Lite Installation

Introduction

The NEPI Docker Lite Setup tutorial walks you through installing, configuring, and running the NEPI software inside a Docker container while making minimal changes to the host operating system. This tutorial focuses on setting up the required NEPI users, configuring the Docker environment, initializing NEPI storage and images, and launching the NEPI container and Resident User Interface for the first time.

The Lite setup is designed for fast evaluation, development, and a demonstration trial on edge devices before running the NEPI Full Container Installation. It allows users to explore NEPI's AI, automation, and hardware integration capabilities without NEPI managing system-level services such as networking, SSH, or storage sharing. This makes it ideal for learning, prototyping, classroom use, and early-stage testing before committing a device to a production configuration.

Prerequisites:

Before you begin, make sure you have the following ready. This Lite setup is designed to be quick and makes minimal changes to the system.

Hardware

NEPI-compatible device (NVIDIA Jetson)
Monitor, keyboard, and mouse connected to the device
Internet connection (Ethernet recommended, WiFi also works)

Operating System

Debian-based Linux
Tested with Ubuntu 20.04
Default Jetson Linux images are supported

User Access and Permissions

Admin (sudo) access on the device
Ability to reboot the device when prompted

Time Required

30-45 minutes. This includes user and environment setup, Docker Lite configuration, and image download and first launch.

Note: This setup includes a few reboots. Plan to complete it in one session.

Screenshot

NEPI Docker Lite User Setup

This section creates the nepihost user account and prepares your device to install NEPI Docker by cloning the NEPI setup repository that contains the required installation scripts.

1) Log into a user account with Administrator privileges, or use the existing nepihost account if available.

2) Open a Terminal window: right-click the desktop / Open in Terminal

3) Confirm your system has internet access by running the following command:

ping -c 1 google.com

USER_1 - NEPI

4) Update Git application:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y git

USER_2 - NEPI

5) Clone the NEPI setup repository:

cd /home/${USER}
git clone https://github.com/nepi-engine/nepi_setup.git

USER_3 - NEPI

6) Run the NEPI Docker user setup script (sudo password is '#Nsetup4You'):

cd /home/${USER}/nepi_setup/scripts
sudo su

Then:

./docker_user_setup.sh

Start Screen:

USER_3 - NEPI

End Screen:

USER_4 - NEPI

7) POWER CYCLE your system when complete to apply the new settings.

Note: This section creates a new user account nepihost. The next section will have you log into this new user with the sudo password nepi.

NEPI Docker Lite Environment Setup

This section will set up the NEPI Docker required software environment.

1) Log into the nepihost account created in Docker User Setup. Go through any new user starter popups, then open a terminal.

2) Make sure your system has internet access by running the following command:

ping -c 1 google.com

3) Clone the NEPI Setup repo:

cd /home/${USER}
git clone https://github.com/nepi-engine/nepi_setup.git

4) Run the NEPI Docker Lite Environment setup script (sudo password is 'nepi'):

source ~/nepi_setup/scripts/docker_lite_env_setup.sh

Note: For all password inputs, the text will be invisible. Press enter after typing the password.

Note: If prompted, enter 'y' or 'yes'.

Note: This step can take around 10 minutes to load.

Start Screen:

ENV_1 - NEPI

Note: If you get a 'System program problem detected' popup, select 'Cancel' to dismiss it.

ENV_2 - NEPI

Note: If you get a 'Configuration Code' popup, select 'Yes' and enter to continue.

ENV_3 - NEPI

End Screen:

ENV_3 - NEPI

5) Once the script completes, scroll through the terminal output and verify there are no errors.

6) POWER CYCLE your system when complete.

NEPI Docker Config Setup

This section will configure the NEPI Docker configuration using the default settings. You can change settings later in the 'NEPI Docker Customization' section.

1) Log into the nepihost account (sudo password is 'nepi').

2) Run the NEPI Docker Lite Configuration setup script (sudo password is 'nepi'):

source ~/nepi_setup/scripts/docker_lite_config_setup.sh

Start Screen:

CONFIG_1 - NEPI

End Screen:

CONFIG_2 - NEPI

3) POWER CYCLE your system when complete.

Note: After this process, the desktop background and sidebar applications menu will be updated.

