Add Ansible playbooks for MeshCore monitoring node deployment

Roles: base (apt, tailscale, motd), meshcore_cli (pipx), meshcore_capture
(agessaman/meshcore-packet-capture + .env.local template), scripts (voltage, bandwidth).

Host vars contain per-device serial ports; group vars hold shared MQTT broker config.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 <noreply@anthropic.com>

README.md

@@ -1,2 +1,76 @@
 # dotmesh-monitor
 
+Ansible playbooks for deploying MeshCore monitoring nodes (Raspberry Pi Zero W / Zero 2 W).
+
+## Hosts
+
+| Host | Hardware | Group |
+|---|---|---|
+| dm-baldock | Pi Zero W (armv6) | zero_w |
+| dm-ashwell | Pi Zero 2 W (armv7) | zero2_w |
+| dm-edworth | Pi Zero 2 W (armv7) | zero2_w |
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+**Local machine:**
+```bash
+pip install ansible
+# or: sudo apt install ansible
+```
+
+**New Pi node checklist:**
+1. Flash Raspberry Pi OS Lite (Bookworm), connect to WiFi
+2. Install Tailscale and join the network
+3. Ensure `david` user exists with sudo access
+4. Connect the MeshCore device via USB, then find its serial ID:
+   ```bash
+   ls /dev/serial/by-id/
+   ```
+5. Set `serial_port` in `ansible/host_vars/<hostname>.yml`
+
+SSH key auth is required. From this machine:
+```bash
+ssh-copy-id david@<hostname>.tail740bb.ts.net
+```
+
+## Usage
+
+**Deploy to a single host (recommended for first run / testing):**
+```bash
+cd ansible
+ansible-playbook -i inventory.yml site.yml --limit dm-edworth
+```
+
+**Deploy to all nodes:**
+```bash
+ansible-playbook -i inventory.yml site.yml
+```
+
+**Dry run:**
+```bash
+ansible-playbook -i inventory.yml site.yml --limit dm-edworth --check
+```
+
+If sudo requires a password, add `--ask-become-pass`.
+
+You'll be prompted for a Tailscale auth key — leave blank if the node is already authenticated.
+
+## What it does
+
+1. **base** — apt upgrade, installs screen/pipx/vnstat/git, sets MOTD, installs and authenticates Tailscale
+2. **meshcore_cli** — installs `meshcore-cli` via pipx
+3. **meshcore_capture** — runs the agessaman/meshcore-packet-capture install script, writes `.env.local` config, enables `meshcore-capture.service`, deploys update/log helper scripts
+4. **scripts** — deploys `voltage.sh` and `bandwidth.sh`
+
+## Config
+
+Shared MQTT config lives in `group_vars/meshcore.yml`. Per-host serial port is in `host_vars/<hostname>.yml`.
+
+Running the playbook again re-applies `.env.local` and restarts the service if it changed — safe to run on already-deployed nodes.
+
+## Credentials note
+
+`group_vars/meshcore.yml` contains MQTT credentials in plaintext. Consider encrypting with Ansible Vault if this repo is shared:
+```bash
+ansible-vault encrypt_string 'yourpassword' --name mqtt_ukmesh_password
+```

ansible/group_vars/all.yml

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+remote_user: david
+ansible_user: "{{ remote_user }}"
+ansible_become: true
+
+meshcore_description: "meshcore management"

ansible/group_vars/meshcore.yml

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+packetcapture_update_repo: agessaman/meshcore-packet-capture
+packetcapture_update_branch: main
+
+packetcapture_iata: LTN
+packetcapture_advert_interval_hours: 11
+packetcapture_log_level: INFO
+packetcapture_owner_public_key: 6C6E8B1B0EE79816941D85928D6ABB0002F46D4ED15AD8D8D2A8B56A3022D13B
+packetcapture_owner_email: david@datajack.org
+
+# MQTT broker credentials
+mqtt_ukmesh_username: dotdavid
+mqtt_ukmesh_password: ApNPXjRj4xtRoluW2X22
+mqtt_meshrank_token: 908E8CB151EE04E37A4B6529CD0263C3

ansible/host_vars/dm-ashwell.yml

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+serial_port: /dev/serial/by-id/usb-Espressif_USB_JTAG_serial_debug_unit_1C:DB:D4:5A:AA:B0-if00

ansible/host_vars/dm-baldock.yml

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+serial_port: /dev/serial/by-id/usb-Espressif_USB_JTAG_serial_debug_unit_98:3D:AE:61:74:60-if00

ansible/host_vars/dm-edworth.yml

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+# Find this by connecting the MeshCore device then running: ls /dev/serial/by-id/
+serial_port: FILL_IN_SERIAL_PORT

ansible/inventory.yml

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+all:
+  children:
+    meshcore:
+      children:
+        zero_w:
+          hosts:
+            dm-baldock:
+              ansible_host: dm-baldock
+        zero2_w:
+          hosts:
+            dm-ashwell:
+              ansible_host: dm-ashwell
+            dm-edworth:
+              ansible_host: dm-edworth

