don't close interfact after region

Restore missing frequency slot to settings

db_handler.py

@@ -144,6 +144,7 @@ def load_messages_from_db():
 
 def init_nodedb():
     """Initialize the node database and update it with nodes from the interface."""
+    
     try:
         if not globals.interface.nodes:
             return  # No nodes to initialize

globals.py

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 interface = None
+lock = None
 display_log = False
 all_messages = {}
 channel_list = []

main.py

@@ -3,20 +3,26 @@
 '''
 Contact - A Console UI for Meshtastic by http://github.com/pdxlocations
 Powered by Meshtastic.org
-V 1.2.0
+V 1.2.1
 '''
 
 import curses
 from pubsub import pub
 import os
+import contextlib
 import logging
 import traceback
+import threading
+import asyncio
 
 from utilities.arg_parser import setup_parser
 from utilities.interfaces import initialize_interface
 from message_handlers.rx_handler import on_receive
 from ui.curses_ui import main_ui, draw_splash
+from input_handlers import get_list_input
 from utilities.utils import get_channels, get_node_list, get_nodeNum
+from utilities.watchdog import watchdog
+from settings import set_region
 from db_handler import init_nodedb, load_messages_from_db
 import default_config as config
 import globals
@@ -34,10 +40,12 @@ if os.environ.get("COLORTERM") == "gnome-terminal":
 # Run `tail -f client.log` in another terminal to view live
 logging.basicConfig(
     filename=config.log_file_path,
-    level=logging.INFO,  # DEBUG, INFO, WARNING, ERROR, CRITICAL)
+    level=logging.WARNING,  # DEBUG, INFO, WARNING, ERROR, CRITICAL)
     format="%(asctime)s - %(levelname)s - %(message)s"
 )
 
+globals.lock = threading.Lock()
+
 def main(stdscr):
     try:
         draw_splash(stdscr)
@@ -45,15 +53,29 @@ def main(stdscr):
         args = parser.parse_args()
 
         logging.info("Initializing interface %s", args)
-        globals.interface = initialize_interface(args)
-        logging.info("Interface initialized")
-        globals.myNodeNum = get_nodeNum()
-        globals.channel_list = get_channels()
-        globals.node_list = get_node_list()
-        pub.subscribe(on_receive, 'meshtastic.receive')
-        init_nodedb()
-        load_messages_from_db()
-        logging.info("Starting main UI")
+        with globals.lock:
+            globals.interface = initialize_interface(args)
+
+            # Run watchdog in a separate thread
+            threading.Thread(target=lambda: asyncio.run(watchdog(args)), daemon=True).start()
+
+            # Continue with the rest of the initialization
+            if globals.interface.localNode.localConfig.lora.region == 0:
+                confirmation = get_list_input("Your region is UNSET. Set it now?", "Yes", ["Yes", "No"])
+                if confirmation == "Yes":
+                    set_region()
+                    globals.interface = None
+                    globals.interface = initialize_interface(args)
+
+            logging.info("Interface initialized")
+            globals.myNodeNum = get_nodeNum()
+            globals.channel_list = get_channels()
+            globals.node_list = get_node_list()
+            pub.subscribe(on_receive, 'meshtastic.receive')
+            init_nodedb()
+            load_messages_from_db()
+            logging.info("Starting main UI")
+            
         main_ui(stdscr)
     except Exception as e:
         logging.error("An error occurred: %s", e)
@@ -61,8 +83,9 @@ def main(stdscr):
         raise
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
-    try:
-        curses.wrapper(main)
-    except Exception as e:
-        logging.error("Fatal error in curses wrapper: %s", e)
-        logging.error("Traceback: %s", traceback.format_exc())
+    with open(os.devnull, 'w') as fnull, contextlib.redirect_stderr(fnull), contextlib.redirect_stdout(fnull):
+        try:
+            curses.wrapper(main)
+        except Exception as e:
+            logging.error("Fatal error in curses wrapper: %s", e)
+            logging.error("Traceback: %s", traceback.format_exc())

message_handlers/rx_handler.py

@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 import logging
 import time
+from datetime import datetime
+
 from utilities.utils import refresh_node_list
 from datetime import datetime
 from ui.curses_ui import draw_packetlog_win, draw_node_list, draw_messages_window, draw_channel_list, add_notification
@@ -8,97 +10,96 @@ import default_config as config
 import globals
 
