WiFi AP/Extender using an old RPi

Here's a sing-a-along with RaspAP quick start @ raspap.com/#quick.    Official RaspPi OS install info @ www.raspberrypi.org/help/quick-start-guide.../. 
Both seems to get easier each time I visit.

1. Flash RaspOS 32-bit Lite to SD card Raspberry Pi Imager (or similar) - Approx ~5 mins

2. <Boot da Pi>

3. On initial boot, RaspOS will resize FS .  Initial login is pi/raspberry.
   Hit return if it's sitting for a long time - I had one that didn't prompt for login

4. Update - Approx 5 mins
   
   

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

5. Install your favorite editor
   
   sudo apt-get install joe

6. Post install cleanup via raspi-config 

1. • System Options:

     • Change pi password

     • Set Hostname

   • Interface Options:

     • Enable SSH

   • Localisation Options (season to taste)

     • Locale = en_US.UTF-8, UTF-8

     • Set Timezone 

     • Keyboard = US

     • WLAN (WiFi) Country code

   • Performance/Overclock set to:

Modest 800MHz ARM, 250MHz core, 400MHz SDRAM, 0 overvolt

1. • Update Raspi-config tools

7. Time for a Boot

sudo reboot

RaspAP Config (relative to v2.8.3)

Connect via browser @ http://<IP suitiepi> 

Login Screen - Initial login is admin/secret.

Settings (remember to "Save Settings" when tweaking in here):

• Dashboard:  Nice!

• Hotspot Settings (I use 802.11n - 2.4GHz on old Pi w/ EDIMAX Wifi Adapter)

  • Basic:  Set SSID, Mode & Channel (I use Mac OSX Wireless Diagnostics to find best channel)

  • Security:  WPA2, CCMP & set PSK

  • Advanced:  Set MAX Clients & Set Country Code

  • Ad Blocking:  Enable blocklists 

• DHCP Server Settings

  • Adjust IP Subnet (Start/Stop IP Address & lease time)

  • I also change DNS Server 1 & 2 to 9.9.9.9 (quad9.net) and 8.8.8.8 (google dns)
    (the default, 1.1.1.1 is blocked by TDS, our ISP)

• Ad Blocking:  Give it a try!   Enable blocklists

• Networking:  

  • eth0 Tab:  DHCP (SuitiePi IP is reserved in our router)

  • wlan0 Tab:  I set static IP, gateways and DNS to 9.9.9.9 in another attempt to avoid 1.1.1.1.  (see Struggles below)

• WiFi client:  No change

• Authentication:  Set Admin UC/PW

• Change Theme:  Default is fine

• Data Usage:  Nice!

• System:  Nice

Related Networking Note:   I also added a static route for SuiteiPi's subnet in the router upstream of SuitiePi AP.   SuitiePi is gateway IP for All traffic destined for AP subnet. 

Mar 2022 Note - Attempted upgrade from 2.5 to 2.8.3 on the RPI1 Model B ... more to it than expected ... ACK!  it was a mess!  I won't do THAT again!

Ended up doing a fresh Install with latest RaspOS and RaspAP ... even THAT was a struggle but eventually got it working again (some Voodoo).    VERY STRANGE RaspAP UI Issues (e.g. Channel # was blank/invalid and could not be set via browser + more) and odd looking Linux config (e.g. wlan0 appeared to be missing?!?)  ... Soooo ... I ran initial Bullseye/RaspOS and RaspAP quick install on a RPI3 Model B+ w/ built-in WiFi THEN moved the SD card to the RPI1 Model B w/ USB WiFi adapter.  

It all started like this ....

Did one of these:  curl -sL https://install.raspap.com | bash -s -- --upgrade
Still had to answer quick installer questions ... *and* review/touch-up config after upgrade.  Luckily, I had this recipe!

1. Login was reset to "admin/secret" ... but it was an UPGRADE!  This threw me!   Go to menu-item "Authentication" to set it to your own 

2.  Hostspot Settings:  SSID & Security seemed fine (mine), but could not set the channel?  Can't type or pulldown channel, its now "invalid" if I try to save settings! 
   Hotspot is now inactive!  Something is going on with the UI ... I'm seeing differences when attempting to config via Chromium or Firefox browsers!

3. DHCP Server Settings:  These are AFU too!    When I attempted cleanup config - my subnet start/stop, dns servers, etc - data entry seemed OK, but fields were empty again the next time I visited the screen!  "I'm SURE I just set them" sort of 3-stooges scenario ... set the fields and the values disappear!

