Difference between revisions of "SatNOGS Client Setup"

Latest revision as of 17:24, 10 September 2022

1 Introduction
2 Initial Setup
- 2.1 Basic Configuration
3 Advanced Setup
4 Obsolete Setup Variables
5 Updating SatNOGS Client Software
- 5.1 Upgrading from Debian 'stretch' or 'buster', to 'bullseye'
  - 5.1.1 Reflashing and reinstalling
6 Verification of correct installation
7 Backup & Restore the configuration
8 See also

Introduction

satnogs-setup provides a set of scripts for configuring a SatNOGS Client system. satnogs-setup main function is to bring up a menu-driven console configuration utility and provision the system using Ansible.

Initial Setup

Before starting satnogs-setup, ensure the Raspberry Pi is up to date. This can be done with sudo apt update and then sudo apt upgrade.

In case of getting a similar error to this:

W: An error occurred during the signature verification. The repository is not updated and the previous index files will be used. GPG error: http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/librespace:/satnogs/Raspbian_10 ./ InRelease: The following signatures were invalid: EXPKEYSIG 8BD3901736A40B6C home:librespace OBS Project <home:librespace@build.opensuse.org>

Check at https://wiki.satnogs.org/Troubleshooting#Invalid_Signature_for_download.opensuse.org on how to solve it

In case of getting a similar error to "Newer kernel available" annoying message after running sudo apt update:

Package configuration

┌──────────┤ Pending kernel upgrade ├─────────────────────┐

│ │

│ Newer kernel available │

│ │

│ The currently running kernel version is 4.19.97-v7l+ which is not the │

│ expected kernel version 4.19.93-v8+. │

│ │

│ Restarting the system to load the new kernel will not be handled │

│ automatically, so you should consider rebooting. │

│ │

│ <Ok> │

│ │

└─────────────────────────────────────────────────|

Do a "sudo apt purge needrestart" after doing a reboot after doing a "sudo apt update"

In case of getting a similar error to this:

E: Repository 'http://archive.raspberrypi.org/debian buster InRelease' changed its 'Suite' value from 'testing' to 'oldstable'

N: This must be accepted explicitly before updates for this repository can be applied. See apt-secure(8) manpage for details.

E: Repository 'http://raspbian.raspberrypi.org/raspbian buster InRelease' changed its 'Suite' value from 'stable' to 'oldstable'

N: This must be accepted explicitly before updates for this repository can be applied. See apt-secure(8) manpage for details.

Run sudo apt-get update --allow-releaseinfo-change instead of just sudo apt-get update

(See: Troubleshooting#apt-get update: connection failed ).

After the first boot of the system, packages and the configuration tool itself must be updated. Follow the Updating instruction found below.

To configure a SatNOGS Client system:

SSH into the system and run sudo satnogs-setup; this will bring up the configuration menu
Set all options in Basic Configuration (see below)
Select Apply and the Raspberry Pi will configure itself; this may take some time
Select Back to exit

You can always reconfigure the software by running sudo satnogs-setup again.

Basic Configuration

Setting	Description
`SATNOGS_API_TOKEN`	The API token assigned to your ground station on the SatNOGS Network website, please don’t share your api key as this can give access to anyone to upload and change things in network related to your station and its observations. To find your API token, log in to network.satnogs.org, click on the user icon at the top right corner and then click on the "Dashboard" option. On the top of the dashboard page right under the user icon click the button "API key" to show your API token.
`SATNOGS_SOAPY_RX_DEVICE`	If you are using an RTL-SDR, this is `driver=rtlsdr`. For other devices tested configurations can be found at Software_Defined_Radio. See pothosware/SoapyRTLSDR/wiki#modules for other SDR modules (linked in the navigation bar at the right side of the page). If multiple devices are attached to your station you should also specify the serial of the desired device here, e.g. `driver=uhd,serial=3164495`.
`SATNOGS_ANTENNA`	If you are using an RTL-SDR, this is `RX`. For other devices tested configurations can be found at Software_Defined_Radio. If your device is not listed there yet, use `SoapySDRUtil --probe 2>&1\| grep Antennas` to get available antennas.
`SATNOGS_RX_SAMP_RATE`	Specify the receiver sampling rate. Recommended value for RTL-SDR: `2.048e6` (for 2Msps), other devices will need different sample rates described at Software_Defined_Radio . The command `SoapySDRUtil --probe 2>&1 \| grep Sample` can be used to find all valid sample rates.
`SATNOGS_RF_GAIN`	RF Gain value for your SDR hardware. Run `SoapySDRUtil --probe` to see all possible gain values for your hardware. Example: For RTL-SDR without pre-amp, 32.8 is a good starting value. Follow Setting the gain to find a good gain value.
`SATNOGS_STATION_ELEV`	The height of your ground station above sea level in metres.
`SATNOGS_STATION_ID`	The numeric ID assigned to your station in the SatNOGS Network site when the groundstation was created.
`SATNOGS_STATION_LAT`	The latitude of your station. North is positive, south is negative.
`SATNOGS_STATION_LON`	The longitude of your station. East is positive, west is negative.