 
-from datetime import datetime
-
 def on_receive(packet, interface):
 
-    # Update packet log
-    globals.packet_buffer.append(packet)
-    if len(globals.packet_buffer) > 20:
-        # Trim buffer to 20 packets
-        globals.packet_buffer = globals.packet_buffer[-20:]
-        
-    if globals.display_log:
-        draw_packetlog_win()
-    try:
-        if 'decoded' not in packet:
-            return
+    with globals.lock:
+        # Update packet log
+        globals.packet_buffer.append(packet)
+        if len(globals.packet_buffer) > 20:
+            # Trim buffer to 20 packets
+            globals.packet_buffer = globals.packet_buffer[-20:]
+            
+        if globals.display_log:
+            draw_packetlog_win()
+        try:
+            if 'decoded' not in packet:
+                return
 
-        # Assume any incoming packet could update the last seen time for a node
-        changed = refresh_node_list()
-        if(changed):
-            draw_node_list()
+            # Assume any incoming packet could update the last seen time for a node
+            changed = refresh_node_list()
+            if(changed):
+                draw_node_list()
 
-        if packet['decoded']['portnum'] == 'NODEINFO_APP':
-            if "user" in packet['decoded'] and "longName" in packet['decoded']["user"]: 
-                maybe_store_nodeinfo_in_db(packet)
+            if packet['decoded']['portnum'] == 'NODEINFO_APP':
+                if "user" in packet['decoded'] and "longName" in packet['decoded']["user"]: 
+                    maybe_store_nodeinfo_in_db(packet)
 
-        elif packet['decoded']['portnum'] == 'TEXT_MESSAGE_APP':
-            message_bytes = packet['decoded']['payload']
-            message_string = message_bytes.decode('utf-8')
+            elif packet['decoded']['portnum'] == 'TEXT_MESSAGE_APP':
+                message_bytes = packet['decoded']['payload']
+                message_string = message_bytes.decode('utf-8')
 
-            refresh_channels = False
-            refresh_messages = False
+                refresh_channels = False
+                refresh_messages = False
 
-            if packet.get('channel'):
-                channel_number = packet['channel']
-            else:
-                channel_number = 0
-
-            if packet['to'] == globals.myNodeNum:
-                if packet['from'] in globals.channel_list:
-                    pass
+                if packet.get('channel'):
+                    channel_number = packet['channel']
                 else:
-                    globals.channel_list.append(packet['from'])
-                    if(packet['from'] not in globals.all_messages):
-                        globals.all_messages[packet['from']] = []
-                    update_node_info_in_db(packet['from'], chat_archived=False)
+                    channel_number = 0
+
+                if packet['to'] == globals.myNodeNum:
+                    if packet['from'] in globals.channel_list:
+                        pass
+                    else:
+                        globals.channel_list.append(packet['from'])
+                        if(packet['from'] not in globals.all_messages):
+                            globals.all_messages[packet['from']] = []
+                        update_node_info_in_db(packet['from'], chat_archived=False)
+                        refresh_channels = True
+
+                    channel_number = globals.channel_list.index(packet['from'])
+
+                if globals.channel_list[channel_number] != globals.channel_list[globals.selected_channel]:
+                    add_notification(channel_number)
                     refresh_channels = True
+                else:
+                    refresh_messages = True
 
-                channel_number = globals.channel_list.index(packet['from'])
+                # Add received message to the messages list
+                message_from_id = packet['from']
+                message_from_string = get_name_from_database(message_from_id, type='short') + ":"
 
-            if globals.channel_list[channel_number] != globals.channel_list[globals.selected_channel]:
-                add_notification(channel_number)
-                refresh_channels = True
-            else:
-                refresh_messages = True
+                if globals.channel_list[channel_number] not in globals.all_messages:
+                    globals.all_messages[globals.channel_list[channel_number]] = []
 
-            # Add received message to the messages list
-            message_from_id = packet['from']
-            message_from_string = get_name_from_database(message_from_id, type='short') + ":"
+                # Timestamp handling
+                current_timestamp = time.time() 
+                current_hour = datetime.fromtimestamp(current_timestamp).strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:00')
 
