Updated observer docs

This commit is contained in:
Louis King
2026-07-04 14:17:02 +01:00
parent 024114fc5b
commit a2cbbd6468
3 changed files with 56 additions and 100 deletions
+1 -11
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@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
# This observer captures MeshCore mesh traffic from a serial device and
# forwards decoded packets to one or more MQTT brokers.
# By default it sends to IPNet's MeshCore Hub MQTT broker.
# Optionally, it can send to LetsMesh (EU/US) and MeshRank.net
# Optionally, it can send to MeshRank.net
#
# Prerequisites:
# - A MeshCore companion device connected via USB (or modify CONNECTION_TYPE for network)
@@ -48,16 +48,6 @@ ADVERT_INTERVAL_HOURS=11
# Enable IPNet MQTT endpoint
IPNET_ENABLE=true
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
# LetsMesh (optional)
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Contribute captured packets to the LetsMesh network.
# See: https://letsmesh.net
# Region: "eu" or "us"
LETSMESH_ENABLE=false
LETSMESH_REGION=eu
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
# MeshRank (optional)
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+20 -29
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@@ -26,37 +26,28 @@ services:
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT1_TRANSPORT=websockets
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT1_USE_AUTH_TOKEN=true
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT1_KEEPALIVE=120
# MQTT Broker 2 - LetsMesh Analyzer
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_ENABLED=${LETSMESH_ENABLE:-false}
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_SERVER=mqtt-${LETSMESH_REGION:-eu}-v1.letsmesh.net
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_PORT=443
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_TRANSPORT=websockets
# MQTT Broker 2 - MeshRank.net
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_ENABLED=${MESHRANK_ENABLE:-false}
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_SERVER=meshrank.net
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_PORT=8883
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_TRANSPORT=tcp
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_USE_TLS=true
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_USE_AUTH_TOKEN=true
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_TOKEN_AUDIENCE=mqtt-${LETSMESH_REGION:-eu}-v1.letsmesh.net
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_TLS_VERIFY=true
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_KEEPALIVE=120
# MQTT Broker 3 - MeshRank.net
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT3_ENABLED=${MESHRANK_ENABLE:-false}
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT3_SERVER=meshrank.net
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT3_PORT=8883
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT3_TRANSPORT=tcp
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT3_USE_TLS=true
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT3_TLS_VERIFY=true
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT3_KEEPALIVE=120
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT3_TOPIC_PACKETS=meshrank/uplink/${MESHRANK_UPLINK_KEY}/{PUBLIC_KEY}/packets
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT3_TOPIC_STATUS=meshrank/uplink/${MESHRANK_UPLINK_KEY}/{PUBLIC_KEY}/status
# MQTT Broker 4 - Custom
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT4_ENABLED=${CUSTOM_ENABLE:-false}
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT4_SERVER=${CUSTOM_MQTT_SERVER:-mqtt.example.com}
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT4_PORT=${CUSTOM_MQTT_PORT:-8883}
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT4_TRANSPORT=${CUSTOM_MQTT_TRANSPORT:-tcp}
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT4_USE_TLS=${CUSTOM_MQTT_USE_TLS:-true}
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT4_TLS_VERIFY=${CUSTOM_MQTT_TLS_VERIFY:-true}
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT4_USERNAME=${CUSTOM_MQTT_USERNAME:-username}
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT4_PASSWORD=${CUSTOM_MQTT_PASSWORD:-password}
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT4_KEEPALIVE=${CUSTOM_MQTT_KEEPALIVE:-120}
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT4_TOPIC_PACKETS=${CUSTOM_MQTT_TOPIC_PACKETS:-meshcore/{IATA}/{PUBLIC_KEY}/packets}
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT4_TOPIC_STATUS=${CUSTOM_MQTT_TOPIC_STATUS:-meshcore/{IATA}/{PUBLIC_KEY}/status}
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_TOPIC_PACKETS=meshrank/uplink/${MESHRANK_UPLINK_KEY}/{PUBLIC_KEY}/packets
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_TOPIC_STATUS=meshrank/uplink/${MESHRANK_UPLINK_KEY}/{PUBLIC_KEY}/status
# MQTT Broker 3 - Custom
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT3_ENABLED=${CUSTOM_ENABLE:-false}
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT3_SERVER=${CUSTOM_MQTT_SERVER:-mqtt.example.com}
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT3_PORT=${CUSTOM_MQTT_PORT:-8883}
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT3_TRANSPORT=${CUSTOM_MQTT_TRANSPORT:-tcp}
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT3_USE_TLS=${CUSTOM_MQTT_USE_TLS:-true}
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT3_TLS_VERIFY=${CUSTOM_MQTT_TLS_VERIFY:-true}
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT3_USERNAME=${CUSTOM_MQTT_USERNAME:-username}
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT3_PASSWORD=${CUSTOM_MQTT_PASSWORD:-password}
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT3_KEEPALIVE=${CUSTOM_MQTT_KEEPALIVE:-120}
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT3_TOPIC_PACKETS=${CUSTOM_MQTT_TOPIC_PACKETS:-meshcore/{IATA}/{PUBLIC_KEY}/packets}
- PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT3_TOPIC_STATUS=${CUSTOM_MQTT_TOPIC_STATUS:-meshcore/{IATA}/{PUBLIC_KEY}/status}
restart: unless-stopped
volumes:
+35 -60
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@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ This document covers the local packet-capture observer (the `observer` compose p
> **Restricting which observers are accepted:** because anyone with broker access can publish as an observer, Hub operators can gate ingestion by observer public key using `OBSERVER_ALLOWLIST` / `OBSERVER_DENYLIST`. See [configuration.md → Observer Ingestion Filters](configuration.md#observer-ingestion-filters).
