What is it?

McStatusPiFace is a status board front panel for use with a Raspberry Pi. It is intended for used with a 19" rack system, allowing you to neatly organise your Raspberry Pi's with a handy status display and professional finish.

Adding this status display with a view of network connectivity makes a great addition to any networking rack. Red / green LEDs show the status of each of 4 items (DNS/WiFi/Internet etc), and a optional buttons can be configured to re-check each item.

This is part of the McPiFace series of front panels, see my Tindie store for more McPiFace panels, including a audio panel and a basic panel just a Raspberry pi - as shown in the rack photos).

McStatusPiFace uses a MCP23017 I/O Expander which connects to the I2C and (optionally) 2 GPIO's from the Pi, leaving other GPIO pins available for use and may be used with a Pi that has a HAT attached (providing you can get to the GPIO Pins).

Options:

PCB / Kit / Assembled (Not Buttons) / Assembled (Including Buttons):

The default selected option is for a Assembled system (Not Buttons). However if you prefer the fun of fiddly SMD soldering (sorry about the JST SH connector usage!), it's available as a kit, or just the PCB if you wish to source the parts yourself, or assembled with the buttons as well.

Note: Assembled doesn't include the sled, this is additional from the panel.

Sled:

This is needed to hold the Raspberry Pi. It can be added to the order or easily 3D printed (thing:3488157) if you have a 3D printer.

This is available in two options: PLA: This is more resilient to attaching options (M2.5 screw or M3 self tapper) but may warp in hot racks. PET: Less likely to warp but may crack if the front panel screws are over tightened.

Screw Kit:

• 4x M2.5 countersunk machine screws + nuts to mount the Pi (The ones with the Just Boom HAT are to short).
• 2x M2.5 machine screws to mount the sled to the McAudioPiface front panel.

Why did you make it?

I wanted a way to quickly check the status of items on my network that fitted in neatly with my networking rack system and other McPiFace Raspberry Pis

This was inspired by the 3D printable front panels thing:1793758 and thing:2759317, and the existing Raspberry Pi Status Board that goes on top of a Pi, but sadly doesn't make for a nice mounting solution.

What makes it special?

• It's rack mountable. Ideal for a networking rack.
• 4 items can be monitored with red/green indication LEDs and optional retry buttons.
• As a minimum, needs only I2C and power to function, freeing up the rest of the Pi's GPIO for other HAT usage). Interrupt can be via 2 GPIOs.
• Silk screen areas on the panel allows for writing (or a label if your writing is like mine!) details of the raspberry pi (i.e. host name or IP address) and items being monitored.
• reverse mount LEDs and a push button that can be connected to the Pi to show status (red/green) and be used to shutdown / reboot the pi (separate from the main status area).
• The 3D Printed sled holds the Raspberry Pi securely with 4 countersunk screws (M2.5).
• The sled is secured to the panel by means of M2.5 screws or M3 self tappers (don't use M3s on PET 3D print as it cracks).
• Open Source! Eagle PCB files can be downloaded from the github repository and the sled can be 3D printed.

The rack mound modular system (DAP Audio 2 HE Rackblende f. Modulsystem 10 Segmente MP-1 ) can be purchased directly from MusicStore.de

Their is also a a range of accessories, such as standalone XLR connector and power panels from the same people.

Note: An acrylic laser cuttable version of the rack modular system and 3D printable tower enclosure will be available soon - Keep an eye on the McPiFace GitHub project and Thingiverse if you wish.

For a full system you'll need:

• 1x McStatusPiFace
• 1x Screw kit (4x M2.5 countersunk machine screws + nuts, 2x M2.5 machine screws)
• 1x Sled (buy or print your own)
• The 19" DAP Audio frame
• A 19" rack case
• Raspberry Pi software to monitor and drive the LEDs
• Probably a Raspberry Pi and things to monitor :-)

Note: McStatusPiFace does NOT include the Raspberry Pi, The basic option is the PCB front panel, please add additional items as you need to make the system.