4. Networking Settings:  Current Settings for eth0 and wlan0 were completely blank!

5. <<< ABORT ABORT - THIS IS A FRIGGIN MESS!  Time to Rebuild - I FORGOT to create a Disk Image of the old/good SuitiePI!!!   >>>>

December 2020 - Needed an itsy, bitsy browser on the basement TV.  Will see if Pi2 has enough horsepower to play exercise videos too ...

• SuitiePi V2:  All of above RaspAP stuff PLUS chromium kiosk from step by step @ https://die-antwort.eu/techblog/2017-12-setup-raspberry-pi-for-kiosk-mode/ (if that doesn't work: pimylifeup.com/raspberry-pi-kiosk/)

• Notes as I go ... will incorporate changes into above recipe

  • Raspberry Pi OS Lite

    • Dowloaded 2020-12-02-raspios-buster-armhf-lite.zip

    • A few Raspi-Config changes, they rearranged some options

  • RaspAP

    • Installed 2.5.2 version, step by step above seemed fine

    • Still no internet access after install/config - details are below (Sept 2020 issue also)

      • Had to AGAIN modify /var/www/html/includes/defaults.php
        changed ...

'RASPI_ACCESS_CHECK_IP' => '1.1.1.1',

'RASPI_ACCESS_CHECK_DNS' => 'one.one.one.one',

to ...

'RASPI_ACCESS_CHECK_IP' => '9.9.9.9',

'RASPI_ACCESS_CHECK_DNS' => 'dns.quad9.net',

• • Kiosk:  This was a BIG FAIL but I'll keep install notes here in case I ever revisit
    singing along with https://die-antwort.eu/techblog/2017-12-setup-raspberry-pi-for-kiosk-mode/

    • Install X Server and Window Manager

sudo apt-get install --no-install-recommends xserver-xorg x11-xserver-utils xinit openbox

• • • Install Web Browser

sudo apt-get install --no-install-recommends chromium-browser

• • • Configure Openbox by editing /etc/xdg/openbox/autostart
      
      

# TPed was here - The following cut/pasted for kiosk pi#       
# Disable any form of screen saver / screen blanking / power management
xset s off
xset s noblank
xset -dpms

# Allow quitting the X server with CTRL-ATL-Backspace
setxkbmap -option terminate:ctrl_alt_bksp
# Start Chromium in kiosk mode
sed -i 's/"exited_cleanly":false/"exited_cleanly":true/' ~/.config/chromium/'Local State'
sed -i 's/"exited_cleanly":false/"exited_cleanly":true/; s/"exit_type":"[^"]\+"/"exit_type":"Normal"/' ~/.config/chro
chromium-browser --disable-infobars --kiosk 'http://ventures.tpedersen.net/errata/raspberrypi/<start page>'

• • • Start it up to test via startx --
      Oh My!  it is Sloooooowww!  It barely runs videos on RPi3+!!!  My GramPi plays videos better!

    • ToDo List - Looking at alternative light/fast browser/kiosk things

      • kweb minimal kiosk - https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=40860

      • Another chromium kiosk how2 @ https://pimylifeup.com/raspberry-pi-kiosk/

      • may also have to work on resolution of target TV - old 720p plasma in basement

      • <NO more here ... I quit, will regroup!>

September 2020 - Rebuild due to Micro SD failure

• RaspAP Install recipe worked fine .... BUT no internet access?!?  Due to a Change in RaspAP?!

  • https://github.com/billz/raspap-webgui/pull/620 added internet check

  • Default check was see if cloudflare dns server was alive - 1.1.1.1

  • Our ISP blocks 1.1.1.1, so pings fail and RaspAP would never marked internet up!

  • The Fix was to change 1.1.1.1 to something that works - I used quad9 (9.9.9.9)

    1. Found Access Check option in /var/www/html/includes/defaults.php
       changed ...

'RASPI_ACCESS_CHECK_IP' => '1.1.1.1',
'RASPI_ACCESS_CHECK_DNS' => 'one.one.one.one',
to ...
'RASPI_ACCESS_CHECK_IP' => '9.9.9.9',
'RASPI_ACCESS_CHECK_DNS' => 'dns.quad9.net', 

June 2020 - Attempted/Gave up on RPiPlay!   SuitiePi is back to RaspAP on old RPI v1 Model B.    Used a $25 Roku to smarten old  TV!

• RPiPlay - Attempted to add screen Mirroring (Airplay) capabilities to SuitiePi.  Guests could cast to TV in basement suite

  • Build executable using README.md Via SSH (remember to sudo!)  

