July 19, 2023

Pi-Hole on Raspberry Pi - Your Guide to Ad-free Internet

Ben

@benjislab

What is covered in this guide

Introduction: An introductory section explaining the aim of the guide and what will be covered.
Understanding the Basics
- What is Raspberry Pi?: This section covers the basics about Raspberry Pi, its functionalities, and potential uses.
- What is Pi-Hole?: An introduction to Pi-Hole, explaining what it is and its benefits.
Preparation
- Hardware and Software Requirements: This section provides a list of required hardware and software for setting up Pi-Hole on Raspberry Pi.
- Network Considerations: Some considerations regarding the network setup that will be needed for Pi-Hole.
Setting Up Raspberry Pi
- Installing Raspberry Pi OS: This section walks through the steps to install the Raspberry Pi Operating System.
- Securing Your Raspberry Pi: Provides guidance on ensuring the Raspberry Pi is secure.
Setting Up Pi-Hole on Raspberry Pi:
- Installing Pi-Hole: Instructions on how to install Pi-Hole on your Raspberry Pi.
- Configuring Pi-Hole: Explains how to configure Pi-Hole for optimal performance and user experience.
Integrating Pi-Hole with Your Network:
- Directing Traffic Through Pi-Hole: Guidance on how to route your network traffic through Pi-Hole to block ads.
- Testing Your Setup: Explains how to test your setup to ensure Pi-Hole is working as expected.
Advanced Pi-Hole Configuration:
- Using Regex for Custom Blocking: Discusses how to use regular expressions in Pi-Hole for custom ad-blocking rules.
- Whitelisting and Blacklisting: Provides instructions for managing whitelists and blacklists in Pi-Hole.
- Setting Up Different Blocklists: Shows how to set up custom blocklists for Pi-Hole.
- DNS over HTTPS (DoH) with Pi-Hole: Explains how to setup DNS over HTTPS for increased privacy.
Using Pi-Hole with VPN:
- Why Use a VPN with Pi-Hole: Discusses the benefits of using a VPN alongside Pi-Hole.
- Setting Up a VPN Server on Raspberry Pi: A step-by-step guide on setting up your own VPN server on Raspberry Pi.
- Configuring Pi-Hole to Work with Your VPN: Provides information on how to configure Pi-Hole to work with your VPN.
Advanced Network Setup with Pi-Hole:
- Setting Up Pi-Hole as a DHCP Server: Guidance on how to use Pi-Hole as your network's DHCP server.
- Dual Pi-Hole Setup for Redundancy: Explains how to set up a secondary Pi-Hole for redundancy.
Maintaining Your Pi-Hole:
- Updating Pi-Hole: Describes how to keep your Pi-Hole installation updated.
- Understanding Pi-Hole Metrics: Discusses the various metrics Pi-Hole provides and how to interpret them.
Monitoring and Analytics:
- Understanding Pi-Hole's Advanced Metrics: A deep dive into the more advanced metrics provided by Pi-Hole.
- Setting Up Alerts for Pi-Hole: This section guides you on how to set up alerts for certain conditions in Pi-Hole.
Troubleshooting Advanced Issues: A list of potential issues that can arise when using Pi-Hole, and how to solve them.
Additional Resources: This section provides additional resources for further exploration and learning about Pi-Hole and Raspberry Pi.
Conclusion: A final summary of the guide, reiterating the value and benefits of setting up Pi-Hole on Raspberry Pi.

Introduction

As we dive into the ocean of the internet, our voyage is often interrupted by unwanted sights and pop-ups: advertisements. In this era of digital life, ads have become an inseparable part of our browsing experience. Some of these are relevant and potentially helpful, but the majority are unsolicited, intrusive, and at times, risky. They contribute to slower browsing speeds, distract us from our main objective, and can even serve as a gateway for malware. What if we could navigate the internet in a cleaner, faster, and safer way, free from the clutter of ads? Well, you are in luck! Our solution to this issue lies in an open-source software known as Pi-Hole, and in this guide, we aim to demonstrate how you can set it up using a Raspberry Pi.

In this guide, we will demystify the process of installing and configuring Pi-Hole on your Raspberry Pi. By using the Raspberry Pi—a compact and affordable microcomputer—as our platform, we aim to provide a cost-effective and efficient solution to improving your internet browsing experience. Even if you have little to no experience with Raspberry Pi or Pi-Hole, our step-by-step instructions are designed to walk you through the entire process.

Firstly, we'll start with the basics. For the uninitiated, we'll introduce you to what a Raspberry Pi is, its functionalities, and potential uses. We'll then explore the concept of Pi-Hole, explaining what it is and why it’s beneficial for an ad-free internet experience. This will build a strong foundational understanding for those new to these technologies.

Secondly, we'll get into the preparation stage. In this phase, we'll list out the necessary hardware and software requirements for setting up Pi-Hole on Raspberry Pi. We'll also discuss some important network considerations you'll need to bear in mind before beginning the installation.

Next, we'll guide you on setting up your Raspberry Pi. We'll walk you through the steps to install the Raspberry Pi Operating System, as well as ensuring your Raspberry Pi is secure. This will create the perfect environment for your Pi-Hole setup.

Once your Raspberry Pi is ready, we'll move on to setting up Pi-Hole. This section will provide clear instructions on how to install Pi-Hole on your Raspberry Pi and how to configure it for optimal performance and user experience.

After Pi-Hole is set up, we'll show you how to integrate Pi-Hole with your network. This involves directing your network traffic through Pi-Hole to block ads and testing your setup to ensure Pi-Hole is working as expected.

For those looking for a more advanced setup, we've got you covered. We'll dive into advanced Pi-Hole configuration, including using regex for custom blocking, whitelisting and blacklisting, setting up different blocklists, and even setting up DNS over HTTPS with Pi-Hole for increased privacy. We'll also look at using Pi-Hole with a VPN, including setting up a VPN server on your Raspberry Pi and configuring Pi-Hole to work with your VPN.

Additionally, we'll discuss an advanced network setup with Pi-Hole. This includes using Pi-Hole as your network's DHCP server and setting up a secondary Pi-Hole for redundancy.

We'll also guide you on how to maintain your Pi-Hole, including updating your Pi-Hole, understanding Pi-Hole metrics, setting up alerts for Pi-Hole, and troubleshooting any advanced issues that might arise.

Lastly, in our conclusion, we'll provide a brief summary of the guide, reiterating the value and benefits of setting up Pi-Hole on Raspberry Pi. We'll also provide you with additional resources for further learning.

So, whether you are a tech enthusiast looking for a new project, a parent wanting to create a safer internet environment for your children, or just someone tired of annoying ads, this guide is tailored to help you navigate the process of setting up Pi-Hole on your Raspberry Pi seamlessly. By the end of this guide, you should be well-equipped to embark on a journey of ad-free internet browsing. So let's begin this exciting journey of transforming your internet experience!

What is Pi-Hole?

Imagine an Internet experience devoid of intrusive pop-ups, video ads, or tracking cookies—a browsing experience where the content you're interested in doesn't take ages to load due to ad content. This isn't just a pipe dream, it's achievable with Pi-Hole, a robust, open-source software solution designed to run on your network and provide wide-reaching ad-blocking capabilities. In this section, we'll delve deeper into what Pi-Hole is, its working mechanism, and the numerous benefits it offers.

Pi-Hole is essentially a network-wide ad blocker, but it's so much more than just that. It operates as an internal, private Domain Name System (DNS) server for your network, effectively acting as the first point of contact for all devices connected to your network that wish to access the Internet. When properly configured, all traffic from your network devices is filtered through Pi-Hole before it reaches the wider Internet.

The name "Pi-Hole" comes from its original design intention, which was to run on a Raspberry Pi, a compact, affordable microcomputer. The "Hole" part of the name is a reference to the black hole concept in space—just as a black hole pulls in everything around it, Pi-Hole 'sucks in' ads and prevents them from popping up on your devices.

How does Pi-Hole work? At a basic level, when a device on your network makes a request to an Internet site, Pi-Hole intercepts the request. It then checks the domain against its compiled lists of known ad-serving domains. If a match is found, instead of allowing the request to proceed to the site, Pi-Hole steps in and sends a "null" response. As a result, the ad doesn't load, and the rest of the requested web content loads normally, resulting in an ad-free browsing experience.

