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Raspberry Pi with Linux

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tagsraspberry-pi, sbc, arm, gpio, linux

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Raspberry Pi with Linux

In short: The Raspberry Pi is a credit-card-sized, cheap computer that runs normal Linux. It suits learning, home servers and tinkering projects with sensors and motors.

What you need

  1. A Pi model (for example Pi 4 or Pi 5 for servers, Zero 2 W for small projects).
  2. A microSD card or SSD and a suitable power supply (a too weak one is the most common mistake).
  3. Optionally a case and cooling.

Installing the system

With the Raspberry Pi Imager you choose an operating system (usually Raspberry Pi OS, built on Debian), set Wi-Fi, user and SSH beforehand and write it to the card. Without a screen you get in by ssh user@raspberrypi.local, see SSH on Linux.

Typical uses

  • Home server: Pi-hole (ad blocker for the network), Nextcloud, Home Assistant, media server
  • Learning: Linux, programming in Python, networks
  • Hardware: control LEDs, buttons, sensors and motors through the GPIO pins (Python library gpiozero)
  • Small AI models: see Edge AI

Important

  • ARM processor: not all x86 software runs. Check whether there is a version for aarch64.
  • SD cards wear out; for continuous operation prefer an SSD and back up regularly.
  • Do not put it on the internet unprotected: updates, keys instead of passwords, firewall.
  • Compared with the microcontroller Arduino and ESP32: the Pi is a full computer, needs more power and only starts after booting.

See also: Linux on phones

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