Spoofing Mac Address Across multiple ESP32

[slonison]

I am writing to ask if it is possible to spoof the mac address or override it in some fashion across multiple esp32.

I am trying to set up one controller for multiple esp32.

Only one esp32 will be on at a time to completely avoid conflicts.

Basically, I would like to have esp1 paired with a controller. I would like esp2 to be virtually exactly the same. So that if esp1 is off and I then turn on esp2, I can auto pair my controller with that esp2 without having to force the controller to forget esp1. Then if I turn off esp2, I will be able to pair esp1 if i turn it on later without forgetting esp2.

Hopefully this can be supported or possible.

[darthcloud]

You can by setting an NVS variable on the ESP32 flash, you need to be able to program the ESP via USB-serial.

First you need to type in the BDADDR in a csv file like this:

key,type,encoding,value
hw,namespace,,
bdaddr,data,hex2bin,001122334455

Then install the NVS script as outlined in step # 2 here:
https://github.com/darthcloud/BlueRetro/wiki/BlueRetro-NVS-Config-Generator#2---generating-the-nvsbin-binary-from-the-csv-config

Then flash on the ESP32 as in step # 3

Once you boot the ESP you will see in the serial console log the following lines:

# bt_host_load_bdaddr_from_nvs: Using NVS MAC
I (319) BTDM_INIT: BT controller compile version [20b459d]
I (329) BTDM_INIT: Bluetooth MAC: 00:11:22:33:44:55
[...]
# local_name: BlueRetro_GC_4455
local_bdaddr: 00:11:22:33:44:55

[slonison]

quick question as I have been doing a lot of testing.

When I initially load the firmware for each subsequent esp32. I load with the following:

0x1000 bootloader
0x8000 partition-table
0xD000 ota
0x10000 console
0x9000 nvs
0x310000 spiffs

Is it possible to update nvs and spiffs via the OTA?

What I'm envisioning is the following:
I pair the primary ESP32 and then create my customer nvs and export my spiffs.
I load those in subsequent ESP32s and internally install them in the other consoles.

If I ever loose the controller linked to that spiffs, I will never be able to update those subsequent esp32s unless I remove them from the console (including the first one to make sure that I can export the new spiffs again.

Does my concern make sense?

[darthcloud]

It's only updatable via USB.

[slonison]

It's only updatable via USB.

Is that a hard restriction? Permanently? Or possible to update in the future?

[darthcloud]

Those thing can brick the adapter, so it's not ever going to by accessible via OTA.

[slonison]

Hey , just revisiting this to see if there is any chance that you will change your mind on being able to update this OTA?