Headless Raspberry Pi Homelab – Part 1: OS Configuration & Remote Access

Project Overview ## Hardware Used ## Installing the OS & Writing to the microSD card ## Step 1: Install the Raspberry Pi Imager ## Step 2: Select Device & Operating System ## Why 64-bit? ## Step 3: Prepare the Storage Device ## Step 4: Configure OS Customization Settings ## Hostname ## Localization ## Username & Password ## Step 5: Network & Access Configuration ## Wi-Fi (Optional) ## Why Ethernet? ## Step 6: Raspberry Pi Connect (Optional) ## Step 7: Write the OS Image ## Step 8: Booting the Raspberry Pi ## Next Steps (Part 2) This project documents the process of imaging and configuring a Raspberry Pi to function as a headless database server on a local network, with a focus on OS deployment, remote access, and preparing the system for headless database hosting and homelab expansion. For the official step-by-step process, the Raspberry Pi Foundation provides documentation. I followed their documentation while performing my own process. Official Raspberry Pi Getting Started Documentation Download and install the Raspberry Pi Imager for your operating system Official Raspberry Pi Imager Software After installation, ensure the software is fully updated before proceeding. The 64-bit OS provides better memory handling and compatibility with modern services such as databases and containerized applications. The Samsung microSD card and adapter. Insert the Samsung microSD card and adapter into the Uni SD Card Reader. Connect the storage device to your computer. Once connected and granted access to your computer, the storage device should appear in the Select Storage menu of the Imager. Before writing the OS, the Raspberry Pi Imager allows several important pre-boot configurations. Set a custom hostname to easily identify the device on the network. Configure the timezone and keyboard layout based on your geographical location. Create a user account that will be used for SSH access. The Wi-Fi setup was skipped in favor of Ethernet. SSH was enabled during imaging using password authentication. This ensures the Pi can be accessed remotely without requiring a display. Raspberry Pi Connect provides secure remote access features. Since this was new to me, I enabled it to explore its capabilities. If you choose to enable Raspberry Pi Connect, you'll have to create an account and verify it. After reviewing all customizations, proceed with writing the OS to the microSD card. Warning: This process erases all existing data on the microSD card. Once the writing process successfully finishes, the Write Complete page will populate, the Finish button can be selected, and you can remove your storage device that contains the newly imaged microSD card. Insert the newly imaged microSD card into the Raspberry Pi. The Raspberry Pi is now ready to be integrated into your home network. Templates let you quickly answer FAQs or store snippets for re-use. Are you sure you want to hide this comment? It will become hidden in your post, but will still be visible via the comment's permalink. Hide child comments as well For further actions, you may consider blocking this person and/or reporting abuse - Raspberry Pi 4 Kit - Uni SD Card Reader - Samsung 32GB EVO Plus microSD card - Launch Raspberry Pi Imager - Select your Raspberry Pi model (I'm using a Raspberry Pi 4) - Choose the Raspberry Pi OS (64-bit is recommended) - The Samsung microSD card and adapter. - Insert the Samsung microSD card and adapter into the Uni SD Card Reader. - Connect the storage device to your computer. - More stable connection - Lower latency - Easier to troubleshoot - Common practice in server environments - Connect the Raspberry Pi to the home network via Ethernet, using a Netgear switch and Xfinity router. - Verify that the Pi is properly recognized on the network using the Xfinity admin tool and Netgear admin tool. - Test connectivity by pinging the Pi from another device on the network or accessing it via SSH.