What Pi-Star "saves" save to what?

[KK4GMU]

There are several "save" functions in Pi-Star. I would like to know which ones save to the SD card in the hotspot and which ones save to the computer or SD card that might be cloned via the computer and is anything saved to the Pi-Star web site? I haven't noticed that any of these "save" locations are self-evident.

[KN2TOD]

Everything is saved (applied) locally (e.g. SD card) except when saving configurations (dashboard->config->save/restore) the location for which is controlled by the browser you are using; nothing is saved to the Pi-Star website.

[KK4GMU]

You're referring to the SD card in the hotspot, correct? And what is saved there are changes made to the settings on the Configure page? Is that correct? And "Save/Restore" saved settings are saved in the location specified by the computer, correct?

Where is Expert:Full Edit: DMR GW saved to?

Also, Rebert Bretzman, (TGIF creator/manage) also describes backing up the whole enchilada via Expert:SSH Access to create a second (or third) SD card for the Hotspot. That is like a 10 or 15 click process. Is there any reason why a backup SD card can't be duplicated from the SD card in the Hotspot - like by removing it and cloning via a card reader in the computer?

And finally, if I set up a NEW hotspot (I'll be receiving a Duplex hotspot soon) for mobile use on my Android phone, will any of the Pi-Star configurations for that interfere with or inadvertently be saved to my CURRENT Hotspot? Is it best to have my existing Hotspot TURNED OFF when I set up a second Hotspot to assure nothing will be saved to its SD card and royally screw that up?

[KN2TOD]

You're referring to the SD card in the hotspot, correct? And what is saved there are changes made to the settings on the Configure page? Is that correct? And "Save/Restore" saved settings are saved in the location specified by the computer, correct?

Correct.

Where is Expert:Full Edit: DMR GW saved to?

Same place: the SD card.

Also, Rebert Bretzman, (TGIF creator/manage) also describes backing up the whole enchilada via Expert:SSH Access to create a second (or third) SD card for the Hotspot. That is like a 10 or 15 click process. Is there any reason why a backup SD card can't be duplicated from the SD card in the Hotspot - like by removing it and cloning via a card reader in the computer?

The entire system image and all the saved configuration settings can be saved as he described, but that's an involved and intricate process, not for the faint of heart. A far easier method is to simply use either BalenaEtcher or PiImager to do the cloning, only a couple of clicks involved.

And finally, if I set up a NEW hotspot (I'll be receiving a Duplex hotspot soon) for mobile use on my Android phone, will any of the Pi-Star configurations for that interfere with or inadvertently be saved to my CURRENT Hotspot? Is it best to have my existing Hotspot TURNED OFF when I set up a second Hotspot to assure nothing will be saved to its SD card and royally screw that up?

It's not clear here whether you're building an entirely new hotspot, with all new components, or modifying an existing set of components.
But in any case, you have several options, in general, here:

Single system: configure so the system will work tethered to your home wifi AND with you mobile phone (connecting to whichever is nearest).

Two systems: clone your existing system, and then use the clone in the second system, reconfiguring as needed for the new system.

Or: configure the first system to use either access point, and then clone it to the second system. That way, either system will connect to either access point as circumstances require.

Clear?

Keep in mind: the key piece that needs to be saved/retained through all these machinations is the "config" file, created via Backup/Restore selection on the dashboard. Basically: configure a system, save the config, reconfigure, save the reconfiguration, and so on. Configurations can be saved on one system and restored on a different system, whether that system is the original system, or a new/cloned system.

So rather than cloning an entire, fully configured system, you can simply port the essential config information to other separately built systems.

Got it?

[KK4GMU]

I'll clarify (hopefully):

The first (existing) hotspot is a fully set up, fully functional TGIF Spot, Nextion screen simplex, single band. I don't want to touch that or impact it in any way. Used ONLY at home with my Windows computer and accessing my home wifi router. https://tgifspot.com/tgifspot-3.5-inch-nextion

The second, new system is a fully assembled, partially configured hotspot, cheap small screen, duplex, dual band, that will be used mobile in my car away from home accessing ONLY my Android phone. https://cqradios.com/DMR%20Hotspot%20clone

I want to be certain that when I set up this second hotspot that I do not impact what Pi-Star saved for the first hotspot. That's why I am paranoid about what is saved where and how: to avoid saving something in the second hotspot that would mess up what I saved in the first one. Several Pi-Star configuration settings will be different on this second hotspot including: Type of screen, different and two frequencies, duplex vs. simplex, and possibly others (?).

