Outernet In A Box Display

[kenbarbi]

Since the temporary demise of my Alpha Lantern, I have had to turn my attention to my Outernet In A Box running on a Windows 10 platform to download files.

Previously, I had only used Outernet In A Box to verify the performance of LNAs and SDRs. I never took it the next step to see the contents of downloaded files. I naturally assumed they would display in some sort of a Librarian format, but never tried it. I come to discover they just download to your platform - - I was mistaken.

Well not a problem, I used the UwAmp web server that came with my Rachel on a Stick to view the files:

and

Look familiar??

Why not make some slight modifications to the existing Librarian (which is the web server running on the Pis and CHIPs) to run on the Outernet In A Box host platforms just as it runs on the Pi3s and CHIPs, and make them available within the Outernet In A Box downloads for each host?

I think this would be easier than one of us reinventing the wheel with one of the numerous available web servers on the internet. Ken

[Syed]

Librarian’s biggest issue is that it requires a database (postgresql). That eats up a ton of system resources on a single core ARM processor. That’s why Skylark is not much more than a file server.

Eventually Outernet in a Box will include a Skylark interface.

[wsombeck]

Hi Ken, I did it the other way round: Rachel (and some other useful stuff) are sitting on the stick and served by rxos:

Since I did not get the C.H.I.P running, all is powered by a PI3.

Wolfgang

[kenbarbi]

I see what you did Wolfgang. You used the rxOS on the Pi3 to run Rachel from your Rachel Stick - - correct?

I use the Rachel Stick’s UwAmp web server to view my Outernet In A Box files that downloaded to my Windows 10 machine. From the Read Me Text File - - the files that should start showing up in C:\Outernet\cache (only hash names) and C:\Outernet\downloads (once they finish) can be read individually on my Windows 10 machine.

I was displaying the Outernet files in a “Librarian like” fashion on my Windows 10 machine with Rachel’s web server program UwAmp.

Back to Syed’s point, I know about the data base issue on a single core ARM processor, but I’m on a more powerful processor and terrabits of storage in the computer, so I don’t thats a problem.

Does what I’m trying to do make sense? Ken

[Syed]

Right, we actively encourage experimentation like this, it’s just that we can’t support it. Tiny team and mile-long to-do list…

[kenbarbi]

OK - - that’s good.

I’ll see what I can come up beyond what I already have working. Ken

[kenbarbi]

I’m implementing your idea as we speak for Skylark. Transferring the 32 GB Rachel USB files will take some time, but in the end, I’ll be able to see them in Skylark along with Outernet downloads. Then - - one box with a world of information in it!!

Using the Outernet’s Skylark version in my CHIP won’t create the same problems the CHIP had with its database under the rxOS program. I presume the Pi doesn’t have the same database problem the CHIP has. Ken

[wsombeck]

Sounds good, Ken. You are right, the Pi runs fine: http://Obereip.selfhost.de , if it´s online. Sometimes the wifi to my router stops. I had to place the whole setup to a more remote place, where the L-Band-Antenna is able to see the Alphasat between to uphill houses nearby. From there it is connected via repeater to my main router. I guess, in summer i am going to setup a wired connection instead to have it more stable.
Concerning the software setup it seems to run quickly. Have a look at the music or audiobook section. This is a really beautiful implementation in the Librarian-Interface.
I wish, i could add a Wikipedia in Kiwix-style, but I have no idea, how this could be done. Also, the ebook-section coud be much more beautiful using a prepared static “calibre”-library with the “COPS”-interface.
Wolfgang
https://calibre-ebook.com/
https://calibre2opds.com/
http://www.kiwix.org/

[kenbarbi]

Hello Wolfgang

Let me ask you what is your file structure under Rachel (on the USB stick you have plugged into your PPi) to get your first display. Here’s what I have (which includes the Rachel Server - - but I don’t think you are using it):

Fist Level:

Second Level:
Third Level:

The above is what I put on my Outernet dedicated USB stick which I use in my Lantern plugged into my CHIP computer.

Thanks for help - - it is greatly appreciated. Ken

[wsombeck]

Hello Ken,
no problem:

1. The File structure of the running Outernet as seen by FTP:
   
   
   
   Obviously, the Outernet-related directories have been created by the rxos on starting the first time after plugging in the stick. To be honest, I was surprised, that this works as neatly now :-))
2. The first level on the stick, when it is connected to my local PC:
   
   
3. The structure of the “Rachel”-directory:
   
   

Hope that helps,

Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you and your family,

Wolfgang

[kenbarbi]

Thank you Wolfgang

You “broke the code”. I didn’t think to ask which version of the Rachel 32GB USB or Rachel Pi you were using. But mine is the Nov 2014 32 GB USB version, so I had to make a short introductory html file to redirect my Outernet directory to the actual data modules. Its at the top of my Rachel directory:

and reads:

This may be helpful to other doing the same thing.

Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Ken in Annapolis, Maryland

[wsombeck]

… looks nice! BTW: I strongly believe that my Rachel-Stick was dated Nov2014.
Wolfgang