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by mightyhops 4097 days ago
I contacted support@ubnt.com and info@ubnt.com about the issue and received a quick reply:

Unfortunately we no longer offer support for our SDK, and I'm not able to divulge in the specific differences between airOS and openwrt. Also, we don't share u-boot GPL source. We used to in the past but not any more. This decision was taken keeping the security of the users in mind. I hope you understand.

However, you can find the GPL archive for our devices from here:

https://www.ubnt.com/download/

(Please refer the "GNU General Public License link" under the Firmware and Software section from the above link page provided).

If you have any other questions, please let us know.

Thanks!

xxxx Ubiquiti Networks
2 comments
striking 4097 days ago
>This decision was taken keeping the security of the users in mind. I hope you understand.

Funny, because this is the exact inverse of the situation. They introduce security bugs and then we are unable to fix them ourselves.

They are legally required to provide the sources they use for u-boot.

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ploxiln 4097 days ago
It is funny... I get the feeling that they still give this response, because everyone who's gotten it doesn't know how to respond, it's so obviously wrong.

They use a lot of open source software and make firmware updates and controller software readily available, so how could they not know that

* The GPL's legal requirements come before your products needs, your users security or whatever. If you can't use GPL'd software, then don't.

* open source software has always proven to be more secure, because relatively serious and obvious security bugs linger in closed source software for a long time. How can we know that your closed source software is better than history suggests (unless you release the source...)

ridiculous. I kinda hope some of their engineers notice this on HN and can use evidence of "public" (engineer) sentiment to pressure the management

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btilly 4097 days ago
I hope you understand.

Given that they are clearly in the wrong, it is not surprising that they are hoping for copyright holders to be understanding!

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