What Is Teltonika Package Manager

What is the Teltonika Package Manager?

RutOS ships with a focused set of features enabled by default. Not every deployment needs every protocol, and fitting everything into flash memory simultaneously is not practical. The Package Manager solves this by letting you download and install additional capabilities from Teltonika’s FOTA server when you need them. It is found under System → Package Manager in the RutOS WebUI.

Think of it as an app store for your router. Each package adds a discrete feature, such as SNMP monitoring, the DNP3 protocol, a Wi-Fi hotspot portal, or Docker container support. Once installed, a new configuration section appears under Services in the WebUI. Packages persist across reboots. With the Package Restore function enabled, they also reinstall automatically after a firmware upgrade if Keep Settings is checked.

How to install a package

1. Navigate to System → Package Manager in the RutOS WebUI.
2. Find the package in the list. The current flash memory usage is displayed in the top-right corner of the list so you can confirm there is enough space before proceeding.
3. Click the + button next to the package name. The router downloads and installs it from the FOTA server. An internet connection is required.
4. For offline environments, download the package file from the Teltonika Package Downloads pages and use the Upload section instead. Only packages signed for that specific device and firmware version can be uploaded.

Current packages (RutOS 7.x)

The table below lists all packages available in the RutOS Package Manager as of firmware 7.23.x (the current release). Package availability varies by model due to hardware differences. The list below reflects the full set available across the RUT2M platform (RUT200, RUT241 and similar). Higher-specification models such as the RUTX and RUTM series carry the same list with additional packages. The RUTC series adds Docker.

Always check your specific model’s Package Downloads page on the Teltonika wiki for the exact list applicable to your firmware version.

Beyond Package Manager: adding custom functionality to RutOS

The Package Manager covers the majority of use cases. For requirements beyond the listed packages, RutOS provides three further routes to adding custom functionality. Each suits a different level of technical complexity.

1. Custom scripts and User Scripts (all models)

RutOS is built on OpenWrt, a Linux-based operating system. Every Teltonika router therefore has a full Linux shell accessible via SSH or the WebUI CLI (Services → CLI). You can write shell scripts in Bash or POSIX sh and run them directly on the device.

The User Scripts section (System → Custom Scripts) provides a WebUI editor for the /etc/rc.local startup script. Any commands entered here execute at the end of the boot sequence. This is the right place for one-off configuration tasks, interface setup, or initialising custom services at startup.

Scheduled tasks are handled via cron. The crontab is editable directly from the CLI:

crontab -e

Entries in /etc/crontabs/root follow standard cron syntax. Teltonika uses cron internally for functions such as Automatic Reboot, SIM Idle Protection, and Scheduled SMS — the same mechanism is available for your own tasks. A scheduled script might poll a Modbus register and send the result to an HTTP endpoint, rotate log files, or check signal strength and send an SMS alert if it drops below a threshold.

Scripts persist across reboots when stored in /etc/ or /root/. Note that files stored in /tmp/ are lost on reboot. The /overlay/ filesystem persists across firmware upgrades (if Keep Settings is enabled).

2. opkg: the command-line package manager (all models)

The WebUI Package Manager installs Teltonika-signed packages. The underlying package manager, opkg, can install additional software from the broader OpenWrt package repository. This opens access to thousands of Linux utilities and daemons not listed in the WebUI, including Python, Lua scripts, network tools, database clients, and more.

Basic opkg commands via SSH:

opkg update                        # refresh the package list
opkg list                          # list all available packages
opkg install <package_name>        # install a package
opkg install python3-light         # example: install Python 3

opkg packages are not digitally signed by Teltonika. They install from OpenWrt’s own repositories and are not officially supported by Teltonika. Flash storage is limited on most models (16 MB on the RUT200), so opkg is best suited to smaller utilities. Models with USB ports can expand storage using the Memory Expansion feature.

3. Docker containers (RUTC series only)

The RUTC40, RUTC41, and RUTC50 are the only Teltonika routers that support Docker. This is a hardware capability difference, not a firmware option — the RUTC series uses a dual-core ARM Cortex-A53 1.3 GHz CPU with 1 GB RAM and 8 GB flash specifically to support containerised applications.

