[Ovmsdev] Lessons learnt, production batch #2 and onwards

[Michael Stegen]

I really liked the way athom.com did it with their 'Homey' home 
automation device.

Their setup.homey.com page tells you step by step what to do, and 
pre-loads the firmware update, so once you have connected to homey's 
wifi hotspot, it can upgrade the firmware through the browser and 
configure the device.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctAGzdC4rvc

-Michael

Op 23-4-2018 om 10:44 schreef Mark Webb-Johnson:
>
> Well, it has been an interesting few weeks as the first production 
> batch of OVMS v3 came online. I don’t know about for others helping 
> out with support tickets, but I’ve sure learned a lot - especially 
> about what can go wrong for inexperienced users trying to setup a 
> complex product. 14 support tickets were opened, along with another 
> perhaps 6 calls for help via other means, and here are the most common 
> problems encountered:
>
>   * Switched from Access Point mode to Client mode, and lost access.
>   * Can’t get into module via USB (drivers seem ok, but terminal
>     emulators, and baud rates, are beyond most people’s understanding).
>   * Too hard for most to do a factory reset.
>   * Can’t see modem ICCID when powered off.
>   * Modem powered off by default, unless the little tick box is clicked.
>   * Server v2 off by default, unless the little tick box is clicked.
>   * Upper vs lower case on command execution.
>   * Unable to do firmware update in Access Point mode.
>   * Password confusion (wifi client vs module vs server vehicle vs
>     server account vs access point vs OVMSinit vs etc etc).
>   * wifi vs modem switches and DNS settings.
>   * Modem SIM registration issues (can’t see, or don’t know how to
>     see, status of simcom).
>   * Don’t understand how to check status.
>
>
> While some of these issues have been addressed, I am reluctant to 
> release a new batch of modules to the world, especially this time with 
> less technically capable users coming online.
>
> It is probably not ‘fun’ work, but I think we can make this much 
> simpler for new users. We can lead them through the setup in the 
> following stages:
>
>  1. Require, as a pre-requisite, users to initially setup the module
>     within range of a home wifi / cellular hotspot connection.
>
>  2. Factory default, use Access Point mode, SSID OVMS password
>     “OVMSinit”, and no module password. Have them connect to the
>     module over wifi Access Point, and http://192.168.4.1/.
>
>  3. The web interface then shows them a list of WiFi access points in
>     range, and asks them to choose one and enter the password for that
>     access point (clearly labelled as SSID, and "<SSID> Password”).
>
>  4. The module then reconfigures as Client + Access Point mode, and
>     tries to connect to the client wifi, as well as keeping the access
>     point connection open. If not ok, tell them and go back to #3 for
>     them to try again.
>
>  5. When ok, proceed to ask them to update the firmware. This will do
>     a simple OTA download over HTTP, then reboot.
>
>  6. When back up, in one screen ask them to enter all the details for
>     their network, and configure appropriately:
>       * Use Wifi?
>           o WiFi Mode (AccessPoint+SpecificClient, or ScanningClient)
>           o OVMS Access Point SSID
>           o New OVMS Access Point password (as OVMSinit is insecure
>             beyond initial setup)
>       * DNS (default: google, or custom)
>       * Module password (as default empty is insecure beyond initial
>         setup)
>       * Use OVMS Server v2?
>           o Vehicle type
>           o Vehicle ID
>           o Vehicle Server password
>           o Vehicle server (openvehicles, dexter, or custom)
>       * Use modem?
>           o Modem APN, username and password (default: hologram)
>
>  7. Test each of the above, and show them the results. Set auto
>     appropriately, and disable quickstart then reboot.
>
>
> The point is to lead them through each of the steps, test each setting 
> and show them the result.
>
> Technically, my only concern is the switch from AP to AP+client mode 
> and whether the existing wifi connection will die or survive the 
> channel switch. We also have to do a wifi scan, in Access Point mode, 
> but I think we can do that by just temporarily turning off access 
> point or doing it before the access point is brought up. Both these 
> will depend on how ESP32 handles it.
>
> I’m happy to do a lot (if not all) of the above, but will definitely 
> need help with the web side.
>
> But, first let’s agree on the proper list of questions to ask and flow 
> to follow.
>
> Regards, Mark.
>
>
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> OvmsDev at lists.openvehicles.com
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