At Devomech Solutions, we understand the importance of seamless integration and efficient deployment of software updates across Raspberry Pi devices. While Mender offers robust support for Raspberry Pi 3 and newer models out of the box, we recognize the need for flexibility in accommodating older devices. Here’s a breakdown of our insights and recommendations for optimizing Raspberry Pi OS for Mender integration:

1. Out-of-the-Box Support

Mender readily supports Raspberry Pi 3 or newer models, with pre-converted OS images available on their documentation site. However, for older devices, manual conversion of the OS is required, leveraging the available headless versions of the Raspberry Pi OS.

2. Converting Your OS

For those seeking to convert their own Raspberry Pi OS, whether GUI or Headless, it’s imperative to have the OS operational on the device. While direct conversion from the official image may seem straightforward, our testing has revealed the necessity of booting up the device, performing any required installations, and creating an image for conversion using Mender Convert.

3. Disabling 64-bit Kernel

Recent versions of the 32-bit Raspberry Pi OS utilize a 64-bit kernel by default, which may lead to boot-up issues for Mender-converted OS. To mitigate this, users can disable the 64-bit kernel by editing the boot configuration file (config.txt) and adding ‘arm_64bit=0’.

4. Utilizing Adequate Storage

When converting Raspberry Pi OS, especially the GUI version, it’s recommended to use at least a 16 GB SD card for successful conversion and deployment. Additionally, users must adjust the ‘MENDER_STORAGE_TOTAL_SIZE_MB’ variable in the Mender-Convert Docker Image configuration based on their SD card size.

By adhering to these guidelines, Devomech Solutions ensures a seamless integration process for Raspberry Pi devices, enabling efficient software updates and enhanced performance across various models.