ubuntu-based-kiosk/INTERCOM_README.md

UBK Intercom Setup - Mumble/Talkkonnect

This is a standalone script for setting up push-to-talk (PTT) intercom functionality for the Ubuntu Based Kiosk using Mumble/Talkkonnect.

Overview

The intercom system uses:

• Murmur: The Mumble server software (can run on one kiosk)
• talkkonnect: A headless Mumble client optimized for push-to-talk

Use Cases

1. All-in-One (Server + Client)

One kiosk acts as both the server and a client. Other devices can connect to it.

./setup_intercom.sh
# Select option 1: Install All-in-One (Server + Client)

2. Client Only

Connect to an existing Mumble server (could be another kiosk or external server).

./setup_intercom.sh
# Select option 3: Install talkkonnect Client Only
# Enter the server IP, port, and credentials

3. Server Only

Turn a kiosk into a dedicated Mumble server.

./setup_intercom.sh
# Select option 2: Install Murmur Server Only

Quick Start

Single Kiosk Setup (Server + Client)

cd /path/to/ubk
./setup_intercom.sh

1. Select Option 1: Install All-in-One (Server + Client)
2. Set a SuperUser password (for server administration)
3. Set a server password (clients need this to connect)
4. Set a welcome message
5. Set a username for the talkkonnect client
6. The client will auto-connect to the local server

Multi-Kiosk Setup

On the server kiosk:

./setup_intercom.sh
# Select option 2: Install Murmur Server Only
# Note the server IP address shown after installation

On each client kiosk:

./setup_intercom.sh
# Select option 3: Install talkkonnect Client Only
# Enter the server IP from above
# Port: 64738 (default)
# Enter username and password

Features

Push-to-Talk

• Default PTT key: Spacebar
• Press and hold to transmit audio
• Release to stop transmitting

Management

The script provides a full-featured menu for:

• Starting/stopping services
• Reconfiguring settings
• Viewing logs
• Uninstalling components

Connecting from Other Devices

Other devices can connect to your Mumble server using:

Desktop (Windows/Mac/Linux):

• Download Mumble client: https://www.mumble.info/downloads/
• Connect to: <kiosk-ip>:64738

Mobile (iOS/Android):

• Install Mumble app from app store
• Add server: <kiosk-ip>:64738

Configuration

Server Configuration

Location: /etc/mumble-server.ini

Key settings:

• Port: 64738 (default)
• Max users: 10
• Bandwidth: 72000

Client Configuration

Location: /home/kiosk/talkkonnect.xml

Key settings:

• Server address and port
• Username and password
• PTT button (default: spacebar)
• Audio settings

Troubleshooting

Check Service Status

# Check Murmur server
sudo systemctl status mumble-server

# Check talkkonnect client
sudo systemctl status talkkonnect

View Logs

Use the built-in menu options, or:

# Murmur logs
sudo journalctl -u mumble-server -n 50

# talkkonnect logs
sudo journalctl -u talkkonnect -n 50

Audio Issues

1. Check audio devices:

arecord -l  # List recording devices
aplay -l    # List playback devices

2. Test audio:

# Test microphone
arecord -d 5 test.wav && aplay test.wav

3. Edit talkkonnect configuration:

nano /home/kiosk/talkkonnect.xml
# Adjust <audio> section device names
sudo systemctl restart talkkonnect

Firewall

If clients can't connect, ensure port 64738 is open:

sudo ufw allow 64738/tcp
sudo ufw allow 64738/udp

Integration with Main Install Script

To integrate this into the main UBK install script:

Option 1: Direct Integration

Add to the addon menu in install_kiosk_*.sh:

# In the addon menu section
echo "  X. Intercom (Mumble/Talkkonnect)"

# In the case statement
X)
    # Source and run the intercom script
    bash setup_intercom.sh
    ;;

Option 2: Call as External Script

# From anywhere in the install script
if [[ -f "$SCRIPT_DIR/setup_intercom.sh" ]]; then
    bash "$SCRIPT_DIR/setup_intercom.sh"
else
    echo "Intercom setup script not found"
fi

Option 3: Function Import

Source the functions for use in the main script:

# Source the intercom functions (requires extracting functions to separate file)
source "$SCRIPT_DIR/intercom_functions.sh"

# Then call functions directly
install_murmur_and_talkkonnect

Technical Details

Murmur Server

• Package: mumble-server
• Service: mumble-server.service
• Port: 64738 (TCP/UDP)
• Config: /etc/mumble-server.ini
• Database: /var/lib/mumble-server/mumble-server.sqlite

talkkonnect Client

• Written in: Go
• Built from: https://github.com/talkkonnect/talkkonnect
• Binary: /home/kiosk/go/bin/talkkonnect
• Service: talkkonnect.service
• Config: /home/kiosk/talkkonnect.xml

Dependencies

• Go 1.23.4+
• libopenal-dev
• libopus-dev
• alsa-utils
• portaudio19-dev
• git

Network Requirements

• Server: Port 64738 (TCP/UDP) must be accessible
• Clients: Outbound access to server on port 64738
• Local Network: For LAN-only intercom, no internet required
• Remote Access: If connecting over internet, configure port forwarding

Security Considerations

1. Server Password: Set a strong server password to prevent unauthorized access
2. SuperUser Password: Keep this secure - it has admin privileges on the server
3. Network: Consider using a VPN for remote access instead of exposing port 64738 to the internet
4. Certificates: For production, consider setting up SSL/TLS certificates (currently using insecure: true)

Version History

• v1.0.0 - Initial standalone release
  • Full Murmur server installation
  • talkkonnect client installation
  • All-in-one option
  • Service management
  • Configuration tools

Support

For issues or questions:

• Check logs using the built-in menu options
• Review the Troubleshooting section
• Check talkkonnect documentation: https://github.com/talkkonnect/talkkonnect
• Check Mumble documentation: https://wiki.mumble.info/