Software installation¶

In this section, we will install all the necessary software and ensure the system is prepared to run it. The next section will discuss the programs’ usage.

Preparing the device¶

Connect your Raspberry Pi to a router either using WiFi (Raspberry Pi 3) or LAN cable (all versions). Also plug in the SDR (software defined radio; rtlsdr dongle), and attach the LNA and antenna. If you want to use a keyboard and a monitor, hook those up as well.

Downloading the installer kit¶

The installer and its files are now distributed as part of the Outernet L-band Service on Raspberry Pi respository on GitHub. Download the latest stable version and extract it:

$ tar xvf master.tar.gz

Running the installer¶

Enter the unpacked directory and run the installer:

$ cd outernet-rpi-lband-master
$ sudo ./installer.sh

The installer will ask you a few things.

Configure udev¶

The radio devices are accessible only to root user by default. If you wish to run the Outernet software as a non-root user (recommended), you should answer y to this question. Udev will be reconfigured so that the radio device is accessible to non-root users.

Note

If you choose to have the installer reconfigure udev, you will also need to reconnect the radio for the changes to take effect.

Choose cache and storage paths¶

Cache path is where the decoder stores partial downloads. The storage directory is where completed downloads will be written. If you wish to customize these paths, then enter the correct paths. Otherwise, press Enter to accept the defaults.

You can also have the installer create these paths for you. When you choose this option, the directories are created, and also set to 777 permissions. You can either answer with n to this question, and create the paths yourself with appropriate permissions, or answer y to have the installer take care of it.

Install the web-based interface¶

The installer can install and configure the web-based interface called Librarian. This is not necessary to receive files, and you can always set up your own methods of accessing the files (e.g., FTP, HTTP server, etc). If you wish to try Librarian out, answer y to this question.

Warning

If you choose to install the web-based interface, your Raspbian install will be upgraded to Jessie testing. The process may take a while to complete, and many packages that are completely unrelated will be upgraded (e.g., Libre Office). Also note that build tools will be installed in the process. This is a requirement for some of the packages that Librarian depends on.

Uninstalling the software¶

To uninstall the software, run the installer and pass uninstall argument:

$ cd outernet-rpi-lband-master
$ sudo ./installer.sh uninstall

Note

Uninstalling does not remove downloaded files or settings.