DSC-BRAIN USER GUIDE · SETUP

Flash the SD image and first boot

Download the release image, write it with Raspberry Pi Imager, boot the Pi and find the dashboard.

●  verified for 9.0.0 · corrected for 9.8.9 on 2026-10-01

●  first mirrored 2026-09-15

On this page
  1. 1. Download
  2. 2. Write the card
  3. 3. First boot
  4. What the hotspots are
  5. If the dashboard does not answer

Read this first

Do not use the 8.0.0 image. It shipped empty kit firmware and cannot flash a kit. Use the newest image listed on the Firmware page.

1. Download

Have the items from Before you start ready. Alpha testers get a download link for their build by email after they join the alpha. Released images are listed on the Firmware page. The file is named dsc-hub-<version>-arm64.img.xz.

2. Write the card

  1. Open Raspberry Pi Imager → Use custom → pick the .img.xz file (no need to unpack it).
  2. Choose the microSD card and write. Do not apply Imager's own OS customisation; the image is already configured (hostname dsc-brain). Wait until Imager has finished writing and verifying before you take the card out.

3. First boot

  1. Insert the card, connect Ethernet if you have it, then power the Pi.
  2. Wait 3–5 minutes. The first boot preloads the container images and forms the Pi's hotspot. If the image was baked with the product libraries (DSC-KitLib, DSC-NuteLib), first boot installs them; if not, install them from Settings › Integrations › Libraries once the kit has internet.
  3. Open the dashboard:
Your network Open this
Ethernet is plugged in dsc-brain-XXXX.local:8787 (the dashboard address on the kit card; cards made before 9.9.0 use dsc-brain.local), or the Pi's LAN IP on port 8787 if your router does not resolve .local names. Android phones often can't open .local names; use the IP address your router shows for the Pi instead
No Ethernet Join the Pi's Wi-Fi hotspot named on the kit card (password there too), then open the hotspot dashboard address on the kit card, or open 10.42.0.1 in a browser
  1. The dashboard opens on Today (formerly the Overview desk); if you can see it, first boot worked. Go to #/setup (or Settings › System › Kit setup) to start the wizard.

What the hotspots are

  • DSC-Brain-XXXX is the Pi's own Wi-Fi network, a hotspot (XXXX is unique to your card; setup shows the full name. Cards made before 9.9.0 use DSC-Brain). It exists so you can reach this dashboard with no router. It is not the fleet network.
  • DSC-Setup-XXXX is the factory-build hub's setup hotspot. It is parked: on a Pi kit you set up from this dashboard. See Fleet Wi-Fi join only if your hub opens it.

If the dashboard does not answer

  • Give it five minutes on a fresh card; the first boot is slow.
  • Confirm the Pi has a link light on the Ethernet port, or that your phone is on the Pi hotspot and not falling back to mobile data.
  • Try the IP form (on the Pi hotspot, open 10.42.0.1). Some phones block .local names.
  • See Troubleshooting › Cannot reach the dashboard.

Next: the dashboard is open? Go to Setup wizard, the five steps and start at step 1.

Guide contents  ·  Setup  ·  Troubleshooting  ·  Digital Stealth Care

DSC-Brain user guide · Flash the SD image and first boot · this page is edited on the site; the Notion original was retired after the mirror