ansible/roles/base/tasks/main.yml

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+---
+- name: Install base packages
+  apt:
+    name:
+      - screen
+      - pipx
+      - vnstat
+      - git
+    state: present
+  become: true
+
+- name: Set MOTD
+  template:
+    src: motd.j2
+    dest: /etc/motd
+    owner: root
+    group: root
+    mode: "0644"
+  become: true
+
+- name: Add Tailscale apt signing key
+  get_url:
+    url: https://pkgs.tailscale.com/stable/debian/bookworm.nosetup.sh
+    dest: /tmp/tailscale-setup.sh
+    mode: "0755"
+  when: tailscale_auth_key != ""
+
+- name: Run Tailscale install script
+  shell: sh /tmp/tailscale-setup.sh
+  args:
+    creates: /usr/bin/tailscale
+  become: true
+  when: tailscale_auth_key != ""
+
+- name: Enable and start tailscaled
+  systemd:
+    name: tailscaled
+    enabled: true
+    state: started
+  become: true
+  when: tailscale_auth_key != ""
+
+- name: Authenticate Tailscale
+  shell: tailscale up --authkey {{ tailscale_auth_key }}
+  become: true
+  when: tailscale_auth_key != ""
+  no_log: true

ansible/roles/base/templates/motd.j2

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+       __      __                      __
+  ____/ /___  / /_____ ___  ___  _____/ /_
+ / __  / __ \/ __/ __ `__ \/ _ \/ ___/ __ \
+/ /_/ / /_/ / /_/ / / / / /  __(__  ) / / /
+\__,_/\____/\__/_/ /_/ /_/\___/____/_/ /_/
+
+{{ inventory_hostname }} :: {{ meshcore_description }}
+

ansible/roles/meshcore_capture/handlers/main.yml

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+---
+- name: restart meshcore-capture
+  systemd:
+    name: meshcore-capture
+    state: restarted
+  become: true

ansible/roles/meshcore_capture/tasks/main.yml

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+---
+- name: Run meshcore-packet-capture install script
+  shell: |
+    bash <(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/agessaman/meshcore-packet-capture/main/install.sh)
+  args:
+    executable: /bin/bash
+    creates: /etc/systemd/system/meshcore-capture.service
+  become: false
+
+- name: Write .env.local config
+  template:
+    src: env.local.j2
+    dest: "{{ ansible_env.HOME }}/.meshcore-packet-capture/.env.local"
+    mode: "0640"
+  become: false
+  notify: restart meshcore-capture
+
+- name: Enable and start meshcore-capture service
+  systemd:
+    name: meshcore-capture
+    enabled: true
+    state: started
+    daemon_reload: true
+  become: true
+
+- name: Deploy meshcore-capture-update script
+  copy:
+    content: "#!/usr/bin/env bash\nbash <(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/agessaman/meshcore-packet-capture/main/install.sh)\n"
+    dest: "{{ ansible_env.HOME }}/meshcore-capture-update.sh"
+    mode: "0755"
+  become: false
+
+- name: Deploy meshcore-capture-logs script
+  copy:
+    content: "#!/usr/bin/env bash\nsudo journalctl -u meshcore-capture -f\n"
+    dest: "{{ ansible_env.HOME }}/meshcore-capture-logs.sh"
+    mode: "0755"
+  become: false

