Or, if you prefer to do a fully manual install, continue reading below. Either way, building an Internet-in-a-Box (IIAB) server involves these 3 steps:
We’ve come a long way since our installation video from 2019-02-14.
Building your own DIY Library of Alexandria is one of the most valuable gifts you can offer to your community! As you do this, we strongly encourage you to get in touch with our global volunteer community network (http://OFF.NETWORK) such that the very best learning content is increasingly available to deserving minds of all ages, in ALL countries!
Thank you for taking Digital Libraries seriously for one & all!
This is for people who already know how to do everything in these instructions and enjoy doing them multiple times by missing the nuances that make this install different from things they have done before. If you are an expert, at least read about PARTITIONING as so many miss this part. Reading about networking will probably come in handy as well.
There are basically three ways to install IIAB software:
The advantage of doing everything from scratch is that you will get exactly what you want, and learn about the inner workings of Internet-in-a-Box. (The disadvantage is that it’s more work!)
Here is the complete list of the steps required. Some may already be done.
Assemble your hardware with your chosen amount of RAM, storage, and network devices. See IIAB Platforms for the partitioning scheme and IIAB Networking overview.
Traditionally we use Standard partitioning, but increasingly since 2017 LVM partitioning is possible as well. In any case, the above “IIAB Platforms” document is the place to start for all partitioning tips.
Install a minimal version of your OS (installing ssh is fine, but avoid installing Apache/NGINX or most anything else, as these will be installed for you later!)
WARNING: OTHER LINUX DISTRIBUTIONS MAY NOT/YET WORK!
While installing over Wi-Fi is possible, an Ethernet (live Internet) cable is strongly recommended during installation!
If you have no choice but to install over Wi-Fi, you can use use “sudo raspi-config” (on Raspberry Pi OS) -> Network Options -> Wi-Fi to set the SSID and passphrase that will get you on the Internet (this happens in /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf). Then do “sudo reboot” and verify your Internet connection.
No matter what your OS, log into your machine with an attached monitor/keyboard or via ssh. Before proceeding, verify your Internet connection by typing:
ping mit.eduVerify you don’t have an old/troublesome version of Ansible installed!
Read “What is Ansible and what version should I use?” within FAQ.IIAB.IO (or suffer the consequences :-)
Escalate to root using “sudo su -” or similar. If you prefer to use “sudo” with each of the commands below, that is OK too.
Run these commands:
