EZ-Homelab/raspberry-pi-test-run-summary.md

Raspberry Pi 4 Test Run Summary - EZ-Homelab Python Script

Date: 29 January 2026

Hardware: Raspberry Pi 4 4GB RAM, Raspberry Pi OS (Debian-based)

Architecture: ARM64

Executive Summary

Testing the EZ-Homelab Python TUI deployment script on Raspberry Pi revealed several architecture-specific challenges and script deficiencies. While the script works on AMD64 systems, ARM64 deployment requires additional considerations and the script needs improvements in configuration file processing and deployment logic.

Key Findings

1. Python Environment Management

Issue: Direct pip install commands fail on modern Debian/Raspberry Pi OS due to PEP 668 Solution: Must use virtual environments for all Python package installations Lesson: Script should automatically create and use virtual environments on ARM64 systems

2. Docker Installation and Permissions

Issue: Docker installation requires user group changes and system reboot Solution: Manual Docker installation + usermod + reboot required Lesson: Script needs to handle Docker installation with proper user permissions and reboot detection

3. Package Architecture Compatibility

Issue: Python packages must be compatible with ARM64 Solution: PiWheels repository automatically provides ARM64-compatible packages Lesson: No script changes needed, but testing should include ARM64 validation

4. Configuration File Processing

Issue: Script failed to substitute environment variables in YAML configuration files Solution: Manual sed commands required to replace ${VARIABLE} placeholders Lesson: Script needs robust template processing with environment variable substitution

5. Service Deployment Logic

Issue: "Core Server Only" deployment didn't include infrastructure services (Dockge) Solution: Manual deployment of infrastructure stack required Lesson: Deployment type logic needs review and testing across all scenarios

6. Docker Network Management

Issue: Required networks (traefik-network, homelab-network) not created automatically Solution: Manual docker network create commands required Lesson: Script should pre-create all required networks before service deployment

7. Service-Specific Configuration Issues

Authelia

Issue: Missing required cookies configuration in session section Solution: Manual addition of cookies configuration Lesson: Template files need to be complete and validated against service requirements

Sablier

Issue: Configured for multi-server TLS but running on single server Solution: Changed from TCP+TLS to local socket connection Lesson: Configuration should be deployment-scenario aware (single vs multi-server)

Technical Challenges Specific to ARM64

1. System Package Management

• Raspberry Pi OS follows Debian's strict package management policies
• PEP 668 prevents system-wide pip installs
• Virtual environments are mandatory for user-space Python packages

2. Hardware Resource Constraints

• Limited RAM (4GB) vs typical AMD64 systems (16GB+)
• Slower I/O and processing compared to x86_64 systems
• Docker image pulls are slower on ARM64

3. Architecture-Specific Dependencies

• Some software may not have ARM64 builds
• PiWheels provides most Python packages but not all
• Cross-compilation issues for complex packages

Script Improvements Required

1. Environment Setup

# Add to script initialization
def setup_python_environment():
    """Create virtual environment and install dependencies"""
    if platform.machine() == 'aarch64':  # ARM64 detection
        # Force virtual environment usage
        # Install dependencies within venv

2. Docker Management

def ensure_docker_ready():
    """Ensure Docker is installed, running, and user has permissions"""
    # Check installation
    # Add user to docker group
    # Detect if reboot required
    # Provide clear instructions

3. Configuration Processing

def process_config_templates():
    """Process all config templates with environment variable substitution"""
    # Find all template files
    # Replace ${VARIABLE} with os.environ.get('VARIABLE')
    # Validate resulting YAML/JSON

4. Network Management

def create_required_networks():
    """Create all Docker networks required by services"""
    networks = ['traefik-network', 'homelab-network']
    for network in networks:
        # docker network create if not exists

5. Deployment Validation

def validate_deployment_scenario():
    """Ensure selected services match deployment type capabilities"""
    # Core: core services only
    # Single: core + infrastructure + dashboards
    # Remote: infrastructure + dashboards only

Testing Recommendations

1. Multi-Architecture Testing

• Include ARM64 in CI/CD pipeline
• Test on actual Raspberry Pi hardware
• Validate PiWheels compatibility

2. Pre-Flight Checks Enhancement

• Add ARM64-specific system requirements
• Check available disk space (ARM64 systems often have smaller storage)
• Validate network connectivity for Docker pulls

3. Error Handling Improvements

• Better error messages for common ARM64 issues
• Graceful handling of permission errors
• Clear instructions for manual intervention steps

Performance Considerations

ARM64 vs AMD64 Performance

• Docker image pulls: ~2-3x slower on ARM64
• Python package installation: Similar performance
• Service startup: Comparable once images are cached
• Memory usage: More critical on ARM64 due to hardware limits

Optimization Strategies

• Pre-pull commonly used Docker images
• Minimize service startup time
• Implement lazy loading where possible (Sablier)
• Use resource limits to prevent memory exhaustion

Conclusion

The EZ-Homelab Python script is functional on Raspberry Pi but requires significant improvements for production use on ARM64 systems. The main issues stem from inadequate configuration file processing and incomplete deployment logic rather than fundamental architecture incompatibilities.

Priority Improvements:

1. Implement proper template processing with environment variable substitution
2. Fix deployment type logic to include all selected services
3. Add automatic Docker network creation
4. Enhance error handling for ARM64-specific issues
5. Add comprehensive pre-flight checks

Testing Requirements:

• Dedicated ARM64 test environment
• Automated testing of all deployment scenarios
• Validation of all configuration file processing
• Performance benchmarking against AMD64 systems

This testing has identified critical gaps that must be addressed before the script can be considered production-ready for ARM64 deployment. /home/kelin/EZ-Homelab/raspberry-pi-test-run-summary.md