ansible/roles/meshcore_capture/templates/env.local.j2

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+# MeshCore Packet Capture Configuration
+# Managed by Ansible - local changes will be overwritten on next playbook run
+
+# Update source
+PACKETCAPTURE_UPDATE_REPO={{ packetcapture_update_repo }}
+PACKETCAPTURE_UPDATE_BRANCH={{ packetcapture_update_branch }}
+
+# Connection Configuration
+PACKETCAPTURE_CONNECTION_TYPE=serial
+PACKETCAPTURE_SERIAL_PORTS={{ serial_port }}
+
+# Location Code
+PACKETCAPTURE_IATA={{ packetcapture_iata }}
+
+# Advert Settings
+PACKETCAPTURE_ADVERT_INTERVAL_HOURS={{ packetcapture_advert_interval_hours }}
+
+# Logging Settings
+PACKETCAPTURE_LOG_LEVEL={{ packetcapture_log_level }}
+PACKETCAPTURE_OWNER_PUBLIC_KEY={{ packetcapture_owner_public_key }}
+PACKETCAPTURE_OWNER_EMAIL={{ packetcapture_owner_email }}
+
+# MQTT Broker 1 - LetsMesh.net Packet Analyzer (US)
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT1_ENABLED=true
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT1_SERVER=mqtt-us-v1.letsmesh.net
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT1_PORT=443
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT1_TRANSPORT=websockets
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT1_USE_TLS=true
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT1_USE_AUTH_TOKEN=true
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT1_TOKEN_AUDIENCE=mqtt-us-v1.letsmesh.net
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT1_KEEPALIVE=120
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT1_TOPIC_STATUS=meshcore/{IATA}/{PUBLIC_KEY}/status
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT1_TOPIC_PACKETS=meshcore/{IATA}/{PUBLIC_KEY}/packets
+
+# MQTT Broker 2 - LetsMesh.net Packet Analyzer (EU)
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_ENABLED=true
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_SERVER=mqtt-eu-v1.letsmesh.net
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_PORT=443
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_TRANSPORT=websockets
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_USE_TLS=true
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_USE_AUTH_TOKEN=true
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_TOKEN_AUDIENCE=mqtt-eu-v1.letsmesh.net
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_KEEPALIVE=120
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_TOPIC_STATUS=meshcore/{IATA}/{PUBLIC_KEY}/status
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_TOPIC_PACKETS=meshcore/{IATA}/{PUBLIC_KEY}/packets
+
+# MQTT Broker 3 - MeshRank
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT3_ENABLED=true
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT3_SERVER=meshrank.net
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT3_PORT=8883
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT3_TRANSPORT=tcp
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT3_USE_TLS=true
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT3_TLS_VERIFY=true
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT3_TOPIC_PACKETS=meshrank/uplink/{{ mqtt_meshrank_token }}/{PUBLIC_KEY}/packets
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT3_TOPIC_STATUS=meshrank/uplink/{{ mqtt_meshrank_token }}/{PUBLIC_KEY}/status
+
+# MQTT Broker 4 - UKMesh
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT4_ENABLED=true
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT4_SERVER=mqtt.ukmesh.com
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT4_PORT=443
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT4_TRANSPORT=websockets
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT4_USE_TLS=true
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT4_USERNAME={{ mqtt_ukmesh_username }}
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT4_PASSWORD={{ mqtt_ukmesh_password }}
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT4_TOPIC_STATUS=meshcore/{IATA}/{PUBLIC_KEY}/status
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT4_TOPIC_PACKETS=meshcore/{IATA}/{PUBLIC_KEY}/packets
+
+# MQTT Broker 5 - MeshMapper
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT5_ENABLED=true
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT5_SERVER=mqtt.meshmapper.cc
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT5_PORT=443
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT5_TRANSPORT=websockets
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT5_USE_TLS=true
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT5_USE_AUTH_TOKEN=true
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT5_TOKEN_AUDIENCE=mqtt.meshmapper.cc
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT5_TOPIC_STATUS=meshcore/{IATA}/{PUBLIC_KEY}/status
+PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT5_TOPIC_PACKETS=meshcore/{IATA}/{PUBLIC_KEY}/packets

ansible/roles/meshcore_cli/tasks/main.yml

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+---
+- name: Ensure pipx path is configured
+  shell: pipx ensurepath
+  args:
+    executable: /bin/bash
+  become: false
+  register: pipx_ensurepath
+  changed_when: "'already' not in pipx_ensurepath.stdout"
+
+- name: Install meshcore-cli via pipx
+  shell: pipx install meshcore-cli
+  args:
+    executable: /bin/bash
+    creates: "{{ ansible_env.HOME }}/.local/bin/meshcore-cli"
+  become: false

ansible/roles/scripts/files/bandwidth.sh

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+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+vnstat

ansible/roles/scripts/files/voltage.sh

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+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+
+SCRIPT=$(basename "$0")
+
+# fetch status
+STATUS=$(vcgencmd get_throttled | cut -d "=" -f 2)
+
+# decode - https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/os.html#get_throttled
+echo "vcgencmd get_throttled ($STATUS)"
+IFS=","
+for BITMAP in \
+   00,"currently under-voltage" \
+   01,"ARM frequency currently capped" \
+   02,"currently throttled" \
+   03,"soft temperature limit reached" \
+   16,"under-voltage has occurred since last reboot" \
+   17,"ARM frequency capping has occurred since last reboot" \
+   18,"throttling has occurred since last reboot" \
+   19,"soft temperature reached since last reboot"
+do set -- $BITMAP
+   if [ $(($STATUS & 1 << $1)) -ne 0 ] ; then echo "  $2" ; fi
+done
+
+echo "vcgencmd measure_volts:"
+for S in core sdram_c sdram_i sdram_p ; do printf '%9s %s\n' "$S" "$(vcgencmd measure_volts $S)" ; done
+
+echo "Temperature: $(vcgencmd measure_temp)"

ansible/roles/scripts/tasks/main.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+---
+- name: Deploy voltage.sh
+  copy:
+    src: voltage.sh
+    dest: "{{ ansible_env.HOME }}/voltage.sh"
+    mode: "0755"
+  become: false
+
+- name: Deploy bandwidth.sh
+  copy:
+    src: bandwidth.sh
+    dest: "{{ ansible_env.HOME }}/bandwidth.sh"
+    mode: "0755"
+  become: false

ansible/site.yml

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+---
+- name: Deploy MeshCore monitoring nodes
+  hosts: meshcore
+  vars_prompt:
+    - name: tailscale_auth_key
+      prompt: "Tailscale auth key (leave blank to skip)"
+      private: true
+      default: ""
+
+  pre_tasks:
+    - name: Update apt cache and upgrade packages
+      apt:
+        update_cache: true
+        upgrade: dist
+        autoremove: true
+      become: true
+
+  roles:
+    - base
+    - meshcore_cli
+    - meshcore_capture
+    - scripts