apt update
apt -y dist-upgrade
apt -y clean
reboot
apt -y install git
mkdir -p /opt/iiab
cd /opt/iiab/
git clone https://github.com/iiab/iiab --depth 1
git clone https://github.com/iiab/iiab-admin-console --depth 1
git clone https://github.com/iiab/iiab-factory --depth 1
mkdir -p /etc/iiab/
cd /opt/iiab/iiab/vars/
# cp local_vars_small.yml /etc/iiab/local_vars.yml
cp local_vars_medium.yml /etc/iiab/local_vars.yml
# cp local_vars_large.yml /etc/iiab/local_vars.yml
# PLEASE EXAMINE local_vars.yml CAREFULLY (AND MODIFY AS NEC) *BEFORE*
# RUNNING ./iiab-install (BELOW) AS THIS CAN TAKE A COUPLE HOURS!
# NOTE: you can change many/most settings after install too, using the
# Admin Console (http://box.lan/admin) as documented at: FAQ.html
cd /opt/iiab/iiab/scripts/
./ansible
# Installs latest Ansible, Ansible Collections, and Python 3 / venv apt
# packages: https://github.com/iiab/iiab/blob/master/scripts/ansible.md
cd /opt/iiab/iiab/
./iiab-install
# TRY TO RERUN THE ABOVE LINE IF IT FAILS (if networking glitches etc?)
cd /opt/iiab/iiab-admin-console/
./install
# Installs Admin Console; runs iiab-get-kiwix-cat to d/l Kiwix catalog
# Installs Dynamic Menuing for /library/www/html/home/index.htmlSTRONGLY RECOMMENDED: The above commands happen automatically if you run our 1-line installer, which allows you to choose a preset number of server apps: (~6 server apps, ~12 server apps, or ~30 server apps)
curl iiab.io/install.txt | bashThis 1-line installer requires the latest Raspberry Pi OS (on Raspberry Pi 3, 3 B+ or 4), Ubuntu 20.04 LTS or Debian 10+ (on x86_64 PC’s). Note the above can take more than an hour on a Raspberry Pi — even with a fast Internet connection — so if you want to get moving faster, stick with a SMALL-sized or MEDIUM-sized install. Conversely a much larger but slower installation is possible (“LARGE-sized”) if you want to experiment with the more full suite of ~30 server apps. Please review the comparison table to help you make your choice.
Finally, please browse our install script to inspect and learn from the automated steps of the bash-driven installation process, and please write to bugs @ iiab.io if you find issues, Thank You !
In general, beware ./iiab-install (formerly “./runansible”) runs slowly (1) the 1st time you run it (2) if you permit your Raspberry Pi CPU to rise above 80C on a hot day without active ventilation (3) if you’re using a slower/older SD card and/or (4) if you have a slow Internet connection.
Whereas subsequent runs (e.g. via Admin Console -> Configure -> Install Configured Options) can take as little as 10-to-20 minutes on a modern Raspberry Pi.
As explained in the above “curl” script, a reboot is generally necessary before IIAB becomes fully functional, e.g. to put Hostname change into effect, etc.
Please note that if you need to upgrade from a recent version, and it has been some time since you cloned IIAB, you may want to consider the following instead of a fresh install: (upgrades are at your own risk)
cd /opt/iiab/iiab/
git pull
./iiab-install --reinstallAlso At Your Own Risk: On Raspberry Pi OS, Ubuntu or Debian, download and install the latest security/package revisions by running apt update followed by apt dist-upgrade (might upgrade your kernel) and then rebooting — per the recommendations at https://wiki.iiab.io/go/Security (on CentOS, run yum update and on more recent versions of Fedora run dnf upgrade).
Please note that if SELinux was enabled it will be disabled and the server will reboot at the end of the install. In that case the server may get a new IP address, usually one higher than the previous one. The server may also disconnect during the install in which case you will need to reconnect in order to continue.
You can see the log of the last install by typing:
more /opt/iiab/iiab/iiab-install.logProceed to: Configure the Server
If you want to install a pre-built disk image (ISO file, .img file or similar) onto a Raspberry Pi microSD card, follow these instructions: Raspberry-Pi-Images.html:-Summary
For the latest, please also see “How do I back up, shrink & copy IIAB microSD cards?” at FAQ.html
We recommend you install the latest version of Raspberry Pi OS (Lite version, or with desktop — the 64-bit version if possible).
WARNING: IIAB DOES NOT SUPPORT THE NOOBS OS!
As of August 2022, IIAB can also be (experimentally) installed on Ubuntu on Raspberry Pi.
Either way (review the latest OS recommendations!). Then, after you’ve installed your chosen OS, proceed to install IIAB from https://download.iiab.io
Note that most Intel NUCs (Next Unit of Computing) shipping since 2015, including the 5th and 6th generation Intel NUC’s, have a soldered-in Wi-Fi chip limited to 12 clients maximum. Its competitor the Gigabyte BRIX suffers from the same limitation out of the box (factory units arrive with an Intel Wi-Fi module) but thankfully this Wi-Fi module is removable! Specifically, the Gigabyte BRIX’s Wi-Fi socket has been tested to accept less-constrained Wi-Fi cards, such as Atheros modules available for less than $10.
If you are given a pre-built x86 image, it should generally install via Clonezilla when booted on the target machine.
The image (ending in .img) should be written to a USB stick using the same software as for Raspberry Pi and OLPC XO laptops.
