# Remote support of an Internet-in-a-Box using https://remote.it

Remote.it can be a [great way](https://docs.remote.it/introduction/get-started/readme) to remotely support an Internet-in-a-Box (IIAB).

As of [April 2022](https://remote.it/pricing/), 5 IIAB devices can be managed for free, and an unlimited number can be managed for $6/month.

For other approaches, please see http://FAQ.IIAB.IO -> "How can I remotely manage my Internet-in-a-Box?"

## Getting Started

### Create a remote.it account + install its desktop application

1. Browse to [https://remote.it](https://remote.it) (Web Portal) and sign up for an account.

2. Download and install the remote.it [desktop application](https://remote.it/download/) (e.g. for Windows, macOS or Linux) on your own laptop/computer.  Their https://remote.it Web Portal and [mobile apps](https://docs.remote.it/introduction/get-started/readme#installation-packages) are also sometimes sufficient, but less functional.

   COMPARISON: "The Desktop and [CLI](https://docs.remote.it/software/cli) can [each] support both peer to peer connections and proxy connections [whereas] the Web Portal and API can only support proxy connections" according to https://docs.remote.it/software/device-package/usage

<!-- ### Install remote.it onto an IIAB + register it + authorize services/ports -->
### OPTION #1: Generate a remote.it claim code for your IIAB + register it + authorize services/ports

Prerequisite: Find any IIAB with `remoteit_installed: True` in `/etc/iiab/iiab_state.yml` (this is the default!)  It means that the remote.it [Device Package](https://docs.remote.it/software/device-package) is installed on your IIAB, most important.  It also means the _strictly optional_ `/usr/bin/remoteit` [command-line interface (CLI)](https://docs.remote.it/software/cli) is installed, offering [a few more features](https://support.remote.it/hc/en-us/articles/4412786750861-Install-the-remoteit-agent-on-your-device) than the Device Package.

1. Run `sudo iiab-remoteit` to enable remote.it on your IIAB.

   Hit `[Enter]` twice if you want to quickly generate a new claim code for your IIAB.

   (The claim code is put in `/etc/remoteit/config.json` and must be used [within 24 hours](https://docs.remote.it/device-package/installation#2.-update-your-package-manager-and-install).)

<!--
1. Connect your IIAB device to the Internet.

2. If your IIAB software is already installed, run `sudo iiab-remoteit` then skip to Step 5. below.

3. If your IIAB software isn't yet installed, set `remoteit_install` and `remoteit_enabled` to `True` in its [/etc/iiab/local_vars.yml](https://wiki.iiab.io/go/FAQ#What_is_local_vars.yml_and_how_do_I_customize_it.3F)

   Install [IIAB software](https://download.iiab.io/) e.g. by running `sudo iiab` then follow any on-screen instructions &mdash; until "INTERNET-IN-A-BOX (IIAB) SOFTWARE INSTALL IS COMPLETE" eventually appears on screen.
-->

   <!-- , and when that's complete go directly to Step 3. below.

   Then install and enable remote.it (its [Device Package](https://docs.remote.it/software/device-package)) on your IIAB, by running:

   ```
   cd /opt/iiab/iiab
   sudo ./runrole remoteit
   ```

   Or if necessary reinstall the latest, by running:

   ```
   cd /opt/iiab/iiab
   sudo ./runrole --reinstall remoteit
   ``` -->

<!--
(This installs and enables the remote.it [Device Package](https://docs.remote.it/software/device-package) for your CPU and OS.  This also installs the _optional_ `/usr/bin/remoteit` [command-line interface (CLI)](https://docs.remote.it/software/cli), which offers [a few more features](https://support.remote.it/hc/en-us/articles/4412786750861-Install-the-remoteit-agent-on-your-device) than the Device Package.)

4. To obtain your IIAB's 8-character remote.it claim code (allowing you to make a remote connection to this IIAB device) run:

   ```
   sudo grep claim /etc/remoteit/config.json
   ```

   *The claim code must be used within 24 hours, per:* https://docs.remote.it/device-package/installation#2.-update-your-package-manager-and-install

   _If your claim code has expired, please run_ `sudo iiab-remoteit` _just as in Step 2._
-->

   <!-- If necessary, run this command to get a new claim code: *(adjust version & architecture in the .deb filename as appropriate!)*

   ```
   sudo apt install /opt/iiab/downloads/remoteit-4.14.1.armhf.rpi.deb
   ``` -->

2. Submit the claim code within the remote.it [desktop application](https://remote.it/download/) on your own laptop/computer.  Or if you prefer, do that by logging into their Web Portal at: https://remote.it
 
   Either way, click on the '+' icon to enter the remote.it claim code (to register the IIAB device to your remote.it account) as shown in this [screenshot](https://docs.remote.it/software/device-package/installation#3.-claim-and-register-the-device).

3. Authorize services/ports (e.g. SSH, HTTP, etc) for your IIAB device, as shown in these [screenshots](https://docs.remote.it/software/device-package/installation#4.-set-up-services-on-your-device).

