Load tun kernel module - Checked
TUN module settings:
Load module using - insmod
Path to tun module - /sdcard/openvpn/tun.ko
Path to configurations - leave default
Path to openvpn binary - /data/openvpn/openvpn
It should work beautifully then.

any way to do it with non certicate based connections? i.e., group/psk configs?

The certificate setup isn't important, it is just how mine is set up. Any valid .conf should work.

ifconfig error
i got it all installed , it connects, but then in the end it says fatal error, ifconfig failed, could not execute external program. any ideas

You can run it manually to see what exactly is happening. Try the following:
adb shell
su
/data/openvpn/openvpn --config /sdcard/openvpn/client.conf
What generates the error?

error
Wed Jun 16 08:52:50 2010 /system/xbin/bb/ifconfig tap0 192.168.200.2 netmask 255
.255.255.0 mtu 1500 broadcast 192.168.200.255
Wed Jun 16 08:52:50 2010 Linux ifconfig failed: could not execute external progr
am
Wed Jun 16 08:52:50 2010 Exiting
and ifconfig is under /system/bin not /system/xbin/bb/. do you guys know where i need to change that?

The ifconfig stuff is hardcoded. I uploaded the wrong version - try this one.

Works perfectly
THANK YOU , works great
fang0654 said:
The ifconfig stuff is hardcoded. I uploaded the wrong version - try this one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Thanks very much for this! Will be trying it later today.

Fang - Thanks again. Do you have any suggestions on a util or tutorial on making a conf file? I've access to our Cisco ASDM for our ASA, the URL for the ASA, group name, Group key, and of course my username and pw.

For that, you need vpnc instead of openvpn.
I know the problem with using the VPN Connections app is that the tun.ko autoload doesn't work. There are a couple of things you may be able to do as a workaround.
1. Load the module by hand:
adb shell
su
insmod /sdcard/openvpn/tun.ko
or 2. Use the OpenVPN Settings app from above to load the tun module (just start openvpn, then stop it), then try out the VPNC app.
I don't have a Cisco vpn so I don't have any way of testing whether this works.

Gets "failed to connect" immediately. know of any way to launch the vpn connections via command line to see where it is failing?

This worked like a charm! Thanks very much for this guide.

Stupid question, how do I get to a adb shell? I already rooted the phone. I don't have to do the rooting process all over do I?

If your running Linux, just type "adb shell" in you terminal window - make sure your phone is connected via USB cable - you should get the "$" after this command and then your in your phone's shell.
I believe windows is the same way, but I only have Linux stuff running now...

Thanks a lot for putting this together!

mattwood2000 said:
If your running Linux, just type "adb shell" in you terminal window - make sure your phone is connected via USB cable - you should get the "$" after this command and then your in your phone's shell.
I believe windows is the same way, but I only have Linux stuff running now...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With the phone connected via USB (Disk drive or anything), I type "adb shell" and get device not found. I'm running Windows 7. Phone has been rooted (have Wifi Tethering installed). Just having issues getting it back to the shell command like when I first rooted it :/

make sure USB Debugging is enabled

OK, had a misspell in the tun.ko file.
I'm connected now. But unable to connect to anything on my network. Still looking into it.
Any ideas? I've restarted the phone. I'm connected to my OpenVPN server. I cannot ping the IP assigned to it (from OpenVPN status page). I cannot ping anything on my internal network from the shell. Shows no data moving. Do I need to do something?
I did a netconf and i have this:
tap0 UP 172.30.100.255 255.255.0.0 0x00001043