-            if globals.channel_list[channel_number] not in globals.all_messages:
-                globals.all_messages[globals.channel_list[channel_number]] = []
-
-            # Timestamp handling
-            current_timestamp = time.time() 
-            current_hour = datetime.fromtimestamp(current_timestamp).strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:00')
-
-            # Retrieve the last timestamp if available
-            channel_messages = globals.all_messages[globals.channel_list[channel_number]]
-            if channel_messages:
-                # Check the last entry for a timestamp
-                for entry in reversed(channel_messages):
-                    if entry[0].startswith("--"):
-                        last_hour = entry[0].strip("- ").strip()
-                        break
+                # Retrieve the last timestamp if available
+                channel_messages = globals.all_messages[globals.channel_list[channel_number]]
+                if channel_messages:
+                    # Check the last entry for a timestamp
+                    for entry in reversed(channel_messages):
+                        if entry[0].startswith("--"):
+                            last_hour = entry[0].strip("- ").strip()
+                            break
+                    else:
+                        last_hour = None
                 else:
                     last_hour = None
-            else:
-                last_hour = None
 
-            # Add a new timestamp if it's a new hour
-            if last_hour != current_hour:
-                globals.all_messages[globals.channel_list[channel_number]].append((f"-- {current_hour} --", ""))
+                # Add a new timestamp if it's a new hour
+                if last_hour != current_hour:
+                    globals.all_messages[globals.channel_list[channel_number]].append((f"-- {current_hour} --", ""))
 
-            globals.all_messages[globals.channel_list[channel_number]].append((f"{config.message_prefix} {message_from_string} ", message_string))
+                globals.all_messages[globals.channel_list[channel_number]].append((f"{config.message_prefix} {message_from_string} ", message_string))
 
-            if refresh_channels:
-                draw_channel_list()
-            if refresh_messages:
-                draw_messages_window(True)
+                if refresh_channels:
+                    draw_channel_list()
+                if refresh_messages:
+                    draw_messages_window(True)
 
-            save_message_to_db(globals.channel_list[channel_number], message_from_id, message_string)
+                save_message_to_db(globals.channel_list[channel_number], message_from_id, message_string)
 
-    except KeyError as e:
-        logging.error(f"Error processing packet: {e}")
+        except KeyError as e:
+            logging.error(f"Error processing packet: {e}")

message_handlers/tx_handler.py

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ from datetime import datetime
 import google.protobuf.json_format
 from meshtastic import BROADCAST_NUM
 from meshtastic.protobuf import mesh_pb2, portnums_pb2
+import logging
 
 from db_handler import save_message_to_db, update_ack_nak, get_name_from_database, is_chat_archived, update_node_info_in_db
 import default_config as config
@@ -119,55 +120,64 @@ def on_response_traceroute(packet):
 
 
 def send_message(message, destination=BROADCAST_NUM, channel=0):
-    myid = globals.myNodeNum
-    send_on_channel = 0
-    channel_id = globals.channel_list[channel]
-    if isinstance(channel_id, int):
+    # Check if the interface is initialized and connected
+    if not globals.interface or not getattr(globals.interface, 'isConnected', False):
+        logging.error("Cannot send message: No active connection to Meshtastic device.")
+        return  # Or raise an exception if you prefer
+
+    try:
+        myid = globals.myNodeNum
         send_on_channel = 0
-        destination = channel_id
-    elif isinstance(channel_id, str):
-        send_on_channel = channel
+        channel_id = globals.channel_list[channel]
+        if isinstance(channel_id, int):
+            send_on_channel = 0
+            destination = channel_id
+        elif isinstance(channel_id, str):
+            send_on_channel = channel
 
-    sent_message_data = globals.interface.sendText(
-        text=message,
-        destinationId=destination,
-        wantAck=True,
-        wantResponse=False,
-        onResponse=onAckNak,
-        channelIndex=send_on_channel,
-    )
+        # Attempt to send the message
+        sent_message_data = globals.interface.sendText(
+            text=message,
+            destinationId=destination,
+            wantAck=True,
+            wantResponse=False,
+            onResponse=onAckNak,
+            channelIndex=send_on_channel,
+        )
 
-    # Add sent message to the messages dictionary
-    if channel_id not in globals.all_messages:
-        globals.all_messages[channel_id] = []
+        # Add sent message to the messages dictionary
+        if channel_id not in globals.all_messages:
+            globals.all_messages[channel_id] = []
 
-    # Handle timestamp logic
-    current_timestamp = int(datetime.now().timestamp())  # Get current timestamp
-    current_hour = datetime.fromtimestamp(current_timestamp).strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:00')
+        # Handle timestamp logic
+        current_timestamp = int(datetime.now().timestamp())
+        current_hour = datetime.fromtimestamp(current_timestamp).strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:00')
 