Note: This process will create a NEPI Storage folder at '/mnt/nepi_storage', along with several user subfolders. This is where NEPI processes store user files such as saved data, AI models, import/export Docker images, and user saved configurations.

NEPI Docker Lite Init Setup

This section will initialize and test your NEPI Docker solution. You can change settings later in the 'NEPI Docker Customization' section.

1) Log into the nepihost account (sudo password is 'nepi').

2) Check for internet connection:

ping -c 1 google.com

3) Run the Docker Lite Initialization script (sudo password is 'nepi'). If prompted, enter 'y' or 'yes':

source ~/nepi_setup/scripts/docker_lite_init_setup.sh

INIT_3 - NEPI

4) Run the NEPI Docker Import command:

nepiimport

5) After the initialization script completes, you can view and print the installed NEPI Docker Images by typing:

dimg

Note: This process downloads the Lite AI models, AI training scripts, sample data files, and user configurations to folders in /mnt/nepi_storage.

Note: This process downloads the latest NEPI Docker Image for your system's architecture to NEPI Docker's import folder at /mnt/nepi_storage/nepi_images.

NEPI Docker Image Testing

This section verifies that the NEPI Docker container runs successfully and that the NEPI Resident User Interface (RUI) launches correctly.

1) Start your NEPI container running:

nepistart

DTEST_1 - NEPI

2) Wait for the startup confirmation message.

Note: Newly installed NEPI Docker Images may take several attempts to start successfully the first time after installation. Try running several times if it fails.

3) Open the Chromium browser. Check that the NEPI Resident User Interface (RUI) is running by opening a Chromium browser tab and entering the following in the URL search bar:

localhost:5003

4) Confirm that the NEPI RUI dashboard loads and shows a blinking green indicator, signaling that the core NEPI software system is running and that NEPI is active.

Note: RUI Controls related to User, Device, Time, Network, and Software management require the NEPI Docker service running.

DTEST_2 - NEPI

NEPI Docker Service Setup

This step enables NEPI to automatically start whenever the system boots, so you don't have to manually start it each time.

1) Enable NEPI Docker service:

nepienable

Note: You can disable the NEPI Docker Service with 'nepidisable'.

SERVICE_1 - NEPI

2) POWER CYCLE your system when complete.

3) Log back into nepihost (sudo password is 'nepi').

4) Verify that your NEPI Container is running after reboot:

dps

Note: If your container is not running, try to debug NEPI Docker Service issues with the following commands: nepirestart, nepistatus, nepilogs.

NEPI Docker IP Configuration

If you want to connect to your NEPI device from a network connected PC, set up and test a remote connection following these instructions.

Additional Resources

If this is your first time setting up NEPI Docker, it is highly recommended that you read through the "NEPI Docker Installation Notes" section on the official GitHub setup guide: NEPI Docker Host Setup Instructions on GitHub.

If you encounter any issues starting and running the NEPI Software container, see the debugging steps in the "NEPI Docker Debugging" section at the bottom of this page: NEPI Docker Lite Setup on GitHub.

For additional support, visit the NEPI Software Community Forum at NEPI Community.

Debugging Troubleshooting

If your container is not running, try to debug NEPI Docker Service issues with the following commands:

nepirestart
nepistatus
nepilogs

For detailed debugging instructions, logs, and advanced troubleshooting steps, refer to the official GitHub setup guide: NEPI Docker Host Setup Instructions on GitHub.

NEPI Software Shortcut Functions

View all NEPI Docker command-line shortcuts anytime by typing:

nepihelp

NEPI Docker Local PC Connections

In this step, you will configure your NEPI device's IP address to allow local PCs to find and communicate with the device.

1) Open the Settings app and navigate to the Network Settings page. You can also click the "Show Applications" button at the bottom-left corner of your screen, search for the "Settings" application, and launch it from there.

Screenshot

2) Select your Wired connection. Click the gear icon to edit the connection.

3) Go to the IPv4 tab and set IPv4 Method to Manual.

4) Add an address with the following values:

Address: 192.168.179.103
Netmask: 255.255.255.0

5) Click Add or Save, then close the settings window.

6) Reboot your NEPI device.

Screenshot

Your device is now configured with a static IP address and ready for the next step.

NEPI Docker Camera and AI Detection Test

If you want to connect a camera and run an AI model on the camera's video stream, follow the instructions in the 'Using NEPI' tutorial available in the Tutorials section.