wifiMgr - Tool to automaticaly select an AP(STAtion) from a list of saved APs

rangerz · 2016-02-14T03:20:41.000Z

Thanks for your review of this function. I expect that there is a better way to perform these tasks, but I am not a programmer. The code was written by another individual and I have added some features using common sense, copy and past, search and replace.

I have considered “AP Attachment” a glaring gap in OpenWrt’s design, with no apparent resolve in site. If does not consider devices in motion or changing their AP. This is the ONLY solution I have found that actually works, and seems to work well with the exception of the reboot issue. I solved this by adding a “reboot -f” button via luci-app-command. I found this noted in another post, but not sure of it’s implication as I can not find a list of defined reboot options. I would really like to solve this.

The GLI GUI’s tools for AP connection have been a real big improvement in making a travel router usable; however it still fails when there is an ‘old’ AP configured in status 0. While I solved this with a different function that is attached to the reset button and removes the STA, it still requires a web browser to connect. The above is automatic in most cases. The missing piece is adding the current AP to the existing list of APs.

frietpan · 2016-02-16T22:03:38.000Z

This option is a real must for travel routers. and it should be a a package in OpenWRT

On a travel router install WifiMgr IF you need it. (or at least have the option to un install it if you dont need it)

I have this running on a AR150 that i take with me. Though on another AR150 it does not make sense to have this. (static installation)

If the method that Alfie mentioned is better then that could be awesome.

Ultimately a full integration in the WRT GUI would be even better.

rangerz · 2016-02-21T11:25:37.000Z

I am posting an updated version that corrects the issue with the reboot. Thanks to hostle19 for the fix.

If you are currently using the product please please note that the config file is now in the etc/config/ folder as wifiMgrcfg. Move your config and rename it. The content of this file has NOT changed. Replace the wifiMgr and wifiMgr.sh files with those in this zip. The screen mod files are the same, and do not need to be changed.

TIP: Setting the PingSleep value is important. Test with a known good AP. It needs to be long enough to let the network functionality get up. 5 is probably too short. 10 may be better. Look at your logs and make sure that the connection test finds the internet consistently on boot. If it disables the AP on boot, then PingSleep is not long enough. If the check during boot fails, then you will need to wait an additional minute (ConnCheckTimer value) for you WWAN to come up.

And the luci-app-commands is a great tool to use to execute the 'force" command from inside of LuCi. See the readme.txt file.

NOTE: The default OpenWrt wireless has the STA (client) listed first and the Master second. The order needs to be reversed in the wireless file. It relies on the STA interface being the wifi-iface[1]. This is not in the readme.txt file.

NOTE: The tool supports selection of a STAtion that is not in the config file. The GLI GUI works with out issue(on AR-150). To do this in LuCi one must:

1 - Delete the existing STAtion (client)

2 - Scan and select a new STAtion.

3 - UNCHECK THE BOX “Replace wireless configuration”.

4 - Enter the wireless key.

5 - Save and apply through the balance of the screens.

Not unchecking the box will replace all the existing wireless config with the new STAtion and will require a LAN cable on the Ethernet to connect on the LAN side.

guest · 2016-02-21T22:00:31.000Z

How could I have missed this post! This is (if it works on a MiFi) exactly what I need

Will report back later.

An option to use the 3/4G modem when NO Wi-Fi AP is connection would be even better

rangerz · 2016-02-22T00:38:35.000Z

Good idea!

Unless the modem is configured as a wireless STAtion, then I think not. There is no logic to do anything or test for anything other than the list of wireless APs, and overwrite the existing config with another.

Line 80 is where the existing wireless STA is set to disabled. It’s the point in the logic that it has been determined that there is no WWAN. You probably would want to connect to the 3g/4g modem here. Line 96 is where a found STAtion is reconfigured. You would probably want to turn off the modem there. The general logic tests for a functioning internet via ping. When a working internet is found APs are not tested, and there is no logic that would say there is a working STAtion that is now in range.

Fixing this is not in my skill set

rangerz · 2016-02-22T04:08:58.000Z

How one would go from [WWAN <=> WLAN] to [3G\4G <=> WLAN] or visa versa?

guest · 2016-02-22T06:10:30.000Z

Something like this?

ifdown $WAN2 # Shutdown WAN2 ifup $WAN1 # Enable WAN1

Or am I thinking to simple?

If there is a Wifi connection, no 3G/4G is needed (ifdown 3/4G)… As soon as Wifi connection is down, connect 3/4G (ifup 3/4G)… If wifi is back again, ifdown 3/4G… ??

rangerz · 2016-02-22T08:13:03.000Z

Well, that’s about the kind of answer I was hoping for. Have you tested these strings?

I would expect that the 3g/4g is all configured and that all one needs to do is somehow disable the wifi and enable the 4g. How long does it take the 4g to connect? Is there any user interaction required once it’s configured.

Where is the config for the 3g\4g maintained? can you please post this?

guest · 2016-02-22T17:17:25.000Z

Sorry… Can’t help at the moment. I’m about to go for a 2 weeks holiday

The script I used came from the OpenWRT forum, and used it with one of my 150 routers together with a 3G USB stick.

script and info can be found here: OpenWrt Forum Archive

I needed to modify it a little bit to make it work perfect.
My modified code: #!/bin/sh INTERVAL=5PACKETS=1HOST="8.8.4.4"WAN1=wanWAN2=3GUSINGWAN - Pastebin.com
(I used Pastebin as this forum is messing things up with code)

You will still need to set all the things/right as described in the 1st post (see script and info link above)!

axebro · 2016-02-28T23:41:50.000Z

So the first question I see from reading through code and readme file is, what happens if your ap doesn’t have a key? Most of the public ones I connect to do not. Do you leave the config out?

