Configuration - raspi-config
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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:
The raspi-config tool is launched from the command line by running the command
The sudo command is used to run the tool with superuser (administrative) privileges, as modifying system settings requires elevated permissions.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
