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Nettemp Client Installation

Complete guide for installing Nettemp client on Raspberry Pi and Linux devices.

Prerequisites​

  • Raspberry Pi (any model) or Linux device (Debian/Ubuntu)
  • Python 3.7+
  • Internet connection
  • Sudo access

The easiest way to install and configure - uses the interactive configuration tool:

git clone https://github.com/sosprz/nettemp_client.git
cd nettemp_client
python3 nettemp_config.py

Configuration Menu

What Does nettemp_config.py Do?​

The interactive tool provides a complete all-in-one setup:

1. Automatic Environment Setup

  • ✅ Checks Python version (3.7+)
  • ✅ Creates virtual environment automatically
  • ✅ Installs system packages (i2c-tools, lm-sensors)
  • ✅ Installs Python dependencies from requirements.txt
  • ✅ Adds user to i2c and gpio groups

2. Interactive Configuration

  • 🎯 Server Management - Add/edit/remove cloud or self-hosted servers
  • 🎯 Device Configuration - Set device ID and group name
  • 🎯 API Keys - Configure authentication tokens
  • 🎯 Test Connectivity - Verify connection to servers

3. Hardware Discovery

  • 🔍 I2C Scanner - Auto-detects connected I2C sensors
  • 🔍 1-Wire Discovery - Finds DS18B20 temperature sensors
  • 🔍 Auto-Configuration - Suggests drivers based on detected hardware

I2C Scanner

4. Sensor Management

  • 📊 22+ Drivers - Enable/disable individual sensors
  • ⏱️ Reading Intervals - Configure per-sensor polling frequency
  • 🔧 Driver Settings - Edit I2C addresses, GPIO pins, calibration
  • 🧪 Test Readings - Live sensor testing before deployment

Driver Configuration

5. System Management

  • 🚀 Auto-start Setup - Configure cron job for boot
  • 🔄 Background Process - Start/stop/status of client
  • 📦 Updates - Pull latest changes from GitHub
  • 🌉 HTTP Bridge - Enable local HTTP endpoint (optional)

6. No Manual Editing Needed

  • All configuration is interactive with menus
  • Changes are validated before saving
  • No need to edit YAML or config files manually
  • Preserves existing settings during updates

Configuration Tool Features​

python3 nettemp_config.py

Main Menu:

  • ⚙️ Server Configuration
  • 🔌 Sensor Configuration
  • 🔍 Discover Devices (I2C + 1-Wire)
  • 🧪 Test Sensor Readings
  • 📊 System Management
  • 🔄 Update from GitHub

The tool handles everything - from initial setup to ongoing management!

Legacy Setup Script​

If you prefer the older automated setup:

chmod +x setup.sh
./setup.sh

The setup.sh script performs basic installation but lacks the interactive configuration and hardware discovery features of nettemp_config.py.

Manual Installation​

If you prefer manual setup:

1. Install System Dependencies​

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install -y python3-pip python3-venv lm-sensors git

2. Clone Repository​

git clone https://github.com/sosprz/nettemp_client.git
cd nettemp_client

3. Create Virtual Environment​

python3 -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate

4. Install Python Packages​

pip3 install -r requirements.txt

5. Create Configuration​

cp example_config.conf config.conf
cp example_drivers_config.yaml drivers_config.yaml

Edit these files with your sensor and cloud settings.

6. Set Up Auto-Start​

Add to crontab:

crontab -e

Add this line:

@reboot /bin/sleep 30 && /path/to/nettemp_client/venv/bin/python3 /path/to/nettemp_client/nettemp_client.py &

7. Enable I2C (if using I2C sensors)​

sudo raspi-config
# Interface Options → I2C → Enable

# Add user to i2c group
sudo usermod $USER -aG i2c

# Reboot to apply
sudo reboot

Verify Installation​

python3 nettemp_config.py

Navigate to:

