The Raspberry Pi is the most popular single-board computer in the world. A pocket-sized computer that has the capability to connect with a huge number of operating systems and devices. It can be used for educational, personal and professional purposes.
Thanks to its compatibility with so many operating systems, the Raspberry Pi can be used to support a whole fleet of point-of-sale systems, customer-facing kiosks, digital gym equipment, ticket machines, and more. Many businesses choose Raspberry Pi as their primary computer programme.
In this blog, we look at the three best ways to connect with your Raspberry Pi remotely.
What are the benefits of accessing a Raspberry Pi device remotely?
The Raspberry Pi is a low-cost solution for many business owners. With remote access, the benefits of this are tenfold. Coming in at just a fraction of the cost of a regular computer, the Raspberry Pi is compatible with a range of powerful operating systems. This means that businesses can issue Pi computers to staff rather than costly laptops or PCs. This lets staff use their own devices to access company files and programmes.
It also means that staff can share resources. If you purchase expensive software that is only accessible through an individual license, multiple users can share the programme remotely at the same time using Raspberry Pi. This allows businesses to manage their budget more efficiently and reinvest the money elsewhere. Having remote access to your Pi also saves a significant amount of time and resources. Businesses can detect and resolve issues with devices quickly and remotely, without needing to call engineers or send replacement devices through the post.
3 ways to set up remote access
The way you access your device will partially depend on the operating system (OS) you choose. Things like price, safety and ease of use are also important factors to consider.
Emteria’s device management plan
Emteria offers robust Raspberry Pi IoT management on its website, supporting single-device free trials, and full fleet remote management.
You’ll be able to configure all of your device settings together, rather than programming each device separately. This includes adding apps, choosing security policies, installing updates and setting permissions. You can also choose different settings for each device based on its location and purpose. So, you could set your office devices to work one way and warehouse devices to work another.
Whether you have one device or ten, Emteria provides users with access to a Device Hub. Here, you can view information about each device, and issue preset and custom commands. Install or modify anything on the device including apps, policies and updates. As long as the Raspberry Pi device is connected to the internet, it can be managed from anywhere in the world using the Emteria Device Hub.
SSH remote management
Using SSH (Secure SHell) protocol uses encrypted communication to connect two computers together. SSH is convenient, but is disabled on the Pi by default so requires some setting up. Using this method involves opening a port on Raspberry Pi (port 22), and could potentially expose your device to hackers. You’ll also need your IP address and Raspberry Pi login to use SSH. Apart from these prerequisites, setup can be completed quite simply on a desktop.
Using VNC management
Virtual Network Computing, or VNC, is a remote desktop tool that offers remote access. Like SSH, VNC offers an encrypted solution that requires authentication. Like Emteria, you can create a free VNC account online. You’ll need a Raspberry Pi with Raspberry Pi OS (formerly Raspbian), a network and internet connection, VNC Server and VNC Viewer. To increase safety, change your default password from ‘raspberry’ to protect yourself from being exposed to hackers.
Conclusion
Remote access adds a huge layer of convenience, whether your Pi is for personal or business use. There are many solutions for making the Raspberry Pi accessible remotely. Consider the option that provides the most freedom, offers secure backup, and is the most compatible with your OS.