Help Starting RPi0 Headless

[profhuster]

I am looking for a tutorial.

I have used linux a lot, but never dug into boot configurations, etc., and I am new to TCL. I want to set an RPi0 up as a standalone data logger that students can set up, then after a week plug it into a laptop and download the data. I can handle the programming so it would start or resume at power up and log the data to the microSD card. I need 20 of these units, so to keep it cheap I thought a $5 RPi0 + $3 card + $10 i2c interface board would be a good solution.

So, I think the solution is a RPi0 that operates in the gadget mode. When it is plugged into a laptop I could log in with Putty from Windows or Terminal -> ssh from a Mac or Linux machine.

The problem I am having is setting up and programming the RPi0 to start with. I am having trouble following instructions from http://forum.tinycorelinux.net/index.php/topic,20195.0.html, for example because I don't know how to do several of the things they mention. For example in the first post in the thread:

* _trying modprobe dwc2_ I can't figure out where this command goes. In a start up shell file? Which one?
* _I copied dwc2 and the gadget modules to lib/modules/.../usb and also copied modules.dep_ What is this about? And I can't find the _gadget_ module.
* I don't see how to _modprobe dwc2_ because I can't get the RPi0 booted and connected.

I have successfully got Raspian Jessie working by following directions like these: https://gist.github.com/gbaman/975e2db164b3ca2b51ae11e45e8fd40a

But I am stumped with TCL. I can burn the zip, then edit files on it on a mac before plugging it into the RPi0, but I need more help. Step by step. I've looked through the book. Maybe I'm in over my head.

Any help would be appreciated/

[Juanito]

I don't have an RPi0 to test, but I suggest the first thing to do would be to make an extension out of the missing gadget kernel modules - you should find them here:

http://www.tinycorelinux.net/9.x/armv6/releases/RPi/src/kernel/4.9.22-piCore_modules.tar.xz

[profhuster]

I was poking around on the wiki. I think my problem is that I do not have TCL running on any RPi. The wiki starts with how to boot TCL on a traditional computer with a display and keyboard. I've done that many times on many computers with many linux versions.

In this case, the RPi0 is just a board, so most of the instructions do not apply. I can't make an extension or run modprobe, or install new modules because I can't get TCL booted and running through the USB alone.

I have gotten RPi0's working headless running Raspbian (see https://gist.github.com/gbaman/975e2db164b3ca2b51ae11e45e8fd40a) by editing config.txt and cmdline.txt, and touching ssh on the boot microSD card before inserting it into the RPi0. Then I plug it in and ssh to raspberrypi.local. (I use a Mac. I haven't tried using Windows, installing Bonjour and ssh'ing.)

Is there a similar method that will work with TCL?

BTW, if I figure this out I will write step-by-step instructions and post them here.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[profhuster]

I guess another approach is to get a OTG adapter, plug in a keyboard, plug in a monitor via a mini HDMI, mod the system, save it. I would have to clone the system for 19 other RPi0's any way I do it.