Note that these images will write two partitions to a USB stick (thumb drive). The first partition contains the Clonezilla tool, which uses the data from the second partition to initialize your hard disk.
Finally, while these images have been developed on the Intel NUC, they may well work on other Intel machines too (do let us know!)
Install OLPC OS 13.2.11 or similar onto the XO laptop
In My Settings -> Power turn off Automatic Power Management
Connect all the network interfaces and reboot
Install git and Ansible: (for dependencies)
su -
git clone https://github.com/ansible/ansible --branch stable-2.2 --recursive
cd ansible
python setup.py installContext: early in 2017 Ansible 2.2.0 had been required, avoiding 2.2.1 which had issues.
As of late May 2021, ansible-core 2.11.1+ was recommended — please verify Ansible’s version number by running:
ansible --versionClone the IIAB git repo, and cd into it:
mkdir -p /opt/iiab
cd /opt/iiab/
git clone --branch release-6.2 --depth 1 https://github.com/iiab/iiab
cd /opt/iiab/iiab/Verify all the network interfaces are visible and have the correct interface label:
ip addr (similar to legacy command "ifconfig")Optionally, verify that all network interfaces are properly autodetected:
bash roles/common/library/iiab_factsFrom the iiab directory, run initial setup. The XO will automatically reboot early in the install and must be restarted with “./iiab-install (formerly”./runansible") to complete the install process: (increases size of /tmp so installs will complete successfully)
./iiab-install (formerly "./runansible", try to rerun this if it fails!)At this point you should be able to connect to http://box from a browser. In certain cases http://box.lan, http://schoolserver.lan, http://localhost or http://10.10.10.10 may instead be necessary.
To begin configuring the server, connect to its Admin Console at http://box.lan/admin (username: iiab-admin password: g0adm1n – note the numbers 0, 1). In general, all default/initial passwords are documented at “What are the default passwords?” within: FAQ.html
This permits selection of options, services, languages, etc to permit additional services, and educational resources to be enabled and selected for download.
Please click on the Help link to get detailed information on configuration options.
If you’re new to the Admin Console, please read “What are the default passwords?” in FAQ.html
The first time you sign into the Admin Console would be the best time to change the password. Select the Utilities menu option and the first item, change password. Fill in the form and click Change Password.
Please also read about and take seriously Internet-in-a-Box security practices.
Once the password has been set you should start with the Configure menu item. The overall process is:
This job can take a substantial amount of time depending on the capacity of the platform involved and how much of the software was included in the initial image.
Proceed to: Add Content
Operator can select one of three modes of operation:
Based upon selection of the above mode in the Admin Console, IIAB’s network role will attempt to set up network connections. If “Appliance” mode is wanted, the network adapter will be set up. If “Gateway” is selected, and one of the adapters discovers that it is connected to a source of IP addresses, that adapter will be the internet, and the other the Wi-Fi connector. If “LAN Controller” is selected, any adapter found will be act as server to any clients that might ask to connect.
The IIAB installation attempts to determine the network topology based on the number and types of connections it discovers. In general, it looks to see if there is a connection to a gateway and whether other wireless or wired connections are present.
It’s best to choose your IIAB Apps (services) prior to installing IIAB, by configuring /etc/iiab/local_vars.yml, as the 1-line installer asks you to do.
Some of these apps/service can also be enabled after IIAB software is installed, by checking boxes in Admin Console (http://box.lan/admin) -> Configure menu -> Enable Services.
If you attempt this, remember to then click Save Configuration -> Install Configured Options.
Finally, confirm that it has completed in the coming minutes, within Utilities menu -> Display Job Status -> Refresh Status.
If you’re new to the Admin Console, please read “What are the default passwords?” in FAQ.html
Please see “How do I customize my Internet-in-a-Box home page?” at FAQ.IIAB.IO and watch the HOW-TO videos on Internet-in-a-Box’s YouTube channel (several available as .mp4 and .webm) to get moving downloading & arranging content on your IIAB (Internet-in-a-Box).
