decode-config.py

decode-config.py is able to backup and restore Sonoff-Tasmota configuration.

In comparison with the Tasmota build-in "Backup/Restore Configuration" function decode-config.py

uses human readable and editable JSON-format for backup/restore,
can restore previously backup and changed JSON-format files,
is able to create Tasmota compatible command list with related config parameter

Comparing backup files created by decode-config.py and *.dmp files created by Tasmota "Backup/Restore Configuration":

	decode-config.py *.json file	Sonoff-Tasmota *.dmp file
Encrypted	No	Yes
Readable	Yes	No
Simply editable	Yes	No
Simply batch processing	Yes	No

decode-config.py is compatible with Tasmota version from v5.10.0 up to now.

Content

Prerequisite

Python)
This program is written in Python) so you need to install a working python environment (for details see Python Setup and Usage)
Sonoff-Tasmota Firmware with Web-Server enabled:
- To backup or restore configurations from or to a Sonoff-Tasmota device you need a firmare with enabled web-server in admin mode (command WebServer 2). This is the Tasmota default.
- If using your own compiled firmware be aware to enable the web-server (#define USE_WEBSERVER and #define WEB_SERVER 2).

File Types

decode-config.py can handle the following backup file types:

.dmp Format

Configuration data as used by Tasmota "Backup/Restore Configuration" web interface.
This format is binary and encrypted.

.json Format

Configuration data in JSON-format.
This format is decrypted, human readable and editable and can also be used for the --restore-file parameter.
This file will be created by decode-config.py using the --backup-file with --backup-type json parameter, this is the default.

.bin Format

Configuration data in binary format.
This format is binary decryptet, editable (e.g. using a hex editor) and can also be used for --restore-file command.
It will be created by decode-config.py using --backup-file with --backup-type bin.
Note:
The .bin file contains the same information as the original .dmp file from Tasmota "Backup/Restore Configuration" but it is decrpted and 4 byte longer than an original (it is a prefix header at the beginning). .bin file data starting at address 4 contains the same as the struct SYSCFG from Tasmota settings.h in decrypted format.

File extensions

You don't need to append exensions for your file name as decode-config.py uses auto extension as default. The extension will be choose based on file contents and --backup-type parameter. If you do not want using auto extensions use the --no-extension parameter.

Usage

After download don't forget to set the executable flag under linux with chmod +x decode-config.py or call the program using python decode-config.py....

Basics

At least pass a source where you want to read the configuration data from using -f <filename> or -d <host>:

The source can be either

a Tasmota device hostname or IP using the -d <host> parameter
a Tasmota *.dmp configuration file using -f <filename> parameter

Example:

decode-config.py -d sonoff-4281

will output a human readable configuration in JSON-format:

{
  "altitude": 112, 
  "baudrate": 115200, 
  "blinkcount": 10, 
  "blinktime": 10, 
...
  "ws_width": [
    1, 
    3, 
    5
  ]
}

Save backup file

To save the output as backup file use --backup-file <filename>, you can use placeholder for Version, Friendlyname and Hostname:

decode-config.py -d sonoff-4281 --backup-file Config_@f_@v

If you have setup a WebPassword within Tasmota, use

decode-config.py -d sonoff-4281 -p <yourpassword> --backup-file Config_@f_@v

will create a file like Config_Sonoff_6.4.0.json (the part Sonoff and 6.4.0 will choosen related to your device configuration). Because the default backup file format is JSON, you can read and change it with any raw text editor.

Restore backup file

Reading back a saved (and possible changed) backup file use the --restore-file <filename> parameter. This will read the (changed) configuration data from this file and send it back to the source device or filename.

To restore the previously save backup file Config_Sonoff_6.2.1.json to device sonoff-4281 use:

decode-config.py -d sonoff-4281 --restore-file Config_Sonoff_6.2.1.json

with password set by WebPassword:

decode-config.py -d sonoff-4281 -p <yourpassword> --restore-file Config_Sonoff_6.2.1.json

Output to screen

To force screen output use the --output parameter.

Output to screen is default enabled when calling the program with a source parameter (-f or -d) but without any backup or restore parameter.

JSON output

The default output format is JSON. You can force JSON output using the --output-format json parameter.

Example:

decode-config.py -d sonoff-4281 -c my.conf -x Wifi --output-format json

{
  ...
  "hostname": "%s-%04d", 
  "ip_address": [
    "0.0.0.0", 
    "192.168.12.1", 
    "255.255.255.0", 
    "192.168.12.1"
  ], 
  "ntp_server": [
    "ntp.localnet.home", 
    "ntp2.localnet.home", 
    "192.168.12.1"
  ], 
  "sta_active": 0, 
  "sta_config": 5, 
  "sta_pwd": [
    "myWlAnPaszxwo!z", 
    "myWlAnPaszxwo!z2"
  ], 
  "sta_ssid": [
    "wlan.1", 
    "my-wlan"
  ], 
  "web_password": "myPaszxwo!z", 
  "webserver": 2
  ...
}

Note: JSON output always contains all configuration data like the backup file except you are using --group arg.