  1. "Discover Devices" - Check if I2C and 1-Wire sensors are detected
  2. "Test Sensor Readings" - See live data from enabled sensors
  3. "System Management" → "Check Status" - Verify background process

Manual Verification​

# Check Python version
python3 --version
# Should be 3.7 or higher

# Test with fake data
python3 demo_all_sensors.py
# Sends test data to configured servers

# Run client manually
python3 nettemp.py
# Press Ctrl+C to stop

File Structure​

nettemp_client/
├── nettemp_config.py             # Interactive configuration tool ⭐
├── nettemp.py                    # Main client (cloud sync + sensors)
├── nettemp_client.py             # Legacy runner (deprecated)
├── bridge.py                     # HTTP bridge (optional)
├── driver_loader.py              # Driver manager
├── config.conf                   # Your device settings (git ignored)
├── drivers_config.yaml           # Your sensor config (git ignored)
├── example_config.conf           # Config template
├── example_drivers_config.yaml   # Drivers template
├── demo_all_sensors.py           # Test script with fake data
├── setup.sh                      # Legacy auto-install script
├── update.sh                     # Update script
├── requirements.txt              # Python dependencies
├── venv/                         # Virtual environment (auto-created)
└── drivers/                      # 22+ sensor drivers
    ├── system.py                 # CPU, RAM, disk
    ├── rpi.py                    # Raspberry Pi temp
    ├── dht22.py                  # DHT22 GPIO
    ├── dht11.py                  # DHT11 GPIO
    ├── bme280.py                 # BME280 I2C
    ├── w1_kernel.py              # DS18B20 1-Wire
    ├── hcsr04.py                 # Ultrasonic distance
    ├── capacitive_soil.py        # Soil moisture (ADS1115)
    └── ...                       # 15+ more drivers

Python Dependencies​

From requirements.txt:

requests           # HTTP client
pyserial           # Serial communication
psutil             # System stats
apscheduler        # Task scheduling
pyyaml             # Config parsing

# Sensor-specific (installed as needed):
Adafruit-DHT       # DHT11/DHT22
w1thermsensor      # DS18B20
smbus2             # I2C sensors
RPi.GPIO           # GPIO control

Platform-Specific Notes​

Raspberry Pi​

  • Enable I2C: sudo raspi-config
  • Enable 1-Wire: Add dtoverlay=w1-gpio to /boot/config.txt
  • Install GPIO library: pip3 install RPi.GPIO

Ubuntu/Debian​

  • I2C group: sudo usermod $USER -aG i2c
  • Serial access: sudo usermod $USER -aG dialout

Docker​

Docker deployment is also supported - check the repository for Dockerfile.

Updating​

cd nettemp_client
python3 nettemp_config.py

Select: "System Management" → "Update from GitHub"

The tool will:

  • ✅ Stop running client
  • ✅ Pull latest changes from GitHub
  • ✅ Update Python dependencies
  • ✅ Merge new drivers to your config
  • ✅ Preserve your settings
  • ✅ Offer to restart client

Manual Update​

cd nettemp_client
git pull origin main
source venv/bin/activate
pip3 install -r requirements.txt --upgrade

Your config.conf and drivers_config.yaml are preserved during updates. New drivers from example_drivers_config.yaml are automatically added to your configuration (disabled by default).

Uninstalling​

To remove Nettemp client:

# Remove cron job
crontab -e
# Delete the @reboot line

# Remove directory
cd ~
rm -rf nettemp_client

# Remove I2C group (optional)
sudo deluser $USER i2c

Next Steps​

Troubleshooting​

Import Errors​

# Reinstall dependencies
source venv/bin/activate
pip3 install -r requirements.txt --force-reinstall

Permission Denied (I2C)​

sudo usermod $USER -aG i2c
sudo reboot

Cron Not Starting​

# Check cron logs
grep CRON /var/log/syslog

# Test manually
/bin/sleep 5 && /path/to/venv/bin/python3 /path/to/nettemp_client.py

Support​

Need help? Contact us: