raspberry-pi

# Raspberry Pi Management Skill ## Overview Use this skill for managing Raspberry Pis in a fleet - specifically OS updates, Python upgrades, and hardware-specific configurations. ## Tools Required - **Bash** - Run ansible, apt, ssh commands - **SSH** - Connect to Pis for direct access - **Glob/Grep** - Find Pi inventory, scripts - **Read** - Check OS versions, configs - **Write/Edit** - Update sources.list, configs ## Critical Differences from x86 ### 1. Architecture - Pis are ARM64 (aarch64), NOT AMD64 - Always verify: `ansible -m setup -a "filter=ansible_architecture"` - Use ARM64 binaries: `ollama-linux-arm64.tgz`, NOT `.amd64` ### 2. Ubuntu Release Upgrades In-place upgrades from 20.04 → 22.04 are RISKY on Pis: - Can break SSH (openssh-server removed during upgrade) - Can break package manager (dpkg in inconsistent state) - Can lose network connectivity mid-upgrade **SAFE Upgrade Method (use this, not do-release-upgrade):** ```bash # Manual release upgrade (works without TTY) sed -i 's/focal/jammy/g' /etc/apt/sources.list apt-get update DEBIAN_FRONTEND=noninteractive apt-get dist-upgrade -y ``` ### 3. Python Version - Ubuntu 20.04 ships Python 3.8 - Ubuntu 22.04 ships Python 3.10 - Ansible needs Python 3.9+ on target (use raw module for older) - For native Ollama, use raw module or upgrade OS ### 4. Docker on ARM64 - Docker works on ARM64 but use `arm64` tags - Pre-built images may not have arm64 variants - Native installation often better than Docker on Pi ## Safe Update Workflow ### Step 1: ALWAYS Audit First ```bash # Check connectivity ansible <hosts> -i inventory -m ping # Check OS version ansible <hosts> -i inventory -m setup -a "filter=ansible_distribution*" # Check Python version ansible <hosts> -i inventory -m command -a "python3 --version" # Check disk space ansible <hosts> -i inventory -m command -a "df -h" ``` ### Step 2: For Python < 3.9, Use Raw Module ```bash # Use raw to update apt (works with any Python) ansible <hosts> -i inventory -b -m raw -a "apt-get update" # Or upgrade OS to get newer Python ansible <hosts> -i inventory -b -m raw -a "sed -i 's/focal/jammy/g' /etc/apt/sources.list && apt-get update" ``` ### Step 3: Verify After Changes ```bash ansible <hosts> -i inventory -m setup -a "filter=ansible_distribution*" ansible <hosts> -i inventory -m command -a "python3 --version" ``` ## Common Issues & Solutions ### SSH Broken After Upgrade - **Cause**: openssh-server removed but not reinstalled - **Solution**: Physical access (keyboard/HDMI) or reimage SD card ### Package Manager Broken - **Cause**: dpkg in inconsistent state after interrupted upgrade - **Solution**: `sudo dpkg --configure -a` or reimage ### Wrong Architecture Binaries - **Cause**: Downloading amd64 instead of arm64 - **Fix**: Always verify with `file /usr/bin/binary` ### Network Timeout During Download - **Cause**: Large file download interrupted - **Fix**: Stage locally, distribute via Ansible copy ## Raspberry Pi Specific Inventory Variables ```yaml [pis] ubrpi41 ansible_host=10.0.3.215 ansible_user=ubuntu # ... [pis:vars] ansible_python_interpreter=/usr/bin/python3 # Pis typically need longer timeouts ansible_timeout=60 ``` ## Inventory Location ``` $HOME/rust-town/irclaw/ansible/inventory ``` ## Usage 1. **Audit first**: Check OS, Python, disk space 2. **Use raw for Python < 3.9**: Never wait for AnsibleFacts 3. **Test on ONE Pi first**: Before rolling out to fleet 4. **Have recovery plan**: SD card imager ready