Tasmota command output

decode-config.py is able to translate the configuration data to (most all) Tasmota commands. To output your configuration as Tasmota commands use --output-format cmnd or --output-format command.

Example:

decode-config.py -d sonoff-4281 -c my.conf -g Wifi --output-format cmnd

# Wifi:
  AP 0
  Hostname %s-%04d
  IPAddress1 0.0.0.0
  IPAddress2 192.168.12.1
  IPAddress3 255.255.255.0
  IPAddress4 192.168.12.1
  NtpServer1 ntp.localnet.home
  NtpServer2 ntp2.localnet.home
  NtpServer3 192.168.12.1
  Password1 myWlAnPaszxwo!z
  Password2 myWlAnPaszxwo!z2
  SSId1 wlan.1
  SSId2 wlan.1
  WebPassword myPaszxwo!z
  WebServer 2
  WifiConfig 5

Note: A few very specific module commands like MPC230xx, KNX and some Display commands are not supported. These are still available by JSON output.

Filter data

The huge number of Tasmota configuration data can be overstrained and confusing, so the most of the configuration data are grouped into categories.

With decode-config.py the following categories are available: Display, Domoticz, Internal, KNX, Led, Logging, MCP230xx, MQTT, Main, Management, Pow, Sensor, Serial, SetOption, SonoffRF, System, Timers, Wifi

These are similary to the categories on https://github.com/arendst/Sonoff-Tasmota/wiki/Commands.

To filter outputs to a subset of groups use the -g or --group arg concatenating the grooup you want, e. g.

decode-config.py -d sonoff-4281 -c my.conf --output-format cmnd --group Main MQTT Management Wifi

Configuration file

Each argument that start with -- (eg. --file) can also be set in a config file (specified via -c). Config file syntax allows: key=value, flag=true, stuff=[a,b,c] (for details, see syntax at https://pypi.org/project/ConfigArgParse).

If an argument is specified in more than one place, then commandline values override config file values which override defaults. This is usefull if you always use the same argument or a basic set of arguments.

The http authentication credentials --username and --password is predestinated to store it in a file instead using it on your command line as argument:

e.g. my.conf:

[source]
username = admin
password = myPaszxwo!z

To make a backup file from example above you can now pass the config file instead using the password on command line:

decode-config.py -d sonoff-4281 -c my.conf --backup-file Config_@f_@v

More program arguments

For better reading each short written arg (minus sign -) has a corresponding long version (two minus signs --), eg. --device for -d or --file for -f (note: not even all -- arg has a corresponding - one).

A short list of possible program args is displayed using -h or --help.

For advanced help use -H or --full-help:

usage: decode-config.py [-f <filename>] [-d <host>] [-P <port>]
                        [-u <username>] [-p <password>] [-i <filename>]
                        [-o <filename>] [-t json|bin|dmp] [-E] [-e] [-F]
                        [--json-indent <indent>] [--json-compact]
                        [--json-hide-pw] [--json-show-pw]
                        [--cmnd-indent <indent>] [--cmnd-groups]
                        [--cmnd-nogroups] [--cmnd-sort] [--cmnd-unsort]
                        [-c <filename>] [-S] [-T json|cmnd|command]
                        [-g {Control,Devices,Display,Domoticz,Internal,KNX,Light,MQTT,Management,Power,Rules,Sensor,Serial,SetOption,SonoffRF,System,Timer,Wifi} [{Control,Devices,Display,Domoticz,Internal,KNX,Light,MQTT,Management,Power,Rules,Sensor,Serial,SetOption,SonoffRF,System,Timer,Wifi} ...]]
                        [--ignore-warnings] [-h] [-H] [-v] [-V]

Backup/Restore Sonoff-Tasmota configuration data. Args that start with '--'
(eg. -f) can also be set in a config file (specified via -c). Config file
syntax allows: key=value, flag=true, stuff=[a,b,c] (for details, see syntax at
https://goo.gl/R74nmi). If an arg is specified in more than one place, then
commandline values override config file values which override defaults.