   SUMMARY: One or more [remote.it "Services"](https://support.remote.it/hc/en-us/articles/360060992631-Services) needs to be authorized (registered) to allow remote access to your IIAB device.

   EXAMPLES: Add an SSH Service on port 22 and/or add an HTTP Service on port 80 ([screenshot guide](https://support.remote.it/hc/en-us/articles/360058603991-Configuring-remoteit-Services-on-devices-with-remote-it-Desktop)).

### OPTION #2: Paste your remote.it license key to IIAB + enable it + authorize services/ports

1. Copy your remote.it account _license key_ from their Desktop Application (https://remote.it/download/) (or from their https://remote.it Web Portal) as shown in this [screenshot](https://docs.remote.it/oem-and-bulk-provisioning/registration-into-a-users-account#3.-user-receives-the-device-and-registers-his-account).

   Paste it into your IIAB's [/etc/iiab/local_vars.yml](https://wiki.iiab.io/go/FAQ#What_is_local_vars.yml_and_how_do_I_customize_it.3F) as in this example:

   ```
   remoteit_license_key: 592AA9BB-XXXX-YYYY-ZZZZ-6E27654C3DF6
   ```

2. Also set `remoteit_enabled: True` in /etc/iiab/local_vars.yml

3. If your [IIAB software](https://download.iiab.io/) is not yet installed, do that e.g. by running `sudo iiab` and following any on-screen instructions &mdash; until "INTERNET-IN-A-BOX (IIAB) SOFTWARE INSTALL IS COMPLETE" eventually appears on screen.

   When that's complete, skip to Step 5.

4. If your IIAB software is already installed, make sure your IIAB is online, and then run:

   ```
   cd /opt/iiab/iiab
   sudo ./runrole remoteit
   ```

5. Authorize services/ports (e.g. SSH, HTTP, etc) for your IIAB device, as shown in these [screenshots](https://docs.remote.it/software/device-package/installation#4.-set-up-services-on-your-device).

   SUMMARY: One or more [remote.it "Services"](https://support.remote.it/hc/en-us/articles/360060992631-Services) needs to be authorized (registered) to allow remote access to your IIAB device.

   EXAMPLES: Add an SSH Service on port 22 and/or add an HTTP Service on port 80 ([screenshot guide](https://support.remote.it/hc/en-us/articles/360058603991-Configuring-remoteit-Services-on-devices-with-remote-it-Desktop)).

### How to I disable remote.it on my IIAB?

1. Run `sudo iiab-remoteit-off`

2. If you also want to completely remove all remote.it software and its settings, run:

   ```
   sudo apt purge "remoteit*"
   sudo rm /usr/bin/remoteit
   ```

## Docs

<!-- "auto-registration" of remote.it, and other more advanced configuration options, see: -->

- https://docs.remote.it
  - https://docs.remote.it/developer-tools/cli-usage
  - https://docs.remote.it/oem-and-bulk-provisioning/registration-into-a-users-account
- https://support.remote.it
  - https://support.remote.it/hc/en-us/categories/360003417511-Getting-Started
  - https://support.remote.it/hc/en-us/articles/360061228252-Oops-I-cloned-an-SD-card-
  - https://support.remote.it/hc/en-us/articles/4404156674445-Subscriptions-and-Licensing
  - https://support.remote.it/hc/en-us/articles/360041590951-Why-does-the-address-time-out-
  - https://support.remote.it/hc/en-us/articles/360047705691-Desktop-Application-Release-Notes
  - https://support.remote.it/hc/en-us/articles/4492289672973-Two-ways-of-using-remote-it-Connections
  - https://support.remote.it/hc/en-us/articles/4422773654669-Streamlined-installation-for-Linux-and-Raspberry-Pi-platforms
  - https://support.remote.it/hc/en-us/articles/360051668711-Updating-the-remoteit-or-connectd-packages-using-a-remote-it-SSH-connection
  <!-- - https://support.remote.it/hc/en-us/articles/360044424612-1-Create-an-Auto-Registration 
  - https://support.remote.it/hc/en-us/articles/360044424672-1-Device-Setup-for-Auto-Bulk-Registration -->
- https://remote.it/resources/
  - https://remote.it/resources/blog/managing-device-access-with-remote-it/
- https://remote.it/legal/
  - https://remote.it/legal/fair-use-policy/

## Known Issues

- <strike>2021-10-27: This needs to be enhanced rather urgently, so remote.it also works when IIAB is installed on Raspberry Pi OS 11 (Bullseye), Ubuntu, Mint and Debian: [#3006](https://github.com/iiab/iiab/issues/3006)</strike>
- <strike>2021-10-29: The above OS issues should be resolved by [PR #3007](https://github.com/iiab/iiab/pull/3007), [PR #3009](https://github.com/iiab/iiab/pull/3009) and [PR #3010](https://github.com/iiab/iiab/pull/3010) &mdash; but this needs final testing!  (Initial testing occurred on [1] 32-bit Raspberry Pi OS Lite on Raspberry Pi 4 and [2] Ubuntu Server 20.04 on x86_64 VM.)</strike>