Net_key1=“”

Also, will ping work before signing into a captive portal?

I love that you don’t need BSSID - that’s what kills the set up for me.

rangerz · 2016-02-29T01:33:12.000Z

I do not know the answer to either question. Not tested this scenario.

I expect you are right about the key value. I changed the security on my AR150 from the default to none. It changed the encryption to “none” but did not update the “option key” value. The password was still as it was for the encryption, and probably needs to be null or the line deleted. One you can test, the other requires code mods.

The value of the encryption probably needs to be set to

net8_encrypt=“none”

axebro · 2016-02-29T03:33:32.000Z

I’m going to test a bit more.

Good thing is i have 1 weaker spare (the HooToo), and a better TPLink that’s my main one (seems faster).

My goal is to avoid having to whip out the laptop for config. Yours seems to cover most (traveling and staying with family, and my cable co hotspots). that covers about 75% of my current need.

Thanks for posting this.

rangerz · 2016-02-29T07:51:25.000Z

Yes, you hit the nail on the head. The big issue that I have with all the devices, other than the GLI with the GLI GUI, and all the solutions rely on the OpenWrt GUI that is just not usable on a phone.

That said, all my testing has been using the Luci-Wifi. I just tested the GLI GUI (once), by using Luci-Wifi to set the WWAN to disable (simulating the scenario that the last WWAN is no longer available, and the WWAN is set to disabled to allow the WLAN to work). It appears the GLI GUI does NOT update the option disabled flag from 1 to 0 when a new SSID is selected. I think this GUI will not work with wifiMgr for that reason, which is very unfortunate.

Please test and confirm.

axebro · 2016-02-29T08:41:35.000Z

The default OpenWrt wireless has the STA (client) listed first and the Master second. The order needs to be reversed in the wireless file. It relies on the STA interface being the wifi-iface[1]. This is not in the readme.txt file.

Can you explain that? Do I need to manually make this change before I copy the files over?

The reason I ask is, I didn’t do this step, and went in and configured 3 wifi locations. 2 are right here in my house but since I did that - the device has been extremely unstable, I can’t even get in via Ethernet.

I don’t have a GLI device yet, but am leaning towards one. I noticed there’s a “new” version out … so tempted to get it. Then I realize I’ve spent so much time/money on this travel concept. Why the hell can’t we have something solid yet?!

rangerz · 2016-02-29T20:31:43.000Z

Yes!

A basic wireless file has 3 sections. the first defines the physical device. The second two define the “connections”. The sequence of these dictates which is iface[0] and iface[1]. The tool requires the STA to be the second entry, wifi-iface[1]. If not you will end up with 2 STAtions.

Easist way is to use WinScp and navigate to /etc/config and open the wireless file in the included text editor.

axebro · 2016-03-01T20:20:09.000Z

Have you tried this with your hootoo tm02? I’m having a hard time. tried twice, and it doesn’t seem to associate with anything (my cell phone hotspot, or the cable company one).

Then again for that matter, the cable co wifi has been so hard to get associated with even via LUCI. I actaully opened up a thread over at OpenWRT to see if PEBKAC or something else.

I’m going to be traveling in about a month, hoping to have this stuff licked before I get out.

rangerz · 2016-03-01T22:48:06.000Z

I have not tried it with the HooToo, but have with another MT device. I have 2 radios in mine, but still expect it to work. I will try, but it may be a day or 2.

Please post your wireless, firewall, network and logs.

You might try

Disable wifiMgr

restore a known good config

edit the wireless file (making sure the AP is the first iface)

enable wifiMgr

reboot

axebro · 2016-03-02T11:11:26.000Z

well other than Optimum Wifi not workign (or sporadically working) even my cell phone hotspot is not working



Wed Mar  2 02:58:28 2016 user.notice root: WifiMgr: No usable APs found, disabling the WWAN.
Wed Mar  2 02:58:28 2016 user.notice root: WifiMgr: Checking network...
Wed Mar  2 02:58:29 2016 user.notice root: WifiMgr: Network failed. Starting network change...
Wed Mar  2 02:58:29 2016 user.notice root: WifiMgr: Performing network scan...
Wed Mar  2 02:58:48 2016 user.notice root: WifiMgr: WifiMgr: Searching available networks...
Wed Mar  2 02:59:01 2016 user.notice root: WifiMgr: No usable APs found, disabling the WWAN.
Wed Mar  2 02:59:02 2016 user.notice root: WifiMgr: Checking network...
Wed Mar  2 02:59:02 2016 user.notice root: WifiMgr: Network failed. Starting network change...
Wed Mar  2 02:59:02 2016 user.notice root: WifiMgr: Performing network scan...
Wed Mar  2 02:59:22 2016 user.notice root: WifiMgr: WifiMgr: Searching available networks...

can you clarify how you are starting this? safe to assume you didn’t copy over the wifimgr to /etc/init.d right?

LINK to Log:

Pastebin

Log - Pastebin.com

Pastebin.com is the number one paste tool since 2002. Pastebin is a website where you can store text online for a set period of time.

rangerz · 2016-03-03T00:52:33.000Z

The messages look consistent with what one would see when there is no available STAtion to connect to. In the pastebin however I do not see any evidence that wifiMgr is running (search on wifiMgr)

There are three files with wifiMgr in the name. The one that is just wifiMgr does go in the /etc/init.d folder.
You did not post the other files, only the logs.

axebro · 2016-03-04T05:11:42.000Z

Thanks,

Sorry - I reset the router a few times and didn’t have time to redo. Just did everything again, I put contents of firewall, wireless and network in one paste:

Pastebin

firewall, wireless and network - Pastebin.com

Pastebin.com is the number one paste tool since 2002. Pastebin is a website where you can store text online for a set period of time.

Let me know if you see anything awry.