-    # Retrieve the last timestamp if available
-    channel_messages = globals.all_messages[channel_id]
-    if channel_messages:
-        # Check the last entry for a timestamp
+        channel_messages = globals.all_messages[channel_id]
+        last_hour = None
         for entry in reversed(channel_messages):
             if entry[0].startswith("--"):
                 last_hour = entry[0].strip("- ").strip()
                 break
-        else:
-            last_hour = None
-    else:
-        last_hour = None
 
-    # Add a new timestamp if it's a new hour
-    if last_hour != current_hour:
-        globals.all_messages[channel_id].append((f"-- {current_hour} --", ""))
+        if last_hour != current_hour:
+            globals.all_messages[channel_id].append((f"-- {current_hour} --", ""))
 
-    globals.all_messages[channel_id].append((config.sent_message_prefix + config.ack_unknown_str + ": ", message))
+        globals.all_messages[channel_id].append((config.sent_message_prefix + config.ack_unknown_str + ": ", message))
 
-    timestamp = save_message_to_db(channel_id, myid, message)
+        timestamp = save_message_to_db(channel_id, myid, message)
 
-    ack_naks[sent_message_data.id] = {'channel': channel_id, 'messageIndex': len(globals.all_messages[channel_id]) - 1, 'timestamp': timestamp}
+        ack_naks[sent_message_data.id] = {
+            'channel': channel_id,
+            'messageIndex': len(globals.all_messages[channel_id]) - 1,
+            'timestamp': timestamp
+        }
 
+    except Exception as e:
+        # Catch any error and log it
+        logging.error(f"Failed to send message due to unexpected error: {e}", exc_info=True)
+
+        
 def send_traceroute():
     r = mesh_pb2.RouteDiscovery()
     globals.interface.sendData(

save_to_radio.py

@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
-from meshtastic.protobuf import channel_pb2
-from google.protobuf.message import Message
 import logging
 import base64
+from google.protobuf.message import Message
+from meshtastic.protobuf import channel_pb2
 from db_handler import update_node_info_in_db
 import globals
 
-def save_changes(interface, menu_path, modified_settings):
+def save_changes(menu_path, modified_settings):
     """
     Save changes to the device based on modified settings.
     :param interface: Meshtastic interface instance
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ def save_changes(interface, menu_path, modified_settings):
             logging.info("No changes to save. modified_settings is empty.")
             return
         
-        node = interface.getNode('^local')
+        node = globals.interface.getNode('^local')
 
         if menu_path[1] ==  "Radio Settings" or menu_path[1] == "Module Settings":
             config_category = menu_path[2].lower() # for radio and module configs
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ def save_changes(interface, menu_path, modified_settings):
                 lon = float(modified_settings.get('longitude', 0.0))
                 alt = int(modified_settings.get('altitude', 0))
 
-                interface.localNode.setFixedPosition(lat, lon, alt)
+                globals.interface.localNode.setFixedPosition(lat, lon, alt)
                 logging.info(f"Updated {config_category} with Latitude: {lat} and Longitude {lon} and Altitude {alt}")
                 return
 
@@ -122,10 +122,5 @@ def save_changes(interface, menu_path, modified_settings):
         except Exception as e:
             logging.error(f"Failed to write configuration for category '{config_category}': {e}")
 
-
-        node.writeConfig(config_category)
-
-        logging.info(f"Changes written to config category: {config_category}")
-
     except Exception as e:
-        logging.error(f"Error saving changes: {e}")
+        logging.error(f"Error saving changes: {e}")

settings.py

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ from ui.menus import generate_menu_from_protobuf
 from ui.colors import setup_colors, get_color
 from utilities.arg_parser import setup_parser
 from utilities.interfaces import initialize_interface
+from ui.dialog import dialog
 from user_config import json_editor
 import globals
 
@@ -151,7 +152,7 @@ def settings_menu(stdscr, interface):
             menu_win.erase()
             menu_win.refresh()
             if show_save_option and selected_index == len(options):
-                save_changes(interface, menu_path, modified_settings)
+                save_changes(menu_path, modified_settings)
                 modified_settings.clear()
                 logging.info("Changes Saved")
 
