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Why we use ubuntu on Raspberry Pi instead of Raspbian?
Ubuntu is a complete Linux operating system which is open source and free of cost. Ubuntu is officially released in three editions, desktop, server and core for IoT and robots.
These editions can work on PCs and virtual machines both. The main difference between ubuntu desktop and ubuntu server is that desktop uses GUI while server does not. Raspberry pi has its own operating system called Raspbian.
it focuses more towards educational needs whereas ubuntu focuses on software development. So if you want to use your raspberry pi for software developing, then go with ubuntu, its great. You wont be satisfied with Raspbian if you want to develop.
What is raspberry pi and what does it do?
Raspberry pi is a cheaper solution provided to motivated and promote teachings of computer science to all ages. It is an integrated circuit board developed in United Kingdom by the Raspberry Pi Foundation. You can say that it behaves like a desktop with a mini board.
What is raspberry pi and what does it do?
Raspberry pi is a cheaper solution provided to motivated and promote teachings of computer science to all ages. It is an integrated circuit board developed in United Kingdom by the Raspberry Pi Foundation. You can say that it can behaves like a desktop with a mini board.
Why use raspberry pi?
It’s a low weighted, low cost and GPIO outputs coupled that can add modules, the Raspberry Pi is currently the best possible choice as an embedded computer.
You can do all kinds of things like making it a private FM radio station, add a gaming server, control a robot and all kinds of other fun stuff. As a single board computer, raspberry pi has earned the reputation of being prominent over the competitors.
It has options like CPU, GPU, memory, usb port, videos outputs like HDMI, network and so on.
How Does the Raspberry Pi Work?
The SD card inserted in the board becomes the hard disk for the board. Using HDMI port, the output can be projected on a monitor or even a TV. This behaves as a normal functioning computer with very low powered consumption.
Things you need before you get started.
- Sd card (4 GB or more)
- Raspberry pi
- Ubuntu image
- HDMI port
- Power Supply
- Ethernet Cord or WIFI dongle (The Pi 3 and 4 has Wi-Fi inbuilt)
- Keyboard
- which ubuntu server to choose?
| supports | Ubuntu 18.04.4 LTS | Ubuntu 19.10 |
|---|---|---|
| Raspberry pi 2 | 32 bits | 32bits |
| Raspberry pi 3 | 32/64 bits | 32/64 bits |
| Raspberry pi 4 | 32/64 bits | 32/64 bits |
| support | Long term (2023) | Short term (July 2020) |
| version | Old version | Latest version (new features) |
- Which version of raspberry pi?
| Raspberry 2 | Raspberry 3 | Raspberry 4 B | Raspberry Pi Zero WH | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release date | 2015 Feb 1 | 2016 Feb 29 | 2019 Jun 24 | 2018 Jan 12 |
| Price | US$35.00 | US$35.00 | US$35.00 | US$15.00 |
| No. Of Cores | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| Ethernet | 10/100M | 10/100M | Gigabit | – |
| Power ratings | 800 mA | 1.34 A @5V | – | 180 mA |
| WIFI | Not supported | Supported | Supported | supported |
| Website | Click here | Click here | Click here | Click here |
- You can follow the link for downloading raspberry pi https://ubuntu.com/download/raspberry-pi
Installing Ubuntu Server on your Raspberry Pi
Step 1: Choose which raspberry version and ubuntu server suits you. You can compare what you need from description above
Step 2: Insert your SD card in your PC. If you have used the SD card then it would be better to format it, so it can be ready to use. Make sure the SD card is in FAT32 format.
Raspberry pi has launched its own image reader. In this article, you will be shown how to use Raspberry Pi’s own image reader as well as the commonly used tool called etcher. Don’t worry! They are simple and easy to use.
Reading image through Raspberry Pi imager
Step 1: To write the image in the SD card (Raspberry Pi imager).
If you don’t have raspberry pi imager installed, you can follow the link https://www.raspberrypi.com/downloads/ and download the software.
Step 2: once the software is installed you need to select the ubuntu image file you downloaded.
Step 3: then you need select your SD card then you are ready to flash your image in the SD card.
It will take a while, your SD card will be flashed with the OS image.
Reading image through Etcher
Step 1: To write the image in the SD card (Etcher).
If you don’t have etcher installed you can follow the link Balena Etcher and download the software.
Step 2: After the installation is finished, you can write the image in your SD card.
Direct to where your downloaded ubuntu server file is located. Select a drive and continue.
After the image is successfully loaded then select your SD card. If the SD card is not recognized then eject and insert again.
Step 3: Then click flash
It will take a few minutes to complete the flash.
Step 6: After the image had been flashed in the SD card, remove it and insert it in the raspberry pi board.
Step 7: Connect your HDMI, network, keyboard and your power supply on your raspberry pi board.
Default Login Details for Ubuntu Server on the Pi
You need to log in to your new installation to begin using Ubuntu.
Enter in your command line
The default username is “Ubuntu “.
The default password is “Ubuntu “.
After you’ve been logged in you will need to change the password to something more secure.
Log in again using your new password. (you can use the software PUTTY to run your IP address)
Configuring internet
You need to configure your internet after logging in to your installation.
If you have ethernet connection then you can directly plug-in and you will get access to internet.
If you want to configure your WIFI settings then you can easily follow the mentioned steps.
Step 1: get your ip address by typing “ip address
Step 2: Open your terminal and type:
ssh ubuntu@(THE_IP_YOU_JUST_FOUND)(password ubuntu) Step 3: Install the WIFI support:
sudo apt-get intall wireless-tool sudo apt-get install wireless-tool wpasupplicant step 4: you need to add to a file, add to /etc/network/interfaces:
auto wlan0
iface wlan0 inet dhcp
wpa-ssid WIRELESSSSID
wpa-psk WIRELESSPASSWORD step 5: reboot and you are good to go!
Enabling SSH
You would need to enable you SSH. There are two ways you can enable SSH (secure shell).
- From boot directory
- From your raspberry pi
Enabling SSH from boot directory
You can add the SSH file to the “system-boot” directory where the files “config.txt” and “cmdline.txt”.
Enabling SSH from raspberry pi
make sure that everything is up to date and Run the following command
sudo apt update sudo apt upgrade - you need to install openSSH server and make sure its running. Write the command to check.
sudo apt install openssh-server you just need to enable and start SSH.
sudo service ssh enable sudo service ssh start After following all the steps and at this point you have successfully installed ubuntu on your raspberry pi. If there were any problems or if I miss anything, leave a comment below.
PS- raspberry pi 2 does not support WIFI. As ubuntu 18.0.4 does not officially support the Raspberry Pi 4, you will need to use a modified version of the image for it to run on that hardware.