Docker is installed via the Package Manager. Once installed, the Docker manager appears in the WebUI. Containers can also be managed via the CLI using standard Docker commands over SSH.

With Docker, the router can run full Linux applications in isolated containers alongside RutOS. Examples used in practice include:

• Edge data processing: filtering, aggregating, or normalising sensor data before forwarding to the cloud
• Protocol translation: running a custom agent that translates between proprietary serial protocols and MQTT or REST
• Local web services: a small web server or dashboard accessible from the LAN
• Python or Node.js applications: business logic running on the device without requiring a separate compute module
• AI inference: running lightweight machine learning models for local decision-making

USB storage expansion is available on RUTC models to extend the Docker image store beyond the built-in 8 GB flash.

See our Docker on Teltonika Routers explainer for a full guide to Docker on the RUTC series.

4. RutOS SDK: custom firmware builds (advanced)

Teltonika publishes a Software Development Kit (SDK) for RutOS, available from the Teltonika Networks Wiki. The SDK is an OpenWrt build environment that lets developers compile their own firmware with custom packages, modified default settings, or entirely new WebUI pages and APIs.

The SDK supports:

• Custom default passwords and IP addresses
• White-labelled firmware with custom branding, colours, and login pages
• New WebUI service pages with backend logic written in Lua or shell
• Custom packages compiled from source and integrated into the Package Manager

SDK firmware can be used with Teltonika RMS, though Teltonika note that full functionality cannot be guaranteed with custom builds. This route is suited to OEMs, integrators building managed service platforms, or developers who need to ship firmware with specific defaults pre-configured.

Which models support which capabilities

Frequently asked questions

Will installed packages survive a firmware upgrade?

Yes, if you enable Package Restore in System → Package Manager before upgrading, and check Keep Settings in the Firmware page. The router will reinstall all previously installed packages after the firmware update completes. Without both options enabled, packages will not be reinstalled.

How much storage do packages use?

Package sizes vary from a few kilobytes (Events Reporting: 12 KB) to over 1.5 MB (BGP Daemon). The WebUI Package Manager displays current flash usage and the size of each package before installation. On the RUT200 with 16 MB flash, you can typically install several packages simultaneously. The RUTC series has 8 GB flash and is not meaningfully constrained by package storage.

Can I install packages without an internet connection?

Yes. Download the package file for your specific model and firmware version from the Teltonika Package Downloads pages on the wiki. Use the Upload section in System → Package Manager to install offline. Only packages signed for your exact device and firmware version will install correctly.

What is the difference between Package Manager packages and opkg packages?

Package Manager packages are Teltonika-signed software, tested and supported on RutOS. opkg gives access to the broader OpenWrt package repository, which contains thousands of additional Linux utilities. opkg packages are not tested or supported by Teltonika. Both install to the same flash storage.

Can I run Python scripts on my Teltonika router?

Yes. Install Python 3 via opkg (opkg update && opkg install python3-light), then run your scripts over SSH or call them from a User Script at boot. On the RUTC series, a Python application can also run inside a Docker container, which is the cleaner approach for more complex applications as it isolates dependencies from the base system.

Does Docker work on the RUT956 or RUTX50?

No. Docker requires the RUTC series hardware (RUTC40, RUTC41, RUTC50). These models have a more powerful CPU (dual-core ARM Cortex-A53 at 1.3 GHz), 1 GB of RAM, and 8 GB of flash specifically to support container workloads. The RUT956 and RUTX50 use different hardware platforms that do not support the Docker runtime.

Related products and further reading

If Docker support is a requirement for your project, the RUTC series is the right starting point. The RUTC40 covers global 4G deployments, the RUTC41 covers European 4G with integrated eSIM, and the RUTC50 adds 5G. For deployments where Package Manager and scripting are sufficient, the full Teltonika 4G router range applies. Call us on 0300 124 6181 for help selecting the right model for your application.