## Example: Contribute to MeshCore Hub, LetsMesh, and MeshRank
## Example: Contribute to MeshCore Hub, MeshRank and other services
A ready-made Docker Compose setup is provided in `contrib/packetcapture/`. Download it and configure:
@@ -23,22 +23,20 @@ cp .env.example .env
Edit `.env` and update the following variables:
| Variable | Description |
|----------|-------------|
| `SERIAL_PORT` | Device path for your MeshCore companion device (e.g. `/dev/ttyUSB0`, or `/dev/serial/by-id/...` for a stable path) |
| `IATA` | 3-letter area code for your location (e.g. `STN`, `SEA`) |
| `ORIGIN` | Observer identifier (default: `observer`) |
| `IPNET_ENABLE` | Set `true` to contribute packets to IPNet MeshCore Hub (default: `true`) |
| `LETSMESH_ENABLE` | Set `true` to contribute to LetsMesh (default: `false`) |
| `LETSMESH_REGION` | LetsMesh region: `eu` or `us` (default: `eu`) |
| `MESHRANK_ENABLE` | Set `true` to contribute to MeshRank (default: `false`) |
| `MESHRANK_UPLINK_KEY` | Your MeshRank uplink key (required if MeshRank enabled) |
| `CUSTOM_ENABLE` | Set `true` to publish to a custom MQTT broker (default: `false`) |
| `CUSTOM_MQTT_SERVER` | Custom MQTT broker hostname |
| `CUSTOM_MQTT_PORT` | Custom MQTT broker port (default: `8883`) |
| `CUSTOM_MQTT_USE_TLS` | `true` for TLS, `false` for plain (default: `true`) |
| `CUSTOM_MQTT_USERNAME` | Username for custom broker auth |
| `CUSTOM_MQTT_PASSWORD` | Password for custom broker auth |
| Variable | Description |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `SERIAL_PORT` | Device path for your MeshCore companion device (e.g. `/dev/ttyUSB0`, or `/dev/serial/by-id/...` for a stable path) |
| `IATA` | 3-letter area code for your location (e.g. `STN`, `SEA`) |
| `ORIGIN` | Observer identifier (default: `observer`) |
| `IPNET_ENABLE` | Set `true` to contribute packets to IPNet MeshCore Hub (default: `true`) |
| `MESHRANK_ENABLE` | Set `true` to contribute to MeshRank (default: `false`) |
| `MESHRANK_UPLINK_KEY` | Your MeshRank uplink key (required if MeshRank enabled) |
| `CUSTOM_ENABLE` | Set `true` to publish to a custom MQTT broker (default: `false`) |
| `CUSTOM_MQTT_SERVER` | Custom MQTT broker hostname |
| `CUSTOM_MQTT_PORT` | Custom MQTT broker port (default: `8883`) |
| `CUSTOM_MQTT_USE_TLS` | `true` for TLS, `false` for plain (default: `true`) |
| `CUSTOM_MQTT_USERNAME` | Username for custom broker auth |
| `CUSTOM_MQTT_PASSWORD` | Password for custom broker auth |
Then start the observer:
@@ -50,55 +48,32 @@ docker compose up -d
## Packet Capture Settings
The variables below configure the external **meshcore-packet-capture** image (`ghcr.io/agessaman/meshcore-packet-capture`), which is run by the `observer` compose profile. They are *not* consumed by MeshCore Hub itself — they are listed here because they live in the same `.env` and are needed by operators running an observer. See the [meshcore-packet-capture documentation](https://github.com/agessaman/meshcore-packet-capture) for full details.
The variables below configure the external **meshcore-packet-capture** image (`ghcr.io/agessaman/meshcore-packet-capture`), which is run by the `observer` compose profile. They are _not_ consumed by MeshCore Hub itself — they are listed here because they live in the same `.env` and are needed by operators running an observer. See the [meshcore-packet-capture documentation](https://github.com/agessaman/meshcore-packet-capture) for full details.
