[arm-allstar] Repeater site ALLSTAR recovery after POWER FAIL

[David McGough]

Hi Larry,

I'll help you work through this problem.

Static IP addresses on the RPi systems shouldn't be any problem.  I run
all my production systems setup static and have been since day 1---over 5
years installed.

...Since your site router is setup for DHCP, the static addresses you're
using must be outside the DHCP range setup in the Netgear router or you
could potentially end up with an IP address conflict.

...I agree that the RPi boards typically boot-up much faster than boxes
like Netgear routers.  This shouldn't be a problem.

...Are you running scripts or start-up macros on the RPi boards to
auto-connect?  If so, this can be a problem if DNS responsiveness "hangs."  
This isn't typically a problem for the "stock" HamVoIP setup, however some
users have run into problems when using customized DNS configurations.

...Just for clarification, I guess you're running all wired-ethernet 
networking?  Is any WiFi in the mix?

...When you can you you can see the RPi's on the network from the PC, but 
can't ssh in, what do you mean?  ....Can you ping the RPi systems??

...Are you able to access the site PC remotely?  Can you tunnel out using 
a VPN?

...Not having a UPS on the site router and cable modem is completely nuts, 
IMHO!!  This is going to be a source of continuous problems.

...I've got remote ethernet power switches at all my sites, which runs
scripts to test for connectivity.  These scripts will auto power-cycle
various hardware "for therapeutic purposes" if the router/network hardware
becomes unresponsive.


73, David K4FXC


On Wed, 13 Jul 2022, "am_fm_radio--- via ARM-allstar" wrote:

Kansas has it storms and power failures. I maintain 2 ALLSTAR NODES / 
community repeaters located from my home by 22 miles. 

The site is a commercial building and we share internet with others. We 
have a APC UPS on the repeaters and the RPI's WE encounter on occasion 
loss of control via TT input on the repeaters. 
We cannot *B3 to reset.  We cannot SSH into the RPI and remote access 
via the internet is blocked because there are ATM's and Credit Card 
terminals on site. AS a commercial site, a second ISP drop starts at $99 
per month..

If we drive to the site- 45 minutes  we can only access it during 
business hours, again ATM machines and other valuables. We do have card 
access.Our equipment is under lock and key. We have a PC there for SSHing 
in. We can see both RPI's on the LAN. but can't connect till we pull the 
power on the RPI's and let them reboot.  the repeaters fire up and 
announce the LAN IP address and all is well. 

The way I see it- internet and or power fails, the APC UPS peters out and 
everything goes dead.
When power is reapplied to the building, the APC UPS recovers and applies 
power to the RPI's and they come up before the community router, located 
150 feet way does, and because we are using a static IP (router was 
replaced about 6 months ago when this all started) 

I theorize the RPI can's talk to the router at the time it needs to, so 
it comes up with no ACK it's static IP is recognized by the Router and no 
internet connection. 
Then it's back to a 22 mile drive 44 R/T to reset the RPI's 

Now I understand how dynamic IP addressing works but does Static IP's 
keep trying to make a connection or is it a 1 time deal? I think the RPI 
comes up faster than the recovering router that is connected to a cable 
modem ISP is COX. Because of new management, and it's a commercial 
business, management has signed a contract with COX for support. I have 
been told I cannot access setup or do anything at the router, my 100baseT 
connection runs 150 to the radio room. where I have my gear and another 
switch. . I cannot UDP or open any ports. etc. 
Management wants only COX to manage it all because of the credit card 
machines, video surveillance on the cloud and ATM's. 

I can't experiment to see if the RPI's are coming up faster than the 
router is giving them internet access. The RPI's are working just as if 
there is no 100base T connected to them. Because recent storms have been 
the middle of the night, I'm assuming power fails happen then as well. Â  

3 questions:1.  Am I right?2. Would going to dynamic IP solve this?  We 
were static before because of UDP ports prior to management changes.3. If 
we stay with Static IP address, can we delay the startup of the RPI or 
repeat the networking inquiry until internet 
    connection is made at the router. 

Finally, you'll love this.. NO UPS at the Cable modem and Router. The 
router is a Netgear, 6 antenna job  2.4 and 5 ghz wifi.. it has 6 
antennas on it. I can't touch it and management says, "Cox says we don't 
need UPS as no data is stored in those boxes" I did read the specs on the 
router 2-3 weeks ago it's capable of 128 wifi connections simultaneously. 
There is a bar-tavern on the premises and I have seen 50-80 wireless 
phone connections with ANGRY IP... Speeds are supposed to be 500Mbps.  

There are about 6 nets plus Newsline that run on the repeater each week. 
The second repeater is on K-link KansasStatewide Link) 24x7 were you can 
find SKYWARNÂ Â  

WE find both down, and cycling power on  the RPI's solves the problem. 
They however do control the repeater so they work locally. I don't recall 
if they ID or not.. 

Larry W8LM 



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