How To - Ubuntu on Raspberry Pi

Summary

Steps on how to install and configure Ubuntu Server 22.04 on a Raspberry Pi (RPI).

see official instructions

Note: my host PC runs Ubuntu Desktop 22.04 so some of the instructions below may be specific to that OS.

Initial

RPI info

choose a userid for the rpi account: e.g. rpi_userid
choose a password for the rpi account: e.g. rpi_password
choose a hostname for the rpi: e.g. rpi_name

Create SD-Card

install rpi imager

  sudo snap install rpi-imager

insert microSD card

use at least 32GB (more is better)
check it's mounted using file manager

start rpi-imager

Raspberry Pi Device: Raspberry Pi 4
Operating System:
- click Choose OS
- click Other General-purpose OS
- click Ubuntu
- click Ubuntu Server 22.04.4 LTS (64-bit) (Note: not desktop)
Storage:
- click Choose Storage
- click "Internal SD card reader ..."
- click Next
Use OS customisation?
- click Edit Settings
- dlg box OS Customisation
  - select General tab (default)
    - select hostname: rpi-name
    - select Set username and password: enter rpi_username, rpi_password
    - if using wireless, select Configure wireless LAN
      - enter your SSID and its password
    - Check timezone and keyboard layout is correct
  - select Services tab
    - select Enable SSH
    - ensure "Use password authentication" is selected
    - ensure "Allow public-key authentication only" is not selected
  - select Options tab
    - check and you wish
- click Save
- click Yes on dlgbox "Use OS customisation?"
dlgbox Warning: All existing data ... wll be erased. Are you sure?
- click Yes
dlgbox Authentication required, enter password
"preparing to write..." takes 5m
dlgbox Write Successful, click Continue
close rpi-imager

eject SD Card media

remove the SD Card from your host PC

insert SD Card into RPI

ensure RPI is off
move SD card to RPI
power on the RPI
wait for it to boot up

set up static IP address on your router

set the IP address as a static address in your router:
- Note: I have a tp-link AX-3000 router, your instruction will be different
- open Router, goto to Advanced, DHCP Server
- find rpi_name
- add it to Address Reservation to maintain the same IP address
Note: setting the ip address to static will ensure that the /etc/hosts doesn't need to change, the ssl key doesn't change etc.
add it to /etc/hosts on your host PC

10.0.0.xx        rpi_name

Configure RPI

start ssh terminal and login to rpi

ssh rpi_userid@rpi_name

ip address
# confirm it is the 10.0.0.xx address you set in your router

ping google.com
# confirm access to internet

Update RPI ubuntu

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
sudo apt autoremove
sudo apt autoclean

setup datetime and timezone

# set timezone, otherwise some utilities such as rsync can be confused by different timestamps
sudo apt install -y ntpdate
sudo timedatectl set-ntp off
sudo timedatectl set-ntp on
# Note: change to your appropriate timezone
sudo timedatectl set-timezone America/Edmonton

reboot to pick up latest changes

sudo reboot
# Note: takes 2+m to reboot and have SSH access

Done!

At this point, the RPI can be accessed from any OS or utility that supports SSH e.g.

Ubuntu or other linux bash terminal
Windows MSYS2 terminal
macOS terminal
apps like putty

check rsync works

# send a directory from your host PC to the rpi's home directory
rsync -avhc some_host_dir/ "rpi_userid@rpi_name:/home/rpi_userid/some_rpi_dir/"

# ssh into the RPI and check the directory ~/some_rpi_dir exists and has the correct content