Raspbian

       

Raspberry Pi OS and reef-pi

Software Installation Manual Using Windows - Robo-Tank

Table of Contents

Table of Contents        2

1. Install Raspberry Pi OS (Raspbian)        3

2. Access Raspberry Pi via SSH        10

3. Install reef-pi        12

4. Other Manuals        13

1. Install Raspberry Pi OS (Raspbian)

This manual covers the basic installation that is needed to run reef-pi, you don’t need a keyboard, mouse or display but you can use one if you prefer. This only requires a microSD card reader and a network connection. The images throughout the manual are from a Windows system but using a Mac or Linux is similar.

You can have the Raspberry Pi plugged into the controller board during setup or plug it in when complete, it’s your choice.

If you just purchased a new Raspberry Pi you need to install the Raspberry Pi operating system. If you’ve installed this on a Pi before you can do it as you previously have or follow the instructions below. If your Pi is already up and running you can skip to Chapter 3 “Install reef-pi”.

Visit the following page using the link below and download the ‘Raspberry Pi Imager’ to match your computer. This will automate the install process.

https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/

Once the download is finished, open the file and go through the step-by-step install wizard to install, all the defaults are sufficient.

  1. Open the Raspberry Pi Imager program that you just installed. Before opening the program make sure your SD card is in your card reader as the program searches this when it opens. Now Press CTRL + SHIFT + X on your keyboard to open the advanced settings page.

  1. You should now see the Advanced options screen below. Enable SSH, add a username and password for the Raspberry Pi.
  2. Enable Configure wifi and add your network SSID and password to connect to your wifi and set the Wifi country to match your location.

  1. Click the Save button at the bottom
  2. Now you can click the CHOOSE OS button

  1. If you are using a Raspberry Pi 3 or 4 and want to connect a display, keyboard and mouse for a Windows-like feel you can install the first option with ‘Desktop’ however it is recommended to install the Lite OS version using the 2nd option marked in the image below.

        

  1. Now you will see another menu, you should select Raspberry Pi OS Lite (32-bit). The minimal installation is best as there’s less code running in the background that could cause reliability issues and require frequent security updates. Note: Be sure to install the Legacy Bullseye OS as the latest Bookworm variant isn’t compatible.

  1. Now you can choose which SD card to write to, press the button to select one.

  1. Depending on your card reader you may have one or more items in the list, if you are unsure remove your card and view this screen. Look for the row where the GB changes from 0 to the size of your microSD card.

  1. Now you can click the ‘Write’ button and sit back while it installs everything to your microSD card. This will take a while to complete but when it’s finished you’ll have the latest Raspberry Pi OS.

  1. Once complete you’ll see the screen below. Click on the ‘continue’ button to finish. You can now close the Raspberry Pi Imager program.

2. Access Raspberry Pi via SSH

Now that the operating system is installed you need to connect to the Raspberry Pi using SSH so we can actually install reef-pi, proceed as instructed below:

  1. Download Putty from https://www.putty.org/, the link is at the top of the page under package files.
  2. Install Putty, the default settings throughout the install are sufficient.
  3. Once it’s installed you can open it and you’ll get the screen in the image below. Follow the next 3 steps.
  1. First set Connection type to SSH
  2. Change Host Name to the IP address of your Raspberry Pi. You can log into your router or run an IP scanner to get this. Set the Port to 22.
  3. You can enter a name in the Saved Sessions field and click the save button, now next time you want to connect to your Pi you only need to double click the Saved Session and it will load up.
  1. Click the open button at the bottom to start the connection.

  1. When you open a new connection you need to enter in your user name and password to log in to your Raspberry Pi, it will prompt you for this. The default username is pi and the password is what you set up earlier when you installed the Raspberry Pi OS. Note as you type the password nothing will show but it knows.

  1. Once successfully logged in you’ll see something like the following image. When you get this you are ready to complete the installation.

Picture1

3. Install reef-pi

  1. If you haven’t connected to your Raspberry Pi via SSH follow step 2.
  2. Once connected type in the following command and press enter.

wget -c https://www.robo-tank.ca/reef-pi_install_files.zip

  1. Now type in the following command.

unzip reef-pi_install_files.zip

  1. Now type in the following command.

        sudo bash reef-pi_install_files/install_reefpi.sh

This will start the installation, follow the on screen instructions.

This script does the following

  •    updates Raspberry Pi Operating System
  •    updates Raspberry Pi password
  •    prompts for hostname
  •    prompts for time zone
  •    enables time sync
  •    installs reef-pi
  •    configures reef-pi
  •    generates website address to access reef-pi
  •    removes reef-pi installation files
  •    expands file system on microSD card

4. Other Manuals

Here you can view all the other manuals.

https://www.robo-tank.ca/reef-pi_Related_User_Manuals

Contributors

Iain Bonnes

Thank-you again for your purchase and I hope you enjoy your Robo-Tank controller.

Questions or comments contact me, Rob Fowler at info@robo-tank.ca

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