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Asked: 2024-09-24T07:49:09+05:30 In:

How can I configure the onboard Wi-Fi on a Raspberry Pi 3 running Ubuntu Server using Netplan?

I’ve been trying to get my Raspberry Pi 3, which is running Ubuntu Server, to connect to my Wi-Fi, but I’m totally stuck. I’ve tried a few different things, but nothing seems to work. I know that Netplan is the go-to utility for managing network configurations in Ubuntu, so I assume that’s what I’ll need to use, but I’m not sure where to start.

First off, I’ve done some basic setup on the Pi, and I can access it via the terminal, but I can’t seem to figure out how to get the onboard Wi-Fi up and running. I’ve seen a lot of tutorials online, but they are either super outdated or don’t seem to apply to my specific situation. I’m also a bit confused about the network YAML files — do I need to create one from scratch, or is there a default file that I can modify?

Another thing I’m wondering about is the format of the YAML configuration. Like, when it comes to specifying the Wi-Fi settings, what exactly do I need to include? I’ve seen examples that include different fields, and I just want to make sure I’m not missing anything crucial here. Oh, and I have a WPA2-secured network, so I’m guessing I need to include the correct security settings, but how do I do that in the YAML file?

Also, when I make changes to the config file, how do I apply them? Is there a specific command I need to run? I don’t want to end up in a situation where I mess something up and can’t get back into the Pi.

Lastly, does anyone know if there’s an easy way to troubleshoot connectivity issues if the initial setup doesn’t work? Maybe I’m overlooking something simple. I just want to get this sorted out so I can move on to my project without being held back by Wi-Fi troubles. If anyone’s been through this and can share their experience or any tips, I’d really appreciate it!

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    2 Answers



    1. Raspberry Pi Wi-Fi Setup Help

      Getting Your Raspberry Pi 3 on Wi-Fi with Ubuntu Server

      No worries! Getting your Raspberry Pi connected to Wi-Fi using Ubuntu Server and Netplan can sound a bit tricky, but I’ll help break it down for you.

      Setting Up Netplan

      First off, you definitely want to use Netplan for configuring your network. It usually uses a YAML file for configurations. By default, you should find your network configuration file in the /etc/netplan/ directory. It’s usually named something like 01-netcfg.yaml or similar. You can list the files in that directory using:

      ls /etc/netplan/

      If you see a file there, you can modify it. If not, you can create a new one as necessary (name it something like wifi.yaml).

      Editing the YAML File

      Here’s a basic setup for connecting to a WPA2-secured Wi-Fi network:

      
network:
    version: 2
    renderer: networkd
    wifis:
        wlan0:
            dhcp4: true
            access-points:
                "YOUR_SSID":
                    password: "YOUR_WIFI_PASSWORD"

      Replace YOUR_SSID with your actual Wi-Fi network name and YOUR_WIFI_PASSWORD with the Wi-Fi password. Ensure you have the correct spacing and indentation, as YAML is sensitive to that.

      Applying the Changes

      Once you’ve saved your changes, run this command to apply the configuration:

      sudo netplan apply

      This should set up your Wi-Fi. If you get an error or lose connection, don’t worry; you can always connect your Pi back to the network using an Ethernet cable for troubleshooting.

      Troubleshooting Connectivity

      If things don’t work out, check:

      • Run ip a to see if your Wi-Fi interface (usually wlan0) is up.
      • Look in the /var/log/syslog file for any error messages related to networking.
      • Ensure your SSID and password are correct and are enclosed in quotes.

      If you’re still stuck, sometimes a simple reboot can do wonders. Just run:

      sudo reboot

      Hopefully, you’ll be online soon! Don’t hesitate to ask if you hit more bumps along the way!



    2. To connect your Raspberry Pi 3 running Ubuntu Server to Wi-Fi using Netplan, you will typically modify a YAML configuration file located in the `/etc/netplan/` directory. Usually, there is a default file named `01-netcfg.yaml`, but you can create your own if it doesn’t exist. To edit the file, you would use a terminal-based text editor like `nano`. A basic example for a WPA2-secured network configuration might look like this:

          network:
      version: 2
      renderer: networkd
      wifis:
        wlan0:
          dhcp4: true
          access-points:
            "Your_SSID":
              password: "Your_Password"

      Make sure to replace `”Your_SSID”` and `”Your_Password”` with your actual Wi-Fi network’s name and password. After modifying the YAML file, apply the changes with the command `sudo netplan apply`. If there’s an issue with your configuration, you can troubleshoot your connection by checking the status of the network services using `sudo systemctl status systemd-networkd` and inspecting the logs with `journalctl -u systemd-networkd`. This will help identify any errors in your setup. If the connection still fails, ensure that the Wi-Fi adapter is functional and check for any restrictive network policies that might be affecting connectivity, such as MAC filtering.


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