Operating Systems

Like your PC or laptop, you will need an operating system. The operating system communicates with the hardware and utility programs. There are many to choose from and each has different features and applications installed. Most of the OS are available directly from RaspberryPi.org. Because many of these operating systems are Linux-based this is a good way to have students learn about basic Linux commands. Security and networking certifications often require students to have some knowledge of Linux.

Resources:

Operating Systems

Raspberry Pi OS Images (RPi)

Raspbian is the basic Debian-based general-purpose system using Openbox stacking window manager and Pi improved Xwindows Environment Lightweight with Minecraft Pi, Java, Mathematica, and Chromium.

There are many flavors. The current version is called Raspberry Pi OS. The Lite versions mean that you connect using the command line only. There is no GUI or graphical user interface with the Lite versions. Usually people use tools such as SSH to securely connect to the RPi from your laptop, desktop or even from a mobile device.

Noobs

Raspberry Pi OS https://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads/raspberry-pi-os/

Noobs

NOOBS stands for new out of the box software. Noobs is a graphical version of the RPi OS that is setup on SD Cards that you can purchase. You can also download and install NOOBS yourself. https://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads/noobs/.

Raspbian Stretch

This is a popular version based on an operating system known as Debian. It uses PIXEL desktop based on LXDE and APT Packet Manager. What that means is that you'll see us use APT in the examples here because that helps us to install applications and make sure they are up to date.

Resources:

Common Operating Systems

Kali Pi

  • This is often used for offensive security (Backtrack) but can also be really useful to help teach students about basic security. It comes with many applications preinstalled and is GUI based.
  • Kali Linux RaspberryPi 2 and 3 64
  • Downloads

Ubuntu

  • Ubuntu is also based on Debian so many programs that work on Debian also work on Ubuntu.

Ubuntu MATE

Ubuntu Core - Snappy

Ubuntu Resources

Windows IoT Core

RISC OS

Gentoo

  • Started in 2000
  • Packages are download the source code, extract it, and compiled locally (build it using your preferences and your computer type) so you have a custom binary package
  •  Gentoo wiki page

Minibian

  • Minimal version of Raspbian without GUI and unneeded software
  • Same repositories and binaries
    Lighter system for embedded systems. Can use a small screen or no screen
  • Boot in seconds
  • Download from SourceForge
  • Minibian lighter-weight version of Raspbian OS designed for embedded systems no GUI, with instructions.

Pidora

  • Fedora Remix distribution with packages from Raspberry Pi Foundation, custom packages and from the Fedora Project compiled for the ARM architecture.
  • Small project
  • Download

Chromium OS - Google

  • Custom Google OS on Chromebook computers
  • Use Google’s suite of applications (Chrome, Drive, Gmail, …)
  • Store some files locally and print documents
  • Not the easiest to install

Alpine Linux

  • Independent distribution aimed at power users and embedded systems
    Efficiency, simplicity and security for network equipment such as routers, VPN servers or firewalls
  • Use as a workstation with XFCE, Firefox and the main Linux software
  • Image is less than 50MB. You build the system according to your needs. Use your own “apk” package management tool
  • Download
  • Wiki is well documented
  • Alpine Linux - Tutorials

FlintOS

Arch Linux

Other Links