Setup for 2 Pi's working together?

[yankeeatz]

I suppose this is more of a question than an issue. I have a Pi Zero on the way that I plan to connect to the Inky screen. From reading previous write-ups, I know I can also use a Pi 3 to run the server since it has more horsepower than the Zero.

Which section of the instructions do I need to run on the Pi 3? My assumption was I would only need to install node-sonos-http-api (server) but when I skipped the install of music-screen-api, I couldn't get the server to run. It also seems like the server does not start after reboot.

I think I have the Zero side figured out - everything gets installed, and then I just edit the config files to point it to the Pi 3 to pull the info from the server.

Thanks!

[Craig]

Hi, @yankeeatz

I'm looking at doing something similar as I've also got vinylemulator running on a seperate Pi.

I would go with the below, not tested though...
On your Pi 3 from these instrutions:
Follow Step 1: Set up your Raspberry Pi
Follow Step 3: Raspberry Pi housekeeping
Follow Step 5: Install node-sonos-http-api (assuming you want to use Sonos)
Follow Step 7: Make everything run on startup and all the time - but ignore the lines:
Now let's get the music-screen-api to run on startup too.
to
It should show you a status screen which shows go_sonos and npm (if you're running Sonos) both as running.

Then in sonos_settings.py on your Pi Zero you'll need to edit the line sonos_http_api_address = "localhost" to sonos_http_api_address = "your Pi 3's IP address". Then reboot. But I think you've already sorted this.

[hankhank10]

This is correct. Get the Sonos API running on the Pi 3, then connect to it from the Pi running the screen by changing the IP address from localhost to the IP of the Pi 3.

[yankeeatz]

Thanks, working on the Pi3 setup now. Question about some of the things in Step 7. Are the instructions starting with "Assuming pm2 is all good let's tell pm2 to run itself on start" needed? I haven't done that, but node-sonos-http-api server is starting after every reboot as it should.

Edit: may have spoke too soon. After a reboot a few hours later, it did not restart the Sonos API. Have now run the additional pm2 steps and will monitor to make sure everything is working as it should. Then on to the Zero setup.

[yankeeatz]

OK, first actual issue. The Pi3 seems to be running just fine. Setting up the Zero now. I have gotten to the install of the Inky library, which worked fine. Next step gives an issue:
git clone https://github.com/hankhank10/music-screen-api.git

gives the output:
-bash: git: command not found

and music-screen-api won't install. It's almost like the Inky install "broke" git or something? If it matters, I am using Raspberry OS Lite on the Zero, running all of this over SSH.

[Craig]

@yankeeatz git is not pre installed on the Raspberry OS Lite.
You'll have to run sudo apt install git before running the git clone command.

[yankeeatz]

Thanks, I was just updating my comment, to say I had figured that out. Didn't realize it wasn't pre-installed but did find the command to install it. On to the next step!

[yankeeatz]

Edit: think I figured it out. When I installed the Inky stuff, it asked if I wanted to do a full install, including examples and documentation. I said no, thinking it was not needed. Now I am reinstalling and answered yes and I can see it's downloading fonts. Might be worth making that clear in the guide. Although I guess I'm the only one who has run into this!

Edit2: everything is working! A few bumps in the road and learning along the way, but finally running. Just waiting on my 3D-printed case to show up. I currently have the Pi Zero connected with jumper jerkies to the Inky but it looks like it's going to be difficult to make it all fit in the case, so I may be plugging the Zero directly into the Inky as vinylemulator did. Thanks again to all - closing this issue out!

Another issue! I thought it might be caused (again) by something not installed with the Lite OS so redid everything with the Desktop/GUI version and same error. There go a few hours wasted!

pi@raspberrypizero:~ $ python3 music-screen-api/go_sonos.py
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "music-screen-api/go_sonos.py", line 7, in
import ink_printer # does the printing to ink
File "/home/pi/music-screen-api/ink_printer.py", line 3, in
from font_source_serif_pro import SourceSerifProSemibold
ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'font_source_serif_pro'

Thanks to everyone for the support, I did not expect to have this many problems getting this running!