Connect to Raspberry Pi via SSH Over USB
▼ Summary
– Setting up a headless Raspberry Pi is often more time-consuming than expected, with common methods like pre-configuring Wi-Fi and SSH being prone to failure.
– A new solution called rpi-usb-gadget enables SSH access over USB by making the Pi appear as a network adapter when connected to a host computer.
– This gadget mode allows the host machine to SSH into the Pi and, using Internet Connection Sharing (ICS), the Pi can also share the host’s internet access.
– Gadget mode can be enabled via the Raspberry Pi Imager, but setting up ICS on Windows requires installing an extra driver and limits the USB port’s functionality.
– This USB method offers a simpler alternative to older techniques like OTG mode for headless access, potentially making frustrating setup issues a thing of the past.
Getting a headless Raspberry Pi up and running can be surprisingly tricky. While the standard approach involves pre-configuring Wi-Fi and SSH, this process is prone to errors, especially on complex networks. A new, more reliable method is now available directly in the latest Raspberry Pi OS, allowing you to establish a connection using nothing more than a standard USB cable.
The solution centers on a package called rpi-usb-gadget. When activated, this puts the Raspberry Pi into a special “gadget mode.” Connecting the Pi to a computer via USB makes it appear as a network adapter to the host machine. The Pi then presents itself as a device on this virtual network, enabling you to SSH directly into it without any traditional network hardware. A significant added benefit is that, with Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) configured on the host, the Pi can also gain full internet access through this single USB link.
Enabling this feature is straightforward through the Raspberry Pi Imager tool, where gadget mode can be selected during the OS configuration process. It’s important to note that activating this mode dedicates the chosen USB port solely to power and network functions; it will not operate as a standard host port for other peripherals. While the Pi side is simple, setting up ICS on the host computer requires an extra step for Windows users, who need to install a specific driver to share the internet connection properly.
This USB method offers a cleaner alternative to older techniques like using OTG mode for serial terminal access, which has been employed for specialized setups such as configuring a Pi as a combined access point and client. For those needing to configure a headless desktop environment, dedicated guides exist for that purpose as well. The integration of SSH-over-USB into the official imager provides a streamlined, hardware-based solution that sidesteps many common wireless configuration headaches.
(Source: Hackaday)