One of the key benefits of Pi-Hole is that it's network-wide. Unlike typical ad-blockers which need to be installed as extensions on each browser, Pi-Hole, when set up on a device within your network (like a Raspberry Pi), can block ads on all devices connected to the same network. This means your smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and even Internet of Things (IoT) devices can all enjoy an ad-free experience.

But Pi-Hole isn’t just about ad-blocking; it's also about privacy and performance. Many ads and tracking cookies are invasive, gathering data about your browsing habits and preferences without your explicit consent. By blocking these ads and trackers, Pi-Hole helps to safeguard your online privacy.

In terms of performance, ads consume a significant amount of data, and by blocking them, web pages load faster, providing a smoother browsing experience. This is especially beneficial for individuals with limited bandwidth or those browsing on mobile devices where data usage is a concern.

Another benefit is that Pi-Hole can improve overall network performance. By dealing with ads at the DNS level, Pi-Hole reduces the load on your network by preventing the ad content from ever reaching your network. This reduction in unnecessary traffic can lead to an overall faster and more responsive network.

In addition, Pi-Hole provides a beautiful and intuitive web interface for management and monitoring. From this interface, you can view detailed statistics, update blocklists, whitelist or blacklist specific domains, and even temporarily disable Pi-Hole if needed.

In conclusion, Pi-Hole is a powerful tool that goes beyond simply blocking ads—it enhances your browsing experience, safeguards your privacy, and improves your network's overall performance. It's not just an ad-blocker, but a comprehensive solution for creating a cleaner, faster, and safer Internet experience.

Preparation: Hardware and Software Requirements

Before you can embark on your journey to a more secure, private, and ad-free browsing experience with Pi-Hole, it's essential to gather all the necessary hardware and software. This section provides a comprehensive rundown of what you'll need to set up Pi-Hole on a Raspberry Pi.

Hardware Requirements

Let's begin with the hardware. The beauty of Pi-Hole is that it can run on virtually all models of the Raspberry Pi, even the older ones, thanks to its lightweight nature. However, for an optimal experience, we recommend using a Raspberry Pi 3 or newer.

Raspberry Pi: As aforementioned, a Raspberry Pi 3 or newer is recommended. These models offer superior performance and support for the latest software.
MicroSD Card: You'll need a microSD card of at least 8GB to hold the Raspberry Pi's operating system and the Pi-Hole software, but we recommend a 16GB card or larger for additional software or updates in the future.
Power Supply: A suitable power supply for your Raspberry Pi model is necessary. Most Raspberry Pi models require a micro-USB power supply, but the latest Raspberry Pi 4 requires a USB-C power supply.
Ethernet Cable: While you can run Pi-Hole over Wi-Fi, a wired connection via an Ethernet cable is recommended for stability and performance.
Raspberry Pi Case (Optional): Although not a necessity, a case can protect your Raspberry Pi from dust and damage.

Software Requirements

Now, let's turn our attention to the software needed. The core components of our setup are the Raspberry Pi OS and, of course, the Pi-Hole software itself.

Raspberry Pi OS (Previously Raspbian): The official operating system for the Raspberry Pi, Raspberry Pi OS, is a free operating system based on Debian. It's optimized for the Raspberry Pi hardware and can be downloaded from the official Raspberry Pi website. It's worth noting that the 'Lite' version is sufficient for running Pi-Hole.
Pi-Hole: The star of our setup, Pi-Hole, is a free and open-source software that you can download from the official Pi-Hole website.
Raspberry Pi Imager: To flash the Raspberry Pi OS onto the microSD card, you'll need software like Raspberry Pi Imager. It's free, easy to use, and available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
SSH Client: An SSH client is necessary to remotely access the command line of your Raspberry Pi. Windows users can use a program like PuTTY, while macOS and Linux users can use the built-in terminal.
Router Access: This isn't software in the traditional sense, but you will need access to your router's settings. This is crucial for configuring your network to use Pi-Hole as its DNS server.

In conclusion, preparing your Raspberry Pi for Pi-Hole involves gathering a handful of hardware and software components. With a Raspberry Pi, a microSD card, a power supply, and an Ethernet cable, alongside the Raspberry Pi OS, Pi-Hole software, Raspberry Pi Imager, an SSH client, and router access, you'll have everything you need to embark on your ad-blocking journey. Up next, we'll look at how to bring all these components together to create your Pi-Hole setup.

Network Considerations

As we venture further into setting up Pi-Hole on your Raspberry Pi, it's crucial to pause and discuss some network considerations. After all, Pi-Hole works at the network level, meaning its effectiveness is closely tied to your network configuration and conditions. This section discusses key factors to consider to optimize your Pi-Hole setup.

Router Compatibility

First and foremost, the capabilities of your router are crucial. Your router must allow the manual setting of the DNS server. This is because you need to point your devices to the Pi-Hole, which acts as your network’s DNS server. Most modern routers allow this configuration, but if you're using an older model or a router supplied by your Internet Service Provider (ISP), you might face limitations. If this is the case, you may need to upgrade your router or, in some scenarios, configure each device individually to use the Pi-Hole as their DNS server.

Wired Connection

Although Pi-Hole can run on Wi-Fi, a wired connection is highly recommended. Pi-Hole will act as the first point of contact for all Internet requests in your network, so you want this connection to be as reliable and fast as possible. A wired Ethernet connection is generally more stable and faster than Wi-Fi, minimizing the chance of interruptions or latency in your Internet requests.

Static IP Address

Pi-Hole needs to have a static IP address. This is the address that all devices in your network will use to communicate with Pi-Hole, and it needs to stay consistent. If the Pi-Hole's IP address changes (which can happen with dynamic IP addresses), your devices will lose their connection to the Internet until the new IP address is updated in your router or device settings. Most routers allow you to reserve an IP address for specific devices, ensuring the Pi-Hole always retains the same IP.

IPv4 and IPv6

Ensure your network supports IPv4, as Pi-Hole primarily uses this protocol. Although Pi-Hole does have support for IPv6, not all ad lists support it, meaning you may still see some ads if your network heavily uses IPv6. To ensure maximum ad-blocking capabilities, it's best to configure both IPv4 and IPv6 settings in Pi-Hole.

Network Size

Consider the size of your network, both in terms of physical layout and the number of connected devices. Pi-Hole should be able to handle ad-blocking for many dozens of devices without any issues, but if you're planning on implementing Pi-Hole in a large-scale network with hundreds of devices, you may want to consider using more than one Raspberry Pi running Pi-Hole for load balancing and redundancy.

Security Measures

Finally, while Pi-Hole will provide some security benefits by blocking known malicious domains, it's not a complete security solution. Ensure you have other security measures in place, such as a secure router firewall, regular device updates, and strong, unique passwords for all network-connected devices and accounts.

In conclusion, setting up Pi-Hole requires some serious network considerations. From router compatibility, connection type, IP address type, network size, to the security measures, every aspect plays a crucial role in the effectiveness and reliability of your Pi-Hole setup. With these considerations in mind, you can proceed to the setup phase with confidence, knowing you've prepared your network for the introduction of Pi-Hole.

Setting Up Raspberry Pi: Installing Raspberry Pi OS

Setting up the Raspberry Pi involves installing the Raspberry Pi OS (previously called Raspbian), which is the official operating system provided by the Raspberry Pi Foundation. This is an essential step as it will provide the environment for running Pi-Hole. This guide will walk you through using the Raspberry Pi Imager, a simple tool provided by the Raspberry Pi Foundation, to install the Raspberry Pi OS.

Step 1: Gather Required Items

Before you begin, make sure you have the following items:

A Raspberry Pi 3 or newer.
A microSD card with a minimum of 8GB capacity (though 16GB or higher is recommended).
A computer with an SD card reader.
A stable internet connection.

Step 2: Download the Raspberry Pi Imager

Go to the official Raspberry Pi downloads page (https://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads/) and download the Raspberry Pi Imager for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Ubuntu).

Step 3: Install the Raspberry Pi Imager

Locate the downloaded file and follow the installation steps to install the Raspberry Pi Imager on your computer. The steps will depend on your operating system, but typically, you just need to double-click on the downloaded file and follow the prompts.