### Device
| Variable | Default | Description |
|----------|---------|-------------|
| `SERIAL_PORT` | `/dev/ttyUSB0` | Serial port for the packet-capture device (typically `/dev/ttyUSB[0-9]` or `/dev/ttyACM[0-9]` on Linux) |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_IATA` | `LOC` | 3-letter IATA airport/area code used in LetsMesh topic templates |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_ORIGIN` | _(device name)_ | Observer display name (defaults to the device name from the MeshCore connection) |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_IMAGE_VERSION` | `latest` | Docker image tag for the packet-capture image |
| Variable | Default | Description |
| ----------------------------- | --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `SERIAL_PORT` | `/dev/ttyUSB0` | Serial port for the packet-capture device (typically `/dev/ttyUSB[0-9]` or `/dev/ttyACM[0-9]` on Linux) |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_IATA` | `LOC` | 3-letter IATA airport/area code used in topic templates |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_ORIGIN` | _(device name)_ | Observer display name (defaults to the device name from the MeshCore connection) |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_IMAGE_VERSION` | `latest` | Docker image tag for the packet-capture image |
### Connection behaviour
| Variable | Default | Description |
|----------|---------|-------------|
| `PACKETCAPTURE_TIMEOUT` | `30` | Connection timeout in seconds |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_MAX_CONNECTION_RETRIES` | `5` | Max device-connection retries |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_CONNECTION_RETRY_DELAY` | `5` | Seconds between device-connection retries |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_HEALTH_CHECK_INTERVAL` | `30` | Seconds between health checks |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_ADVERT_INTERVAL_HOURS` | `11` | Send flood adverts at this interval in hours (`0` = disabled) |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_RF_DATA_TIMEOUT` | `15.0` | RF data cache timeout in seconds |
| Variable | Default | Description |
| -------------------------------------- | ------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_TIMEOUT` | `30` | Connection timeout in seconds |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_MAX_CONNECTION_RETRIES` | `5` | Max device-connection retries |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_CONNECTION_RETRY_DELAY` | `5` | Seconds between device-connection retries |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_HEALTH_CHECK_INTERVAL` | `30` | Seconds between health checks |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_ADVERT_INTERVAL_HOURS` | `11` | Send flood adverts at this interval in hours (`0` = disabled) |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_RF_DATA_TIMEOUT` | `15.0` | RF data cache timeout in seconds |
### MQTT reconnection
| Variable | Default | Description |
|----------|---------|-------------|
| `PACKETCAPTURE_MAX_MQTT_RETRIES` | `5` | Max MQTT reconnection attempts |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT_RETRY_DELAY` | `5` | Seconds between MQTT reconnection attempts |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_EXIT_ON_RECONNECT_FAIL` | `true` | Exit the process when MQTT reconnection fails |
### LetsMesh / custom MQTT brokers
The observer can publish to up to three MQTT brokers in parallel. Broker 3 is wired to the Hub's own `MQTT_*` settings by default.
| Variable | Default | Description |
|----------|---------|-------------|
| `PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT1_ENABLED` | `false` | Publish to LetsMesh US |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT1_SERVER` | `mqtt-us-v1.letsmesh.net` | Broker 1 hostname |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT1_PORT` | `443` | Broker 1 port |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT1_USE_TLS` | `true` | Use TLS for broker 1 |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT1_USE_AUTH_TOKEN` | `true` | Use JWT auth token for broker 1 |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT1_TOKEN_AUDIENCE` | `mqtt-us-v1.letsmesh.net` | JWT audience claim for broker 1 |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT1_KEEPALIVE` | `120` | Keepalive (seconds) for broker 1 |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_ENABLED` | `false` | Publish to LetsMesh EU |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_SERVER` | `mqtt-eu-v1.letsmesh.net` | Broker 2 hostname |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_PORT` | `443` | Broker 2 port |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_USE_TLS` | `true` | Use TLS for broker 2 |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_USE_AUTH_TOKEN` | `true` | Use JWT auth token for broker 2 |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_TOKEN_AUDIENCE` | `mqtt-eu-v1.letsmesh.net` | JWT audience claim for broker 2 |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT2_KEEPALIVE` | `120` | Keepalive (seconds) for broker 2 |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT3_ENABLED` | `true` | Publish to the local Hub MQTT broker (wired to `MQTT_*`) |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT3_KEEPALIVE` | `60` | Keepalive (seconds) for broker 3 |
| Variable | Default | Description |
| -------------------------------------- | ------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_MAX_MQTT_RETRIES` | `5` | Max MQTT reconnection attempts |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_MQTT_RETRY_DELAY` | `5` | Seconds between MQTT reconnection attempts |
| `PACKETCAPTURE_EXIT_ON_RECONNECT_FAIL` | `true` | Exit the process when MQTT reconnection fails |