[17/12][UPDATE]OPENVPN.zip!!FLASH WITH CWM-ANY SENSE ROM

OpenVPN on SENSE & Buzz OC/UV 1.51Ghz 1.1.4 HOW TO
NEW UPDATE: 17/12/2010
OpenVpn.zip - FLASH IN CLOCKWORK MOD AND FOLLOW ON FROM STEP 4!!
WHAT IT DOES.
- New iptables
- New Openvpn binary
- All Symlinks created.
- All Permissions.
- Folders Created.
REQUIREMENTS:
-ROOT
-CWM-RECOVERY
-BusyBox
-OpenVpn config files, certs etc in /sdcard/openvpn
CONFIRMED WORKING ON :
-LeeDroid 1.2
-[RUU_Ace_HTC_WWE_1.32.405.6 Stock Sense Rom] - thanks to Walker Street For Testing.
Please inform me if you can confirm this working on Other ROM'S Thank you.
I AM USING ,
[KERNEL]Buzz OC/UV 1.51Ghz CFS+BFQ+SmartAss+TUN+EXT4+.27 ACE 1.1.4 [15/12/2010]
IN THEORY THIS SHOULD WORK WITH ANY SENSE ROM & KERNEL..
JUST MAKE SURE YOU THE KERNEL HAS A TUN.KO ETC CONFIGURED FOR IT.
DOWNLOAD :
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15057375/mero01-xda/OpenVPN.zip
And a BIG thanks to ecips for helping with this
NO LONGER NEED TO DO ANY OF THIS , JUST USE OpenVPN.zip & FOLLOW ON FROM STEP 4!!
Ok guys had alot of problems gettings this too were it working, hopefully you guys might see some errors/fix's to improve on this
Requirements:
OpenVPN-Settings - Market
OpenVpn Binary File - Located in the openvpn4DesireHD.ZIP
LeeDrOiD HD v1.2 - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=842802
Buzz OC/UV 1.51Ghz 1.1.4 - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=835616
UPDATED 17/12/2010: CONFIRMED WORKING ON, LeeDroiD HD v1.2 & Buzz OC/UV 1.51Ghz 1.1.4
A) Not sure if this matters or not but i copied LeeDroids iptables file from the Desire.
B) Copy your client.conf or .ovpn file and certs to /sdcard/openvpn
C) Implementation:
1. Unzip/copy openvpn binary file to device.
1.b replace the current openvpn file in /system/xbin with this new one
1.c -- chmod +x with it.
Code:
adb remount
adb push openvpn /system/xbin/
adb shell
chmod +x /system/xbin/openvpn
exit
If " adb remount " didnt work
Code:
su
mount -o rw,remount -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mmcblk0p25 /system
in order to mount system as read/write
2. Make folder /system/xbin/bb
Code:
adb remount
adb shell mkdir /system/xbin/bb
exit
3. Make symbolic links to ifconfig and route & busy box.
THIS IS WERE THE PROBLEMS ALL COME FROM AND IF YOU HAVE ISSUES THIS IS WHAT WILL BE CAUSEING IT! SOMETHING TO DO WITH LINK BETWEEN BUSY BOX AND IFCONFIG......BUT I TRIED FROM FRESH BOOT AND IT WORKS FLAWLESSLY NOW WILL TALK TOO LEE ABOUT GETTING EVERYTHING INBUILT IN LEEDROID
Code:
adb remount
adb shell
ln -s /system/xbin/ifconfig /system/xbin/bb/ifconfig
ln -s /system/xbin/route /system/xbin/bb/route
ln -s /system/xbin/busybox /system/xbin/ifconfig
reboot
4. Install/Configure OpenVPN-Settings
4.0 Install OpenVPN-Settings from "Market" its free dont worrie
Code:
4.1 On device, launch OpenVPN Settings.
4.2 Long press openvpn.conf, Preferences.
4.3 Check "Use VPN DNS Server"
4.4 Enter your VPN DNS Server
4.5 Script Security Level Select Built-in + scripts
4.5 press back
4.6 Click click the sub-menu option select Advanced
4.7 Load tun kernel module and make it 'insmod /system/lib/modules/tun.ko' before starting openvpn.
7.8 Change path to openvpn binary to /system/xbin/openvpn
Click " Fix HTC Routes "
You should now be connected
IF I FORGOT ANYTHING PLS LET ME KNOW VERY TIRED WHEN I DID THIS HAHA
Here is my config anyways for reference and here is my client config
Code:
client
dev tun
proto udp
remote XXX.XXX.XXX.XX 1194
resolv-retry infinite
nobind
persist-key
persist-tun
ca ca.crt
cert mero-android.crt
key mero-android.key
comp-lzo
verb 6
script-security 2
Have also realised if you go terminal and do following gives you nice log
basicly , su root, cd to your openvpn folder location, run openvpn on your client conf
Code:
su
cd /sdcard/openvpn
openvpn client.ovpn
For added security. To make the OpenVPN request a password on connect. do the following
change step 4.5 to Script Security Level Select Built-in + scripts + passwords
add the following to your server conf.
Code:
username-as-common-name
plugin /usr/lib/openvpn/openvpn-auth-pam.so login
and this to your client
Code:
auth-user-pass
Change Log:
Use OpenVPN.zip & step 4 and beyond.
17/12/2010
DOWNLOAD:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15057375/mero01-xda/OpenVPN.zip

Out of curiosity, what is OpenVPN used for?
Then i will know if i have to use your spot on tutorial

no1male said:
Out of curiosity, what is OpenVPN used for?
Then i will know if i have to use your spot on tutorial
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a VPN (virtual private network). I can access my home and work computers from my android.

