Spawning from a discussion about "Safe and Well" on a mesh (http://www.aredn.org/content/safe-and-well-mesh), Dale suggested a custom EMCOMM Mesh Raspian Distro for Raspberry Pi would be cool, and I agree!
I'm not the most proficient RPi'er in the world but I'd be happy to figure out how to get a custom distro built, if I knew what should be in it.
Dale's Suggestions:
-Asterisk
-MeshChat
-VideoChat
-"PersonFinder"
-internet Proxy (SOCKS) server for authenticated internet access (instead of the "mesh gateway" all-or-none option)
My addition:
- winlink relay (if there's a linux alternative? Suggestions??)
PersonFinder is Google's PersonFinder application, similar to the Red Cross's "Safe and Well" - see the referenced thread to read about that, and volunteer to help port it :P
I'd appreciate input in what works, what doesn't, and what should be included in a distribution.
Thanks!
Scott
KB5ZVP
Thanks for starting the thread.
73, Darryl
The recent versions of Free PBX gets pretty upset when there is no Internet connectivity - but I think that can be worked out, In fact, it must be worked out before general use. The Asterisk which runs repeaters is a different one. Some people may want that one instead. But I am of the opinion it would be better to have a separate PI (or whatever) running the repeater and using an Asterisk "trunk" between the mesh unit and the repeater unit. So I am happy with the Free PBX version being the one in the "package".
I'm a supporter and I'll be a customer !
Andre, K6AH
PS. I wouldn't mind seeing Nagios on the list ;-)
They key is having the FIRST one!
If, as I believe, it works without need to contact Corporate 'ownCloud' for anything other than the rare upgrade, the freeware version should be very functional at AREDN speeds. It almost works well in our rural 'upload deprived' ADSL environment.
it might be an easily supportable way to deploy a uniform, SQL(Lite) based, Document Management Center with a useful GUI interface, capable of mirroring NIMS and SIMS document libraries.
Just thinking out loud about subjects I need to know more about <g>
pax & 73
...dan wl7coo
I however use Zabbix these days as its 100% GUI (SQL backend) without a need for config files. But the flip side is this may be a bit too abusive for a Pi SD card
From the discussions so far, I've got:
- Google PeopleFinder - (Got it running locally anyway)
- askterisk - FreePBX seems to be the consensus?
- meshchat - this to run on the server, or on the node device?
- videochat - load it up and try it from the other forum?
- ownCloud (I've seen the how-to's on this)
Does that sound like a good starting point? Any other suggestions?
I'll throw a VoIP question here - I've got 1 PolyCom IP-550 phone laying around - which I think uses that funky verseion of VoIP protocol. Could I re-program this one or look for other gear?
Scott
KB5ZVP
There is really nothing "funky" about the IP-550, it's just an upgraded version of the IP300 series with more phone features. It is a standard SIP VoIP phone and can easily be configured for use on any standard Asterisk-based VoIP installation like FreePBX or Switchvox. I configure all the Polycom phones I work on via the web GUI, I just find it easier that standing up and maintaining a TFTP server and the necessary config files. Now it is possible the phone you have was "customized" for some specific VoIP provider or company, in that case it may need to factory reset it, but don't go this route till you have tired the GUI config approach. If you need some config pointers for that phone I'd be happy to assist off-forum.
Bill, N4SV
I'm super excited to see this. Thanks for taking this on!
BTW, KM4PSL, let's get your node pinned on the AREDN map. You'll be first in Georgia!
Andre
PeopleFInder, MeshChat, and VideoChat.
PeopleFinder isn't quite ready for primetime, so maybe we'll start by leaving it out and folding it in when it's more ready
VideoChat works as advertised
MeshChat, I get an error when clicking on the advertised service link: "Firefox can't establish a connection to the server at raspberrypi.local.mesh:8080" I've probably not set up a port forward or something?
I may be reaching the outer limits of my understandings - newbie and all - esp. with the network configurations
That being said, I think starting with MeshChat and VideoChat is as good a release point as anything.
Would a GitHub and/or Sourceforge project be helpful for folks to grab, modify, contribute? Suggestions? Does someone else wanna take over?
Scott
KB5ZVP
What would be the best way to distribute such an animal? I could re-install and then create a complete 4GB image (as I'd expended the file system to whatever size SD Card). But it's a mighty big download. I may have a website I could post it on - but I'm open to best ideas / practices for this group.
I'm completely ignorant about scripting, but would just making install scripts be better, and have them available somewhere.
And as I'm working with my PI, I'm thinking about designing a 12V "hat" with a couple power poles, a 5V regulator, and a 12-V POE injector all in the form factor of the Pi. Would anyone else be interested in having such an animal?
Scott
KB5ZVP
That sounds real similar to the How To article: http://www.aredn.org/content/use-ubiquiti-toughswitch-remotely-control-p...
Andre, K6AH
Scott
KB5ZVP
After some thought, the PeopleFinder app seems a bit onerous, esp. as I'm not a coder by trade, and it's a little too bloated I THINK to be really useful?
Only having 1 IP phone, I'm not sure I'll be too sucessful at working out the PBX functionality either, so basically I'd be down to looking at:
*Mesh Chat
*Video Chat
*NGinx Web Server
*OwnCloud
Since I'm in BBHN territory, there isn't much interest in AREDN around Austin yet, and it's definitely not on the EMCOMM radar just yet. So, still more input if that's not a good set.
Another thought MIGHT be to start perhaps a repository of setup scripts? They'd be smaller than trying to store entire images, and pretty much every deployment is gonna have it's own uniqueness? (I'm not a scripter either - so I'm learning that as well ;) )
73's
KE6UPI
it would be great if you could check that out. More information the better!
Scott
KB5ZVP
In the bigger wish list I could see a use for being able to make an RTL-SDR dongle available to the mesh, basic database with web setup so that if a shelter was opened it would not take much to quickly establish a basic database there. Similar to the old ARESdata program.
Some sort of gateway to legacy packet networks would be good and serve a couple of purposes. One it could offer a much wider reach for things like chat nodes, BBS access and winlink telepack connections.
Has the disk image being worked on been posted anywhere?
Thank you,
Brian N2KGC
Thanks,
Brian
if a finalized list of software has been identified for v.1, send it my way and I will put that and a few Pi3s in front of them to build on.
keith - AI6BX
Has anyone made any progress on this effort?
Bob
KO2F
73 de N4TNA