Raspberry Pi Project

Pi-Hole + VPN

What is a Raspberry Pi ?


The Raspberry Pi is a small, affordable, single-board computer developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation in the UK. It was initially created to promote computer science education and make computing accessible to more people.


Here are some key points about the Raspberry Pi:


  • Size and Cost: It's about the size of a credit card and costs around $35 to $75, depending on the style and generation.

  • Components: It includes a processor, memory, USB ports, HDMI output, and a microSD card slot for storage.

  • Operating System: It typically runs Linux-based operating systems, with Raspberry Pi OS being the most common.

  • Uses: It's incredibly versatile and can be used for learning programming, building DIY electronics projects, home automation, retro gaming, and even as a basic desktop computer.

The Raspberry Pi has become popular among hobbyists, educators, and professionals for its flexibility and low cost. These are probably some of the reasons why it was chosen for this project for my CNIT 176 - Computer Architecture class and I beilive this was a great choice and I had a lot of fun working on this project.


I picked up the Raspeberry Pi 5 - 8GB version for this project. It is more than I needed but I wanted to have a Pi that I could use for other project in the future. I've always wanted a Pi and this class gave me the opportunity to get one and learn how to use it.




Raspberry Pi 5 Specs


  • Processor: 2.4GHz quad-core 64-bit Arm Cortex-A76 CPU.
  • GPU: VideoCore VII, supporting OpenGL ES 3.1 and Vulkan 1.2.
  • RAM: LPDDR4X-4267 SDRAM (options for 2GB, 4GB and 8GB).
  • Display: Dual 4Kp60 HDMI display output with HDR support.
  • Connectivity: Dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0/BLE, Gigabit Ethernet with PoE+ support (requires separate PoE+ HAT).
  • Ports: 2 × USB 3.0, 2 × USB 2.0, PCIe 2.0 x1 interface.
  • Storage: microSD card slot with support for high-speed SDR104 mode.
  • Power: 5V/5A DC via USB-C, with Power Delivery support.
  • Additional Features: Real-time clock (RTC), power button, and support for active cooling.
The Raspberry Pi 5

Pi-Hole + VPN Project Business Case:


Our personal data has become so valuable that our clicks are monitored, and our online activity is sold. The CIA Triad: Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability, are fundamental ideas that we should all think about implementing into our online activity. We should strive to keep our information confidential, protect and preserve the integrity of both our network connections and our data, and we must work into keeping our services available. With Pi-Hole Ad Blocker and WireGuard VPN we can start taking back control of some of these systems.




Projects Computer Architecture Connections:


The Raspberry Pi is the center piece of my project. Using Pi-Hole Ad Blocker and WireGuard VPN it serves the purpose to increase to enhance my network security and privacy. These are some key components and their contributions to this project:



Raspberry Pi 5 Hardware


The Raspberry Pi serves as the physical platform for running both Pi-Hole and Wireguard. Its compact size, low power consumption, and sufficient processing power make it ideal for home network applications.

Raspberry Pi OS


This OS is Linux-based OS based on Debian. It provides a stable and flexible environment for running both Pi-Hole and Wireguard, and it supports the necessary networking and security features required for these applications.

Pi Hole Software


Pi Hole acts as a DNS sinkhole, blocking ads and tracking domains at the network level. It uses lists of known ad-serving domains to filter out unwanted content before it reaches my devices. This can benefit my bandwidth and privacy in most cases.

WireGuard VPN Protocol


Wireguard provides a secure VPN tunnel, encrypting all traffic between my devices and the Pi-Hole server. This ensures that my DNS queries and other internet traffic are protected from eavesdropping and tampering, even on public networks.

Network Interface Configuration


Proper configuration of the network interfaces is crucial. This includes setting up static IP addresses, configuring DNS settings, and ensuring that the VPN and DNS services are correctly routed. This setup ensures seamless integration of Pi-Hole and Wireguard, providing a unified solution for ad-blocking and secure browsing.

Client-server architecture


This is a network design model where multiple clients (devices or programs) request and receive services from a centralized server. This architecture is fundamental in modern computing, enabling efficient resource sharing and communication across networks. This is how my devices, like my phone, tablet and laptop connect to my Raspberry Pi and I have access to my services and my LAN.