@@ -188,7 +189,7 @@ def settings_menu(stdscr, interface):
 
                     if os.path.exists(yaml_file_path):
                         overwrite = get_list_input(f"{filename} already exists. Overwrite?", None, ["Yes", "No"])
-                        if overwrite == "Yes":
+                        if overwrite == "No":
                             logging.info("Export cancelled: User chose not to overwrite.")
                             continue  # Return to menu
                     os.makedirs(os.path.dirname(yaml_file_path), exist_ok=True)
@@ -348,6 +349,25 @@ def settings_menu(stdscr, interface):
             menu_win.refresh()
             break
 
+def set_region():
+    node = globals.interface.getNode('^local')
+    device_config = node.localConfig
+    lora_descriptor = device_config.lora.DESCRIPTOR
+
+    # Get the enum mapping of region names to their numerical values
+    region_enum = lora_descriptor.fields_by_name["region"].enum_type
+    region_name_to_number = {v.name: v.number for v in region_enum.values}
+
+    regions = list(region_name_to_number.keys())
+
+    new_region_name = get_list_input('Select your region:', 'UNSET', regions)
+
+    # Convert region name to corresponding enum number
+    new_region_number = region_name_to_number.get(new_region_name, 0)  # Default to 0 if not found
+
+    node.localConfig.lora.region = new_region_number
+    node.writeConfig("lora")
+    
 
 def main(stdscr):
     logging.basicConfig( # Run `tail -f client.log` in another terminal to view live

ui/curses_ui.py

@@ -74,7 +74,6 @@ def handle_resize(stdscr, firstrun):
         win.box()
         win.refresh()
 
-
     entry_win.keypad(True)
     curses.curs_set(1)
 
@@ -90,13 +89,12 @@ def handle_resize(stdscr, firstrun):
 
 
 def main_ui(stdscr):
-
+    global input_text
+    input_text = ""
     stdscr.keypad(True)
     get_channels()
-    
     handle_resize(stdscr, True)
 
-    input_text = ""
     while True:
         draw_text_field(entry_win, f"Input: {input_text[-(stdscr.getmaxyx()[1] - 10):]}", get_color("input"))
 
@@ -417,8 +415,11 @@ def draw_messages_window(scroll_to_bottom = False):
 def draw_node_list():
     global nodes_pad
 
-    if nodes_pad is None:
-        nodes_pad = curses.newpad(1, 1)
+    # This didn't work, for some reason an error is thown on startup, so we just create the pad every time
+    # if nodes_pad is None:
+        # nodes_pad = curses.newpad(1, 1)
+    nodes_pad = curses.newpad(1, 1)
+
 
     try:
         nodes_pad.erase()
@@ -441,6 +442,11 @@ def draw_node_list():
 
     refresh_pad(2)
 
+    # Restore cursor to input field
+    entry_win.move(1, len("Input: ") + len(input_text)+1)
+    entry_win.refresh()
+    curses.curs_set(1)
+
 def select_channel(idx):
     old_selected_channel = globals.selected_channel
     globals.selected_channel = max(0, min(idx, len(globals.channel_list) - 1))
@@ -537,6 +543,11 @@ def draw_packetlog_win():
         packetlog_win.box()
         packetlog_win.refresh()
 
+    # Restore cursor to input field
+    entry_win.move(1, len("Input: ") + len(input_text)+1)
+    entry_win.refresh()
+    curses.curs_set(1)
+
 def search(win):
     start_idx = globals.selected_node
     select_func = select_node

ui/menus.py

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 from collections import OrderedDict
-from meshtastic.protobuf import config_pb2, module_config_pb2, channel_pb2
 import logging
 import base64
+from meshtastic.protobuf import config_pb2, module_config_pb2, channel_pb2
 
 
 def extract_fields(message_instance, current_config=None):
@@ -14,7 +14,8 @@ def extract_fields(message_instance, current_config=None):
     menu = {}
     fields = message_instance.DESCRIPTOR.fields
     for field in fields:
-        if field.name in {"sessionkey", "channel_num", "id", "ignore_incoming"}:  # Skip certain fields
+        skip_fields = {"sessionkey", "ChannelSettings.channel_num", "ChannelSettings.id", "LoRaConfig.ignore_incoming"}
+        if any(skip_field in field.full_name for skip_field in skip_fields):
             continue
 
         if field.message_type:  # Nested message

utilities/config_io.py

@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
-
 import yaml
 import logging
 from typing import List
 from google.protobuf.json_format import MessageToDict
+
 from meshtastic import BROADCAST_ADDR, mt_config
 from meshtastic.util import camel_to_snake, snake_to_camel, fromStr
 

utilities/interfaces.py

@@ -1,7 +1,10 @@
 import logging
+import contextlib
+import io
 import meshtastic.serial_interface, meshtastic.tcp_interface, meshtastic.ble_interface
 import globals
 