Advanced Setup

Changes to the following settings may be required to optimise station performance, or enable support for additional features (e.g. rotator control)

A more detailed description on setting up a development environment using the SatNOGS reference setup is given in SatNOGS_Client_Development.

NOTE: To get your station online, you need to set SATNOGS_NETWORK_API_URL to https://network.satnogs.org/api/

Setting	Description
`SATNOGS_PPM_ERROR`	The local oscillator frequency deviation in ppm (value will be rounded to integer). Available with the following modules: SoapyRTLSDR SoapySDRPlay Not available with the following modules: SoapyUHD SoapyPluto
`SATNOGS_RX_BANDWIDTH`	Soapy baseband filter bandwidth [1] of RX Channel 0 in Hz (only available on specific devices). TODO: Testing.
`SATNOGS_DEV_ARGS`	Soapy device arguments (currently only accepting the `serial` key successfully) and stream arguments. NOTE: This parameter / its meaning might change in the near future, see issue satnogs-client#373.
`SATNOGS_GAIN_MODE`	Choose the gain mode: `"Overall"` (default): Set the gain with the single value from `SATNOGS_RF_GAIN` `"Settings Field"`: Ignore `SATNOGS_RF_GAIN`, use the settings from `SATNOGS_OTHER_SETTINGS` instead
`SATNOGS_STREAM_ARGS`
`SATNOGS_TUNE_ARGS`
`SATNOGS_OTHER_SETTINGS`	Only available if `SATNOGS_GAIN_MODE`is`"Settings Field"`. Available gain settings can be retrieved using SoapySDRUtil --probe="driver=xxxx` Example for Airspy: Use`"LNA=12,MIX=8,VGA=11"`See also: Airspy support
`SATNOGS_DC_REMOVAL`
`SATNOGS_BB_FREQ`
`SATNOGS_LO_OFFSET`	Don't use this parameter to correct for the local oscillator frequency deviation, use `SATNOGS_PPM_ERROR` instead! To avoid the SDR carrier at the DC the LO is shifted from the actual frequency a little. Default: `100e3` (100 kHz)

`SATNOGS_ROT_MODEL`	Hamlib rotator model. If you don't have a rotator (like the No rotator setup), leave it empty. Use the macro name for your rotator model from this list of rotator models in Hamlib. If you are connecting to a separate rotctld instance, use `ROT_MODEL_NETROTCTL`
`SATNOGS_ROT_BAUD`	Baud rate for Hamlib rotator serial port, if using a serial-connected rotator.
`SATNOGS_ROT_PORT`	Serial port for Hamlib rotator, OR the network address of a rotctld instance (e.g. `localhost:4533` )
`SATNOGS_ROT_THRESHOLD`	Rotator movement threshold, in degrees. If set, the rotator will only be commanded when the target has moved more than <threshold> degrees away from the current azimuth/elevation position. Default: 4 degrees