Step 4: Prepare the microSD Card

Insert the microSD card into your computer's card reader. If you have any data on the card that you want to keep, now is the time to back it up. The installation process will erase everything on the card.

Step 5: Launch the Raspberry Pi Imager

After installation, launch the Raspberry Pi Imager. The application is usually found in the Applications menu on macOS and Linux or the Start menu on Windows.

Step 6: Choose the Raspberry Pi OS

On the Imager's main screen, click on "CHOOSE OS". In the pop-up window, select "Raspberry Pi OS (Other)" and then "Raspberry Pi OS Full (32-bit)".

Step 7: Choose the microSD Card

Next, click on "CHOOSE SD CARD" and select your microSD card from the list of drives. Be very careful to select the correct drive, as all data on the chosen drive will be erased.

Step 8: Write the OS to the microSD Card

With the OS and SD card selected, click on "WRITE". The Raspberry Pi Imager will download the latest version of the Raspberry Pi OS and write it to the SD card. This process can take some time, depending on your internet speed and the speed of your SD card.

Step 9: Safely Eject the microSD Card

Once the write process is complete, you will receive a success message. Click "CONTINUE" and then safely eject the microSD card from your computer.

Step 10: Insert the microSD Card into the Raspberry Pi

Finally, insert the microSD card into the Raspberry Pi, connect your monitor, keyboard, and mouse, and power it up. You should see a boot screen followed by a setup wizard to help you finish setting up your Raspberry Pi OS.

And there you have it! You've successfully installed the Raspberry Pi OS on your Raspberry Pi using the Raspberry Pi Imager. In the next section, we will discuss securing your Raspberry Pi before proceeding to the Pi-Hole setup.

Securing Your Raspberry Pi

Setting up your Raspberry Pi to run Pi-hole isn’t just about blocking ads; it’s also about ensuring that your new network tool is secure from potential threats. Just like any other computer, your Raspberry Pi is vulnerable to hackers and must be properly protected. This section will guide you on various steps to secure your Raspberry Pi.

Step 1: Update Your Raspberry Pi

Before doing anything else, it’s always a good idea to make sure that your Raspberry Pi is up-to-date with the latest patches and security fixes. Open a terminal window and type in the following two commands, one at a time:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

This will update the package lists for upgrades and new package installations, and upgrade all the currently installed software to the latest versions.

Step 2: Change the Default Password

Every Raspberry Pi comes with a default username ("pi") and password ("raspberry"). It's crucial to change this default password to something unique. Hackers often target devices with default login credentials. To change the password, type the following command in the terminal:

passwd

You will be prompted to enter the current password and then asked to enter a new password. Choose a strong password that you will remember.

Step 3: Setup a Firewall

A firewall is a security system that controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. The Uncomplicated Firewall (UFW) is a frontend for the more complex iptables, which is a powerful tool that can be quite complicated to use. To install UFW, type the following command in the terminal:

sudo apt-get install ufw

By default, UFW is set to deny all incoming connections and allow all outgoing connections. This means that anyone trying to reach your Raspberry Pi from the outside will be blocked, but anything from the inside can reach out to the outside world. For a Pi-hole setup, this is an acceptable configuration. To enable UFW, type the following command:

sudo ufw enable

Step 4: Regularly Monitor Your Raspberry Pi

Regular monitoring can help you identify any unusual activity. Tools like top or htop show you real-time information about the processes running on your Raspberry Pi and the resources they're consuming. logwatch is a customizable log analysis system that can help you spot patterns in logs, such as repeated failed login attempts, indicating a potential attack.

Step 5: Secure SSH

SSH (Secure Shell) is a network protocol that provides a secure way to access a computer over an unsecured network. By default, SSH is disabled on Raspberry Pi OS. If you enable it for remote management of Pi-hole, make sure to take some steps to secure it:

Change the default port (port 22).
Disable root login.
Use key-based authentication instead of passwords.

Step 6: Keep Your Raspberry Pi Clean

Only install software from trusted sources and avoid unnecessary packages. Each piece of software presents a potential risk, so it's best to limit what's installed on your Pi-hole machine.

In conclusion, securing your Raspberry Pi involves keeping it updated, changing default credentials, setting up a firewall, monitoring system activities, and hardening SSH. It also involves being mindful of the software you install. By following these steps, you are taking the necessary measures to protect your Raspberry Pi, your network, and ultimately, your data.

Setting Up Pi-Hole on Raspberry Pi:

Installing Pi-Hole

After securing your Raspberry Pi and ensuring that it's up and running with the latest version of Raspberry Pi OS, the next step is installing Pi-Hole. Pi-Hole is a lightweight network-wide ad blocker that acts as a DNS sinkhole. It is straightforward to install and configure on a Raspberry Pi.

Step 1: Connect to Your Raspberry Pi

Before installing Pi-Hole, ensure you are connected to your Raspberry Pi. You can do this directly if you have a screen, keyboard, and mouse attached, or remotely via SSH (Secure Shell) if you have enabled it. If you're connecting via SSH, use the following command, replacing 'raspberrypi' with the hostname or IP address of your Raspberry Pi:

ssh pi@raspberrypi

You'll be prompted to enter your password. Once you're logged in, you're ready to install Pi-Hole.

Step 2: Download and Install Pi-Hole

Pi-Hole provides a simple one-line command to download and install the software. While this is the easiest method, remember that it's generally good practice to understand what a script does before running it with superuser privileges. The Pi-Hole installation script is open-source, so you can review it if you like.

To download and install Pi-Hole, run the following command:

curl -sSL https://install.pi-hole.net | bash

This command downloads the Pi-Hole installation script using curl and pipes it into bash to be executed.

Step 3: Follow the Installation Wizard

After running the command, you'll be guided through the installation process by a series of prompts. Here's what you can expect:

Welcome: The installer will start with a welcome message and a note that Pi-Hole is free, but powered by donations. Click 'Ok' to continue.
Donate: You'll be reminded again about the donation model. Click 'Ok' to proceed.
Static IP Address: The installer will tell you that your Raspberry Pi needs a static IP address. This is so that your devices can always find your Pi-Hole when they need to connect to the internet. The installer will offer to set this up for you.
Choose Upstream DNS Provider: You'll be asked to choose a DNS provider, which is where Pi-Hole will send requests that aren't blocked. You can choose one or more providers from the list.
Select Protocols: You'll be asked which protocols you want to use with Pi-Hole. Both IPv4 and IPv6 are selected by default, and it's typically best to leave them that way.
Confirm Network Details: The installer will show you your current network settings and proposed static IP settings. Confirm these to continue.
Install Web Admin Interface: You'll be asked whether you want to install the web admin interface, which is highly recommended as it provides a simple way to manage your Pi-Hole.
Install Web Server: If you didn't have a web server installed already, the installer will ask whether you want to install Lighttpd. If you aren't sure, it's best to say yes.
Log Queries: You'll be asked whether you want to log queries, which can be useful for troubleshooting but does use more storage.

After the installer finishes these steps, it will complete the installation on its own, finishing up with a message telling you where to find the Pi-Hole admin interface and what your admin password is. Make a note of the password, as you'll need it to manage your Pi-Hole.

Congratulations, you have now successfully installed Pi-Hole on your Raspberry Pi. In the following sections, we will guide you on how to configure Pi-Hole and integrate it with your network for an ad-free internet browsing experience.

Configuring Pi-Hole

Now that Pi-Hole is installed on your Raspberry Pi, it's time to configure it to meet your needs. Pi-Hole provides a range of customization options, from basic settings like changing the admin password to more advanced features like adding custom blocklists and setting up DNS over HTTPS.

Step 1: Access the Pi-Hole Admin Interface

You can access Pi-Hole's web admin interface from any device on your network by entering your Raspberry Pi's IP address followed by /admin in your web browser, for example, http://192.168.0.10/admin. You'll be greeted by the Pi-Hole admin dashboard which provides an overview of the number of queries processed, the amount of ads blocked, and more.

Step 2: Change the Admin Password

For security reasons, it's a good idea to change the admin password from the one generated during the installation process. You can do this by opening a terminal or SSH session to your Raspberry Pi and entering the following command:

pihole -a -p

You'll be asked to enter and confirm your new password. If you want to remove the password altogether, just hit enter when asked for the new password.

