Enable WiFi connectivity in NFSROOT

[Mike Gabriel]

Hi Thomas, hi all,

I am currently working on deploying ~100 tablets (Dell Venue 8 Pro)  
with a stripped down GNOME based on Debian testing via FAI.

As the devices don't have a LAN port, I'd like to deploy them via USB  
flashdrives (using fai-cd). During the installation there is one step  
that I need network connectivity for. Ideally, under the IP, MAC and  
hostname that the tablet will use later on: At the end of the FAI  
installation I register the new device against a puppet server.

For the initial installation we use USB-C consoles (currently with  
USB-A ports and a RJ45 LAN port).

However, I'd love to get rid of the requirement of a LAN port for  
deploying these tablets. Here is my question:

Is it possible to weave a working WiFi setup into the NFSROOT? Like  
having network-manager, wpasupplicant and one system-wide wifi  
connection setup for Network Manager?

If that was possible, I could deploy those tablets via USB  
flashdrives, enable WiFi in the NFSROOT, register against the puppet  
server with correct IP, MAC and hostname; and I am done.

Another advantage would be cost-specific (not a big issue, though):  
the LAN port on the currently used USB-C consoles (USB-C <-> USB-A +  
LAN) would not be needed. We'd plan buying several of those for faster  
deployment of those ~100 devices (more expected to come).

Looking forward to any feedback, and hoping that all FAI users and  
devs are still healthy!

light+love
Mike (aka sunweaver at debian.org)
-- 

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