PiCamera

Security web camera based on NodeJS and Raspberry Pi

1. Prerequisites

This project uses the legacy stack of raspistill. For that reason the RaspiOS of the camera machine must run with a 32 bits architecture. If you want to know which system you have, execute this.

cat /etc/os-release

If you have Debian 10 or older skip this section, otherwise, users with RaspiOS Bullseye have to enable legacy camera support.

sudo raspi-config

Navigate to Interface Options → Legacy Camera → Yes. Press on finish button and reboot your Pi.

2. Installation

Process to setup the OS machine based on Linux systems

2.1 System setup

Installing MariaDB server and configure the access user

sudo apt update -y
sudo apt install mariadb-server -y
sudo mysql_secure_installation

2.2 Project setup

Install latest NodeJS and NPM for Linux systems

git clone https://github.com/alberti-tu/PiCamera
cd PiCamera
sudo ./node_setup.sh

Or install a selected version of NodeJS

sudo ./node_setup.sh [version | lts]

NOTE: If the server instance will be in a Raspberry Pi, the latest LTS Node version supported is 16, otherwise you can install the default version provided by the script

2.3 Install NPM dependences

Install NPM dependences for all projects

npm run install

Or install NPM dependences of selected project

npm run server:install
npm run client:install
npm run app:install

2.4 Generate SSL certificates (Optional)

This project allows you to generate a valid certificate for free by Let's Encrypt. For the verification process to work, remember to forward TCP ports 80 and 443 to your IP address.

sudo apt install certbot
npm run certificate --host=[domain]

3. Configuration

The commands in steps 3.1 Server and 3.2 Camera node will open a nano shell editor. After editing the document press ctrl + o to save changes and ctrl + x to close.

3.1 Server

Set HTTP server options, database connection and server password

npm run server:config

3.2 Camera node

Set URL connection and server password

npm run client:config

4. Build project

Build all projects

npm run build

Or build a selected project

npm run server:build
npm run client:build
npm run app:build

NOTE: You have to build at least the App project

5. Launch project

Command to launch server

npm run server:start

Command to launch camera node

npm run client:start

If you want to finish execution press ctrl + c on the linux shell

6. Update project

In the near future will be new updates, in order to download the new features execute the following commands:

git reset --hard
git pull

After downloaded the features execute steps 2.3 Install NPM dependences, 4. Build project and 5. Launch project.

NOTE: If the changes only affect to App project is not necessary stop the server instance. Just execute this:

npm run app:build

alberti-tu / PiCamera