Step 3: Configure Your Blocklists

Pi-Hole comes preconfigured with some blocklists, but you can customize these according to your needs. To do so, click on 'Settings' in the left-hand menu, then 'Blocklists' under the 'Pi-hole's Blocklists' tab. Here, you can add new blocklists by entering their URL and clicking 'Save and Update'.

Step 4: Whitelisting and Blacklisting**

You can whitelist or blacklist specific domains through the 'Whitelist' and 'Blacklist' options in the left-hand menu. Whitelisting is useful for ensuring certain sites are never blocked, while blacklisting lets you block specific sites beyond what the blocklists cover.

Step 5: Configuring DNS

By default, Pi-Hole uses the DNS servers you selected during the installation process, but you can change these in the 'Settings' menu under the 'DNS' tab. Here you can select different upstream DNS servers, enable DNSSEC, and even set up DNS over HTTPS for additional privacy.

Step 6: DHCP Settings

If you want Pi-Hole to handle DHCP for your network, you can enable this in the 'Settings' menu under the 'DHCP' tab. This means Pi-Hole will assign IP addresses to devices on your network, ensuring they all use Pi-Hole for DNS. This is useful if you can't change the DNS settings on your router or if you want more granular control over your network.

Step 7: Customizing the Web Interface

Finally, you can customize the appearance of the Pi-Hole web interface in the 'Settings' menu under the 'API / Web interface' tab. You can change the interface's color scheme, choose which stats to display on the dashboard, and more.

After going through these configuration steps, Pi-Hole should now be set up to meet your needs. While these steps cover the basics, there are many more advanced features you can explore, such as setting up regex filters for even more powerful blocking and using the Pi-hole's API to automate tasks. As always, make sure to regularly update your Pi-Hole to keep it secure and running smoothly.

Congratulations on setting up and configuring your Pi-Hole! Now you can enjoy a cleaner, faster, and more privacy-respecting internet experience.

Integrating Pi-Hole with Your Network:

Directing Traffic Through Pi-Hole

After setting up Pi-Hole on your Raspberry Pi and customizing its settings to meet your preferences, the next vital step is to configure your network to route its traffic through Pi-Hole. Doing so allows Pi-Hole to block ads and trackers network-wide, providing a cleaner, faster, and more private internet browsing experience on all devices connected to the network. This integration can be achieved in two primary ways: changing your router's DNS settings or configuring Pi-Hole as your network's DHCP server.

Option 1: Changing Your Router's DNS Settings

The most straightforward method is to change the DNS settings in your router to point to the Raspberry Pi running Pi-Hole. Here's a general guide on how to do this:

Log in to your router's admin interface. This typically involves entering the router's IP address into your web browser. Check your router's manual if you're unsure about this.
Once logged in, look for the DNS settings. These might be under a section like 'Internet,' 'WAN,' or 'DHCP & DNS.'
Replace the existing DNS server addresses with the IP address of your Raspberry Pi running Pi-Hole.
Save your changes and restart your router.

Now, all devices connecting to your network should automatically use Pi-Hole as their DNS server, blocking ads and trackers.

Option 2: Configuring Pi-Hole as Your Network's DHCP Server

If you can't change the DNS settings on your router, or you want more control over your network, you can configure Pi-Hole to act as your network's DHCP server. When enabled, Pi-Hole assigns IP addresses to devices on your network, ensuring they all use Pi-Hole for DNS.

In your Pi-Hole admin interface, navigate to 'Settings' and then to the 'DHCP' tab.
Check the box next to 'DHCP server enabled' and fill in the range of IP addresses you want Pi-Hole to assign to devices. This range should match the range used by your router.
Save your changes, and then go to your router's admin interface and disable its DHCP server function. It's crucial to avoid having two DHCP servers running on the same network, as it could cause IP address conflicts.
Restart your router and your Raspberry Pi running Pi-Hole.

Devices connecting to your network should now receive their IP addresses from Pi-Hole and use it as their DNS server.

Remember that the specifics of how you access your router's settings and where these options are located will vary depending on your router's make and model. If you're unsure, consult your router's manual or online resources.

Directing your network traffic through Pi-Hole provides you with a network-wide ad blocker, protecting all of your devices without needing to install additional software on each one. From desktop computers and laptops to smartphones and smart TVs, any device that connects to your network will benefit from Pi-Hole's ad-blocking capabilities.

In the next section, we'll look at how to test your setup to ensure that Pi-Hole is successfully blocking ads. We'll also discuss some troubleshooting steps to help you solve any issues you may encounter during this process.

Testing Your Setup: Ensuring Pi-Hole is Working as Expected

Once you have set up Pi-Hole on your Raspberry Pi and integrated it with your network, you should verify that it's working correctly. Proper testing can assure you that Pi-Hole is efficiently blocking ads and trackers across your network, providing you the seamless, ad-free browsing experience you desire. Here's a guide on how to conduct these tests:

Check the Pi-Hole Admin Interface

The first step to validate your Pi-Hole setup is to check the Pi-Hole admin interface. You can access this by entering the IP address of your Raspberry Pi followed by '/admin' in your web browser. For example, if your Pi's IP address is 192.168.1.10, you would enter 'http://192.168.1.10/admin'.

Once in the admin interface, you can view the dashboard, which provides various statistics, including the total number of queries, queries blocked, and percentage of queries blocked. If Pi-Hole is correctly set up and actively blocking ads, you should see these numbers change as you browse the internet on your network.

Conduct an Ad Test

An ad test is an excellent way to ensure that Pi-Hole is effectively blocking ads. Open a web page known to contain ads, such as a news website or a free streaming service, and check if the ads are visible. If Pi-Hole is working correctly, you should not see any advertisements.

Use DNS Leak Test

A DNS leak test can help verify that your network traffic is going through Pi-Hole. Several online tools can do this test, such as dnsleaktest.com. When you run the standard or extended test, you should see your Raspberry Pi's IP address, indicating that your network traffic is being routed through Pi-Hole.

Review the Query Log

The query log, accessible through the Pi-Hole admin interface, offers a real-time view of DNS queries processed by Pi-Hole. It shows the requesting device, the requested domain, and whether the query was blocked or allowed. Navigating to a website on a device connected to your network should generate entries in the log, allowing you to verify that the device's traffic is going through Pi-Hole.

Use Network Monitoring Tools

Advanced users may consider network monitoring tools, like Wireshark, for a deeper inspection. By analyzing your network's packets, you can confirm whether DNS queries are indeed being routed to and answered by your Pi-Hole.

Remember, testing is a crucial step in setting up Pi-Hole. It ensures that your efforts have borne fruit and that you're effectively blocking unwanted content. It's not uncommon to encounter hiccups during this process, and if you do, don't panic. In the next sections, we will cover advanced configurations and troubleshooting to help you address any issues that may arise.

By now, you should have a working Pi-Hole setup, providing an ad-free browsing experience for all devices on your network. But the journey doesn't stop here. The next sections will introduce you to some of Pi-Hole's advanced configuration options that can further tailor the application to your needs. From setting up custom blocklists and using regular expressions for more granular blocking, to enabling DNS over HTTPS (DoH) for increased privacy, there's still much more to explore in the world of Pi-Hole.

Advanced Pi-Hole Configuration:

Using Regex for Custom Blocking

As we journey towards a cleaner, ad-free browsing experience, we must carefully manage our whitelists and blacklists in Pi-Hole. While blacklisting is all about blocking certain domains, whitelisting allows for certain domains to be exempt from Pi-Hole's filtering mechanisms. This section provides instructions on how to use Pi-Hole's interfaces for both purposes.

Understanding Whitelisting and Blacklisting

In Pi-Hole, the blacklist and whitelist rules are central to the functioning of the DNS sinkhole. When a DNS request comes in, Pi-Hole checks if the requested domain is on the blacklist. If it is, Pi-Hole blocks the request, stopping ads or trackers. However, if the domain is on the whitelist, the request is allowed, regardless of whether it is also on the blacklist.

Why Whitelisting and Blacklisting?

While the vast majority of the time Pi-Hole does an excellent job in differentiating between intrusive ads and important web content, there are times when you may want to fine-tune this process. This could be because Pi-Hole is blocking content you don't want to be blocked (requiring a whitelist) or it is letting through content you wish to block (requiring a blacklist).

