Banana Pi

Banana Pi board - High-quality photo showing SATA connector, GPIO pins and ports

Summary

Banana Pi is an ARM-based single-board computer built around the Allwinner A20 dual-core processor, designed for Linux development, network services, and embedded projects. With onboard SATA, Gigabit Ethernet, GPIO header, and broad operating system support, Banana Pi serves as a versatile platform for home servers, network storage, development environments, and educational projects. This page provides a comprehensive overview of Banana Pi capabilities, common use cases, and quick-start guidance to help you successfully deploy and configure your board.

Banana Pi offers an accessible entry point to ARM Linux computing while providing enough performance and connectivity for practical applications beyond simple experimentation.

What is Banana Pi?

Banana Pi is a credit-card-sized computer that runs full Linux distributions including Raspbian, Ubuntu, Debian, Arch Linux, and Android. Unlike desktop computers, it consumes minimal power (typically 3-5 watts), operates silently with passive cooling, and provides extensive I/O capabilities through its GPIO header and peripheral interfaces.

Key capabilities

  • Dual-core ARM Cortex-A7 CPU at 1GHz provides adequate performance for most server and development tasks
  • 1GB DDR3 RAM supports moderate multitasking and small application workloads
  • SATA port enables connection of 2.5" or 3.5" hard drives for network storage applications
  • Gigabit Ethernet provides reliable wired networking without USB bottlenecks
  • 40-pin GPIO header compatible with many Raspberry Pi accessories and projects
  • HDMI output supports 1080p video for desktop use or media center applications
  • Multiple USB ports for peripherals, storage, and network adapters
  • MicroSD boot simplifies OS installation and recovery

Common use cases

Home network services

  • Network attached storage (NAS) - SATA port combined with Gigabit Ethernet makes Banana Pi ideal for file sharing via Samba, NFS, or FTP
  • DNS and DHCP server - Run dnsmasq or Pi-hole for network-wide ad blocking and local DNS
  • VPN gateway - Deploy OpenVPN or WireGuard for secure remote access
  • Network monitoring - Run Nagios, Prometheus, or simple custom scripts for infrastructure monitoring
  • Print server - Share USB or network printers via CUPS

Development and learning

  • ARM Linux development - Compile and test ARM binaries on native hardware
  • Embedded systems education - Learn Linux system administration, networking, and hardware interfacing
  • IoT gateway - Aggregate sensor data, run MQTT brokers, interface with smart home devices
  • Cross-compilation host - Build software for ARM targets on affordable hardware

Media and entertainment

  • Media server - Run Plex, Jellyfin, or simple HTTP servers for video streaming
  • Retro gaming - RetroPie and EmulationStation support various classic systems
  • Digital signage - Display dashboards, information screens, or web content via HDMI

Prerequisites for setup

Required hardware

  • Banana Pi board - Original model with SATA connector
  • Power supply - 5V 2A minimum; quality adapter with stable voltage prevents mysterious crashes
  • MicroSD card - Class 10, 8GB minimum (16GB+ recommended); use reputable brands (SanDisk, Samsung)
  • Ethernet cable - For initial setup and stable networking
  • MicroUSB cable - For power connection

Recommended hardware

  • USB-to-serial adapter - 3.3V TTL-level for debugging boot issues (FTDI or CP2102 chipset)
  • SATA drive and cable - 2.5" drive requires no additional power; 3.5" drives need separate power supply
  • Case with ventilation - Heatsink optional but recommended for sustained high CPU usage
  • HDMI cable and display - For desktop use or initial configuration

Host computer requirements

  • OS image flashing tool - Etcher (cross-platform), dd (Linux/macOS), or Win32DiskImager (Windows)
  • SSH client - OpenSSH (Linux/macOS), PuTTY (Windows), or built-in Windows 10+ SSH
  • SD card reader - USB adapter or built-in reader for flashing images

Quick start procedure

Step 1: Download and verify OS image

  1. Visit downloads hub
  2. Select desired distribution (Raspbian recommended for beginners)
  3. Verify SHA256 checksum matches published value
  4. Decompress image if compressed (.xz, .gz, .zip)

Step 2: Flash image to microSD card

  1. Insert microSD card into host computer
  2. Launch Etcher or equivalent flashing tool
  3. Select downloaded image file
  4. Select target microSD card device (verify correct device to avoid data loss)
  5. Flash image and verify
  6. Safely eject card

Step 3: First boot with minimal configuration

  1. Insert flashed microSD card into Banana Pi slot
  2. Connect Ethernet cable between Banana Pi and router/switch
  3. Connect power supply last
  4. Observe LED activity: red power LED solid, green activity LED blinking during boot
  5. Wait 60-90 seconds for first boot completion

