How to Install OpenMediaVault (OMV) on a Raspberry Pi Without a LAN Connection

Turning your Raspberry Pi into a home server using OpenMediaVault (OMV) is a great idea—especially when you don’t have a LAN (Ethernet) connection available. In this guide, you’ll learn how to install

🧰 What You’ll Need

• Raspberry Pi (any Wi-Fi capable model)

• SD card (8GB or more recommended)

• A PC or laptop to prepare the SD card

• A keyboard

• Power supply for the Pi

• A monitor (for first-time setup)

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📥 Step 1: Flash Raspberry Pi OS Lite Using Raspberry Pi Imager

1. Download and install Raspberry Pi Imager on your PC.

2. Open the Imager, then:

   • Choose Device: Select your Raspberry Pi model.

   • Choose OS: Go to
     Raspberry Pi OS (Other) → select "Raspberry Pi OS Lite (32-bit)". (Lite = no desktop interface)

   • Choose Storage: Select your SD card.

3. Click Next, and when prompted, choose Edit Settings.

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⚙️ OS Customization

In the settings window:

• General Tab:

  • ✅ Set Hostname (e.g., omv-pi)

  • ✅ Set Username and Password (create your own)

  • ✅ Configure Wireless LAN (enter your Wi-Fi SSID and password)

  • ✅ Set Locale (Time zone and keyboard layout)

• Services Tab:

  • ✅ Enable SSH

  • Choose Password Authentication

Click Save, then confirm by clicking Yes on the popup.

⚠️ The SD card will be erased. Confirm when warned.

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⚡ Step 2: Boot and First Login

1. Eject the SD card from your PC and insert it into the Raspberry Pi.

2. Connect your monitor and keyboard to the Pi.

3. Power on the Raspberry Pi.

4. Once the Pi boots, log in using the credentials you set earlier.

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🌐 Step 3: Check Wi-Fi Connection

Run this command:

ifconfig  

Look for wlan0 with an IP like 192.168.1.XX.

If you see it — great! You’re connected to Wi-Fi.

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🔄 Step 4: Update the System

Run:

sudo apt update

sudo apt upgrade -y

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📦 Step 5: Install OMV

1. Run Preinstall Script

wget -O - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/OpenMediaVault-Plugin-Developers/installScript/master/preinstall | sudo bash

2. Reboot

sudo reboot

3. Run the Install Script

wget -O - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/OpenMediaVault-Plugin-Developers/installScript/master/install | sudo bash

This will take several minutes.

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🛠️ Step 6: Fix Wi-Fi (If wlan0 is Missing After Reboot)

1. Bring the interface up:

sudo ip link set wlan0 up

2. Create/Edit Wi-Fi Config:

sudo nano /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf

Paste this into the file:

ctrl_interface=DIR=/var/run/wpa_supplicant GROUP=netdev
update_config=1
country=IN

network={
    ssid="your_wifi_ssid"
    psk="your_wifi_password"
    key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
}

• Replace IN with your country code.

• Replace your_wifi_ssid and your_wifi_password with your actual Wi-Fi details.

3. Set Proper Permissions: (optional)

sudo chmod 600 /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf

4. Start Wi-Fi Connection:

sudo wpa_supplicant -B -i wlan0 -c /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf
sudo dhclient wlan0

5. Verify Wi-Fi:

ifconfig

You should now see wlan0 with an IP address.

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🌐 Step 7: Access OpenMediaVault in Browser

1. On your PC browser, open the Pi’s IP address
   Example:

http://192.168.1.81

1. Login using:

   • Username: admin

   • Password: openmediavault

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🔧 Step 8: Configure Wi-Fi Inside OMV (Optional but Recommended)

1. Go to:
   Network → Interfaces → click Add → choose Wi-Fi

2. Enter your Wi-Fi SSID and password.

3. Click Save and wait for the settings to apply.

It might take a minute or two—be patient.

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🔁 Step 9: Final Reboot

Reboot the Pi:

sudo reboot

Wait for OMV to fully start (this can take 2–3 minutes).

Then go back to your browser and access the OMV dashboard using the IP.

✅ You’re Done!

Now your Raspberry Pi is running OpenMediaVault completely over Wi-Fi—no Ethernet cable needed.

If this guide helped you, feel free to share it with others. You’ve just set up a powerful home server using only a few tools! 🎉