Basic Configuration with Cockpit

The cockpit of cockpit-project.org is a web application for the configuration of Linux servers. Cockpit offers a user-friendly graphical interface that enables authenticated users to execute any configurations and commands on a device via a secure connection. Network configuration, user administration, status and log views can be managed via a browser. Cockpit, also known as Web Console, is an open source software project sponsored by Red Hat and published under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL).

Cockpit is based on a modular principle and can be expanded with plugins.

The cockpit-revpi is a Cockpit plugin from Revolution Pi. The plugin enables the basic configuration of the RevPi devices and simple activation or deactivation of the services installed.

Both Cockpit and cockpit-revpi are pre-installed on the RevPi Bookworm image. To update older RevPi images to the Bookworm image, see Image Backup and New Installation.

Cockpit replaces the RevPi Status web application, also known as Webstatus, which was used until the RevPi Bullseye image.

Start Cockpit

    • Establish a network connection between the RevPi base module and your PC.
    • Open a web browser.
    • Call up Cockpit via the web browser with
      https://revpi[serial number].local:41443
      You will find the serial number of the RevPi base module on the front of the housing next to the QR code.

The warning NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID may appear in the browser.

    • Accept the security exception to continue with the login.

The login screen for Cockpit appears.

    • Log in with user name pi and the device password.
      You will find the device password on the sticker on the side of the housing of the RevPi base module.

Cockpit opens in Limited access mode.

  • Click on Limited access in the top main navigation bar to switch to Administrative access mode. You can only configure the RevPi with the elevated rights of this administrative access.
  • Click on RevPi Configuration in the menu to open the RevPi dashboard.

System Configuration

The following system settings for the RevPi base module are possible under RevPi Configuration in the System Configuration section:

  • Avahi (ZeroConf):
    Enable / disable automatic network detection.
  • Set clock from NTP-Server:
     Enable / disable time synchronization via the internet.
  • Store logs on:
    Define temporary storage (tmpfs-backend) or flash storage (eMMC) for logs.
  • Boot to GUI:
    As an alternative to the terminal in desktop mode, boot directly to the graphical user interface.
  • SSH daemon to enable remote login:
    Enable / disable SSH service.

The Revolution Pi system, i.e. a RevPi base module with expansion modules, is configured via the PiCtory web application.

Start PiCtory

The inputs and outputs of the Revolution Pi system can be configured via the PiCtory web application.

  • Click on RevPi Configuration in the menu to open the RevPi dashboard.
  • Click the PiCtory button.

PiCtory opens in a new browser tab.

For further system configuration see: PiCtory.

Start Node-RED

  • Click on RevPi Configuration in the menu to open the RevPi dashboard.
  • Enable the option for Node-RED.
  • Click the Node-RED button.

Node-RED opens in a new browser tab.

Enable Runtime Environment for RevPiPyLoad

  • Click on RevPi Configuration in the menu to open the RevPi dashboard.
  • Enable the option for RevPiPyLoad in the Runtimes section.

Change Device Password

  • Click on Accounts in the menu to open the user administration.
  • Click on the three-dot menu ⁝ for user pi and click on Edit user.
  • Click button Set password.
  • Enter the new password twice and confirm by clicking on button Set password.

The device password for user pi has now been changed.

Additional user accounts and user groups can be created via the Accounts menu item.

NOTICE! Do not delete the users pi or root, otherwise it will no longer be possible to log in.

Terminal

The Terminal menu item opens an integrated, fully functional terminal that can be used to enter commands directly.

Change Language for Cockpit

The following languages are supported for the cockpit-revpi plugin:

  • German
  • English
  • Click on Sessions and Display language in the top main navigation bar to change the language for Cockpit.

Show IP Address

  • Click on Networking in the menu to call up network information such as IP address and network name.

Enable WLAN

  • Click on RevPi Configuration in the menu to open the RevPi dashboard.
  • Enable the WLAN option in the WLAN and BT section.
  • Select an option for the antenna: External (SMA) or Internal.
  • Select the appropriate WLAN country code under WLAN country.
  • Restart the RevPi.

The WLAN and BT interface is activated.

Create SOS Report

The SOS report collects system information that can help diagnose problems. This information is only stored on the system and can be downloaded afterward.

    • Click on Diagnostic reports in the menu.
    • Click button Run report.
    • Define a Report label for the report and, if necessary, a password (Encryption passphrase).
    • Click button Run report.

An SOS report is created.

  • Click button Download to download the SOS report.

Reboot RevPi

    • Click on Overview in the menu to open the start page for Cockpit.
    • Click the Reboot button.
    • Select a Delay for the reboot.
    • Click the Reboot button.

The RevPi is shut down and will reboot. The power LED flashes red.
The power LED lights up green as soon as the RevPi is ready for operation.

  • Click the Reconnect button.

The login screen for Cockpit appears.

Shut Down RevPi

    • Click on Overview in the menu to open the start page for Cockpit.
    • Select the Shutdown option via the Reboot dropdown.
    • Select a Delay for the shutdown.
    • Click the Shut down button.

The RevPi is shut down and disconnected from Cockpit.

To restart the RevPi, the power supply must be disconnected and reconnected.

Installing Updates

  • Click on Software updates in the menu to open the Status page.
  • Click the Check for updates button to refresh the list of available updates.
  • Click the Install all updates button to perform the available updates.
  • Restart the RevPi.

Alternatively, install updates via the terminal:

  • Click on Terminal in the menu to open the integrated terminal.
  • Enter the following command to read and update all available package lists:
    sudo apt update
  • Enter the following command to install all available updates:
    sudo apt upgrate
  • Restart the RevPi.