`HAMLIB_UTILS_ROT_ENABLED`	Whether or not to enable the Hamlibs rotator daemon. Rotctld is a software daemon that provides a network server to control a rotator on a serial port.
`HAMLIB_UTILS_ROT_OPTS`	Options for rotcld: For a yaesu rotator, use `-m 601 -r /dev/ttyACM0 -s 9600 -T 0.0.0.0` For a SatNOGS rotator `-m 204 -s 19200 -r /dev/ttyACM0 -C timeout=200` or `-m 204 -s 19200 -r /dev/ttyUSB0 -C timeout=200`

`SATNOGS_PRE_OBSERVATION_SCRIPTSATNOGS_POST_OBSERVATION_SCRIPT`	Allows execution of a shell script either pre or post-observation. The following can be entered into the script path to enable passing of information to the script: `{{FREQ}}` - Observation Centre Frequency `{{TLE}}` - Target object TLE data, as a JSON-formatted object. `{{TIMESTAMP}}` - Start time of the observation, in the format: %Y-%m-%dT%H-%M-%S%z `{{ID}}` - Observation ID number. `{{BAUD}}` - Baud rate of the modulation used, if applicable. `{{SCRIPT_NAME}}` - The name of the demodulation flow-graph script in use.

`EXPERIMENTAL`	Install latest (experimental) versions of all software
`APT_REPOSITORY`	This options allows you to change the SatNOGS packages repository. For example, to install unstable package builds use: `deb http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/librespace:/satnogs-unstable/Raspbian_10 ./`
`APT_KEY_URL`	This options allows you to change the SatNOGS packages repository key URL. For example, to install unstable package builds use: `http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/librespace:/satnogs-unstable/Raspbian_10/Release.key`
`APT_KEY_ID`	This options allows you to specify an alternative SatNOGS packages repository key ID.
`SATNOGS_CLIENT_URL`	If you to try a development version of satnogs-client, you can change the URL here. The URL needs to be in PIP format. Here are some examples: `git+https://gitlab.com/librespacefoundation/satnogs/satnogs-client.git@master` -- the 'master' branch (the current development version) of satnogs-client `git+https://gitlab.com/jdoe/satnogs-client.git@new-feature` -- the 'new-feature' branch of jdoe's fork of satnogs-client
`SATNOGS_RADIO_FLOWGRAPHS_VERSION`	This options allows you to change the version of satnogs-flowgraphs package to be installed. For example: `0.1-1`

`LOG_LEVEL`	Define SatNOGS client log level, available values: `ERROR`, `WARNING`, `INFO` and `DEBUG`

`SATNOGS_ARTIFACTS_ENABLED`	Enable generation and uploading of HDF5 artifacts files to SatNOGS DB. (added in satnogs-client 1.7)
`SATNOGS_ARTIFACTS_API_TOKEN`	SatNOGS DB API token associated with an account in SatNOGS DB. This token is secret. It is used to upload artifacts to SatNOGS DB. It can be found in SatNOGS DB user page. (added in satnogs-client 1.7)

Obsolete Setup Variables

The following options were available in previous versions of the SatNOGS client system and have no effect on the latest stable version.

Setting	Description
`SATNOGS_RX_DEVICE`	If you are using an RTL-SDR, this is `rtlsdr`. Other devices supported by gr-satnogs include `usrpb200`, `usrp2`, `airspy/airspymini`, `lime`, or `hackrf`.
`SATNOGS_PPM_ERROR` (available again)	gr-satnogs: The PPM correction [2]
`SATNOGS_DEV_ARGS` (available again)	gr-satnogs: SDR device specific arguments [3] Note: This variable was re-purposed to set soapy device and stream arguments, so it's not obsolete anymore.
`SATNOGS_IF_GAIN`	gr-satnogs: Intermediate frequency gain [4]
`SATNOGS_BB_GAIN`	gr-satnogs: Baseband gain [5]
`SATNOGS_RADIO_GR_SATNOGS_VERSION`	This options allows you to change the version of gr-satnogs package to be installed. For example: `1.5.1-1`

Updating SatNOGS Client Software

An update can potentially interrupt a running observation!

