4.2. How to build a Wi-Fi network for the Raspberry Pi

In this article, I would like to explain how to build a Wi-Fi network for the Raspberry Pi.





0. An overview of how to build a Wi-Fi network

・Plug a Wi-Fi adapter into the Raspberry Pi.
　This is for the Raspberry Pi can connect to the web.

・Some settings for Wi-Fi network on the Raspberry Pi.

・Connect the Raspberry Pi to the web over Wi-Fi through an iPhone's tethering.



1. Preparing for setting up

Before building a Wi-Fi network for the Raspberry Pi, it needs a number of hardware below.

・To connect to the web
　　- Wi-Fi adapter
　　- iPhone（for using tethering function）

・To operate the Raspberry Pi
　　- Power adapter
　　- Mouse
　　- Keyboard
　　- HDMI-HDMI lead or / DVI lead
　　- Display or TV


If you prepare for a SD card, a keyboard and a mouse, please confirm below links whether the Raspberry Pi's verified peripherals.

　・Check working / Non-working Wi-Fi adapters.
　・Check working / Non-working SD cards.
　・Check working / Non-working keyboards.
　・Check working / Non-working mouses.


I use a Wi-Fi adapter below this time.

　・maker：BUFFALO
　・model number：WLI-UC-GNM



2. Setting up an iPhone

Please enable a tethering function of an iPhone.

・Please open "Personal Hotspot" from Settings.

・Set Personal Hotspot up as ON.

3. Setting up the Raspberry Pi

Please go through the following procedure to show a desktop.

・Plug a power adapter into the Raspberry Pi.
Its boot procedure starts automatically.

・When the Raspberry Pi requires a username and password, input as follows.
　　- Username：pi
　　- Password：raspberry

・After logging in, please input "startx" to show a desktop.

4. Plugging a Wi-Fi adapter into the Raspberry Pi

After showing a desktop, please plug a Wi-Fi adapter into the Raspberry Pi.

Please run a LXTerminal application, and input "lsusb" to check whether the Raspberry Pi confirms a Wi-Fi adapter.

As the picture shows, the Raspberry Pi confirms a BUFFALO's Wi-Fi adapter.



5. Building up a Wi-Fi network

Please go through the following procedure to build up a Wi-Fi network.

・Run a Wi-Fi Config application, then a setting GUI will appear.

・Set an adapter up as wlan0
　The Raspberry Pi confirms a Wi-Fi adapter as wlan0.

・Scan and select an access point
Please press the scan button in Manage Networks tab.
Then some acess points will appear. Please select an iPhone.

・Input a password
Please input a password that you set up an iPhone's Personal Hotspot, then press save button.

・Connect to an iPhone
Please press the connect button in Current Status tab.

・Connect to the web
Please run a browser, and check whether the Raspberry Pi can connect to the web.

In this article, I explained how to build a Wi-Fi network for the Raspberry Pi. I would like to explain how to install a program to get real-time movie and some program settings in the next article.