Since IIAB/XSCE 6.0, many kinds of content can be downloaded and installed through your IIAB server’s Admin Console (http://box.lan/admin).
WARNING: some of these Content Packs are quite large and you should pay attention to the space available and space required displayed on each screen. Note that space calculations may not reflect multiple types of downloads happening simultaneously.
To begin, log in to the Admin Console (http://box.lan/admin), take the Install Content menu item, and view relevant Help.
ZIM files (ZIMs) are compressed and indexed (rapidly searchable) Content Packs, generally prepared by https://kiwix.org. They include Wikipedia, Wiktionary, TED Talks, and many other educational/reference materials in multiple languages. Download and install these as follows:
Within Admin Console -> Install Content, hit button Refresh Kiwix Catalog to update your list of available ZIMs with the very latest from Kiwix.org.
Within Install Content, take menu option Get ZIM Files from Kiwix. Before making your selection of ZIM Content Packs, use buttons Select Languages -> More Languages to be sure you’re viewing all relevant choices, in many more languages than just {English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Arabic and Hindi}.
Carefully finalize your selection of ZIM Content Packs, among the many choices. Avoid downloading/installing more than 10 at once!
Hit button Install Selected ZIMs to begin downloading and installing them onto your server. This can take a very long time, during which time your server may appear unresponsive (within the first hour especially) while it’s working!
Monitor progress within Admin Console -> Utilities -> Display Job Status. Each ZIM spawns 3 jobs which (1) download, (2) unzip, then (3) move the pieces into position within /library/zims/content and /library/zims/index. In the past, after installing ZIMs, you also needed to run “iiab-make-kiwix-lib; systemctl restart kiwix-serve” — but this is no longer necessary since IIAB/XSCE 6.2.
WARNING: there are certain situations (particularly if you’ve removed a ZIM from /library/zims, e.g. to clean house or when a malformed ZIM failed to install its index) where you need to run Admin Console -> Install Content -> Restart Kiwix Server. This will fix the listing within the above “Get ZIM Files from Kiwix” downloader, so it correctly shows which ZIMs you truly have installed (and which others are truly downloadable!)
Reminder: you can always click Help near the top-right on any page within IIAB’s Admin Console, then click on help section Install Content.
RACHEL maintains a large number of Content Packs at https://rachel.worldpossible.org/content. They include HTML, PDF, and other web materials in multiple languages. Download and install these as follows:
Within Admin Console -> Install Content, hit button Refresh OER2Go Catalog to update your list of available modules.
Within Install Content, take menu option Get OER2Go(RACHEL) Modules. Before making your selection of modules, use buttons Select Languages -> More Languages to be sure you’re viewing all relevant choices, in many more languages than just {English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Arabic and Hindi}.
Carefully finalize your selection of OER2Go modules, among the many choices. Avoid downloading/installing more than 10 at once!
Hit button Install Selected Modules to begin downloading and installing them onto your server. This can take a very long time, during which time your server may appear unresponsive (within the first hour especially) while it’s working!
Monitor progress within Admin Console -> Utilities -> Display Job Status. Each module spawns 2 jobs which (1) download, then (2) move the pieces into position within /library/www/html/modules.
Reminder: you can always click Help near the top-right on any page within IIAB’s Admin Console, then click on help section Install Content.
KA Lite is the most popular platform to experience Khan Academy videos, and a huge collection of associated exercises. Accounts may be created for students and teachers if you choose to use KA Lite’s LMS functionality as well, to track your own progress (or others’).
To download the Khan Academy videos of your choosing, in various languages, use KA Lite’s downloader available in these places:
Username/password is Admin/changeme upon installation.
KA Lite’s English exercises and subtitles (about 1 GB) MUST be downloaded and installed, even if you are not using English videos, starting with KA Lite 0.17.0 early in 2017. Thankfully IIAB’s 1-line install script installs this essential piece for you.
See also “KA Lite Administration: What tips & tricks exist?” within FAQ.IIAB.IO.