+
 def initialize_interface(args):
     try:
         if args.ble:
@@ -10,14 +13,19 @@ def initialize_interface(args):
             return meshtastic.tcp_interface.TCPInterface(args.host)
         else:
             try:
-                return meshtastic.serial_interface.SerialInterface(args.port)
+                # Suppress stdout and stderr during SerialInterface initialization
+                with contextlib.redirect_stdout(io.StringIO()), contextlib.redirect_stderr(io.StringIO()):
+                    return meshtastic.serial_interface.SerialInterface(args.port)
             except PermissionError as ex:
                 logging.error(f"You probably need to add yourself to the `dialout` group to use a serial connection. {ex}")
             except Exception as ex:
-                logging.error(f"Unexpected error initializing interface: {ex}")
+                # Suppress specific message but log unexpected errors
+                if "No Serial Meshtastic device detected" not in str(ex):
+                    logging.error(f"Unexpected error initializing interface: {ex}")
+
+            # Attempt TCP connection if Serial fails
             if globals.interface.devPath is None:
                 return meshtastic.tcp_interface.TCPInterface("meshtastic.local")
-    
+
     except Exception as ex:
-        logging.critical(f"Fatal error initializing interface: {ex}")
-    
+        logging.critical(f"Fatal error initializing interface: {ex}")

utilities/watchdog.py

@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+import asyncio
+import io
+import contextlib
+import socket
+import logging
+
+from .interfaces import initialize_interface
+import globals
+
+
+test_connection_seconds = 20
+retry_connection_seconds = 3
+
+# Function to get firmware version
+def getNodeFirmware(interface):
+    try:
+        output_capture = io.StringIO()
+        with contextlib.redirect_stdout(output_capture), contextlib.redirect_stderr(output_capture):
+            interface.localNode.getMetadata()
+
+        console_output = output_capture.getvalue()
+
+        if "firmware_version" in console_output:
+            return console_output.split("firmware_version: ")[1].split("\n")[0]
+
+        return -1
+    except (socket.error, BrokenPipeError, ConnectionResetError, Exception) as e:
+        logging.warning(f"Error retrieving firmware: {e}")
+        raise e  # Propagate the error to handle reconnection
+
+# Async function to retry connection
+async def retry_interface(args):
+    logging.warning("Retrying connection to the interface...")
+    await asyncio.sleep(retry_connection_seconds)  # Wait before retrying
+
+    try:
+        globals.interface = initialize_interface(args)
+        if globals.interface and hasattr(globals.interface, 'localNode'):
+            logging.warning("Interface reinitialized successfully.")
+            return globals.interface
+        else:
+            logging.error("Failed to reinitialize interface: Missing localNode or invalid interface.")
+            globals.interface = None  # Clear invalid interface
+            return None
+
+    except (ConnectionRefusedError, socket.error, Exception) as e:
+        logging.error(f"Failed to reinitialize interface: {e}")
+        globals.interface = None
+        return None
+
+# Function to check connection and reconnect if needed
+async def check_and_reconnect(args):
+    if globals.interface is None:
+        logging.error("No valid interface. Attempting to reconnect...")
+        interface = await retry_interface(args)
+        return interface
+
+    try:
+        # logging.info("Checking interface connection...")
+        fw_ver = getNodeFirmware(globals.interface)
+        if fw_ver != -1:
+            return globals.interface
+        else:
+            raise Exception("Failed to retrieve firmware version.")
+
+    except (socket.error, BrokenPipeError, ConnectionResetError, Exception) as e:
+        logging.error(f"Error with the interface, setting to None and attempting reconnect: {e}")
+        globals.interface = None
+        return await retry_interface(args)
+
+# Main watchdog loop
+async def watchdog(args):
+    while True:  # Infinite loop for continuous monitoring
+        await asyncio.sleep(test_connection_seconds)
+        globals.interface = await check_and_reconnect(args)
+        if globals.interface:
+            pass  # Interface is connected
+        else:
+            logging.error("Interface connection failed. Retrying...")