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

Install editor - no like nano.
sudo apt-get install joe
<reboot>

sudo apt-get install git
git clone https://github.com/FD-/RPiPlay.git
cd RPiPlay
sudo apt-get install cmake
sudo apt-get install libavahi-compat-libdnssd-dev
sudo apt-get install libssl-dev
mkdir build
cd build
cmake ..
make

• • Run/Test

    • Test using fully qualified executable
      /home/pi/RPiPlay/build/rpiplay -n AppleTV -a hdmi 

    • Connect with iphone using Screen Sharing on pull-up control/gadget screen *not* airplay share icon! ... Works pretty well!

    • Argh!  AppleTV wont play movies!  Message box:
      Cannot Play Movie
      The Connected display is
      not authorized to play
      protected movies  

May 2020 - Attempted Super SuitiePi using  dietpi, hostapd and kodi for more entertainment!  ... FAIL, remnants below

Software

• Dietpi.com - My Favorite!  Download latest RPI version (Donate!)

• Etcher.io - Much easier way to flash OS images to SD 

• Hostapd (Wifi Access Point) provided in DietPi Optimized Software

• TV/Entertainment services via Kodi option in DietPi Optimized Software
  
  

Step-by Step

• Download latest DietPi and Etcher.  Follow DietPi Quickstart Guide
  // used DietPi_RPi-ARMv6-Buster.7z (~110MB Download) //

• Config DietPi using keyboard and monitor

• Install editor - no like nano.  apt-get install joe

• Quick Kludge/Fix - Dietpi added network check that is a real pain ... attempts to ping 1.1.1.1, which appears to be blocked by our ISP (tds), stops updates and dietpi config/software in its tracks

  • Edit /boot/dietpi.txt - Code block looks like this:

# General connection and DNS testing

# - IP to ping when checking network connectivity. Default: 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare DNS, should be very fast world-wide)

# TPed Mod - TDS blocks 1.1.1.1, I have to use similar - quad9.net

CONFIG_CHECK_CONNECTION_IP=9.9.9.9

# - Domain to ping when checking DNS resolver. Default: one.one.one.one (Cloudflare DNS domain, see above)

CONFIG_CHECK_DNS_DOMAIN=quad9.net

• via Dietpi-Software 

  • install following - all under Software Optimized

    • Media Systems - Kodi

    • Wifi Hotspot (hostapd)

    • System Stats/Management - RPi-Monitor (web interface system status 

  • Install: Go >> Start installation for selected software

  • Dietpi-config 

    • Hostapd via Network Adapters 

      • SSID+password

      • Country

      • Channel (scan for best using Mac Wireless Diagnostics)

      • DON'T FORGET to APPLY (save changes and restart networking)

    • Normal dietpi tweaks

      • Audio -> onboard HDMI (rpi-bcm2835-auto)

      • Language/Regional -> US Local, Timezone & keyboard for me

      • Security Options -> change passwords & set hostname

      • Auto Start -> Kodi
        
        

• Shutdown and move to final Subnet/Resting place 

  • Switch to SSH access for rest of setup at this point

• Manual Tweaks

  • Connected PanelPi (Rpi0) to Hostapd,  

    • Edit /etc/dhcp/dhcpd.conf to pre-assign IP so I can find that little Pi ...
      
      

# TPed Add - Reserve IP for our PanelPi 

host panelpi {
hardware Polish up ethernet xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:x;
fixed-address 192.168.xx.xx;
}

• • • Added static route to upstream router and can now access Rpi0 via SuitiePi AP subnet

  • Had to edit /etc/hostapd/hostapd.conf to get hostapd_cli working CLI for hostapd status and such)

    • Added ctrl_interface and group - can't recall where I found this.  ctrl_Interface is path to hostapd.pid, not sure what group is ... but it works!
      
      

# TPed Add - enable hostapd_cli client 

ctrl_interface=/run/hostapd
ctrl_interface_group=0

• • Season RPi-Monitor display to taste - edit /etc/rpimonitor/data.conf

    • Uncomment wlan.conf line - we want to see wlan activity

    • Comment dhtll.conf line - some sort of temp sensor.  Adds "Living Room" page - drove me nuts!

  • Good Time to Boot and check work so far

    • RPi-Monitor should work to both SuitePi and PanelPi

    • journalctl -u hostapd should also show PanelPi mac address authenticated & associated

    • hostapd_cli list_sta will also show active mac addresses

• RPiPlay:  Sing-a-Long @ https://github.com/FD-/RPiPlay

  • Looks like cc compile opportunity, install some development stuff via dietpi-software (software-additional)

    • Build-Essentials, Git-Client and UnRar

    • <reboot, of course!>

  • Building (as root)

git clone https://github.com/FD-/RPiPlay.git

apt-get install cmake
apt-get install libavahi-compat-libdnssd-dev
cd RPiPlay
mkdir build
cd build
cmake ..

CRAP!  No ilclient in dietpi? This is nuts!  Switching back to Raspbian for a while.  Dietpi seems to be more trouble than its worth!