I am super-impressed mero. But I wasn't able to get it to work .... I think it's my fault .... I've stuffed around so much. I'm right now starting a clean install.... It should work..... I hope.

Walker Street said:
I am super-impressed mero. But I wasn't able to get it to work .... I think it's my fault .... I've stuffed around so much. I'm right now starting a clean install.... It should work..... I hope.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks
I did alot of stuffing around aswell thats why i wanted to test it.
So i did a full wipe. then flash to 1.2 reboot. flash to 1.0.1.fix. and then first thing i did was follow those steps.
connection worked first go
please update me, as im sure i can help.

Walker Street,
I attached a screen shot of the actual adb session i did just incase. the bottom 3 commands to my knowledge and what i can see dont work so i ommited them from the tut. but they might do somthign and not display it so thought i might upload incase.

mero01 said:
Walker Street,
I attached a screen shot of the actual adb session i did just incase. the bottom 3 commands to my knowledge and what i can see dont work so i ommited them from the tut. but they might do somthign and not display it so thought i might upload incase.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Silly me. I forgot to set 'Fix HTC Routes'. Now I've done that and your method rules.
You're a genius mero. It works.
I changed permissions for the new openvpn and iptables using root explorer so they could execute. Maybe you didn't need to because you were doing adb push from linux (I was doing it from windows).
I don't have a DNS server, so I didn't need to specify one.
I would highly recommend these changes to LeeDroid for his rom. Have you messaged him yet?

Walker Street said:
Silly me. I forgot to set 'Fix HTC Routes'. Now I've done that and your method rules.
You're a genius mero. It works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Thank you very much
Walker Street said:
I changed permissions for the new openvpn and iptables using root explorer so they could execute. Maybe you didn't need to because you were doing adb push from linux (I was doing it from windows).
I don't have a DNS server, so I didn't need to specify one.
I would highly recommend these changes to LeeDroid for his rom. Have you messaged him yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
to be honest the only part i did in adb was the symlinks did everything else in root explorer.i didnt change any permissions :S
Yes i have PM'd him, awaiting a reply

just updated to Buzz 1.0.2 , everything still works

Walker Street said:
It's a VPN (virtual private network). I can access my home and work computers from my android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes and tunnel all your internet traffic back through the VPN encrypted in many ways

also works with buzz 1.0.8.
and after pushing the openvpn binary, you need to do chmod +x with it.

raw235 said:
also works with buzz 1.0.8.
and after pushing the openvpn binary, you need to do chmod +x with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries thanksss, i shall update

anyone tried with 1.1.0 ?

Hello,
i'm in trouble....
At first, i have an error when i try the adb remount command : Operation not permitted
Then i have a second message when i try to create the "bb" folder : mkdir failed for bb. Read-only file system.
I'm confused because tel is rooted, S-OFF and suped-CID. I even changed the Kernel with Buzz's one 1,2Ghz.
Did i miss something?
Thanks for your help
Lionel

EFCAugure said:
Hello,
i'm in trouble....
At first, i have an error when i try the adb remount command : Operation not permitted
Then i have a second message when i try to create the "bb" folder : mkdir failed for bb. Read-only file system.
I'm confused because tel is rooted, S-OFF and suped-CID. I even changed the Kernel with Buzz's one 1,2Ghz.
Did i miss something?
Thanks for your help
Lionel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmm thats very strange... adb remount should work...
actually quite puzzled at that dunno why it wouldnt work if you do have root etc.
only other thing i can think of is have you got busybox installed ?
what state is your phone in when your trying to do this ? ie off. on, recovery mode.

Hi,
thanks for reply!
I have a branded SFR phone in France but i managed to root it and S-OFF it without problem.
I switched to another Kernel with the tun.ko file and that's all.
When i tried adb remount, the phone was ON (no recovery or anything else).
I will try in recovery mode.
Busybox is installed.
Note : impossible to connect adb while in recovery.

This seems to be the problem :
when switching kernel only, i don't change the property ro.secure because it's nested (of what i read) in the boot.img. I have a branded phone and this property is set to 1.
Is there a way to change this property without changing the whole ROM? I would llike to stay with this one.
Thanks for your advice
lionel

Ok,
switched to Leedroid 1.2 and re-changed kernel to Buzz 1,22Ghz.
This tutorial is awesome!
Thanks mero01!!!
Is there a way to use the WIFI connection instead of 3G?

