Possible to install FPP on a RPi with WiFi configured?

[rcowan]

Hello. As the subject asks, I'm wondering if FPP can be installed with an initial setting for the SSID, hostname, etc. My show is currently live and I am having issues with one of my Pis. It's currently on an older version of FPP (3.6) and I figured at this point I might as well just upgrade it. The problem is that it is mounted to the bottom of my F16V2 inside of the box with no easy ethernet access. I can get to the SD so that I can swap it out with a new FPP image, but without ethernet I won't be able to access it for the initial setup. Long story short, is there a way to configure the image with my SSID, etc., so that I can use Wifi to initially configure it?

[JonD]

I have not seen this feature, but never looked for it either.  If you replaced the SD card with a fresh new image, it seems like FPP will broadcast an adhoc SSID that you can connect to, and from there you can restore the backup.   Provided the backup was made without protection, the backup should contain the SSID and password.  I just don't know if it would restore a 3.6 backup image to a new version.  That one is pretty darn old.

Might wait for someone to correct me as this is not something I do personally and I could be giving you bad information, but it could be something to look into if no one else offers better advice.

[rcowan]

Thanks for the reply Jon. I'm aware of the WiFi tethering, which I think is what you are referring to. The manual states though that not all WiFi adapters support it, and I've been using this same hardware since 2016. Not sure if mine does or not. I guess I can flash a new SD, insert it, and see what happens.

[jnealand]

I doubt the backup could be restored so I would make screenshots of all the relevant config pages to make sure you can replicate the environment.  I try to do that every year at the end of the season, because my memory just aint what it used to be.  I just save them on my computer in a folder for that purpose only.

[Poporacer]

Hello. As the subject asks, I'm wondering if FPP can be installed with an initial setting for the SSID, hostname, etc.

No, it can't. There is a way to pre-configure Wi-Fi on Pi devices but not the BeagleBone based systems and the developers do not want to create different installation methods and files and complicate the installation process.

The manual states though that not all WiFi adapters support it,

But it also says that it is useful pn Raspberry Pi models that have an ON-BOARD Wi-Fi adapter. The statement refers to the USB Wi-Fi adapters that people will add to their FPP.

I guess I can flash a new SD, insert it, and see what happens.

That will work, but one thing that you need to be aware of is DO NOT connect the Ethernet cable to the Pi until after you get it all configured

[rcowan]

Thanks Poporacer. It's an old Pi and doesn't have WiFi onboard. I'm using a USB adapter for WiFi. Good tip on the ethernet. I'll be sure to disconnect it from the F16.