Also, I understand (correctly?) that the Full Edit: DMR GW file reverts to a previously file (does not remain as intended) once any particular setting on the Configuration page are changed.

Regarding the Full Edit: DMR GW file: What is the best way to reproduce my current Full Edit: DMR GW data and copy it into the FULL Edit: DMR GW of my new/second hotspot Pi-Star file? Can I simply copy it from a saved Word file into Pi-Star? I want to retain that creation because it is set up for both Brandmeister and TGIF and I want to retain my passwords, and other personal settings.

Is it correct that it is best to have the first hotspot turned OFF so that there is no chance of mistakenly saving second hotspot config to it?

I read very literally, so I ask for specificity (and redundancy if necessary) to clarify. A bit simple minded OCD here. For example, "save to SD card": Which one, the one in the Hotspot, or the one in my computer's card reader. Or it doesn't matter. Or why can't I just save it to a computer hard drive folder? Or why is it best to use "cloning software" versus merely copying and pasting a file?

My "save-to-what" paranoia is caused by my failure in attempting to set up a second hotspot (since returned). I ignorantly tried creating an SD card config in my computer with my first hotspot ON I later turned OFF both the Pi-Star and my Hotspot. I went to turn BOTH on, and both remained DEAD. I had to use my backup SD card in the original Hotspot to revive it and then turn on Pi-star. I never did get the second hotspot to work. Robert B's advice to backup your SD cards, maybe in triplicate, is well taken. Is there a "beat self over head with hammer" emoji????

Mucho mucho gracias thanko.

[M1DNS]

You can save a config backup to ur pc from the bashboard. You can then restore that backup file to your new hotspot as a starting point.

Id be inclinded to add an ssid to the 2nd config that will allow a server to see your 2nd hotspot as a seperate connection to the 1st. Also setup ur DMR listin the dmr section permitting ur own ID to pass. this will ensure each hotspot will not echo and loop the other if you ever forget both are running together at home on the same frequency.



Sent via smoke signals from my SM-G935F M1DNS (Admin)

[KK4GMU]

I'd be inclined to add an ssid to the 2nd config that will allow a server to see your 2nd hotspot as a seperate connection to the 1st.

Are you referring to adding an "01" suffix to the ESSID of my original hotspot config and adding "02" suffix to the ESSID of my new hotspot?

Also setup ur DMR list in the dmr section permitting ur own ID to pass.

This is not clear which DMR configuration line you are referring to.

With regard to the configuration in "Full Edit: DMR GW", is it ok to copy from my original hotspot file and paste to the new? I want them both set up to access Brandmeister and TGIF.

[M1DNS]

Yes.

Its in the dmr section.

If you save a backup of ur original and load it onto the new hotspot it will pull in ur dmrgateway file for you, no need to copy anything over. It will be setup just as ur original.

Sent via smoke signals from my SM-G935F M1DNS (Admin)

[KN2TOD]

[set aside the thread above for the moment and go back to your prior questions; we need to walk first before trying to run; get one step down before moving to the next step.]

The first (existing) hotspot is a fully set up, fully functional TGIF Spot, Nextion screen simplex, single band. I don't want to touch that or impact it in any way. Used ONLY at home with my Windows computer and accessing my home wifi router. https://tgifspot.com/tgifspot-3.5-inch-nextion

The second, new system is a fully assembled, partially configured hotspot, cheap small screen, duplex, dual band, that will be used mobile in my car away from home accessing ONLY my Android phone. https://cqradios.com/DMR%20Hotspot%20clone

I want to be certain that when I set up this second hotspot that I do not impact what Pi-Star saved for the first hotspot. That's why I am paranoid about what is saved where and how: to avoid saving something in the second hotspot that would mess up what I saved in the first one. Several Pi-Star configuration settings will be different on this second hotspot including: Type of screen, different and two frequencies, duplex vs. simplex, and possibly others (?).