To update SatNOGS software, including the configuration tool itself:

SSH into the system and (re-)run sudo satnogs-setup; this will bring up the configuration menu
Select Update to update the configuration tool and all distribution packages to the latest
If you are prompted for a reboot during the upgrade, once the upgrade is finished, select Reboot, SSH back into the system and re-run satnogs-setup to continue to the next step
Select Apply and the Raspberry Pi will update itself; this may take some time
Before exit, check at the top that you have the latest satnogs-client and gr-satnogs versions
Select Back to exit

You can check your current version of client (and other client software) at the top of window after running sudo satnogs-setup; alternatively you can generate the support report by going at Advanced -> Support.

Client version on SatNOGS Network is updated after the first observation with the new client.

Upgrading from Debian 'stretch' or 'buster', to 'bullseye'

Debian stretch and buster are no longer supported. If you have already installed an older version of Debian or Raspbian SatNOGS image based on buster or stretch (releases <= 2020122700), you must upgrade to bullseye otherwise it will be impossible to receive updates or upgrades in the future.

Reflashing and reinstalling

The recommended method to upgrade to bullseye is reflashing the latest Raspbian SatNOGS image (or reinstalling latest Debian). Follow Raspberry Pi installation instructions and reinstall from scratch.

Verification of correct installation

To see if satnogs-client has started successfully, check the logs with systemctl:

$ systemctl status satnogs-client

You should see an output that looks like this:

● satnogs-client.service - SatNOGS client

  Loaded: loaded (/etc/systemd/system/satnogs-client.service; enabled; vendor preset: enabled)
  Active: active (running) since Wed 2020-03-04 19:30:56 GMT; 6min ago
Main PID: 6309 (satnogs-client)
   Tasks: 11 (limit: 2200)
  Memory: 37.9M
  CGroup: /system.slice/satnogs-client.service
          └─6309 /var/lib/satnogs/bin/python3 /var/lib/satnogs/bin/satnogs-client

Mar 04 19:30:56 raspberrypi systemd[1]: Started SatNOGS client.

If you see that, great -- you're ready to schedule your first observation! If not, check out the Troubleshooting page.

Backup & Restore the configuration

The configuration of your SatNOGS station is stored at /etc/ansible/host_vars/localhost. If your station software is broken (e.g. due to a corrupt SD card) or if you want to downgrade from the experimental software back to the stable releases, you can perform the following steps:

Backup the configuration file at /etc/ansible/host_vars/localhost
Re-flash the SD card with a fresh image
Restore the configuration file
Run sudo satnogs-setup and select Update to update the tool itself and then select Apply

