OwnTracks Recorder

OwnTracks Recorder is an open-source, self-hosted server application designed to store and access geolocation data. It receives location updates published by OwnTracks mobile applications via MQTT or HTTP POST and saves this information into a local store. The software is deployed as a compiled program that can run on low-end hardware and is also available as a Docker image for easier deployment in containerized environments.

The application consists of two primary components. The Recorder handles data ingestion and provides a built-in REST API and WebSocket server for data retrieval. Complementing this is the ocat command-line utility, which allows users to read and export the stored location data in various formats. This combination allows for both automated data collection and manual data analysis through a terminal interface.

Key features

• Data ingestion via MQTT subscriptions or HTTP POST requests
• Storage of location data in plain files without requiring an external database
• Built-in REST API for requesting stored geolocation data
• WebSocket server for real-time location updates
• Support for reverse geo lookups via OpenCage, Google, and revgeod
• Integration of Lua hooks for custom scripting
• Provision of GeoJSON output for map visualization
• Support for TLS, client certificates, and PSK for secure MQTT connections

The system is designed for efficiency, utilizing a storage layout based on plain files and an optional LMDB database for performance. It includes a web server capable of serving static pages, such as a live map and a table of the most recent locations. Administrators can configure the server through environment variables, a configuration file, or command-line arguments to manage storage directories, MQTT credentials, and API keys. The software also supports reverse proxy configurations with Nginx or Apache to provide additional layers of security and management.

This software serves as a backend storage and retrieval system for users of the OwnTracks ecosystem who require a lightweight way to archive and visualize their movement history.