Step-by-Step Guide to Running OpenWrt on Apple Silicon Mac with UTM

Well now, let me tell ya a bit about this thing called UTM on macOS and how it works with OpenWrt. If you’re like me and ain’t much into the fancy computer lingo, I’ll try to make it as simple as I can, so you can understand how to get this all workin’.

So, UTM, you see, is a virtual machine kinda tool that folks use to run different kinds of operating systems on their Macs. Normally, folks think of a Mac as just running macOS, right? But with UTM, you can get it to run all sorts of other systems, like Linux-based OpenWrt. And OpenWrt, well, it’s a system that helps route network traffic, mainly used in gadgets and such that need a good, solid way to manage their internet connection. You’ll see it used in routers and other devices that help get your internet running smooth.

Now, some folks have been tryin’ to get this whole thing to work on Apple Silicon chips, like them M1 and M2 Macs. It’s a bit tricky though, ’cause these Macs use a different kind of processor than the old Intel ones. But there’s some folks out there who’ve figured it out, and you can use UTM to run OpenWrt on these newer M1 Macs. Ain’t that somethin’?

What is UTM and how does it work?

First things first, UTM is a tool for makin’ virtual machines (VMs). It’s like havin’ a little computer inside your big computer. Normally, your Mac runs macOS, but with UTM, you can make your Mac act like it’s runnin’ another operating system, like Linux or OpenWrt. The great thing about UTM is that you can use it even on them fancy M1 Macs, which aren’t always the easiest to mess with when it comes to other software.

So, if you’ve got yourself an Apple M1 or M2 chip Mac, you’re probably lookin’ to get OpenWrt up and runnin’ on it. UTM makes that possible, even though it’s not exactly what most people would call “official.” But with a little elbow grease, you can make it happen. You’ll be usin’ a virtual machine to run that OpenWrt software, and it’ll help your network run smoother than a fresh jar of jam.

Why use OpenWrt with UTM on macOS?

You might be wonderin’ why you’d even want to bother with all this. Well, OpenWrt is one of them systems that does a real good job at handlin’ networks. It’s mainly used in routers, but some folks want to use it for their home network setups, and it can be run on other devices too. Now, UTM makes it possible for you to run OpenWrt right on your Mac without needin’ a fancy router or anything like that. So, if you’re into tinkerin’ and want to see how OpenWrt works, or if you need a network solution, this could be just the thing for ya.

Folks have been usin’ OpenWrt on all kinds of hardware, and UTM lets ya run it on Apple’s ARM-based M1 chips. But let me tell ya, it ain’t always easy to set up. Some people have been runnin’ into trouble tryin’ to get the right tools to make it all work, ’cause the software usually comes set up for x86 processors, not ARM. But don’t fret, ‘cause you can find all the tools you need and with a little patience, you’ll get it goin’ in no time.

Setting it all up: A few steps to follow

Now, I ain’t no tech expert, but from what I’ve seen, gettin’ OpenWrt on your M1 Mac using UTM is possible with a few steps. First off, you gotta download UTM, which is a free tool for makin’ those virtual machines. Once you’ve got that, you can start settin’ it up by gettin’ the OpenWrt image you need. There’s a bunch of different versions of OpenWrt, but you’ll wanna find one that’s made for ARM architecture, like ARMv8, to make sure it works well with them M1 Macs.

• First, you need to grab the UTM app for your Mac. You can download it straight from their site.
• Next, find an OpenWrt image that’s compatible with ARM processors. You’ll be lookin’ for one of them ARMv8 or ARM64 versions.
• Once you got both UTM and the OpenWrt image, you can set up a new VM on UTM. Make sure you select the ARM64 option when settin’ up the virtual machine.
• Then, you’ll load that OpenWrt image into the VM, and from there, you can start runnin’ OpenWrt right on your Mac.
• Finally, make sure you configure the network settings properly. You don’t want to mess up the internet connection, especially if you’re usin’ this setup for network traffic!

Once you’ve got it all set up, you should be able to run OpenWrt on your Mac like it’s just another system. And with a bit of messin’ around, you might even get it workin’ better than some of the out-of-the-box router solutions. Just keep in mind that you might need to do a little research or tweak things here and there, ‘cause things don’t always go as smooth as you want ’em to.

Is it worth the trouble?

Well, I reckon that depends on what you’re tryin’ to do. If you just want a simple network setup, you might be better off usin’ a regular router with OpenWrt installed. But if you’re the kind of person who likes tinkerin’ with your computer and wants to see what all the fuss is about with OpenWrt, runnin’ it through UTM on a Mac can be a fun little project. And who knows, it might just be the solution you’re lookin’ for if you want more control over your network.

In the end, it’s all about tryin’ new things and seein’ what works best for ya. If you’re a tech enthusiast or just someone lookin’ to make your network run smoother, givin’ UTM and OpenWrt a try on your M1 Mac might be somethin’ worth doin’. Just don’t get too frustrated if it takes a bit of time and patience to get everything right!

Tags: [UTM, macOS, OpenWrt, Apple M1, Virtual Machine, ARM64, network traffic, OpenWrt setup, UTM installation, Apple Silicon]