🌐 Raspberry Pi – Networking & Web Projects: Web Server, Pi-hole, Hotspot & Media Setup
🧲 Introduction – Power Up Your Raspberry Pi as a Network Hub
Raspberry Pi is more than a desktop computer—it can serve as a web server, ad blocker, Wi-Fi hotspot, or even a media streaming center. Its compact size and low power draw make it ideal for 24/7 network projects at home or in the classroom.
🎯 In this guide, you’ll learn:
- How to install Apache or Nginx to run a web server
- How to host a local website from your Pi
- How to block ads network-wide with Pi-hole
- How to turn your Pi into a wireless hotspot
- How to run a Plex or Kodi media server
📘 Topics Covered
| 🔹 Topic | 📖 Description |
|---|---|
| 🌍 Raspberry Pi – Setup Web Server (Apache/Nginx) | Install and configure a web server to serve HTML or web apps |
| 🧠 Raspberry Pi – Pi-hole (Ad-blocking DNS) | Block ads and trackers across your entire home network |
| 🛰️ Raspberry Pi – Host Local Websites | Host personal HTML pages or local dashboards from your Pi |
| 📶 Raspberry Pi – Create Wi-Fi Hotspot | Share internet via a Wi-Fi access point created on your Raspberry Pi |
| 📡 Raspberry Pi – Setup Media Server (Plex/Kodi) | Stream music, videos, and photos from Raspberry Pi using Plex or Kodi |
🌍 Raspberry Pi – Setup Web Server (Apache/Nginx)
Choose between Apache (easy to use) or Nginx (lightweight and fast).
🔹 Apache Installation:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install apache2
Access via browser:
http://raspberrypi.local or http://<Pi-IP>
🔹 Nginx Installation:
sudo apt install nginx
Your website files go here:
/var/www/html/
✅ Test with an index.html file.
🧠 Raspberry Pi – Pi-hole (Ad-blocking DNS)
Pi-hole is a powerful DNS-level ad blocker.
🔹 Install with One Command:
curl -sSL https://install.pi-hole.net | bash
Choose your DNS provider (e.g., Cloudflare), and configure the web admin interface.
🔹 Access Admin Panel:
http://<Pi-IP>/admin
Set your router’s DNS to the Pi-hole IP to enable network-wide ad blocking.
✅ Supports custom blacklists, whitelists, statistics.
🛰️ Raspberry Pi – Host Local Websites
Serve dashboards or development sites without external hosting.
🔹 Create Your Website:
Edit or replace:
/var/www/html/index.html
Add dynamic features using PHP:
sudo apt install php libapache2-mod-php
Example:
<?php echo "Hello from Raspberry Pi!"; ?>
✅ Ideal for self-hosted tools, dashboards, or IoT interfaces.
📶 Raspberry Pi – Create Wi-Fi Hotspot
Turn your Pi into a wireless access point.
🔹 Requirements:
- Raspberry Pi with built-in Wi-Fi
- Ethernet connection for internet
🔹 Install Required Packages:
sudo apt install hostapd dnsmasq
🔹 Configure hostapd.conf:
interface=wlan0
driver=nl80211
ssid=PiHotspot
hw_mode=g
channel=7
wmm_enabled=0
auth_algs=1
ignore_broadcast_ssid=0
Configure dnsmasq for DHCP, then enable and start services.
✅ Pi acts as a router, hotspot, or local-only AP.
📡 Raspberry Pi – Setup Media Server (Plex/Kodi)
🔹 Plex Media Server:
- Install using
dpkg:
wget https://downloads.plex.tv/... # latest .deb link
sudo dpkg -i plexmediaserver_*.deb
- Access Plex:
http://<Pi-IP>:32400/web
- Add media libraries (movies, music, photos)
🔹 Kodi Media Center:
sudo apt install kodi
Run GUI or install LibreELEC for a full media OS.
✅ Supports TV streaming, DLNA, HDMI output, USB drives.
📌 Summary – Recap & Next Steps
Raspberry Pi can power a range of network-based services—from private web hosting to ad-free browsing and wireless hotspots. With just a few packages and configuration files, your Pi becomes a compact server hub for your home or office.
🔍 Key Takeaways:
- Install Apache or Nginx to serve web content
- Use Pi-hole for DNS-based ad blocking
- Host local websites with HTML/PHP
- Convert Pi into a Wi-Fi hotspot for field use
- Stream videos or music using Plex or Kodi
⚙️ Real-World Applications:
- Local development/test server
- Family-wide ad blocking
- Home media hub or NAS
- Portable hotspot in classrooms or remote areas
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can Raspberry Pi host a public website?
✅ Yes, but you’ll need port forwarding on your router and a dynamic DNS service.
❓ Does Pi-hole slow down internet speed?
✅ No, Pi-hole improves browsing by blocking resource-heavy ads and trackers.
❓ Which is better: Apache or Nginx for Raspberry Pi?
✅ Nginx uses fewer resources; Apache is more beginner-friendly with .htaccess support.
❓ Can I use Raspberry Pi as both a media server and web server?
✅ Yes, if resources allow. Monitor memory usage for simultaneous services.
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