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 ==Initial Setup==
-Right after the first boot of the system, packages and the configuration tool itself '''must be updated'''. Follow the [[SatNOGS Client Setup#Updating SatNOGS Client Software|Updating]] instruction found below.
+Before starting <code>satnogs-setup</code>, ensure the Raspberry Pi is up to date. This can be done with <code>sudo apt update</code> and then <code>sudo apt upgrade</code>.
+{{Message| In case of getting a similar error to this:
+<code>W: An error occurred during the signature verification. The repository is not updated and the previous index files will be used. GPG error: http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/librespace:/satnogs/Raspbian_10 ./ InRelease: The following signatures were invalid: EXPKEYSIG 8BD3901736A40B6C home:librespace OBS Project <home:librespace@build.opensuse.org>
+</code>
+Check at https://wiki.satnogs.org/Troubleshooting#Invalid_Signature_for_download.opensuse.org on how to solve it}}In case of getting a similar error to "Newer kernel available" annoying message after running sudo apt update:
+Package configuration
+┌──────────┤ Pending kernel upgrade ├─────────────────────┐
+│                                                                                                                              │
+│ Newer kernel available                                                                                         │
+│                                                                                                                              │
+│ The currently running kernel version is 4.19.97-v7l+ which is not the                 │
+│ expected kernel version 4.19.93-v8+.                                                                 │
+│                                                                                                                             │
+│ Restarting the system to load the new kernel will not be handled                      │
+│ automatically, so you should consider rebooting.                                               │
+│                                                                                                                             │
+│                                 <Ok>                                                                                   │
+│                                                                                                                             │
+└─────────────────────────────────────────────────|
+Do a "sudo apt purge needrestart" after doing a reboot after doing a "sudo apt update"{{Message| In case of getting a similar error to this:
+<code>
+E: Repository 'http://archive.raspberrypi.org/debian buster InRelease' changed its 'Suite' value from 'testing' to 'oldstable'
+N: This must be accepted explicitly before updates for this repository can be applied. See apt-secure(8) manpage for details.
+E: Repository 'http://raspbian.raspberrypi.org/raspbian buster InRelease' changed its 'Suite' value from 'stable' to 'oldstable'
+N: This must be accepted explicitly before updates for this repository can be applied. See apt-secure(8) manpage for details.
+</code>
+Run <code>sudo apt-get update --allow-releaseinfo-change</code> instead of just <code>sudo apt-get update</code>}}
+(See: [[Troubleshooting#apt-get update: connection failed]] ).
+After the first boot of the system, packages and the configuration tool itself '''must be updated'''. Follow the [[SatNOGS Client Setup#Updating SatNOGS Client Software|Updating]] instruction found below.
 To configure a '''SatNOGS Client''' system:
@@ Line 24: / Line 73: @@
 |-
 |<code>SATNOGS_SOAPY_RX_DEVICE</code>
-|If you are using an RTL-SDR, this is <code>driver=rtlsdr</code>.  See [https://github.com/pothosware/SoapyRTLSDR/wiki#modules pothosware/SoapyRTLSDR/wiki#modules] for other SDR modules (linked in the navigation bar at the right side of the page). If multiple devices are attached to your station you should also specify the serial of the desired device here, e.g. <code>driver=uhd,serial=3164495</code>.
+|If you are using an RTL-SDR, this is <code>driver=rtlsdr</code>. For other devices tested configurations can be found at [[Software_Defined_Radio]].
+See [https://github.com/pothosware/SoapyRTLSDR/wiki#modules pothosware/SoapyRTLSDR/wiki#modules] for other SDR modules (linked in the navigation bar at the right side of the page). If multiple devices are attached to your station you should also specify the serial of the desired device here, e.g. <code>driver=uhd,serial=3164495</code>.