March 2020 - back at it.  SuitiePi has been working quite well, some periodic failings (unable to connect), but overall pretty good.   Added a static host (rpi0) to help me reach some hardwired sensors our home

• Switched to RPi model 2, Kodi takes more power & SuitiePi is now integral part of Smart home (good or bad?!).  

• no more shairport-sync for now, we'll see what Kodi can do 

• Rpi-Monitor added 

• Connected PanelPi (Rpi0) to Hostapd,  

  • Edit /etc/dhcp/dhcpd.conf to pre-assign IP so I can find that little Pi ...
    
    

host panelpi {

hardware ethernet xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:x;
fixed-address 192.168.xx.xx;
}

• • Added static route to upstream router and can now access Rpi0 via SuitiePi AP subnet

Now to figure out Kodi:

Lots of struggles w/ EDIMAX adapter on Model B Pi ... switching to PI 2 for shortrun

WHOOPS - PI2 is missing - used for MoviePI @ my parents (play fam movies from google drive with VCR-Like Remote!)

Switched to Pi 3 for 

Ghadzooks!  This is complicated!  Combination of arm6 vs arm7 and EDIMAX adapter may be too much for dietpi.  Makes me grumpy, I had this working on Pi 2 w/EDIMAX adapter - wasn't that hard!!  I forgot to take image of sd card - ARG!!  

Notes (so I can retrace my steps)

• Attempting to install over dietpi REALLY want to use a Pi Model B here if I can

• Configures and comes up fine 

• Kernel Panic when first client connects - fully connects, pass auth completes

• Switching to Raspian Lite (buster) - to eliminate diet pi 

• Must be Arm6 - Raspian Lite's Kernel Panic's and dies too!

• Back to DietPi on a RPI 3

• <I'm sooo confused!  this one is a pain!>

Step by Step

// Attempting on Mod B w/ edimax & 8g SD //

- Download DietPi (of course)

- DietPi install (.5 - 45mins)

- Change a couple of passwords

- upgrades itself

// Approx 15 mins //

Dietpi Software/Dietpi Config

- Config cleanup 

--- Performance/Overclocking/Safe 900MHz (2over)

--- Advanced/Update firmware

--- Language/Locale/Timezone/Keyboard

--- Security/Hostname

--- Network - turned off IPV6 (for heck of it)

<reboot>

Dietpi Software

-- WiFi Hotspot (Hostapd)

-- Rpi-Monitor

-- Remember to Start Installation

Links 

- https://willhaley.com/blog/raspberry-pi-hotspot-ew7811un-rtl8188cus/

- https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/downloads/pdf/setting-up-a-raspberry-pi-as-a-wifi-access-point.pdf

Odd things to figure out - Dietpi v6.19.7

Raspberry Pi Model B hostapd dies - Kernel Panic

# journalctl -u hostapd

-- Logs begin at Thu 2016-11-03 12:16:43 CDT, end at Sat 2018-12-15 08:03:09 CST

. --

Dec 15 08:01:30 SuitiePi systemd[1]: Starting LSB: Advanced IEEE 802.11 management daemon...

Dec 15 08:01:31 SuitiePi hostapd[965]: Starting advanced IEEE 802.11 management:hostapdIllegal instruction

Dec 15 08:01:31 SuitiePi hostapd[965]: failed!

Dec 15 08:01:31 SuitiePi systemd[1]: Started LSB: Advanced IEEE 802.11 management daemon.

------------------------------------

Uninstalled hostapd and FINALLY got regular wifi working (adapter was chronically DISABLED) ... interesting wlan0 state ... both networks showing - hostap was ..42.1/24 and normal net 192.168.11. :

root@SuitiePi:~# ip a

1: lo: <LOOPBACK,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 65536 qdisc noqueue state UNKNOWN group default qlen 1000

    link/loopback 00:00:00:00:00:00 brd 00:00:00:00:00:00

    inet 127.0.0.1/8 scope host lo

       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever

    inet6 ::1/128 scope host 

       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever

2: eth0: <NO-CARRIER,BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP> mtu 1500 qdisc pfifo_fast state DOWN group default qlen 1000

    link/ether b8:27:eb:63:0d:47 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff

3: wlan0: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 1500 qdisc mq state UP group default qlen 1000

    link/ether 74:da:38:8b:2e:0b brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff

    inet 192.168.42.1/24 brd 192.168.42.255 scope global wlan0

       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever

    inet 192.168.11.64/24 brd 192.168.11.255 scope global wlan0

       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever

    inet6 fe80::76da:38ff:fe8b:2e0b/64 scope link 

       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever