Published June 13, 2016 © GPL3+

AnyfestoCHIP

The CHIP as total communication device: media streaming, file server, VoIP, Messaging and more. All rolled into a captive portal/AP device.

IntermediateShowcase (no instructions)2 hours5,586

Things used in this project

Hardware components

C.H.I.P.

USB Stick 32GB or Bigger (generic)

Adafruit LIon Battery 3.7V 2500mA

Adafruit Wall Charger 5V 2.4A 6' MicroUSB Cable

Software apps and online services

Kiwix

Wikimedia Server

VLC

Media Streamer, Player, Swiss Army Knife

kiwiIRC

Web Based IRC

Mumble

Open Source VOIP

Personal Telco

Inspiration

Story

Objective

To have a local content/captive portal server that fits in a space as small as a jacket pocket. It has battery, charge circuit and WiFi included. Currently using Anyfesto to serve up ebooks and files via a web interface plus audio streaming via VLC. Secure VOIP service via Mumble, we based IRC, local Wikimedia content using Kiwix and shell services.

Why? To share resources to those in your local area when connectivity to the Internet is not available or is unwise to use.

Where? From your person to the range of WiFi. Can be augmented by having WiFi repeaters in range.

VLC

Why VLC? For me VLC has become my go to audio/video weapon of choice both for client and server needs. As a viewer/listener it is rock solid, cross platform and cli friendly.

As a server it is rock solid, cross platform and cli friendly. See what happened there? One tool, many tasks. Alton Brown would approve. I have set VLC up in this project to start on boot, stream a default file or playlist and listen on a specified port for further commands. You can use any one of a plethora of VLC control apps on the device of your choice or even use a web browser for the task.

As VLC requires to be run as a user I have set up a user named VLC that has read rights to the local content directories and is part of the media group. You can see how this is set out in the steps listed in the Instructions section of this page.