.. _initial-setup:
=============
Initial Setup
=============
Check out the video below for a guide on setting up your Start9 server!
.. youtube:: HI9WDq0tWm4
:width: 60%
.. raw:: html
.. contents::
:depth: 2
:local:
Power On
--------
#. Connect your server to power and Ethernet.
.. caution:: If you built StartOS from `source `_, it may take up to 20 minutes to first initialize.
#. Power the device on and select which mode you would like to continue in on the tab below:
You can either boot your server as-is (headless mode) or add a monitor, mouse, and keyboard (kiosk mode). Server Lite (Raspberry Pi) is currently headless **only**. Headless is the default and recommended option. All control of your server can be done from your computer or mobile device.
.. tabs::
.. group-tab:: Headless Mode
Ensure the device you are using (desktop/laptop or mobile) is connected to the same network as your server.
.. caution:: Sometimes a router will have a "guest WiFi network," which might be different than the network your server is placed on via ethernet.
Visit ``http://start.local`` from your web browser.
.. group-tab:: Kiosk Mode
Once your server boots, if you've attached a monitor, keyboard and mouse, you can set it up using the graphical kiosk mode. A familiar browser interface will display the StartOS setup page.
#. Select "Start Fresh."
.. figure:: /_static/images/setup/screen0-startfresh_or_recover.jpg
:width: 60%
:alt: Fresh Setup
.. note:: The "Recover" button is used for :ref:`hardware upgrades `, :ref:`restoring from backup `, data migration, or disaster recovery.
#. Select your storage drive
.. figure:: /_static/images/setup/screen4-select_storage.jpg
:width: 60%
:alt: Select Drive
#. Create a master password for your server and click "Finish."
.. warning:: Choose a strong master password. Write it down. Store it somewhere safe. DO NOT LOSE IT.
.. figure:: /_static/images/setup/screen5-set_password.jpg
:width: 60%
:alt: Create New Password
#. StartOS will initialize. This can take up to a few minutes.
.. figure:: /_static/images/setup/screen6-storage_initialize.jpg
:width: 60%
:alt: SSD Initialization
#. You are now hosting your own private server!
.. tip:: If you are in headless mode, click "Download This Page" to save your server address and certificate info to your computer.
.. figure:: /_static/images/setup/screen7-startfresh_complete.jpg
:width: 60%
:alt: Setup Complete
#. You may now log in. Continue to the section on :ref:`connecting` to learn more about using your server over Tor and LAN.
.. figure:: /_static/images/setup/screen9-startfresh_complete-savedfile-go_to_start_login.jpg
:width: 60%
:alt: Setup Complete
.. _setup-troubleshooting:
Troubleshooting
---------------
If you are experiencing issues with setup, try the following:
#. Confirm that the server is plugged into both power and Ethernet
- An ethernet network with DHCP server must be available at setup. Most routers provide this.
#. Confirm your phone/computer is **not** connected to a "Guest" network
#. Confirm your phone/computer is not using a VPN, or that if you are, that it allows LAN connections, such as the examples below:
- Mullvad - Go to "Settings -> VPN Settings -> Local Network Sharing"
- ProtonVPN - Go to "Preferences -> Connection -> Allow LAN Connections"
#. Visit or refresh (ctrl+shift+R - Linux/Windows, cmd+shift+R - Mac) the start.local page in a web browser
#. To avoid networking issues, it is recommended to use your `primary` router, not an extender or mesh router.
#. Very rarely, your firewall settings may block mDNS. In this case:
- From your browser, navigate to your router configuration settings. This is usually an IP address such as 192.168.1.1. A simple web search will usually reveal how to access the router configuration settings for a particular brand.
- Once in the router config settings, find the section that lists the devices on your network. You should see a device labeled ``start``. Take note of the associated IP address and enter it into your browser's URL field to enter the setup.
You can always to `reach out to support `_ if you need a hand.
Server Models With Speakers
---------------------------
.. _sounds-bepchime:
Server Lite, Server Pure, and Server One (2022 and older) have an internal speaker and may provide the following audio feedback:
.. raw:: HTML
* "bep" - Starting up
.. raw:: HTML
* "chime" - Server is ready
.. raw:: HTML
* "flatline" - Server initialization failed / no network connection
.. raw:: HTML
* Beethoven's 5th - Something has gone wrong and Diagnostic Mode has been launched on ``http://start.local``, please check here for solutions.
Raspberry Pi Lights
-------------------
Server Lite has 2 status lights:
- Red - Power. This will be on solid when powered up and running normally.
- Green - SD Card. This will display when there is SD Card activity, such as during OS installation. It may be off, flashing, or on solid during normal operation.
Server One (2022) has 2 additional lights:
- Blue power button - Power. This will be on solid when powered up and running normally.
- Blue drive light - SSD. This will display when there is SSD activity. It may be off, flashing, or on solid during normal operation.