Show network on wifi and usb ethernet, uplink over built-in ethernet

[jimcortez]

Hello!

I am building a system that is (gasp!) not a holiday display. It is meant to run at a big arts festival in the desert in late August. I am trying to get the system configured for maximum portability as it will be off-grid during the event, but on-grid during my development.

My current setup:

• raspberry pi 4
• DS3231 RTC (battery to keep time, there is no internet at showtime)
• custom spidev-based LED controller for *some* of the lights (ancient macetech octobar)
• USB ethernet adapter, plugged into a dedicated networking switch
• 3 Quinled Digiquad WLED ESP32 controllers. 2 connected to ethernet via networking switch, 1 connected via wifi
• use xlights to upload and configure models/sequences

What I am trying to do:

• set up a show network that will work without any uplink to the internet whatsoever
• enable wifi tethering (wlan0) for one of the quinled controllers, but still allowing phones to connect for maintenance
• enable usb ethernet (eth1) to serve DHCP to the hardwired controllers via the networking switch
• enable the built-in ethernet (eth0) to be connected to my home network when I am home and debugging
• allow all devices connected to the eth1 or wlan0 to access the internet if it is available

The problem:

• I am trying to not deviate too much from the UI-based setup. When I tried tweaking systemd networking config file manually, it seemed some things got overwritten, causing some havoc.
• I can enable tethering on wlan0 without issue
• I can enable a static IP (192.168.10.1) on the usb ethernet (eth1) and the DHCP server option doles out IP's
• I have tried enabling the IP Forward and DNS/Masquerade on every combination of interface that seems reasonable, none of the devices get networking.
• Once the eth1 and wlan0 interfaces are set up, the PI itself cannot access anything beyond the 192.168.1.X space, no 8.8.8.8 and no other subnets on my network.

What is the recommended configuration for my setup? I have tried the most recent 7.0 release and not had any additional luck over the 6.0 release.

PS - thanks to all for this amazing system, it has actually saved me an incredible amount of setup for this art piece.

[JonD]

• set up a show network that will work without any uplink to the internet whatsoever

This should be possible

• enable wifi tethering (wlan0) for one of the quinled controllers, but still allowing phones to connect for maintenance

Would probably need more information on what you are trying to do.

• enable usb ethernet (eth1) to serve DHCP to the hardwired controllers via the networking switch

I personally use static IPs, but there is a DHCP server check box on each network interface.  You would need advanced UI turned on, but you mentioned IP forwarding so you most likely already have it turned on.   Never used it, but it looks possible. 

• enable the built-in ethernet (eth0) to be connected to my home network when I am home and debugging

To be connect to your home network, your eth0 would need to be within the same IP address range as your home network, or properly routed (which quite possibly would require a static route entered on your home router) Most likely doable.

• allow all devices connected to the eth1 or wlan0 to access the internet if it is available

Probably doable with IP forwarding.

A network map of each device and all the IPs you are trying to use would be helpful.

When I tried tweaking systemd networking config file manually

Be careful tweaking files manually.  FPP realistically needs updated all the time.  FPP OS updates often wipe out manual settings.  It is always better to stay within the settings FPP offers if you can.  If you do modify settings manually, make sure you document them well, as you will most likely have to setup them back up after every OS upgrade.

[jnealand]

You might look at portable travel routers that will run off a USB connection for power.  Here is one example. https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Wireless-Portable-Travel-Router/dp/B00TQEX8BO/ref=sr_1_3?crid=27L218WTA90WK&keywords=hootoo+tripmate+nano+wireless+travel+router&qid=1690641292&sprefix=hootoo+wireless+travel+router%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-3

Or consider an FPP based Pi using tethering. 

I've done both.

[jimcortez]

Someone on this post helped: https://falconchristmas.com/forum/index.php?topic=16267

For those joining later, when you configure your usb ethernet (eth1) device, set it up static, but remove any value in the gateway field. It will auto-populate, but remove it anyway. Once I did this, everything worked as intended.