The Raspberry Pi system is one of the most flexible when you look at its various applications. You can use it for everyday computing and in plenty of projects, more so the DIY ones.
The system is also affordable to purchase, making it an ideal resource. Especially for beginners who want to try out new things in computing.
One of the areas that the Raspberry Pi computer has immense use is home automation and robotics, with many projects taking this direction. In home automation and robotics, the remote control is a functionality that many appreciate, as you do not have to be proximal to the computer for you to run it.
In this vein, you would be interested to know how to restart Raspberry Pi remotely, among other functions. Before learning how to reboot Raspberry Pi remotely, you need to know the purpose of restarting.
Why Restart Your Computer?
Restarting or rebooting is a crucial function in computers and has plenty of purposes. In the case of your Raspberry Pi, the significant reasons are to effect changes made to the system. For example, if you have run updates, you need to reboot the device to apply the upgrades. This also applies if you add new programs or run essential command prompts.
Restarting also plays a role in flushing your random access memory (RAM), the computer’s central memory. The result is that it will boost its performance and make it fast. So, in case you have a slow computer, the first thing you can try out is to restart it.
This function will come to your aid if you have internet connection issues or if it cannot read peripheral devices such as your mouse, keyboard, and peripheral devices. Finally, rebooting can also stop memory leaks when programs misbehave or do not close properly.
Restarting Raspberry Pi Remotely
When talking or remote restart on the Raspberry Pi, one of the best examples is home automation. After a security breach or a program malfunction, you may need to restore the system to working order. This can be a problem if you are far from the house. However, let us look at how to restart Raspberry Pi remotely to deal with the issue.
Step 1: Connect Your Computer to the internet
The first step you have to do is to connect the Raspberry Pi to a stable internet connection. You can easily do this through an ethernet cable connection, though with a newer raspberry model, like the Raspberry Pi 3, a Wi-Fi dongle will come to your aid.
A point to note is that you need to change your passwords or apply robust encryption modules as you are exposing the system to the internet.
Step 2: Pick an Ideal Third Part Application for Remote Access
The simplest way to remotely connect to your Raspberry Pi is via the use of a third-party program. There are several programs to choose from for this purpose, and you need to have your eyes on the best, which is compatible with the computer. Among them is VNC Connect.
Install the program and run it.
Step 3: Keying In Command Prompts
If you have a problem installing the program of your choice, you can use the following command prompt to get you by.
sudo apt-get update
Press Enter, then type:
sudo apt-get install (name of your program) then press Enter.
After completing these command prompts, key in the following prompt for configuration.
sudo raspi-config, then click on Enter. Now go down the application and click on Embed.
Step 4: Setting Up the Program
Most remote access programs have a similar design; hence, setting them up is a straightforward process. You have to follow the instructions provided on the screen to guide you on setting up the application of your choice.
You then go back to your computer system and click on the application’s icon and look for the licensing key and type the username or email and the password you provided. Finalize by selecting cloud connectivity for the online connectivity of the Raspberry Pi system.
You should now download a supporting viewer application, where the computer system will show as an option. When you see your device’s prompt, enter the credentials you provided, and it will connect, and you can remotely control it, including rebooting it.
What to Note When Remotely Restarting Your Raspberry Pi
Here are some of the things to keep in mind when connecting your Raspberry Pi to the internet for remote access.
- The computer’s operating system should be up to date for you to connect remotely. You have to check for the state of your Raspbian OS to see if it will support the applications you want to download.
When updating your Raspbian OS, the advanced packaging tool will have your back. Use the following prompts for updates.
sudo apt update, to update the system’s packages. Follow up by upgrading your system via the following prompt.
Sudo apt full-upgrade
Once done, the Raspbian OS will be compatible with your needed programs.
- Check on space and ensure you have ample storage to support the computer system’s applications and overall functionality.
- You should also have a stable internet connection. A connection via an ethernet cable will do, or a Wi-Fi dongle for newer Raspberry Pi models.
Conclusion
A system restart is one of the most significant functions in a computer and performs various roles. Some of the roles include flushing the RAM to improve the computer’s performance and releasing residual memory.
The function is also available on the Raspberry Pi, and it becomes better if you can remotely initiate it. It is a function you can appreciate if you are using the computer in applications such as robotics and home automation, where rebooting returns it to its normal or default state.
Highlighted are the steps to follow to connect your Raspberry Pi via the internet remotely and allow for a remote reboot. Always ensure that the OS is up to date and you have sufficient storage and a stable internet connection to run your programs.
