How To Monitor Raspberry Pi Behind A Firewall On Windows 10

Howard Cosell

2 min read

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25-03-2025

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Monitoring a Raspberry Pi remotely, especially when it's behind a firewall, requires careful configuration. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step process for Windows 10 users to achieve this. We'll focus on establishing secure and reliable access.

Prerequisites:

Before we begin, ensure you have the following:

• A Raspberry Pi: With a stable internet connection and a static IP address assigned to it within your network.
• Windows 10 PC: With an active internet connection.
• SSH Enabled on the Raspberry Pi: Secure Shell (SSH) is essential for secure remote access. If not already enabled, you'll need to enable it through the Raspberry Pi's configuration.
• Router Configuration Knowledge: Basic understanding of your router's settings, particularly port forwarding, is helpful.
• A Putty or similar SSH client: You'll use this software on your Windows machine to connect to your Raspberry Pi.

Step 1: Determine Your Raspberry Pi's IP Address

First, you need to find the IP address assigned to your Raspberry Pi within your local network. This is typically found through your router's administration interface or by using the hostname -I command directly on the Raspberry Pi itself (if you have local access).

Step 2: Port Forwarding on Your Router

This step is crucial. Firewalls prevent unauthorized access to your network. To allow access to your Raspberry Pi, you'll need to configure your router to forward port 22 (the default SSH port) to your Raspberry Pi's IP address.

The exact steps vary depending on your router's manufacturer and model. Generally, you'll need to access your router's administrative interface (usually through a web browser), find the port forwarding section, and add a new rule:

• Service Name: You can name it something descriptive like "Raspberry Pi SSH".
• Protocol: TCP
• External Port: 22 (or any other port you choose; if you change it you must use that port in step 4)
• Internal Port: 22 (must match the external port unless you have a specific reason to change it)
• Internal IP Address: Your Raspberry Pi's IP address.

Important Note: Always use a strong password for your Raspberry Pi's SSH user.

Step 3: Configure Windows Firewall (Optional but Recommended)

While port forwarding on your router is the primary step, you might consider configuring your Windows 10 firewall to allow incoming connections on port 22 (or your chosen port) as an added security layer. This step is optional but provides an extra degree of control.

Step 4: Connecting via SSH from Windows 10

Now you're ready to connect. Open your SSH client (like PuTTY) and enter the following:

• Host Name (or IP address): Your public IP address. This is the IP address your router has on the internet, not your Raspberry Pi's internal IP address. You can find your public IP address via a website search.
• Port: 22 (or the custom port you chose during port forwarding)

Click "Open" to connect. You will then be prompted to enter your Raspberry Pi's username and password.

Step 5: Monitoring Your Raspberry Pi

Once connected via SSH, you have complete access to the command line of your Raspberry Pi. You can now use various commands and tools to monitor its resources, processes, and logs.

Remember to disconnect the SSH session when you’re finished.

Troubleshooting Tips:

• Connection Issues: Double-check your Raspberry Pi's IP address, port forwarding settings, and firewall configurations. Ensure your SSH client is properly configured.
• Security: Always use a strong password and consider using SSH keys for even more secure authentication.

By following these steps, you can securely monitor your Raspberry Pi remotely, even behind a firewall, providing effective control and oversight of your device.