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):

# 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

# 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

# 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

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

[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