Blacklisting Domains in Pi-Hole

To manually add domains to the blacklist, go to the Pi-Hole admin interface, click on the "Blacklist" tab, enter the domain you want to block, and click on "Add". It's that simple.

If you're looking to block a list of domains, you can do that as well. In the "Blacklist" tab, instead of typing a single domain, you can add multiple domains, each on a separate line.

Whitelisting Domains in Pi-Hole

On the flip side, to whitelist a domain, you'd navigate to the "Whitelist" tab instead. The process is the same as blacklisting: type the domain you want to allow, then click on "Add".

Understanding Wildcard Blacklisting

You might sometimes want to block an entire domain along with all of its subdomains. This can be achieved by wildcard blacklisting. To do this, just click the "Add (Wildcard)" button instead of the "Add" button while blacklisting. This will block the domain and all its subdomains. For example, wildcard blacklisting 'example.com' will block 'ads.example.com', 'track.example.com', and so on.

Regex-Based Whitelisting and Blacklisting

As we learned in the previous section, you can also use Regex for more advanced and flexible whitelist or blacklist rules. This allows you to whitelist or blacklist multiple domains using a single rule. Regex can be a powerful tool for fine-tuning your Pi-Hole's filtering, but remember to use it carefully to avoid unintended consequences.

Blacklist and Whitelist Management

Maintaining your whitelist and blacklist can be an ongoing task, especially when you first set up your Pi-Hole. It's crucial to regularly review and update your lists based on your needs.

By now, you should have a comprehensive understanding of whitelisting and blacklisting in Pi-Hole. By effectively managing these lists, you can enhance your browsing experience, ensuring only the content you want is displayed. In the next sections, we'll dive deeper into other advanced configuration options, providing you with even more control over your network.

Whitelisting and Blacklisting

Understanding Whitelisting and Blacklisting

Why Whitelisting and Blacklisting?

Blacklisting Domains in Pi-Hole

To manually add domains to the blacklist, go to the Pi-Hole admin interface, click on the "Blacklist" tab, enter the domain you want to block, and click on "Add". It's that simple.

If you're looking to block a list of domains, you can do that as well. In the "Blacklist" tab, instead of typing a single domain, you can add multiple domains, each on a separate line.

Whitelisting Domains in Pi-Hole

On the flip side, to whitelist a domain, you'd navigate to the "Whitelist" tab instead. The process is the same as blacklisting: type the domain you want to allow, then click on "Add".

Understanding Wildcard Blacklisting

Regex-Based Whitelisting and Blacklisting

Blacklist and Whitelist Management

Maintaining your whitelist and blacklist can be an ongoing task, especially when you first set up your Pi-Hole. It's crucial to regularly review and update your lists based on your needs.

Setting Up Different Blocklists

Blocklists are one of the key features of Pi-Hole that make it so powerful at blocking unwanted internet content. These lists contain a multitude of domains known for serving ads, tracking user activity, or even hosting malicious content. Out of the box, Pi-Hole comes with a set of default blocklists that are quite comprehensive, but the real power lies in its customizability. You can add or remove blocklists as you see fit, tailoring your Pi-Hole to block precisely what you want it to. This section will guide you on how to set up different blocklists for your Pi-Hole.

Understanding Blocklists

Blocklists are simple text files hosted on the internet, containing a list of domains that serve unwanted content. When a domain on one of these lists is requested, Pi-Hole steps in and prevents your device from connecting to it, thus blocking the ads or trackers that domain would have served.

The Default Pi-Hole Blocklists

When you first install Pi-Hole, it includes a set of default blocklists that are intended to provide a balance between blocking unwanted content and not breaking common web services. These lists are updated regularly, ensuring that Pi-Hole remains effective over time.

Adding Custom Blocklists

However, depending on your specific needs, you might want to add more blocklists. There are many curated blocklists available on the internet, each focusing on blocking different types of unwanted content.

To add a new blocklist, you first need to find the URL of the blocklist you want to add. Once you have the URL, head to the Pi-Hole admin interface and navigate to 'Group Management' > 'Adlists'. Here, you can input the URL of the blocklist in the 'Address' field, then click on 'Add'. After you've added the new blocklist, be sure to update Pi-Hole's gravity by clicking 'Tools' > 'Update Gravity' to ensure Pi-Hole uses your new list for blocking.

Managing Your Blocklists

Adding too many blocklists or overly aggressive ones can lead to false positives, where legitimate websites are blocked. Therefore, managing your blocklists is just as important as adding them. If you find that a legitimate website is being blocked, you can trace which blocklist is causing the issue using the 'Query Lists' tool in Pi-Hole. If necessary, you can remove the offending blocklist or whitelist the domain.

Blocklists to Consider

While there are countless blocklists available online, some are particularly popular among Pi-Hole users. These include lists focused on blocking ads, tracking, phishing, and even some specific types of content. Do some research and consider your specific needs before adding new blocklists.

Regularly Updating Your Blocklists

To keep your Pi-Hole effective, it's crucial to regularly update your blocklists. This can be done manually through the admin interface by clicking 'Tools' > 'Update Gravity', or you can automate it by setting a cron job to run this command regularly.

Custom blocklists are an advanced feature of Pi-Hole that provide you with a greater degree of control over what content is blocked on your network. By understanding what they are and how to use them, you can tailor your Pi-Hole to better suit your specific needs.

DNS over HTTPS (DoH) with Pi-Hole

While Pi-Hole by itself is an excellent tool for blocking ads and improving your privacy, it can be complemented by another technology to further enhance your online security: DNS over HTTPS (DoH). As the name suggests, DoH is a protocol that allows DNS requests to be transmitted over HTTPS encryption, ensuring that these requests cannot be spied on or tampered with. In this section, we will guide you on how to set up DNS over HTTPS with Pi-Hole for increased privacy.

Understanding DNS over HTTPS (DoH)

Before we delve into the setup, it's important to understand what DoH is and why you might want to use it. Traditional DNS requests are unencrypted, meaning that anyone who intercepts these requests can see which websites you are visiting, even if those websites themselves are served over HTTPS. DoH eliminates this issue by encrypting DNS requests just like any other HTTPS traffic, providing an additional layer of privacy and security.

Installing a DoH Proxy

Setting up DoH with Pi-Hole involves installing a DoH proxy on your Raspberry Pi. The proxy will receive DNS queries from Pi-Hole, forward them to a DoH server over an encrypted connection, and then return the results back to Pi-Hole.

There are various DoH proxies available, but for this guide, we will use Cloudflared, a free and open-source proxy provided by Cloudflare. To install it, you'll need to open a terminal session and input the following commands:

wget https://bin.equinox.io/c/VdrWdbjqyF/cloudflared-stable-linux-arm.tgz
tar xvfz cloudflared-stable-linux-arm.tgz
sudo cp ./cloudflared /usr/local/bin
sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/cloudflared

Configuring Cloudflared

After Cloudflared is installed, we need to configure it to act as a DoH proxy. First, create a configuration file with the following command:

sudo nano /etc/default/cloudflared

In this file, insert the following lines, replacing YOUR_EMAIL with your actual email:

CLOUDFLARED_OPTS=--port 5053 --upstream https://1.1.1.1/dns-query --upstream https://1.0.0.1/dns-query --email YOUR_EMAIL

Save and exit the file by pressing CTRL+X, then Y, and Enter.

Creating a System Service for Cloudflared

Next, we will create a system service that will automatically start Cloudflared whenever your Raspberry Pi boots. Create a new service file with the following command:

sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/cloudflared.service

Insert the following into the file:

[Unit]
Description=cloudflared DNS over HTTPS proxy
After=syslog.target network-online.target

[Service]
Type=simple
User=cloudflared
ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/cloudflared proxy-dns --port 5053 --upstream https://1.1.1.1/dns-query --upstream https://1.0.0.1/dns-query
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=10
KillMode=process

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Save and exit the file as before.

Running Cloudflared and Configuring Pi-Hole

You can now start Cloudflared using the following command:

sudo systemctl start cloudflared

To ensure that Cloudflared starts on boot, enable it with the following command:

sudo systemctl enable cloudflared

Finally, you need to configure Pi-Hole to use Cloudflared for DNS queries. In the Pi-Hole admin interface, go to 'Settings' > 'DNS' and set 'Custom 1 (IPv4)' to 127.0.0.1#5053. Click 'Save', and you're done!

