Pre-requisites to get started with Raspberry Pi

If you have not come across Raspberry Pi and like to know about it, visit Raspberry Pi website and you can also know my view via my blog "Raspberry Pi & DIY IoT".

When I wanted to try IoT Experiments, I found "Raspberry Pi" to be a naive choice. I got the latest version of Raspberry Pi - The Raspberry Pi 2. I did not realize that Raspberry Pi alone will not be sufficient to get started with IoT. We actually require more items in our hands to get started with Raspberry Pi & IoT. This blog address the initial need of various devices & connector cables to get started with Raspberry Pi and connects with other required links already present to get started.


What are the peripheral devices required for Raspberry Pi?
1. Mouse which can connect with USB
2. Keyboard which can connect with USB
3. Monitor with HDMI port / VGA port

Tips: 
1. If you have a personal computer, the keyboard & mouse of personal computers are enough, but make sure that they connect to your CPU via USB.
2. Personal Computer Monitor or Smart TV Monitor with HDMI port is enough for initial setup. Most of the personal computer monitor only comes with VGA port, in such case you will require HDMI to VGA adapter to act as Raspberry Pi Monitor.

Experience:
In my case,
I had Keyboard which can connect with USB.
I had a Mouse with PS/2 Connector. Hence, I was in a requirement to buy a PS/2 to USB Adapter.
I had a Smart TV with HDMI connector.

What are the connector cables required for Raspberry Pi?
1. HDMI cable / HDMI to VGA Cable - To connect to Monitor Display.
2. Ethernet Cable - To connect with Broadband MODEM.
3. PS/2 to USB cable, if you only have a PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse with you - To Connect to Keyboard & Mouse

Tips:
1. Raspberry Pi can connect to Monitor only via HDMI port. so it is inevitable to do without any HDMI connectors. Either purchase one or borrow one as it is going to be required only for your initial setup and connectivity.
2. Ethernet Cable - Only required if you only have a Wired Internet connection and no WiFi.

Experience:
In my case,
I bought an HDMI cable from amazon.
I bought a PS/2 to USB Adapter from local store like one in amazon but at a very cheap price.
I did not get any Ethernet cable, I had one, but i never used it for Raspberry Pi, instead used Mobile WiFi hotspot.

What other component is required to kick start with Raspberry Pi?
1. SD Card 8GB or 16GB with loaded OS.
2. 5V, 2A Power Supply.
3. SD card Holder / SD card to USB Adapter.
4. Raspberry Pi enclosure
5. Ethernet Cable

Tips:
1. 8 GB or 16 GB SD it does not matter. Buy a class 10 SD card. At least have a minimum of 8 GB SD card. here is were the Raspberry Pi's OS sits, you cannot have any alternative.
2. If you have Apple Mobile charger with Micro USB, reuse the same as a power supply for Raspberry Pi as their specification matches. In case if you have Samsung or other Micro USB charger, mostly it does not supply 2A double check the supply specifications and reuse them accordingly.
3. Buy a Raspberry Pi enclosure to avoid any static electricity contact.
4. Despite Raspberry Pi comes with Ethernet Connector, We may never require Ethernet Cable.

Experience:
1. I bought one Class 10 SD card as it is a better fit for Raspberry Pi and works at a faster frequency.
2. I bought a separate power supply as all Micro USB charger that I had 5V and 2.5A as the specification.
3. I had one SD card Holder.
4. I bought one Raspberry Pi enclosure.

5. I did not required any Ethernet Cable so far.

What type of Internet Source is required?
Wired Broadband / 3G or 2G Internet connection which can be shared with WiFi. If you have any phone or tablet which can act as WiFi Hotspot, it should be sufficient at later stages after initial setup.

Experience:
1. I used my tablet for Internet connectivity. Even without 3G (real internet), I was able to connect my TV, Raspberry Pi and my tablet via WiFi Hotspot, it created a LAN.

I recommend you to either purchase or borrow all the connectors depending upon your choice either to depend upon them or not after your initial setup.

After you have the pre-requisite hardwares you can now start with your software setups.

How to set up the OS in SD card?
You can look for the solution here and here.

Experience:
I downloaded NOOBS Offline and network install and had setup my 8GB SD card with Raspbian.

How to connect Raspberry Pi & Peripheral devices? How to boot the OS?
1. Plug in NOOBS installed SD card in Raspberry Pi.
2. Connect your keyboard & Mouse to Raspberry Pi via USBs. If required via a PS/2 to USB adapter.
3. Connect your Smart TV / Computer Monitor to Raspberry Pi via HDMI port with a HDMI cable. If required via VGA to HDMI adapter.
4. Plugin in power supply cord and switch on both your monitor & Raspberry Pi.
5. Change the Mode of Monitor to take signal from HDMI port
6. Check "FIRST BOOT" section to start your first Boot of Raspberry Pi. If anything goes wrong with booting, you can always format your SD card and start afresh.

Once you have setup Raspberry Pi, now your tiny computer is ready to conquer IoT world.