Maintenance

Hardware requirements

Here is the stuff you will need to build your MoodleBox:

Any Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, 3 Model B+, 3 Model B, 3 Model A+, Zero 2 W, 400 or 5,
A high quality power supply,
A microSD card of sufficient size; we recommend a capacity of 32 GB or more, even if MoodleBox can work with a smaller card size,
A Raspberry Pi case (not essential, but very useful to protect the Raspberry Pi).

The total hardware amount is approximately USD 90, 80€ or CHF 90.

Install Moodle plugins

The installation of Moodle plugins is possible like on any Moodle installation.

To install plugins, it is recommended to connect the MoodleBox to the Internet with an Ethernet cable. Log in the Moodle platform with an administrator account, then visit Site administration > Plugins > Install plugins.

You can now install plugins, either by clicking on the button Install plugins from the Moodle plugins directory (preferably), or by uploading a ZIP file of a plugin.

Manage the Moodle database

The MoodleBox allows access to the Moodle database for administration purpose, via the Adminer software. To access to login interface, type the following URL http://moodlebox.home/adminer.php in the address bar of your browser, and type the credentials below. Of course the password is different if you have changed it.

Username: moodlebox
Password: Moodlebox4$

Info

Moodle default configuration

The Moodle environment on the MoodleBox is completely standard.

Following settings were configured to facilitate Moodlebox’ use or to enhance its performance.

Configured Moodle settings

Mobile App: The mobile service for the official Moodle Mobile app is enabled. The Moodle Mobile app can be download at https://download.moodle.org/mobile/.
File upload size: The maximal file upload size is set to 50MB (via the PHP settings post_max_size and upload_max_filesize).
Cron: The cron is configured to be run every minute. Some scheduled tasks need an Internet access. It’s recommended to connect the MoodleBox to the Internet with an Ethernet cable.
Multi-language filter: The Multi-Language Content filter is enabled.
Cache: The cache of Moodle is configured to optimize the reactivity of the MoodleBox.
MoodleBox Plugin: The MoodleBox Administration plugin for Moodle is installed. This plugin enables a Moodle administrator to restart and shutdown, to set the date, to change some other settings and to monitor the hardware of the MoodleBox using a GUI.
MathJax library: The MathJax library is installed locally, enabling the MathJax filter to work correctly even when the MoodleBox is not connected to Internet.
System paths: System paths to php, du, ghostscript and python executables are appropriately set.
Débogage: Debug message display is disabled.

Provide files on the Moodlebox

Files on a USB stick

When a USB stick is inserted into one of the MoodleBox USB ports, all the files on the stick are automatically available to administrators and teachers in the file picker of Moodle, via a repository called USB Drive.

If several USB sticks are inserted into the MoodleBox, only the files of the first inserted one are available.

MoodleBox