Unless you are moving the SD card from one to other, these are essential two, separate systems; what you do on one does not effect the other.

Also, I understand (correctly?) that the Full Edit: DMR GW file reverts to a previously file (does not remain as intended) once any particular setting on the Configuration page are changed.

Regarding the Full Edit: DMR GW file: What is the best way to reproduce my current Full Edit: DMR GW data and copy it into the FULL Edit: DMR GW of my new/second hotspot Pi-Star file? Can I simply copy it from a saved Word file into Pi-Star? I want to retain that creation because it is set up for both Brandmeister and TGIF and I want to retain my passwords, and other personal settings.

If you start down the path of using the Full Edit to configure, best you stick with that approach thereafter.

Regardless of which approach you use, ALL config info (passwords, rewrite rules, etc) is saved and can be transferred to another hotspot via cloning or the backup/restore process - no need to cut-n-paste. With backup/restore, you can create multiple saved configs: configure, save, reconfigure, save again, etc.; the backups are time-date stamped so you can keep track of which config is which.

Is it correct that it is best to have the first hotspot turned OFF so that there is no chance of mistakenly saving second hotspot config to it?

I read very literally, so I ask for specificity (and redundancy if necessary) to clarify. A bit simple minded OCD here. For example, "save to SD card": Which one, the one in the Hotspot, or the one in my computer's card reader. Or it doesn't matter. Or why can't I just save it to a computer hard drive folder? Or why is it best to use "cloning software" versus merely copying and pasting a file?

What you do on one hotspot stays on that hotspot; it does not effect the other hotspot(s). What you do on one hotspot is saved on the SD card in that hotspot, and does not effect the SD card(s) in/on other computers/hotspots.

My "save-to-what" paranoia is caused by my failure in attempting to set up a second hotspot (since returned). I ignorantly tried creating an SD card config in my computer with my first hotspot ON I later turned OFF both the Pi-Star and my Hotspot. I went to turn BOTH on, and both remained DEAD. I had to use my backup SD card in the original Hotspot to revive it and then turn on Pi-star. I never did get the second hotspot to work. Robert B's advice to backup your SD cards, maybe in triplicate, is well taken. Is there a "beat self over head with hammer" emoji????

SD cards are a tricky, temperamental component; we've all been there, done that, we've all stumbled or been stumped by these infernal devices.

To alay your fears here, try this:

1) starting with your first hotspot, assuming its fully, or nearly fully configured, save the configuration via the dashboard->backup/restore selection. That configuration is saved to your computer. Shut down this hotspot.

2) taking a new SD card, image Pi-Star on this new card using your computer. Drop (copy) the configuration file you saved from step 1 in to the /boot directory of the image while it's still plugged into your computer.

3) insert this new card into your second hotspot and boot up. Give it some time (first time boot ups are always the slowest) and log into the dashboard for this new hotspot. It should looks essentially like the dashboard for your first hotspot. Configure (reconfigure) to accommodate the new components of this second hotspot.

4) once you have the second hotspot working the way you want, save a copy of this configuration to your computer. Each saved configuration has a different date-time stamp, so you will not wipe out or replace your prior config.

And this point you should have two functionally identical hotspots - with two completely separate SD cards, and two separate (saved) configurations - BUT you can only run hotspot at a time; both can NOT be powered on at the same time.

Note: the key here, as others have pointed out, are the saved configuration(s): Given a saved configuration, you can a) build a new image, on a new SD card, and restore a prior working configuration - bring a dead system back to life, or b) build a new image, on a new SD card, and using a prior configuration, to start up a new system.

Get to this point first, then we'll explain what you can do next to run them side-by-side, simultaneously.

[KK4GMU]

Thanks, guys. My new hotspot arrives by Friday. The setup will test both my comprehension ability and your 'splainin' ability. It looks like pretty comprehensive 'splainin', so any faux pas will be on me.

Printing out thread now to keep both monitors clear for the challenges ahead.