EFCAugure said:
Ok,
switched to Leedroid 1.2 and re-changed kernel to Buzz 1,22Ghz.
This tutorial is awesome!
Thanks mero01!!!
Is there a way to use the WIFI connection instead of 3G?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no worries
yer just disable 3g and use wifi. just make sure that its not using the same wifi your openvpn server is on...

Yes, of course!
I will try from a friend's wifi this afternoon!
Thanks
lionel

[MOD / PATCH] Openvpn for LG G2x

After 2 weeks of trial and error I finally got openvpn working on LG G2x. I am going to list out the steps I took to make it work and hopefully it will help somebody else.
Here are the steps:
1- Root your phone
2- Install tun.ko (see link below)
Download and save the file anywhere in your sdcard
Using rootexplorer (or any other file manager), copy the tun.ko file and save it in /system/lib/modules
command:
adb remount
adb push tun.ko /system/lib/modules
adb shell
chmod 755 /system/lib/modules/tun.ko
3- Install BusyBox using BusyBox Installer (from Market)
Install to /system/xbin
4- Install OpenVPN using OpenVPN Installer (from Market)
Install binary to /system/xbin
Install route to /system/xbin/bb
5- Install OpenVPN Settings (from Market)
6. Link Busybox ifconfig and route to /system/xbin/bb
Command:
adb shell
su
mkdir /system/xbin/bb
ln -s /system/xbin/ifconfig /system/xbin/bb/ifconfig
ln -s /system/xbin/route /system/xbin/bb/route
7. Setup OpenVPN Settings (from Market)
OpenVPN settings > Advanced > Load tun kernel module <- turn ON
OpenVPN settings > Advanced > TUN module settings
Load module using - insmod
Path to tun module - /system/lib/modules/tun.ko
9- copy your .conf files to /sdcard/openvpn
REBOOT
CONNECT!~
Source:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1104419
Link to tun.ko
https://rapidshare.com/files/756845615/tun.ko
I am not an android guru and hopefully someone else who is more knowleadgable can comment and or correct where I made a mistake.

If you use my any of my kernels (CM7 or Froyo), I have TUN/TAP built right in the kernel, no TUN.KO module is required. You should be able to use OpenVPN apps from market or OpenVPN from CM7 directly (CM7 has its own openVPN app built-in).

I have used your rom in the past and have just donated $10 to you. I appreciate your hard work. Thanks for the information you provied.

Yeah i agree with aobasha. Since u dropped your 1st rom for the G2X, I've never had a non faux123 rom or kernel in my phone. Your work's much appreciated homie. I dont have much money atm but when my situations a little better I plan on donatin to u and cyanogen. Figured i'd show my appreciation while someone broached the subject

[Q] OpenVPN on the Charge?

Dear All,
Does anyone have OpenVPN working on the Charge? I have PeanutButta Jelly Time which is suppose to have the tun.ko module in the kernel and lsmod gives me tun. however installing openvpn using the installer and settings does not work. I followed all the instruction including the push of openvpn2.1.1, sym linking of ifconfig and route, as well as various tun.ko files, but it fails to start. any thoughts?
Elviso

I am also interested in this

bump .. +1 .. anyone?

Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A

I finally got it working on mine. GummyCharged FE 2.0.
1) Install GummyCharge FE 2.0 ROM.
2) Install latest Imoseyon kernel. I don't think you need this since GC comes with the Imoseyon kernel #130 which should already have TUN support, but I upgraded mine anyway. After kernel upgrade mine was at #141. Link: http://rootzwiki.com/showthread.php...leanKernel-minimalistic-kernel-(v1.2.2-9-8-11)
3) Install Busybox.
4) Download bnred777's tun.ko from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1235410
5) Create a direcotyr called /system/lib/modules/ and /system/xbin/bb/
6) Copy tun.ko to /system/lib/modules/
7) Create a directory on your sdcard called /openvpn and copy all of your ovpn config and certificates there.
8) Install OpenVPN Installer from the market.
9) Run OpenVPN Installer and choose target directory of /system/xbin and /system/xbin/bb for ifconfig.
10) Create symlinks in the /system/xbin/bb/ directory:
ln -s /system/xbin/ifconfig /system/xbin/bb/ifconfig
ln -s /system/xbin/route /system/xbin/bb/route
11) Reboot your phone.
12) Run the following command from shell. You will have to run this every time you want to connect to your vpn. I would suggest making a shortcut shell script or there is probably a way to put it in start up.
insmod /system/lib/modules/tun.ko
13) Install OpenVPN Settings from the market. It should pick up your configuration settings from your sdcard/openvpn directory automatically.
14) Put in your password and you should be connected to your VPN.
The instructions are pretty much the same as other droid devices except for the Charge you need a Charge compiled tun.ko and getting the less finicky directories and symlinks took me a while to figure out. Here is a thread that helped me out with the directories and symlinks:
http://code.google.com/p/android-openvpn-installer/issues/detail?id=2

