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ASL3 Appliance Installation

Raspberry Pi Imager

You must use the Raspberry Pi Imager, even if you prefer another imager, and carefully follow the instructions below. Failure to do so will result in a system that won't boot or that will not allow logins.

Note: these instructions assume that you are using the Raspberry Pi Imager, version 2.0.0 (or later)

You will install an image on a microSD card and go. This is the simplest install. For most nodes, the menus will walk you through the setup.

SD Card Size

A minimum SD card size of 4G is required and it is recommended to use at least an 8G SD card.

Step-by-Step Pi Appliance Setup

These directions are specific for Windows, but in general should work the same for the same tool set on macOS and Linux. For each screenshot below, click on the image for a larger version.

NOTE: For this example, the hostname used shall be node63001 and the node number is 63001. Replace "63001" with your node number as you proceed through these directions.

  • If you do not already have it installed, install the Raspberry Pi Imager

  • Launch Raspberry Pi Imager from the start menu

  • Click on APP OPTIONS

    Step 1

  • Click on "Content Repository" EDIT

    Step 2

  • From the "Content Repository" window :

    • Click on Use custom URL
    • In the text box, enter https://rpi.allstarlink.org/latest.json
    • Click on APPLY & RESTART

    Step 3

  • Choose the type of Raspberry Pi hardware on which AllStarLink 3 Appliance is being installed and click on NEXT

    Step 4

  • Choose the AllStarLink operating system and click on NEXT

    Step 5

  • Connect the SD card or the SD card in a USB adapter to the computer. You should see the media associated with the SD card named something such as "USB DISK 3.0 Media" (or "Mass Storage Device USB Device") and the size should reflect that of the SD card. Click on that entry and then NEXT

    Step 6

  • For "Choose hostname", enter your hostname for the device to appear as on the network. In this example, node63001 is used. Unless you have another naming convention for AllStarLink nodes, use the nodeNNNNN format. Once entered, click on NEXT

    Step 7

  • For "Localisation", enter a Capital city, Time zone, and Keyboard layout for the device. Once entered, click on NEXT

    Step 8

  • For "Choose username", enter a Username and Password for the device. It is recommended to set the username to asl if you have no strong feeling about the username. Choose a good password and record the password somewhere safe. Once entered, click on NEXT

    Step 9

NO DEFAULT USER

There is NO default username and password included in the image. Failure to set an account will require a re-image of the SD card with the proper settings.

  • For "Choose Wi-Fi", if the device will be connected to Wi-Fi, enter the name of the wireless network in SSID and the password for that network in Password. Once entered (or if you will not be using Wi-Fi), click on NEXT

    Step 10

  • For SSH authentication, make certain to Enable SSH. Here, you also have the choice of using password or public key authentication. Once entered, click on NEXT

    Step 11

  • The last step is Write Image. When you click on NEXT the application will write the image to the SD card.

    Step 12

  • Depending on the speed of the computer and the type of SD card, one will have time for a beverage of their choice. When the write is complete, eject the card, remove the card from computer and insert it into the Pi. If using a USB adapter for the SD card, remove the SD card from the adapter and insert the card into the Pi. The Pi will not use the SD card in the USB adapter

  • Power on the Pi. The Pi will soon start to boot and perform a set of one-time setup actions. These actions include establishing the initial configuration, updating any pre-installed packages, and may include one or more reboots. While you may be able to ping the device within the first few minutes, or log in via SSH or Cockpit, you should still plan to wait 20–30 minutes and avoid making any configuration changes until the first-boot setup has completed.

  • (Optional) Network connectivity may be tested using the command to ping the hostname set in Step 10. For example, if the hostname set was node63001 then do ping -4 node63001.local from a command prompt or PowerShell window. When you get a response, the host is connected to the network

    Step 19

  • Open the browser on your computer and navigate to https://nodeNNNNN.local. In this example the name was node63001 then one would enter https://node63001.local. Your Pi and your computer must be on the same LAN for this to work. Use the IP address rather than the hostname if the Pi is on a remote network or the hostname is unreachable. Depending on your network and browser, one may have to enter the name several times until the page is displayed. The first connection will report a message that "Your connection isn't private". For the Pi appliance, this is acceptable. Click on Advanced and then Continue to node63001.local (unsafe). This only must be done the first time

    Step 20

  • The AllStarLink Launchpad will appear. Clicking on Web Admin Portal will take one to the web-based administration portal that includes a web-based SSH client for using asl-menu and other commands. Clicking on Node Links will take one to the Allmon3 interface. Clicking on ASL Manual will take one to the top of this manual

    Step 21

  • To setup the new node, click on Web Admin Portal. Similar to Step 20, click Advanced and Continue to node63001.local (unsafe) to see the logon box. This only must be done the first time. Enter the username and password configured during the imaging process above. Click Log in

    Step 22

  • The Overview tab is displayed. Using the Web Admin Portal (Cockpit) with AllStarLink is covered in the manual. At the top, click on Turn on administrative access

    Step 23

    Enter the password again when prompted and click Authenticate

    Step 23B

  • The web-based SSH console appears as Terminal at the bottom of the left scrollable menu. Click it and an SSH terminal console will appear:

    Step 24

The Terminal window is a complete interface to AllStarLink, Asterisk, and more. No SSH client is required although use of SSH directly is fully supported.

Quick Config via ASL-Menu

The node may now be configured. New users or those wanting a quick start experience should use the asl-menu utility with sudo asl-menu.

Web ASL Menu 1

The menu will appear:

Web ASL Menu 2

Proceed from here with the Node Settings option in order to configure your node number and choose/configure your audio interface.

Asterisk Console

To start the asterisk console from the Terminal window enter sudo asterisk -rv.

Web Ast Console

Software Updates

One should also apply any latest updates and reboot the device as described in Cockpit Updates.

Allmon3 Default Login

Allmon3 does not include a pre-configured username and password combination.

To use Allmon3, you must add a login:

  • Launch Web Admin Portal (aka Cockpit) by going to https://node63001.local:9090
  • Open the Terminal
  • Type sudo allmon3-passwd <new user login> to set the new user login. Type the new password when prompted.
  • Type sudo systemctl restart allmon3 to load the new login.

Details on updating the login(s) and other Allmon3 settings can be found in the Allmon3 section of the manual.

Logging Out

When finished with the admin system, click on Session in the upper right and then choose Logout.

Node Configuration

If you haven't already, the next step is to configure your node settings. YouTuber Freddie Mac has a nice ASL3 installation and configuration video. See https://youtu.be/aeuj-yI8qrU. Also see ASL3 Menu for details.