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Get the Barbara ID of the node

The Barbara ID is a unique hexadecimal string assigned to every Barbara Edge Node. It acts as a fingerprint, allowing you to identify and manage your node within the Barbara Platform. Before registering your node on the Panel, it's necessary to determine its specific Barbara ID.

This guide explores three methods to locate your Barbara ID.

If a display can be connected to your Barbara Node:

  1. At the end of the boot process, the display will showcase both your Barbara ID and a QR Code below it.

Barbara ID in screen

Barbara ID in screen

  1. The QR Code, when scanned, will link you to a webpage that also displays your Barbara ID for convenience.

Barbara ID in screen

Barbara ID in screen

USB Assistant Tool​

The Barbara USB Assistant Tool provides a convenient and reliable method to access various configuration details of your Edge Node, including the crucial Barbara ID.

See also...

Go beyond just the Barbara ID and explore here the full range of functionalities offered by the USB Assistant Tool.

Here's how to utilize the USB Assistant Tool to retrieve your Barbara ID:

  1. Prepare a USB pen drive: Ensure your USB flash drive is formatted in FAT32 format. Most operating systems offer built-in formatting tools.
  2. Connect the USB Drive: Insert the prepared USB drive into a designated USB port on your Edge Node.
  3. Generate Information File: Remove the USB drive from your Edge Node and connect it to your computer. Open the file explorer or finder and locate the USB drive.
  4. Access Information on Your Computer: Remove the USB drive from your Edge Node and connect it to your computer. Open the file explorer or finder and locate the USB drive.

Barbara folder in USB root

Barbara folder in USB root

  1. Find Your Barbara ID: You'll typically see a new folder named barbara within the root directory of the USB drive. Open this folder and locate a file named barbarainfo.txt. This text file will contain various information about your Edge Node, including your Barbara ID (lines 4-5) which you can view using a text editor.
barbarainfo.txt
Timestamp:
    334673

Barbara ID:
    pi3-xxxxxxxxxxxx

Barbara OS version:
    4.3.0

Barbara OS UTC:
    1685403411

Network info:
    Iface name: lo IP: 127.0.0.1/8
    Iface name: lo IP: ::1/128
    Iface name: wlan0 IP: 10.43.0.1/24
    Iface name: wlan0 IP: fe80::6b31:bcd4:1def:423e/64
    Iface name: docker0 IP: 172.17.0.1/16

Connectivity status:
    NmStateConnectedLocal

Docker support:
    true

WiFi Hotspot​

WiFi Hotspot is a Barbara built-in solution to access your Edge Node's Barbara ID and network configuration which is available for nodes that meet two conditions:

  1. Unregistered with Panel: The Edge Node cannot be previously registered with Barbara Panel.
  2. WLAN Interface Available: The Edge Node must have a functional WiFi (WLAN) interface onboard.
See also...

Check this article to know the full functionality of WiFi Hotspot.

If these conditions are satisfied, the WiFi Hotspot will create a WLAN Network with following access parameters:

  • SSID: Your Node's Barbara ID (This will be a unique hexadecimal string).
  • Password: The network password will be BarbaraHotspot

Once successfully connected to the Wi-Fi hotspot, open a web browser on your device. Open your browser and enter following IP address: http://10.43.0.1

WiFi Hotspot Configuration Site

Access the WiFi Hotspot Configuration Site here.

You can also check and copy your Node's Barbara ID in the configuration site.

Barbara ID in WiFi Hotspot

Barbara ID in WiFi Hotspot