Download OER2Go (RACHEL) modules manually using rsync, to /library/www/html/modules
After a module has been downloaded successfully (rerun rsync if there are connectivity issues) local/offline users can access it with URL:
http://box.lan/modules/<module-name>If KA Lite videos have been obtained from another install or on some storage medium they can be copied directly to KA Lite without going through the admin interface.
systemctl restart kalite-serve to restart the serverOpenStreetMap.org (OSM) is much like Google Maps, but more democratic and without advertising — anybody can change it, much like Wikipedia only for maps.
Internet-in-a-Box enables OSM to be viewable, zoomable and searchable while offline.
NEW WAY 2018: Please read “How do I add zoomable maps for my region?” at FAQ.html to install compact vector-based maps that include the full detail for your region.
OLD WAY 2017 / SIMPLE ALTERNATIVE: Consider downloading the 10-layer https://rachel.worldpossible.org/viewmod/en-worldmap-10 (10.7GB) to /library/www/html/modules in a pinch, if you’re running our of time, as the download is all you need to make basic maps happen. The Catch: this download can take hours, as it includes a huge number of small files.
OLD WAY: 16 levels of zoom are possible, from level 0 to 15 using the bitmap (raster) tiles generating by IIAB starting in 2013. This is about 110GB total, so you may need to obtain a physical drive by working with volunteers at unleashkids.org e.g. if the levels posted to download.iiab.io/content are insufficient for your needs.
Either way, the following directories and their contents are needed:
Implementers can reduce OSM’s storage needs by eliminating high-zoom levels within directory openstreetmap, where each zoom level is contained within its own subdirectory.
Example 1: newer install images typically include layers 0 to 8 (140MB) fully working out-of-the-box, even prior to your customizing your own Internet-in-a-Box server.
Example 2: osm12.tar.gz from download.iiab.io/content includes layers 0 to 12 (8.2GB) showing many towns/rivers/parks worldwide, not just cities/countries/seas.
As you can see, each increasing zoom level generally requires exponentially ever larger amounts of storage!
ASIDE: there is a very dedicated group of people coming together to improve the quality, compactness, vividness, searchability (and UX) of OpenStreetMap for the entire developing world in 2017. Please do make contact with holt @ laptop.org if you too can help here.
Schools/Clinics often have custom learning materials they want “permanently” shared with everyone on site. Such PDF’s, DOC files, videos, images, audio recordings and HTML (etc!) can be copied to /library/www/html/local_content so that users can browse it, with a URL like http://box/usb or http://box.lan/usb
For spontaneous (ad hoc) access to materials and teacher content (handouts, lessons, etc) these can be placed on a USB stick or drive, within a folder named:
…which will appear under URL http://box/usb or http://box.lan/usb when teachers’ sticks/drives are plugged into the server’s USB ports. Warning: some older phones/devices may require you to type in http://box.lan/usb or http://10.10.10.10/usb
For legacy support of the LibraryBox and PirateBox communities, teachers may also place shareable content in folder names {share, Share, Pirateshare/Share} on their USB sticks/drives.
Bonus: after the lesson, teachers should feel free to remove their USB sticks/drives without warning, as the IIAB server should unmount USB sticks/drives automagically.
See “Can teachers display their own content?” within our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ.IIAB.IO) and “usb_lib README” for more info.
IIAB 6.5 introduced this curatorial productivity tool, to free up space on your Internet-in-a-Box, allowing you to select and remove stale content. This can be an absolute lifesaver prior to updating to new content.
After you log into IIAB’s Admin Console (http://box.lan/admin) click Install Content, then Remove Content. A list will appear showing content packs / modules installed on your IIAB.
Use the checkboxes to select those older-or-unneeded ZIM files and OER2Go (RACHEL) modules that you want to remove.
Then click Delete Checked Files at the top of the page!
Reminder: you can always click Help near the top-right on any page within IIAB’s Admin Console, then click on help section Install Content.