Summary

You can get started with the RPI HDMI-connected to a TV, but you’ll ultimately need to access it remotely, once you move it near the hives. For full graphical desktop access, you can use the Virtual Network Computing (VNC) package, or for simpler tasks you can just use SSH for a remote command line.

Here are a few simple steps and tools you’ll need:

Set static IP

To access the RPI remotely, it’s best to set it up with a fixed IP address. If you don’t, depending on your home network configuration, the IP address may keep changing and you’ll have to connect a monitor to the RPI to determine its current address. There are way too many different network devices and configurations to provide prescriptive instructions here. You’ll have to search the Internet for your network devices and determine how to allocate a fixed IP address, or create a DHCP static lease for your RPI.

To set the static IP address on the RPI, search the Internet for “setting a static IP address on raspberry pi” and you’ll find many articles and even videos.

Virtual Network Computing (VNC)

The VNC software package allows you to access the RPI graphically from any other computer running the VNC client. When you “VNC” into the RPI from your other computer, you get a desktop environment, just as if you were logged directly into the RPI.

There are many articles and videos on how to setup the VNC server on the RPI. You just need to search “setting up VNC on the raspberry pi” and you’ll find them. Here are a few highlights of how this works for context.

• You’ll want to install/run the VNC server on the RPI
• You’ll need to install the VNC client software on your other computer
• You start the VNC client on your computer, connecting to the RPI VNC server using the assigned static IP address.

Secure SHell (SSH)

The SSH software package allows you to access the RPI via command line, which can be helpful for simple tasks. SSH is a fairly standard package in the Linux world, and is likely already installed and running on your RPI. You’ll just need to get an SSH client for your other computer. If you’re running Windows 10, it’s a built-in optional feature. If you’re running something other than Windows 10, you can use the PuTTY client. Just search the Internet and you’ll find lots of information on SSH.

Another great feature of SSH is the ability to use stored keys for accessing a remote system. This allows you to access the remote system without a password, facilitating scripted backups and other remote operations.

Password

Since your RPI will be connected to the network, and potentially accessible, it’s important that you don’t keep the standard passwords (user: PI, password: raspberry). These passwords are in all the documentation and make your RPI easy to access.

To change the password, simply type “passwd” from the command line when logged into the RPI. Obviously, don’t forget what you changed it to 🙂

Build Your Own BeeCam Table of Contents

1. Build Your Own BeeCam TOC
2. Raspberry Pi Basics
3. Headless RPI
4. BeeCam: It’s Alive
5. BeeCam from Anywhere
6. Maintenance
7. Go Green
8. Summary/Next