By implementing DoH with Pi-Hole, you will be adding an extra layer of privacy to your internet browsing, ensuring that your DNS queries remain confidential and secure.

Using Pi-Hole with VPN:

Why Use a VPN with Pi-Hole

In the modern age of the internet, security and privacy are of paramount importance. We've already seen how a tool like Pi-Hole can help enhance these aspects by blocking unwanted ads and trackers. But what if we could step up that game? What if we could extend the capabilities of Pi-Hole beyond our home network and shield all of our internet activities, no matter where we are? This is where a Virtual Private Network, or VPN, comes into play.

Using a VPN alongside Pi-Hole can bring about several key benefits, which we will delve into in this section.

Secure Internet Access from Anywhere

A VPN creates a secure tunnel between your device and the internet, encrypting your data and hiding your online activities from prying eyes. This is especially useful when you're using public Wi-Fi networks, where your data can easily be intercepted. By connecting to your home VPN, you can safely browse the internet, knowing your data is secure.

But how does Pi-Hole fit into this? Well, if your VPN server is set up at home where you also have Pi-Hole running, your mobile devices can benefit from ad blocking and privacy enhancements of Pi-Hole, even when you're on the move. This essentially means you can take your ad-free, privacy-focused browsing experience with you, no matter where you go.

Bypassing Geographical Restrictions

Many online services limit their content based on the viewer's geographic location. This is often a result of licensing agreements in the case of streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or BBC iPlayer. A VPN allows you to bypass these geographical restrictions by masking your IP address, making it appear as though you're browsing from a different location.

When you combine this with the ad-blocking capabilities of Pi-Hole, your streaming experience can become both unrestricted and uninterrupted by pesky ads. It's the best of both worlds!

Improved Privacy

While Pi-Hole does an excellent job of blocking ads and trackers on your home network, a VPN takes privacy to a whole new level. By encrypting your data and masking your IP address, a VPN ensures your online activities remain private. Whether it's your internet service provider, the government, or potential hackers, nobody can see what you're up to online when you're connected to a VPN.

Better Gaming Experience

If you're an avid gamer, you probably know how frustrating lag and geo-blocks can be. A VPN can help alleviate these problems. By allowing you to connect to servers in different locations, a VPN can potentially reduce ping times and lag. Moreover, some games or content may be released earlier in certain regions, and a VPN allows you to access this content regardless of your physical location.

Combine this with Pi-Hole's ad-blocking functionality, and you can enjoy a smoother, ad-free gaming experience. No more disruptive in-game ads or privacy concerns about online trackers.

In conclusion, while both Pi-Hole and VPNs are powerful tools in their own rights, combining the two can give you a more secure, private, and ad-free internet experience, whether you're browsing at home or on-the-go. It's a step-up for your internet browsing game that's well worth considering.

Setting Up a VPN Server on Raspberry Pi

Setting up a VPN (Virtual Private Network) server on your Raspberry Pi can seem like a daunting task, especially if you're new to the world of networking. However, it can be an enriching learning experience and an extremely useful tool for your online privacy. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step.

We'll be using OpenVPN, a widely used, open-source VPN solution that's compatible with a variety of devices and platforms.

Update your Raspberry Pi

Before starting, it's always a good idea to ensure your Raspberry Pi's software is up to date. Open a terminal and run the following commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y

Install OpenVPN

Once your Raspberry Pi is up to date, install OpenVPN using the following command:

sudo apt install openvpn -y

Download Easy-RSA

Easy-RSA is a set of scripts to manage the certificate creation process for OpenVPN. Download and extract the latest version with these commands:

wget -P ~/ https://github.com/OpenVPN/easy-rsa/releases/download/v3.0.8/EasyRSA-3.0.8.tgz
tar xvf ~/EasyRSA-3.0.8.tgz -C ~/

Generate Server Certificates

Navigate to the EasyRSA directory and initialize a new PKI (Public Key Infrastructure):

cd ~/EasyRSA-3.0.8/
./easyrsa init-pki

Next, build your Certificate Authority (CA):

./easyrsa build-ca

You'll be prompted to enter a passphrase. This protects the CA key, so choose a strong one and remember it.

Now, generate the server certificate and key:

./easyrsa build-server-full server nopass

Generate Client Certificates

Similarly, generate a certificate and key for each client device:

./easyrsa build-client-full client1 nopass

Replace 'client1' with the name of your device. Repeat this step for each device you want to connect to your VPN.

Generate Diffie-Hellman Parameters

Diffie-Hellman parameters are used to create a shared secret key between the client and server. Generate these with:

./easyrsa gen-dh

Configure the VPN Server

Navigate to the OpenVPN directory and create a new server configuration file:

cd /etc/openvpn
sudo nano server.conf

Paste in your server configuration. You can find an example server configuration on the OpenVPN website. Be sure to modify it according to your network setup.

Enable Packet Forwarding

Edit the sysctl.conf file:

sudo nano /etc/sysctl.conf

Find the line #net.ipv4.ip_forward=1 and remove the '#'. Save and close the file, then apply the changes with:

sudo sysctl -p

Set up Firewall Rules

You'll need to set up firewall rules to allow VPN traffic. This can vary greatly depending on your network setup, so consider researching on how to best do this for your particular situation.

Start OpenVPN

With everything set up, you can now start the OpenVPN service:

sudo systemctl start openvpn@server

To ensure OpenVPN starts automatically at boot, enable it:

sudo systemctl enable openvpn@server

Configure Clients

The last step is to set up each of your client devices. This will involve installing OpenVPN on the device and importing the client certificates and keys you generated earlier.

Congratulations, you've now set up your own VPN server on Raspberry Pi! Remember, this is just a basic setup. There's a lot more you can do with OpenVPN, so don't hesitate to explore further and experiment!

Configuring Pi-Hole to Work with Your VPN

Now that you've set up both Pi-Hole and your VPN on your Raspberry Pi, the next step is to configure them to work together. Doing this allows your VPN to benefit from Pi-Hole's ad-blocking capabilities, so that your devices remain ad-free even when accessing the internet remotely via your VPN. Let's go through the process step by step.

Direct VPN DNS Requests to Pi-Hole

The first thing you need to do is direct all DNS requests from your VPN to the Pi-Hole. To do this, you need to change the DNS settings in your VPN server configuration.

Open your VPN server configuration file. If you used OpenVPN for setting up your VPN, the server configuration file is usually located in /etc/openvpn/server/server.conf.

sudo nano /etc/openvpn/server/server.conf

Look for a line that begins with push "dhcp-option DNS... This line tells the VPN server which DNS server the client should use. You want to change this to the local IP address of your Pi-Hole.

push "dhcp-option DNS 192.168.1.100"

Replace 192.168.1.100 with the actual local IP address of your Raspberry Pi.

Set Pi-Hole to Listen on All Interfaces

Next, you'll need to ensure that Pi-Hole is set to listen on all interfaces. This is necessary because VPN traffic will appear to Pi-Hole to be coming from a different network interface than local traffic.

Open the Pi-Hole admin interface by entering the IP address of your Raspberry Pi in a web browser, followed by /admin. So, if your Raspberry Pi's IP address is 192.168.1.100, you would enter http://192.168.1.100/admin.

Go to the Settings page, then to the DNS tab. Under Interface listening behavior, select Listen on all interfaces.

Allow Traffic from VPN Network

In order for Pi-Hole to accept DNS requests from your VPN clients, you need to tell it to allow traffic from your VPN network.

While still in the Pi-Hole admin interface, go to the Settings page, then to the API / Web interface tab. Under CORS (Cross-Origin Resource Sharing), enter the IP range of your VPN network. This will be in the form of 10.x.x.x/24 (for OpenVPN).

Restart Services

After making these changes, you'll need to restart both the VPN and Pi-Hole services for the changes to take effect.

To restart the VPN service (if using OpenVPN):

sudo systemctl restart openvpn@server

To restart the Pi-Hole service:

pihole restartdns

Test Your Configuration

With everything set up, it's time to test your configuration. Connect to your VPN from a client device and navigate to a webpage known to serve ads. If everything is configured correctly, you should see that ads are being blocked.