Step 4: Establish SSH connection

  1. Find Banana Pi IP address (check router DHCP leases or use network scanner)
  2. Connect via SSH: ssh pi@192.168.1.XXX (default password varies by distribution)
  3. Change default password immediately: passwd
  4. Confirm system booted successfully

Step 5: Initial system update

  1. Update package lists: sudo apt update
  2. Upgrade installed packages: sudo apt upgrade -y
  3. Reboot to load new kernel if updated: sudo reboot
  4. Reconnect via SSH after reboot (30-60 seconds)

Post-boot verification checklist

Run these commands to confirm successful setup:

# Confirm system identity and kernel
uname -a
cat /etc/os-release

# Check network configuration
ip addr show
ip route show
ping -c 4 8.8.8.8

# Verify storage
df -h
lsblk

# Check system health
systemctl --failed
free -h
uptime

# Monitor system temperature
cat /sys/class/thermal/thermal_zone0/temp
# Temperature in millidegrees Celsius (50000 = 50'C)

# Verify SSH service
systemctl status sshd

First boot troubleshooting

No LEDs illuminate

  • Check power supply - Measure voltage with multimeter (should be 5.0V '0.25V)
  • Try different power cable - Damaged cables cause voltage drop
  • Test different power source - Some USB ports provide insufficient current

Red LED only, no green activity

  • Reflash microSD card - Image may be corrupt or incompletely written
  • Try different microSD card - Cheap/counterfeit cards often fail silently
  • Verify image compatibility - Ensure image specifically supports Banana Pi
  • Test card in another device - Confirm card is readable

Cannot find IP address

  • Check Ethernet cable - Try known-good cable
  • Verify switch/router port - Check for link LED on switch
  • Check DHCP server - Ensure router provides DHCP addresses
  • Try serial console - Connect USB-to-TTL adapter to see boot messages

SSH connection refused

  • Verify SSH service enabled - Some images disable SSH by default
  • Check firewall rules - Confirm port 22 not blocked
  • Try default credentials - Username and password vary by distribution
  • Reboot and retry - First boot may not start all services

Next steps after basic setup

Security hardening

  • Set up SSH key authentication: Security basics guide
  • Disable password authentication for SSH
  • Configure automatic security updates
  • Set up firewall with UFW or iptables

Storage configuration

  • Mount SATA drive: Boot and storage notes
  • Configure automatic mounting via /etc/fstab
  • Set up RAID if using multiple drives
  • Plan backup strategy

Service deployment

  • Install desired services (Samba, OpenVPN, Pi-hole)
  • Configure automatic start on boot
  • Set up monitoring and logging
  • Document configuration for disaster recovery

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between Banana Pi and Banana Pro?

Banana Pro adds WiFi, Bluetooth, and microphone input. Both share the same Allwinner A20 processor and most interfaces. See Banana Pro overview for detailed comparison.

Can Banana Pi run Raspberry Pi software?

Many Raspberry Pi applications work on Banana Pi, especially those using standard Linux interfaces. Hardware-specific software (accessing RPi GPIO directly) requires modification. WiringPi library provides GPIO compatibility.

How much power does Banana Pi consume?

Idle power: ~2-3W. Light load: ~3-4W. Heavy load: ~5-6W. SATA drives add 2-8W depending on model. Total system typically draws under 500mA at 5V (2.5W) without SATA.

What operating systems work on Banana Pi?

Supported: Raspbian, Ubuntu/Lubuntu, Debian, Arch Linux, Android, Gentoo. See downloads page for current images.

Can I boot from SATA instead of microSD?

Banana Pi boots from microSD only. You can move root filesystem to SATA after initial boot for better performance and reliability.

How do I connect to serial console?

Use 3.3V USB-to-TTL adapter connected to CON3 header (pins 4, 6, 8). Configure terminal for 115200 baud, 8N1. See contact page for detailed serial setup.

What microSD card should I use?

Use Class 10 or UHS-I cards, 8GB minimum (16GB+ recommended). SanDisk, Samsung, and Kingston are reliable brands. Avoid cheap unbranded cards.

Why is performance slower than expected?

Check: Thermal throttling (cat /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/scaling_cur_freq), cheap microSD card, insufficient power supply, swap thrashing (free -h).

Can I use Banana Pi for desktop computing?

Possible but limited. 1GB RAM constrains modern web browsers and desktop environments. Best suited for lightweight tasks, development, and server applications.

Author: LeMaker Documentation Team
Last updated: 2026-01-10