 |-
 |<code>SATNOGS_ANTENNA</code>
-|If you are using an RTL-SDR, this is <code>RX</code>. Use <code><nowiki>SoapySDRUtil --probe 2>&1| grep Antennas</nowiki></code> to get available antennas for other [https://github.com/pothosware/SoapyRTLSDR/wiki#modules modules].
+|If you are using an RTL-SDR, this is <code>RX</code>. For other devices tested configurations can be found at [[Software_Defined_Radio]].
+If your device is not listed there yet, use <code><nowiki>SoapySDRUtil --probe 2>&1| grep Antennas</nowiki></code> to get available antennas.
 |-
 |<code>SATNOGS_RX_SAMP_RATE</code>
-|Specify the receiver sampling rate. Recommended value for RTL-SDR: <code>2.048e6</code> (for 2Msps).
+|Specify the receiver sampling rate. Recommended value for RTL-SDR: <code>2.048e6</code> (for 2Msps), other devices will need different sample rates described at [[Software_Defined_Radio]] .
+The command <code><nowiki>SoapySDRUtil --probe 2>&1 | grep Sample</nowiki></code> can be used to find all valid sample rates.
 |-
 |<code>SATNOGS_RF_GAIN</code>
-|RF Gain value for your SDR hardware. Run <code>SoapySDRUtil --probe</code> to see all possible gain values for your hardware.
+|RF Gain value for your SDR hardware.
+Run <code>SoapySDRUtil --probe</code> to see all possible gain values for your hardware.
 Example: For RTL-SDR without pre-amp, 32.8 is a good starting value. Follow [[Omnidirectional Station How To#Setting the gain|Setting the gain]] to find a good gain value.
 |-
@@ Line 56: / Line 117: @@
 !Setting
 !Description
+|-
+|<code>SATNOGS_PPM_ERROR</code>
+|The local oscillator frequency deviation in ppm (value will be rounded to integer).
+Available with the following modules:
+*SoapyRTLSDR
+*SoapySDRPlay
+Not available with the following modules:
+*SoapyUHD
+*SoapyPluto
 |-
 |<code>SATNOGS_RX_BANDWIDTH</code>
@@ Line 67: / Line 140: @@
 |Choose the gain mode:
-* <code>"Overall"</code> (default): Set the gain with the single value from <code>SATNOGS_RF_GAIN</code>
+*<code>"Overall"</code> (default): Set the gain with the single value from <code>SATNOGS_RF_GAIN</code>
-* <code>"Settings Field"</code>: Ignore <code>SATNOGS_RF_GAIN</code>, use the settings from <code>SATNOGS_OTHER_SETTINGS</code> instead
+*<code>"Settings Field"</code>: Ignore <code>SATNOGS_RF_GAIN</code>, use the settings from <code>SATNOGS_OTHER_SETTINGS</code> instead
 |-
 |<code>SATNOGS_STREAM_ARGS</code>
@@ Line 77: / Line 150: @@
 |-
 |<code>SATNOGS_OTHER_SETTINGS</code>
-|Example for Airspy: <code>SATNOGS_OTHER_SETTINGS="LNA=12,MIX=8,VGA=11"</code>See also: [[SDR#Airspy|Airspy support]]
+|Only available if <code>SATNOGS_GAIN_MODE</code>is<code>"Settings Field"</code>.
+Available gain settings can be retrieved using <code>SoapySDRUtil --probe="driver=xxxx`</code>
+Example for Airspy: Use<code>"LNA=12,MIX=8,VGA=11"</code>See also: [[SDR#Airspy|Airspy support]]
 |-
 |<code>SATNOGS_DC_REMOVAL</code>
@@ Line 166: / Line 242: @@
 |<code>LOG_LEVEL</code>
 |Define SatNOGS client log level, available values: <code>ERROR</code>, <code>WARNING</code>, <code>INFO</code> and <code>DEBUG</code>
+|-
+|
+|-
+|<code>SATNOGS_ARTIFACTS_ENABLED</code>
+|Enable generation and uploading of HDF5 artifacts files to SatNOGS DB. (added in satnogs-client 1.7)
+|-
+|<code>SATNOGS_ARTIFACTS_API_TOKEN</code>
+|SatNOGS DB API token associated with an account in SatNOGS DB. This token is secret. It is used to upload artifacts to SatNOGS DB. It can be found in SatNOGS DB user page. (added in satnogs-client 1.7)
 |}
@@ Line 177: / Line 261: @@
 |If you are using an RTL-SDR, this is <code>rtlsdr</code>.  Other devices supported by gr-satnogs include <code>usrpb200</code>, <code>usrp2</code>, <code>airspy/airspymini</code>, <code>lime</code>, or <code>hackrf</code>.
 |-
-|<code>SATNOGS_PPM_ERROR</code>
+|<code>SATNOGS_PPM_ERROR</code> (available again)
 |gr-satnogs: The PPM correction [https://gitlab.com/librespacefoundation/satnogs/gr-satnogs/-/blob/v1.5.1/apps/flowgraphs/README.md#execution-arguements-interface]
 |-
@@ Line 195: / Line 279: @@
 ==Updating SatNOGS Client Software==
+{{Warning| An update can potentially interrupt a running observation!}}
 To update SatNOGS software, including the configuration tool itself:
 #SSH into the system and (re-)run <code>sudo satnogs-setup</code>; this will bring up the configuration menu
 #Select <code>Update</code> to update the configuration tool and all distribution packages to the latest
-#If you are prompt for a reboot during the upgrade, once the upgrade is finished, select <code>Reboot</code>, SSH back into the system and re-run <code>satnogs-setup</code> to continue to the next step
