---
description: A guide to installing the operating system for Raspberry Pi.
---

# Installing OS

This guide will help you install Ubuntu Server, the recommended operating system (OS) for the Raspberry Pi, in the Control Box and the Camera Box.

## **Prerequisite Steps:**

{% hint style="info" %}
#### **Update operating system:**

If you have already installed an older version of Ubuntu on the SD card, you will need to update Ubuntu to the newest version if you wish to keep any files. If needed, follow the [official instructions](https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/upgrading-ubuntu-desktop#1-before-you-start) to update your Ubuntu version.
{% endhint %}



## Installing Operating System

{% hint style="info" %}
By default Ubuntu Server does not come with a desktop environment, which means if you have a monitor plugged in during the first boot all you will see is a text-based login prompt. A desktop environment can be installed during _Step 5_ of instructions below. We recommend `lubuntu-desktop`.

\
If you are comfortable (or want to learn!) how to use the command line environment via ssh, you can skip installing the desktop environment.
{% endhint %}

Follow the official instructions for installing Ubuntu Server:

{% embed url="https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/how-to-install-ubuntu-on-your-raspberry-pi#1-overview" %}
The official instructions for installing Ubuntu Server on a Raspberry Pi. A desktop envrionment can be installed on top of the Server edition for easier use.
{% endembed %}

During _Step 3_ of the instructions above, it recommends changing some of the Advanced Options. This is where we can customize the install for POCS. Enter the following:

* **Hostname**: Can be anything, but should identify which raspberry pi is being used, e.g. `control-box`, `pocs-control-box`, `PAN021-control`, `PAN021-camera-box`, `maia-control`, `maia-camera`, etc.
* **Enable SSH**: Click to enable and make sure "Use password authentication" is selected (unless you know what you are doing with ssh keys).
* **Set username and password**: We recommend setting the username to `panoptes`. Set an appropriate password.
* **Configure wireless LAN**: Set this to your wifi connection. Make sure to change the **Wireless LAN country** to your appropriate country, e.g. `US`.
* **Set locale settings**: Select your timezone.

Click the Save button and then proceed with the official instructions.