You can also check the Pi-Hole admin interface to see the DNS queries coming from your VPN client's IP address.

Configuring Pi-Hole to work with your VPN adds a powerful layer of ad-blocking to your VPN, providing an ad-free browsing experience wherever you are. You also get the privacy benefits of using your own DNS server, instead of relying on third-party DNS services. Remember to periodically update both your Pi-Hole and VPN software to maintain the security and functionality of your setup.

Advanced Network Setup with Pi-Hole:

Setting Up Pi-Hole as a DHCP Server

As we delve further into advanced network configurations with Pi-Hole, one useful capability that you may want to exploit is setting up Pi-Hole as your network's Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server.

DHCP is a network protocol used in IP networks where a server automatically assigns an IP address and other network configuration parameters to each device on the network, so they can communicate with other IP networks. Using Pi-Hole as your DHCP server can offer several advantages including better network management, advanced filtering, and ensuring all devices use Pi-Hole without having to change individual device settings.

Let's walk through how to set this up.

Disable Your Current DHCP Server

Before enabling the DHCP server on the Pi-Hole, you must disable the DHCP server on your router to avoid IP conflicts. The process to do this will depend on your specific router model. Generally, you need to access your router’s settings by typing your router’s IP address in your web browser's address bar, log in, locate the DHCP settings, and disable the DHCP server.

Enable DHCP Server on Pi-Hole

Once you've disabled the DHCP server on your router, it's time to enable the DHCP server on the Pi-Hole.

Navigate to the Settings page, then to the DHCP tab. Here, you can enable the DHCP server by checking the DHCP server enabled box.

Next, specify the range of IP addresses that Pi-Hole should distribute to clients. Typically, you want this range to match the range that was previously distributed by your router's DHCP server.

Configure DHCP Settings

On the DHCP settings page, you'll also see options for setting the Gateway (which should be the IP address of your router) and configuring DHCP leases. You can specify static DHCP leases for specific devices. This is handy if you have devices for which you want to ensure they always receive the same IP address.

Restart the Network

After enabling the DHCP server on the Pi-Hole, you need to restart your devices or renew their DHCP lease so they get their new IP address from the Pi-Hole. On most devices, you can simply disconnect and reconnect to the network to accomplish this.

Verify Your Setup

Lastly, verify that your setup works. You can do this by checking the DHCP leases on the Pi-Hole admin interface. If devices appear there with their respective IP addresses, it means they have successfully received their IP configuration from the Pi-Hole.

Running Pi-Hole as your DHCP server can give you more control over your network and ensure that all devices use Pi-Hole without having to manually set their DNS server settings. However, it also adds an extra layer of complexity to your setup. If you're comfortable managing your network settings, using Pi-Hole as your DHCP server can be a powerful tool in your network management arsenal. As always, ensure you keep your Pi-Hole and all other software up-to-date to benefit from the latest features and security updates.

Dual Pi-Hole Setup for Redundancy

As you've seen so far, Pi-Hole provides an impressive suite of features that can greatly enhance your control over your network's online content. However, this increased control brings with it a dependency - if your Pi-Hole goes offline, you could lose internet connectivity. This is where redundancy comes in. By setting up a secondary Pi-Hole, you can ensure that your network continues to block unwanted content, even if one of your Pi-Hole instances goes down. Let's delve into how to set this up.

Acquire Another Raspberry Pi and Install Pi-Hole

The first step is to acquire another Raspberry Pi and set it up with the Raspberry Pi OS, just like you did with your initial Pi-Hole. A secondary Raspberry Pi doesn't need to be as powerful as the primary one, so you could use an older or less powerful model if you wish. After setting up the OS, install Pi-Hole by following the same steps as before.

Configure the Secondary Pi-Hole

Once you have your secondary Pi-Hole installed and running, you'll want to configure it identically to your primary Pi-Hole. This includes replicating any blocklists, whitelist settings, and regex filters you've set up on the primary Pi-Hole. For simplicity and consistency, it's recommended to use the same admin password for both Pi-Hole instances.

Adjust DHCP Settings for Redundancy

Next, you need to adjust your DHCP settings to use both Pi-Holes. This process will differ based on whether you're using your router or one of the Pi-Holes as your DHCP server.

If your router is the DHCP server, you should find an option in its settings to specify the primary and secondary DNS servers. Set these to the IP addresses of your primary and secondary Pi-Holes, respectively.
If one of your Pi-Holes is the DHCP server, navigate to its admin interface, go to Settings > DHCP, and set the secondary DNS server to the IP address of the secondary Pi-Hole. Note: The secondary Pi-Hole should not have its DHCP server enabled.

Regularly Update Both Pi-Holes

Keep both of your Pi-Holes up to date. This ensures they both benefit from the latest improvements, bug fixes, and security patches. Remember, both Pi-Holes should have identical configurations to ensure seamless operation if one goes offline.

Testing Your Setup

To ensure your redundancy is working, you can perform a simple test by manually taking down your primary Pi-Hole and checking whether your devices are still able to access the internet and that ads continue to be blocked.

A dual Pi-Hole setup adds a level of robustness to your ad blocking setup, ensuring continued operation even if one Pi-Hole encounters an issue. However, it also adds complexity to your setup. It's recommended for users who are comfortable with network management and those who have a particular need for uninterrupted ad blocking.

Implementing a dual Pi-Hole setup demonstrates the flexibility and power of Pi-Hole. It showcases how, with a bit of tinkering and creativity, you can create a network setup that provides both effective ad blocking and the peace of mind of redundancy. As with all network management tasks, ensure you keep your software up to date to make the most of new features and security enhancements.

Maintaining Your Pi-Hole: Updating Pi-Hole and Understanding Pi-Hole Metrics

Maintenance is a crucial part of any software or hardware deployment. For Pi-Hole, this involves keeping the software updated and understanding the various metrics that Pi-Hole provides. By regularly updating Pi-Hole and monitoring its metrics, you can ensure optimal performance and security. This section will guide you through these essential maintenance tasks.

Updating Pi-Hole

Updates for Pi-Hole are released regularly to enhance performance, fix bugs, and patch any security vulnerabilities. Staying updated is not just a best practice; it's essential for the safety and performance of your network.

Here's how you can update Pi-Hole:

Access the Raspberry Pi Terminal: You can do this by either connecting a keyboard and monitor to your Raspberry Pi or by using SSH to remotely log into your Raspberry Pi from another computer.
Update the Operating System: Before updating Pi-Hole, you should ensure your Raspberry Pi OS is up to date. Use the following commands to do this:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

The first command updates the package list on your Raspberry Pi, while the second command upgrades all outdated packages to their latest version.

Update Pi-Hole: After updating the operating system, you can now update Pi-Hole by running the following command:

pihole -up

If a Pi-Hole update is available, the system will download and install it. If your Pi-Hole is already up to date, the terminal will display a message stating this.

Remember to check for updates regularly. An easy way to remember could be to check at the beginning of each month or set a reminder on your calendar.

Understanding Pi-Hole Metrics

Pi-Hole provides a variety of metrics that help you understand its performance and the traffic on your network. To access these metrics, visit the Pi-Hole admin interface on your web browser. On the dashboard, you'll see an array of data. Here's what some of the primary metrics mean:

Total Queries: This is the total number of DNS requests that Pi-Hole has processed within the specified time period.
Queries Blocked: This metric shows the number of requests that Pi-Hole has blocked, i.e., the requests to the domains on your blocklists.
Percent Blocked: This percentage represents the proportion of total queries that were blocked.
Domains on Blocklist: This indicates the total number of domains currently on your blocklists.
Unique Domains: This is the number of unique domain names to which requests have been made within the specified time period.
Clients (total and unique): These metrics show the total number of devices (clients) that have made requests and the number of unique clients.
Query Types and Forward Destinations: These pie charts provide a breakdown of the types of DNS queries and the upstream servers to which requests are forwarded.

Understanding these metrics helps you monitor the effectiveness of your Pi-Hole setup. If you notice a drop in the percentage of blocked queries or an unexpected increase in total queries, it may signal that some devices aren't correctly configured to use Pi-Hole, or that new ad domains need to be added to your blocklists.

