Chapter 23:

RNDIS GADGET

Creating a Raspberry Pi Zero RNDIS Gadget

This guide will walk you through setting up a Raspberry Pi Zero as an RNDIS (Remote Network Driver Interface Specification) Ethernet Gadget. This turns your Pi Zero into a device that, when plugged into a USB port on another computer, acts as an Ethernet connection.

Requirements

• Raspberry Pi Zero

• Micro SD card with Raspbian OS installed

• Access to the Pi Zero for initial setup (keyboard, monitor, etc.)

• A host computer (e.g., Windows 10)

Step 1: Modify Boot Configuration

1. Configure config.txt and cmdline.txt:

   • Mount your Pi's SD card on your computer.

   • Open config.txt and add the following line at the end:

     dtoverlay=dwc2

   • In cmdline.txt, insert

     modules-load=dwc2,g_ether

     after rootwait. Ensure there is only one space between each item and no new lines are added.

Step 2: Set Up Network on Pi Zero

1. Configure Network Interfaces:

   • Insert the SD card back into your Pi Zero, boot it up, and open the terminal.

   • Edit the dhcpcd.conf file:

     sudo nano /etc/dhcpcd.conf

   • Add these lines to set a static IP for the usb0 interface:

     interface usb0 static ip_address=192.168.2.2/24 static routers=192.168.2.1 static domain_name_servers=8.8.8.8

Step 3: Connect to Windows 10 Host

1. Plug Pi Zero into Windows 10 PC:

   • Use a USB cable to connect the Pi Zero to your Windows 10 computer.

   • Windows should recognize it as a new network interface.

2. Configure Windows 10 Network Sharing:

   • Go to 'Network and Sharing Center' > 'Change adapter settings'.

   • Right-click your primary internet connection and select 'Properties'.

   • Go to the 'Sharing' tab.

   • Check 'Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection'.

   • In the 'Home networking connection' drop-down, select the new network connection that corresponds to your Pi Zero.

3. Set RNDIS Ethernet IPv4 Settings:

   • Right-click on the RNDIS connection (Pi Zero), go to 'Properties', and select 'Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)'.

   • Click 'Properties', then 'Use the following IP address'.

   • Set the IP address to 192.168.7.1 and subnet mask to 255.255.255.0.

Finalizing

• Your Raspberry Pi Zero should now be accessible from your Windows PC via SSH or VNC at the static IP 192.168.2.2.

• The Pi Zero will also have access to the internet through your PC’s shared connection.

Notes

• Ensure the Pi Zero is properly powered and connected before attempting to access it.

• This setup is ideal for creating a portable, low-power computer with network access via the host PC.

• Always safely eject the SD card from your computer after modifying files to prevent corruption.

Note: Setting up an RNDIS gadget can be a technical process, and it's crucial to follow the steps carefully. If you encounter any network issues, double-check your configuration settings.