Enhancement request - Add wifi-connect to project

[TallKeith-dotcom]

This would be really useful as I often take the display with me to make my signal box presentations more interesting!
I have tried myself to add the balaena wifi-connect to the code but failed dismally at each attempt and just made the thing crash!
It looks like it should be easy - but not for me!
Thanks

[benji2020]

Wifi-connect would be handy. I presume for now you just tether to your phone maybe?

[TallKeith-dotcom]

Yes, I connect to my phone - but occasionally I'm not nearby and lose the connection. Not end of the world, and I'm determined to get it working with wifi-connect. I'm going back to basics as I'm trying to run before I can walk I think.

[steco]

Would also love to get this working

As a first step I tried updating the wifi connect example to get it working again. At first was getting an error that the "resin" image isn't available. Suspect this might be because the images have been updated since this project was created so made some updates but can't get this working at all - see balena-io-experimental/balena-wifi-connect-example#8. If anyone has a working version of this project that would definitely help!

[TallKeith-dotcom]

I get
/bin/sh: 1: curl: not found
when I try to get wifi-connect going. build fails of course
I haven't a clue what it means!

[steco]

I now have an example of WiFi Connect working with a simple test app - https://github.com/steco/balena-python-hello-world/tree/wifi-connect-example?tab=readme-ov-file.

If you want to verify it works for you then we'll know it will work once I've integrated it with train-departure-display.

[TallKeith-dotcom]

Many thanks, I should have time in the next few days to give this a go on raspberry pi zero 2 w Will let you know how it goes!

[TallKeith-dotcom]

wifi-connect Worked perfectly on Raspberry PI zero 2 w
many thanks.

It successfully skipped wifi connect if it was able to connect to the previous wifi connection, but allowed setup if previous connection was off.

Let me know if you integrate it with train display.
(First real use of it last night as the last train home was cancelled!!)

[steco]

Great - thanks @TallKeith-dotcom. I've integrated with train-departure-display, see the pull request listed above - #146. Take a look and let me know if it works for you.

[TallKeith-dotcom]

This is working perfectly on different wifi setups and remembering ones previously entered etc.
Many thanks - its a very useful enhancement for me and my use of the display.
If you are ever at St Albans South signal box, you may see it running!

Raspberry pi zero 2 w

[steco]

Mulling this over, I think it would be better to have wifi-connect and train-departure-display as separate docker images, following the instructions here.

This would mean no changes to train-departure-display, and wifi-connect could be constantly scanning for missing wifi network (and opening the portal when it notices)

[TallKeith-dotcom]

As long as the Pi has sufficient power to run both the display and wifi scanning that should be OK. Looks like a bit of work though and not sure of benefit. Happy to give it a test when done , if needed.