Configuration - raspi-config

The raspi-config tool is a configuration utility for Raspberry Pi that allows users to easily modify various system settings through an interactive menu-based interface.

It provides a convenient way to perform initial setup and configuration tasks without the need for manual editing of configuration files.

Here's a detailed explanation of how the raspi-config tool works and the technical terms associated with it:

Accessing raspi-config

• The raspi-config tool is launched from the command line by running the command

sudo raspi-config

• The sudo command is used to run the tool with superuser (administrative) privileges, as modifying system settings requires elevated permissions.

User Interface

• Upon launching raspi-config, you'll see a blue screen with options presented in a grey box.

• The options are organized into different categories, such as System Options, Display Options, Interface Options, Performance Options, Localisation Options, and Advanced Options.

• You can navigate through the options using the up and down arrow keys, and select an option by pressing the Enter key.

System Options

• The System Options submenu allows you to configure various system-level settings.

• Some notable options include:

  • Wireless LAN: Set the wireless network SSID and passphrase.

  • Audio: Specify the audio output destination.

  • Password: Change the default user password.

  • Hostname: Set the visible name for the Raspberry Pi on the network.

  • Boot/Auto Login: Choose whether to boot to the console or desktop, and enable/disable automatic login.

Display Options

• The Display Options submenu provides settings related to the display and video output.

• Options include:

  • Underscan: Adjust the overscan settings to ensure the display fits properly on the screen.

  • Screen Blanking: Enable or disable screen blanking (turning off the display after a period of inactivity).

  • VNC Resolution: Define the video resolution to use in headless setups (when the Raspberry Pi is accessed remotely without a physical display).

Interface Options

• The Interface Options submenu allows you to enable or disable various interfaces and protocols.

• Options include:

  • SSH (Secure Shell): Enable/disable remote command-line access to the Raspberry Pi using SSH.

  • VNC (Virtual Network Computing): Enable/disable the VNC server for remote desktop access.

  • SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface): Enable/disable SPI interfaces and automatic loading of the SPI kernel module.

  • I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit): Enable/disable I2C interfaces and automatic loading of the I2C kernel module.

  • Serial Port: Enable/disable shell and kernel messages on the serial connection.

Performance Options

• The Performance Options submenu allows you to configure settings related to system performance.

• Options include:

  • Overclock: Enable overclocking of the Raspberry Pi's CPU to achieve higher performance (available on some models).

  • GPU Memory: Change the amount of memory allocated to the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

  • Overlay File System: Enable or disable a read-only filesystem for protecting the SD card.

Localisation Options

• The Localisation Options submenu provides settings for configuring localization preferences.

• Options include:

  • Locale: Select the locale settings, such as language and character encoding (e.g., en_GB.UTF-8).

  • Time Zone: Choose the appropriate time zone based on region and city.

  • Keyboard: Select the keyboard layout to match your physical keyboard.

  • WLAN Country: Set the country code for the wireless network to ensure compliance with local regulations.

Advanced Options

• The Advanced Options submenu contains additional settings for advanced users.

• Options include:

  • Expand Filesystem: Expand the filesystem to use the entire SD card capacity.

  • Network Interface Names: Enable or disable predictable network interface names.

  • Network Proxy Settings: Configure proxy settings for network connectivity.

  • Boot Order: Specify the boot order preference (e.g., boot from USB or network if the SD card is not inserted).

  • Bootloader Version: Choose between the latest boot ROM software or the factory default version.

Applying Changes

• After making the desired configuration changes, you can select the "Finish" option to exit raspi-config.

• If you made changes that require a reboot, you'll be prompted to reboot the Raspberry Pi for the changes to take effect.

The raspi-config tool simplifies the process of configuring various aspects of the Raspberry Pi system by providing an intuitive menu-based interface. It abstracts away the complexity of manually editing configuration files and allows users to make changes easily.

Under the hood, raspi-config modifies relevant configuration files and system settings based on the options selected.

It automates the process of editing files such as /boot/config.txt, /etc/ssh/sshd_config, and other system configuration files.

By using raspi-config, users can quickly set up their Raspberry Pi with desired settings, enable or disable features, and customize the system to suit their needs without requiring in-depth knowledge of the underlying configuration files and syntax.