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Technical Notes - Library in a Box

Installation

Recommended installation of the eLibrary in a Box is just via microSD image copy (see microSD Card section below) as well as by inserting the microSD into the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B and powering it up. The microSD (at least 64GB) should be of high quality.

Setup

When deployed by partner organizations, the eLibrary in a Box is ready for use. However, should there be any need for further setup, access is either via ssh or desktop access (with HDMI monitor, USB mouse and keyboard).

Secure login credentials from your tech provider. Change default password ASAP.

  • include in /etc/hosts the following line:
172.24.1.1 library.ph

microSD Card

_ Using a reliable microSD reader, you may copy, backup or reproduce the contents (via image) of eLibrary Box. The source image itself may be shared via peer-to-peer connection or download. Contact [email protected] if interested in building your own Library in a Box using this method.

So, to have your own eLib in a Box,

  • (a) buy a Raspberry Pi 3 Beta Starter Kit and a microSD 64GB card
  • (b) get a back-up image of a working system (Step 1 below)
  • (c ) restore the image to a new microSD card (Step 2 below)
  • (d) Insert the card to the the Raspberry Pi 3.



Backup

  • locate the device (/dev) identifier. On macOS terminal
diskutil list
  • copy (example disk5)
 
sudo dd if=/dev/disk5 of=~/Desktop/tambayayong-eLib-box.dmg 


Restore

To restore or replicate the image to another microSD,

sudo dd if=~/Desktop/tambayayong-eLib-box.dmg of=/dev/disk5

On Mac, try this variation for speed:

sudo dd bs=1m status=progress if=~/Desktop/tambayayong-eLib-box.dmg of=/dev/rdisk5


Tips: verify the /dev identifier by using diskutil list. Restoration takes longer than backup. For the Tambayayong eLib Box using microSD Class 10, about 5 hours on mac mini. When initially getting a “resource busy” error message, try unmounting first the subpartition (example):

diskutil umount /dev/disk5s2


Do the same for the other “s” numbers, as determined by the diskutil list command. In certain cases, you have to do the force option.

diskutil umount force /dev/disk5s2

Once done with restore, be a good girl/boy. Unmount to finish.

diskutil unmountDisk /dev/disk5

For most part, restoring an image is a straightforward process. But sometimes you'll encounter bad cards that you may have to reformat them first to some useless format, just to test whether the card is writable in the first first. So, before doing the routine above, try something like this first:

sudo diskutil eraseDisk FAT32 RASPBIAN MBRFormat /dev/disk5

Confirm unmounting with diskutil list. You may also have to check whether there's a process preventing you from unmounting.

sudo lsof|grep disk5

In which case, you do

sudo kill -9 <insert process ID number>

Another possibility that's preventing you from copying an image to a new microSD card is a broken partition table. In which case, just create a new one

sudo gpt create -f /dev/disk5



Maintenance

Maintenance of the Library in a Box by parts (all available at online stores like Lazada and Shopee):

  • _power supply. This can be replaced by any Android cellphone charger with output of 2.5A. If eLib Box usage is not high, 2A will do, and it can even run on a power bank for mobile phones. But 2.5A is the recommended rating. Make sure, however, that you're not using Raspberry Pi 3 Beta Plus - a slightly more powerful version but requiring a more expensive 3A-output power and at least the latest Raspbian Stretch OS. See Raspbian versioning and OS requirement.

  • _microSD card. This card contains both the operating system and the contents of the Library in a Box. An image backup is recommended so local restoration is possible. Otherwise, request your technology service provider for replacement. Future updates and enhancements may also be available through your technology service provider.

    In certain situations, it makes sense to pre-position updated microSD cards in the locality to be able to quickly respond to a possible breakdown in one of the eLib sites.

  • _Raspberry Pi 3 Beta microcomputer is available via online stores. (Not to be confused with Raspberry Pi 3 Beta Plus - a slightly more powerful version but requiring 3A power and at least the latest Raspbian Stretch OS.) The micro SD that came with the original setup can just be inserted into a newly-ordered Raspberry Pi 3 Model B, and it should be good to go.
  • _Over time, the heatsink could detach, as its adhesive would dry up. In this case, just remove the heatsink from the box to prevent it from short-circuiting the microcomputer board. The alternative is to use some double-sided, heat-transfering adhesive tape to re-attach the heatsinks. Remember to wipe the surface first before mounting the heatsink.



Upgrade

As it it, the Tambayayong eLib Box is released as a stand-alone deployment. No need for any upgrade with the OS. (The contents could be changed to suit the needs of partner schools.)

However, in certain cases (say, changing board to Raspberry Pi 3 Beta Plus) where a later system is needed, one may upgrade the OS. As of this writing, Raspbian “Jessie” (version 8) is used as default version of the operating system. Check if there's enough space on your microSD card. Also confirm version with

less /etc/os-release

To upgrade to the later version (“Stretch” as of this writing), connect the box to the internet via RJ-45 jack, and do

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get -y dist-upgrade

To ensure you have everything of the upgrade version, do

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

Packages have to be upgraded as well, and they may have to be “forced”

sudo rpi-update

Edit

/etc/apt/sources.list
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/raspi.list

to ensure “stretch” is indicated. For instance,

deb http://archive.raspberrypi.org/debian stretch main ui

You may have to remove the changelog

sudo apt-get remove apt-listchanges

for faster upgrade.

Repeat the update/upgrade routine. Once done, clean up:

sudo apt-get autoremove -y
sudo apt-get autoclean

Then reboot.


References

See Also