[Q] WiFi TXpower + iwconfig + tether + Bumblebee on LG OP V

This post is actually part HOWTO and part Question / RFC
Hardware used:
LG Optimus V
Software used:
Bumblebee ROM 2.4
WiFi TXpower
Wireless Tether (for root users)
iwconfig
UAPick (to change the User Agent string in IE8 to avoid raising red flags with Virgin Mobile)
So I've been playing around with OP V and decided that it would be best for me to reduce my wifi TX power since I always us my wifi tether is close proximity to my laptop. Unfortunately, the ROM that I use does not come with the iwconfig tool necessary so I had to do a little fiddling around to get everything to work. So I figured I'd post here so you guys can review what I did and make any corrections if you think there is a better way to do this. And hopefully this info will help out some people that are newer at this than I am.
After I installed Bumblebee 2.4, I decided to play with the Tether APP that comes with it. I configured BB's tether and used UAPick to change IE8's UA string to the UA string from the Android Browser. It then occurred to me that my OPV was sitting ~2' away from my laptop and didn't to be transmitting at full power. So I started looking for APP to easily adjust the TX power. I happened upon WiFi TXpower in the android market and installed it. But it did not work because the Bumblebee ROM does not come with iwconfig.....hmmm....what to do what to do?
After many hours of Googling and reading forums I came to find out that I needed access to iwconfig to make WiFi TXpower work correctly. So I had to make a choice, 1) try downloading iwconfig and try to adb push iwconfig to /system/xbin and hope it works and that I can chmod the file correctly 2) install and APP that comes with iwconfig and symlink it into the /system/xbin dir.
Fortunately, I stumbled on a post in a forum that stated the APP Wireless Tether (for root users) comes with iwconfig and it allows for changing the TX power level in the APP (for hardware that supports TX adjustments). So I installed Wireless Tether (for root users) setup my Android for wi-fi tethering. I then proceeded to fire up my laptop and put it in my bedroom with the android phone on my kitchen table in order to test changing TX power levels and checking the change with my laptop.....SURE ENOUGH IT WORKS. Power level changes supported by the APP are as follows: disabled(no TX reduction)/3mW/5mW/10mW/15mW/20mW/25mW/30mW. The only problem is that the APP is rather large. 403KB for the .apk and ~.98MB when running on the Android. So onto the next step.
WiFi TXpower is pretty light weight @ 92KB supports the following power levels: 4/11/18/25/32 so all I need now is iwconfig to get it to work right. I decided to symlink iwconfig from the Wireless Tether (for root users) install dir instead of trying to adb push it. Here's what I did to symlink:
# adb shell
# echo $PATH
# mount -o remount,rw -t yaffs2 /system /system
# ln -s /data/data/android.tether/bin/iwconfig /system/xbin/iwconfig
After that I fired up WiFi TXpower and now it works because the symlink worked. . I was just happy because it's been a long time since I made a symlink.
So now I would like some input form you guys here.
1) Is it possible for me to just unzip the Wireless Tether.apk and pull out the iwconfig then use adb to push the file into /system/xbin so that I don't have to install the whole APP package then create a symlink. If I do go that route will I have to chmod the iwconfig?
2) Could I just copy the iwconfig to /system/xbin from the install directory then uninstall the APP it came with.
3) Can I package the iwconfig (and possibly other wireless tools) into a zip that I can flash to the system from the Xionia recovery? This is how I would prefer to do it so that I have a simple package to load if I ever switch ROMs.
I'd greatly appreciate any feedback you could provide as to the best method and if I may have done this the long hard way or the right way. Although I am new to Android, I have been playing with linux on & off for the last 12+ years. It's just been ~2 years since my last outing with a full blown install that I could play with.
-eric
P.S. Thx to obijon for Bumblebee. I've been loving this ROM for the last couple weeks and having the Terminal Emulator app installed by default was VERY helpful to me in getting this WiFi TXpower / iwconfig thing worked out.