+#If you are prompted for a reboot during the upgrade, once the upgrade is finished, select <code>Reboot</code>, SSH back into the system and re-run <code>satnogs-setup</code> to continue to the next step
 #Select <code>Apply</code> and the Raspberry Pi will update itself; this may take some time
 #Before exit, check at the top that you have the latest satnogs-client and gr-satnogs versions
 #Select <code>Back</code> to exit
-'''WARNING: An update can potentially interrupt a running observation!'''
+{{Message|You can check your current version of client (and other client software) at the top of window after running <code>sudo satnogs-setup</code>; alternatively you can generate the support report by going at <code>Advanced -> Support</code>.}}
-===Upgrading from Debian 'stretch' to 'buster'===
+{{Message|Client version on SatNOGS Network is updated after the first observation with the new client.}}
-Debian <code>stretch</code> is no longer supported. If you have already installed an older version of Debian or Raspbian SatNOGS image based on <code>stretch</code> (releases <= [https://gitlab.com/librespacefoundation/satnogs/satnogs-pi-gen/-/tags/2018080300 2018080300]), you must upgrade to <code>buster</code> otherwise it will be impossible to receive updates or upgrades in the future.
+===Upgrading from Debian 'stretch' or 'buster', to 'bullseye'===
-====Method 1: Reflashing and reinstalling (recommended)====
+Debian <code>stretch</code> and <code>buster</code> are no longer supported. If you have already installed an older version of Debian or Raspbian SatNOGS image based on <code>buster</code> or  <code>stretch</code> (releases <= [https://gitlab.com/librespacefoundation/satnogs/satnogs-pi-gen/-/tags/2020122700 2020122700]), you must upgrade to <code>bullseye</code> otherwise it will be impossible to receive updates or upgrades in the future.
-The recommended method to upgrade to <code>buster</code> is reflashing the latest Raspbian SatNOGS image (or reinstalling latest Debian). Follow [[Raspberry Pi|Raspberry Pi]] installation instructions and reinstall from scratch.
+====Reflashing and reinstalling====
-====Method 2: Release upgrade using satnogs-upgrade (advanced)====
+The recommended method to upgrade to <code>bullseye</code> is reflashing the latest Raspbian SatNOGS image (or reinstalling latest Debian). Follow [[Raspberry Pi|Raspberry Pi]] installation instructions and reinstall from scratch.
-{{Warning|Make sure you have a stable connection to the internet and your SatNOGS client during this process. Release upgrades can consume a lot of time, data and storage.}}To upgrade from stretch to buster using the configuration tool:
-#SSH into the system
-#Make sure you have enough free space on your SD card (>2GiB) by running <code>df -h /</code> on the console
-#Run <code>sudo satnogs-upgrade</code> to update all distribution packages to the latest; this will also prompt you for a distribution upgrade, if it detects that one is needed
-#Keep an eye on the upgrade progress; <code>dpkg</code> may prompt for changes
-#Once the upgrade is completed run <code>sudo sync; sudo reboot</code>
-#After the reboot, SSH back into the system and make sure you are on the correct release by running <code>lsb_release -a</code>
-#Run <code>sudo rm -f /root/.satnogs/.bootstrapped; sudo satnogs-setup</code> and select <code>Update</code> and then <code>Apply</code>; this may take some time
-#Before exit, check at the top that you have the latest satnogs-client and gr-satnogs versions
-#Select <code>Back</code> to exit
 ==Verification of correct installation==
 To see if satnogs-client has started successfully, check the logs with <code>systemctl</code>:<pre>
@@ Line 237: / Line 310: @@
 Mar 04 19:30:56 raspberrypi systemd[1]: Started SatNOGS client.
 </pre>If you see that, great -- you're ready to [[Operation|schedule your first observation]]! If not, check out the [[Troubleshooting]] page.
+==Backup & Restore the configuration==
+The configuration of your SatNOGS station is stored at <code>/etc/ansible/host_vars/localhost</code>. If your station software is broken (e.g. due to a corrupt SD card) or if you want to downgrade from the experimental software back to the stable releases, you can perform the following steps:
+#Backup the configuration file at <code>/etc/ansible/host_vars/localhost</code>
+#Re-flash the SD card with a fresh image
+#Restore the configuration file
+#Run <code>sudo satnogs-setup</code> and select <code>Update</code> to update the tool itself and then select <code>Apply</code>
 ==See also==