Keeping Pi-Hole updated and understanding its metrics is crucial for maintaining a secure and effective ad-blocking system. Regular maintenance ensures you're making the most of Pi-Hole's powerful features and helps keep your network safe and free from unwanted content.

Troubleshooting Advanced Issues

Like any other software, Pi-Hole can sometimes present issues that might seem challenging to resolve. This section outlines some common issues you might encounter and provides potential solutions. The issues range from installation problems to operational concerns that may occur over time.

Pi-Hole Installation Fails

If your Pi-Hole installation fails, it could be due to several reasons such as a slow or unstable internet connection, incomplete updates, or lack of enough memory space. Try the following steps:

Check your internet connection: Pi-Hole requires a stable internet connection during installation. Check your connection and make sure it's reliable before retrying the installation.
Update and Upgrade Raspberry Pi OS: Outdated packages might interfere with Pi-Hole installation. Make sure your Raspberry Pi OS is updated and upgraded by running sudo apt update and sudo apt upgrade before installing Pi-Hole.
Check for sufficient memory space: The Pi-Hole installation could fail if there's not enough space in your Raspberry Pi. Check available memory by running df -h command in the terminal. If you're low on space, consider removing unnecessary files or expanding the file system if you're using a larger SD card.

Pi-Hole Is Not Blocking Ads

If you've completed the installation and ads are still appearing on your network devices, consider the following steps:

Check Pi-Hole's status: Use the command pihole status in the terminal to confirm that Pi-Hole is running. If it's not, you can start it using pihole enable.
Review your network settings: Ensure your network devices are using Pi-Hole as their DNS server. For individual devices, this setting is often in the device's network or Wi-Fi settings. For network-wide ad blocking, configure your router to use Pi-Hole as the DNS server.
Update Pi-Hole's blocklists: The ad domains blocklists should be updated regularly. Run pihole -g in the terminal to update the lists.

Pi-Hole Blocking Necessary Websites

Pi-Hole might sometimes block websites that you don't want to be blocked. Here's what you can do:

Add the website to the whitelist: Identify the domain of the necessary website and add it to your whitelist. You can do this via the Pi-Hole admin dashboard or by running pihole -w domainname.com in the terminal.

Devices Can't Connect to the Internet

If devices on your network can't connect to the internet after setting up Pi-Hole, try the following:

Check your DNS settings: Make sure you've correctly set up Pi-Hole as your DNS server. Incorrect DNS settings are a common cause of lost internet connection.
Test Pi-Hole's connectivity: Run pihole -t in the terminal to tail the Pi-Hole log. Look for any error messages indicating that Pi-Hole can't connect to the internet or resolve DNS queries.

Issues with DNS over HTTPS (DoH)

If you're having trouble setting up or using DNS over HTTPS with Pi-Hole, consider the following:

Check your DoH client: Make sure you've properly installed and configured your DoH client (like Cloudflared). Ensure that it's running and that Pi-Hole is correctly configured to use it as the upstream DNS server.
Test DoH resolution: You can test if DoH is working by using dig or nslookup commands to make DNS queries via the DoH client. You should see the queries being sent over HTTPS.

Remember, when in doubt, the Pi-Hole community is a great resource. Don't hesitate to reach out on the Pi-Hole forums or subreddit if you encounter an issue you can't resolve. It's very likely someone else has faced the same problem and found a solution.

Additional Resources

As you continue your journey with Pi-Hole and Raspberry Pi, there are countless resources available to assist you. From troubleshooting forums to in-depth tutorials and interactive communities, these resources can offer a wealth of information for every level of experience.

Here's a curated list of some of the best resources:

Official Pi-Hole Documentation

The official Pi-Hole documentation is the perfect starting point for understanding and getting the most out of Pi-Hole. It offers comprehensive guides and tutorials on a variety of topics such as installation, configuration, and troubleshooting.

Website: Pi-Hole Documentation

Raspberry Pi Official Resources

The Raspberry Pi Foundation offers a wealth of resources for working with their devices. Their official website, documentation, and forums are invaluable sources of information.

Website: Raspberry Pi Homepage
Documentation: Raspberry Pi Documentation
Forums: Raspberry Pi Forums

Pi-Hole Reddit Community

The Pi-Hole subreddit is a lively community where users can share their experiences, ask questions, and offer help to others. It's a fantastic resource for troubleshooting, learning about advanced features, and staying up-to-date with the latest Pi-Hole news and updates.

Website: r/pihole

GitHub

Pi-Hole's GitHub page is not just a repository of the project's source code. It's also home to an active community of developers and users who report issues, suggest improvements, and share their own modifications. If you're interested in the more technical aspects of Pi-Hole, this is an invaluable resource.

Website: Pi-Hole GitHub

YouTube Tutorials

For visual learners, there are numerous YouTube channels that offer step-by-step tutorials on setting up and configuring Pi-Hole and Raspberry Pi. Channels like "NetworkChuck", "LearnLinuxTV", and "Pi My Life Up" provide quality content that can be invaluable for beginners and experienced users alike.

NetworkChuck: YouTube Channel
LearnLinuxTV: YouTube Channel
Pi My Life Up: YouTube Channel

Stack Exchange and Stack Overflow

The Raspberry Pi Stack Exchange and Stack Overflow are platforms where you can ask specific questions and get answers from experts in the community. These sites cover a broad range of topics, so you can likely find answers to most questions that might arise as you work with Pi-Hole and Raspberry Pi.

Raspberry Pi Stack Exchange: Raspberry Pi Stack Exchange
Stack Overflow: Stack Overflow

Remember, learning is a journey. Don't be afraid to explore new topics, ask questions, and make mistakes. These resources will be there to guide you every step of the way. Happy tinkering!

Conclusion

As we reach the end of our comprehensive guide, it's essential to look back and reflect on the vast journey we've undertaken. Setting up Pi-Hole on a Raspberry Pi is more than just a technical project; it's a step towards creating a safer, more controlled, and ad-free internet experience within your home network.

By walking through this guide, you've not only learned about the basics of Raspberry Pi and Pi-Hole, but you've also equipped yourself with the practical skills needed to create your own network-level ad-blocking system. These are valuable skills that go beyond just ad-blocking, touching on vital areas such as network management, privacy, security, and the application of regular expressions.

Throughout the guide, we've covered essential preparations like understanding the hardware and software requirements and delved into vital network considerations. We've installed and configured Raspberry Pi OS, secured our tiny yet powerful device, and set up Pi-Hole to work its magic. With our Raspberry Pi serving as a dedicated Pi-Hole device, we can now filter out intrusive ads, protect against unwanted tracking, and significantly improve our network's speed and efficiency.

In the advanced sections, we explored how to use regular expressions for custom blocking, effectively manage whitelists and blacklists, and set up DNS over HTTPS for enhanced privacy. We also learned about the benefits of pairing Pi-Hole with a VPN and setting up a VPN server directly on our Raspberry Pi.

By implementing these advanced features, we've transformed our humble Raspberry Pi into a potent tool that provides us control and visibility over our network that commercial solutions often lack.

But the journey doesn't end here. We learned how to keep our Pi-Hole system maintained and updated and delved into the understanding of Pi-Hole metrics. Knowing how to interpret these metrics can provide valuable insights into our network's behavior and allow us to fine-tune our ad-blocking strategies.

Moreover, we explored how to troubleshoot advanced issues, an essential skill that enables us to resolve potential roadblocks on our own. Finally, we have curated a list of additional resources to further our learning and help us stay informed about new developments in the field.

Pi-Hole on Raspberry Pi offers more than just network-wide ad blocking; it's about retaking control of our internet experience and understanding how networks function. It's about learning and growing in a space that has become integral to our daily lives.

As you continue to explore the capabilities of your Raspberry Pi and Pi-Hole, remember that learning is a continuous journey, and there's always more to discover. With your newfound skills and knowledge, you're well on your way to becoming a savvy network administrator for your own home.

In conclusion, setting up Pi-Hole on your Raspberry Pi is a rewarding experience, offering a unique combination of learning, problem-solving, and practical benefits. By transforming your Raspberry Pi into a network-wide ad-blocker, you've taken a significant step toward a more private, secure, and efficient home network. Keep exploring, keep learning, and keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible with your Raspberry Pi. Here's to an ad-free and safe internet browsing experience!