so this will work on p500 also?
should i type these in terminal emulator?
# adb shell
# echo $PATH
# mount -o remount,rw -t yaffs2 /system /system
# ln -s /data/data/android.tether/bin/iwconfig /system/xbin/iwconfig

ccdreadcc said:
so this will work on p500 also?
should i type these in terminal emulator?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1/ Flash this
2/ Use /system/etc/setwifi.sh script or WiFi Tx Power (the iwmulticall method).
3/ Done

k i will try..
im using void froyo final

ccdreadcc said:
so this will work on p500 also?
should i type these in terminal emulator?
# adb shell
# echo $PATH
# mount -o remount,rw -t yaffs2 /system /system
# ln -s /data/data/android.tether/bin/iwconfig /system/xbin/iwconfig
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be 100% honest I don't know if it will work on other hardware, as I have only done this on my hardware. I guess you could always install the Wireless Tether for root users APP and conduct a similar experiment to mine, in order to verify that your platforms wifi radio can change TX levels. The thing I like about the WiFi TXpower app is that it can change TX levels on the fly and comes with a very simple widget that allows you to "single tap cycle" through the TX levels. Where as the Wireless Tether app shuts down the radio and tether to modify the power level.
So by using the WiFi TXpower app you can use your personal favorite wifi tether app and have the TXpower toggle/cycle seperate. And it even works when your using the WiFi radio for anything else since it runs as a service in the background and sets your specified power level whenever the radio comes on. Which is awesome when I'm at home or in a coffee shop with a good signal. No need to operate at full power.
You should definitely let us know if dr.notor's solution works for you. good luck man.

dr.notors method worked, thx anyway

no worries mate. that's why we post what we do. to help each other.
glad nortor's suggestion worked for you.

Talking about WiFi Tx power... what are recommended values for someone like me who use my home Wifi with a router on a small apartment?
LOL 1.4.2 Rom (which I use) has WiFi Tx set to 20 by default, but I've always wondered if that's already a "reduced value" or what. Does anyone knows what's the actual default value for The Optimus One?

ElGeorge said:
Talking about WiFi Tx power... Does anyone knows what's the actual default value for The Optimus One?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
32 dBm......

dr.notor said:
32 dBm......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep! 32/30 is the default.
I'm in a 750 sq/ft duplex and I go outside to smoke cigs (about 50+' away) and a setting of 4/11 dB works great for me. So you could drop it down a few levels and still maintain good connectivity. Judging by the the Windows Vista "WiFi power level meter", @ 4dB WiFi TxPower setting I still have 50% signal strength @ ~100' away on my HP Laptop's wifi card/antannae.
regarding dr.norto's setwifi.zip file: It's doesnt seem to like my Xionia/LG OPV. It gives me a "failed : no boot.img" error. So this .zip may not be for everyone. It may be an issue with the Bumblebee 2.4 rom or the Xionia recovery tool. Which is a bit of a bummer as I REALLY wanted to use iwmulticall instead of imconfig. But that is just how life goes.
I'm working on getting the Jave SDK & and Android SDK install and working so I can build a package for the LG OPV guys with either iwconfig or iwmulticall.
thx for all the help guys.

fatchick1o9 said:
regarding dr.norto's setwifi.zip file: It's doesnt seem to like my Xionia/LG OPV. It gives me a "failed : no boot.img" error. So this .zip may not be for everyone. It may be an issue with the Bumblebee 2.4 rom or the Xionia recovery tool. Which is a bit of a bummer as I REALLY wanted to use iwmulticall instead of imconfig. But that is just how life goes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can try to replace update-binary with one from some of the working ZIPs on your device. Other than that, no idea about your recovery. This works (tested) with CWM and AmonRa...

ccdreadcc said:
so this will work on p500 also?
should i type these in terminal emulator?
# adb shell
# echo $PATH
# mount -o remount,rw -t yaffs2 /system /system
# ln -s /data/data/android.tether/bin/iwconfig /system/xbin/iwconfig
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
" # mount -o remount,rw -t yaffs2 /system /system"
Thank you for the line of code!

dr.notor said:
1/ Flash this
2/ Use /system/etc/setwifi.sh script or WiFi Tx Power (the iwmulticall method).
3/ Done
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm having a ***** of a time getting iwconfig on my Asus transformer tablet. I tried flashing this, but didn't work. I'm running Xenogenesis JB 4.2. is there any way to get this working?