Source:
  Read/Write Tasmota configuration from/to

  -f, --file, --tasmota-file <filename>
                        file to retrieve/write Tasmota configuration from/to
                        (default: None)'
  -d, --device, --host <host>
                        hostname or IP address to retrieve/send Tasmota
                        configuration from/to (default: None)
  -P, --port <port>     TCP/IP port number to use for the host connection
                        (default: 80)
  -u, --username <username>
                        host HTTP access username (default: admin)
  -p, --password <password>
                        host HTTP access password (default: None)

Backup/Restore:
  Backup & restore specification

  -i, --restore-file <filename>
                        file to restore configuration from (default: None).
                        Replacements: @v=firmware version from config,
                        @f=device friendly name from config, @h=device
                        hostname from config, @H=device hostname from device
                        (-d arg only)
  -o, --backup-file <filename>
                        file to backup configuration to (default: None).
                        Replacements: @v=firmware version from config,
                        @f=device friendly name from config, @h=device
                        hostname from config, @H=device hostname from device
                        (-d arg only)
  -t, --backup-type json|bin|dmp
                        backup filetype (default: 'json')
  -E, --extension       append filetype extension for -i and -o filename
                        (default)
  -e, --no-extension    do not append filetype extension, use -i and -o
                        filename as passed
  -F, --force-restore   force restore even configuration is identical

JSON output:
  JSON format specification

  --json-indent <indent>
                        pretty-printed JSON output using indent level
                        (default: 'None'). -1 disables indent.
  --json-compact        compact JSON output by eliminate whitespace
  --json-hide-pw        hide passwords
  --json-show-pw, --json-unhide-pw
                        unhide passwords (default)

Tasmota command output:
  Tasmota command output format specification

  --cmnd-indent <indent>
                        Tasmota command grouping indent level (default: '2').
                        0 disables indent
  --cmnd-groups         group Tasmota commands (default)
  --cmnd-nogroups       leave Tasmota commands ungrouped
  --cmnd-sort           sort Tasmota commands (default)
  --cmnd-unsort         leave Tasmota commands unsorted

Common:
  Optional arguments

  -c, --config <filename>
                        program config file - can be used to set default
                        command args (default: None)
  -S, --output          display output regardsless of backup/restore usage
                        (default do not output on backup or restore usage)
  -T, --output-format json|cmnd|command
                        display output format (default: 'json')
  -g, --group {Control,Devices,Display,Domoticz,Internal,KNX,Light,MQTT,Management,Power,Rules,Sensor,Serial,SetOption,SonoffRF,System,Timer,Wifi}
                        limit data processing to command groups (default no
                        filter)
  --ignore-warnings     do not exit on warnings. Not recommended, used by your
                        own responsibility!

Info:
  Extra information

  -h, --help            show usage help message and exit
  -H, --full-help       show full help message and exit
  -v, --verbose         produce more output about what the program does
  -V, --version         show program's version number and exit

Either argument -d <host> or -f <filename> must be given.

Program parameter notes

decode-config.py

Examples

The most of the examples are for linux command line. Under Windows call the program using python decode-config.py ....

Config file

Note: The example contains .ini style sections [...]. Sections are always treated as comment and serves as clarity only. For further details of config file syntax see https://pypi.org/project/ConfigArgParse.

my.conf

[Source]
username = admin
password = myPaszxwo!z

[JSON]
json-indent 2

Using Tasmota binary configuration files

Restore a Tasmota configuration file

decode-config.py -c my.conf -d sonoff --restore-file Config_Sonoff_6.2.1.dmp
Backup device using Tasmota configuration compatible format

a) use file extension to choice the file format

decode-config.py -c my.conf -d sonoff --backup-file Config_@f_@v.dmp

b) use args to choice the file format

decode-config.py -c my.conf -d sonoff --backup-type dmp --backup-file Config_@f_@v

Use batch processing

for device in sonoff1 sonoff2 sonoff3; do ./decode-config.py -c my.conf -d $device -o Config_@f_@v

or under windows

for device in (sonoff1 sonoff2 sonoff3) do python decode-config.py -c my.conf -d %device -o Config_@f_@v

will produce JSON configuration files for host sonoff1, sonoff2 and sonoff3 using friendly name and Tasmota firmware version for backup filenames.

Notes

Some general notes:

Filename replacement macros @h and @H:
- @h
  The @h replacement macro uses the hostname configured with the Tasomta Wifi Hostname <host> command (defaults to %s-%04d). It will not use the network hostname of your device because this is not available when working with files only (e.g. --file <filename> as source).
  To prevent having a useless % in your filename, @h will not replaced by configuration data hostname if this contains '%' characters.
- @H
  If you want to use the network hostname within your filename, use the @H replacement macro instead - but be aware this will only replaced if you are using a network device as source (-d, --device, --host); it will not work when using a file as source (-f, --file)