Installation

This guide covers how to flash OS images to your compute module’s storage (eMMC or SD card).

Prerequisites

• Downloaded OS image (Raspberry Pi OS, or Exaviz OS for legacy deployments)
• Imaging software (Raspberry Pi Imager, balenaEtcher, or dd)
• Micro SD card or USB cable for eMMC programming

Choosing Your Target

Method 1: SD Card Installation

The simplest method - recommended for first-time setup.

Using Raspberry Pi Imager

1. Download and install Raspberry Pi Imager

2. Insert your micro SD card into your computer

3. Open Raspberry Pi Imager:

   • Choose OS → Use custom → Select the Exaviz .img file
   • Choose Storage → Select your SD card
   • Click Write

4. Wait for imaging and verification to complete

5. Insert the SD card into your Interceptor Carrier Board

Using balenaEtcher

1. Download balenaEtcher

2. Open balenaEtcher:

   • Flash from file → Select the Exaviz .img file
   • Select target → Choose your SD card
   • Flash!

Using dd (Linux/macOS)

# Identify your SD card device (BE CAREFUL - wrong device = data loss!)
# Linux: lsblk
# macOS: diskutil list

# Unmount the SD card
# Linux:
sudo umount /dev/sdX*
# macOS:
diskutil unmountDisk /dev/diskN

# Flash the image (replace /dev/sdX or /dev/rdiskN with your device)
# Linux:
sudo dd if=exaviz-image.img of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress conv=fsync

# macOS (use rdisk for faster write):
sudo dd if=exaviz-image.img of=/dev/rdiskN bs=4m

# Sync and eject
sync

Method 2: eMMC Installation (CM4)

For Compute Modules with built-in eMMC storage, you need to use rpiboot to expose the eMMC as a USB mass storage device.

Requirements

• USB-C cable
• Host computer with rpiboot installed
• CM4 must be installed on a board with USB programming capability

Installing rpiboot

Linux (Debian/Ubuntu):

sudo apt install rpiboot

macOS:

brew install rpiboot

Windows: Download from Raspberry Pi usbboot releases

Flashing eMMC

1. Set boot mode - If using the Interceptor Carrier Board for programming, you may need to use a separate CM4 IO Board or ensure the BOOT jumper is set to “program” mode

2. Connect USB - Connect USB-C cable from CM4 to host computer

3. Run rpiboot:

   sudo rpiboot
   

   Wait for the eMMC to appear as a USB drive

4. Flash the image using Raspberry Pi Imager, balenaEtcher, or dd (same process as SD card)

5. Disconnect and move CM4 to the Interceptor Carrier Board

Method 3: eMMC Installation (CM5)

Using Raspberry Pi IO Board

1. Install CM5 on a Raspberry Pi IO Board (CM4 IO Board or CM5 IO Board both work)

2. Set the board to programming mode (check IO Board documentation)

3. Connect USB to host computer

4. Run rpiboot:

   sudo rpiboot
   

5. Flash the image to the eMMC

6. Transfer CM5 to the Interceptor Carrier Board

First Boot

After flashing:

1. Insert the SD card (or eMMC module) into the Interceptor Carrier Board
2. Connect power
3. Press the power button
4. Wait for boot to complete (1-2 minutes for first boot)

Default Credentials

• User: admin
• Password: admin
• SSH enabled by default on port 22

Finding the IP Address

If connected to monitor:

• Login and run ip addr or check the desktop network indicator

If headless (no monitor):

• Check your router’s DHCP lease table
• Use nmap to scan your network:

  nmap -sn 192.168.1.0/24
  

• Or connect via serial console (see Hardware Interface)

Post-Installation Setup

Update the System

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y

Configure Hostname

sudo hostnamectl set-hostname my-interceptor

Configure Network

If using Raspberry Pi OS with the Exaviz packages, install exaviz-netplan for automatic network configuration. See Software for details.

If using Exaviz OS (deprecated), network is configured via systemd-networkd. Edit files in /etc/systemd/network/ or use the System Settings GUI (desktop editions).

Enable PoE (if using PoE boards)

Verify PoE support:

head -20 /proc/pse

Troubleshooting

SD card not booting

• Re-flash the image
• Try a different SD card
• Verify the image checksum
• Check that the card is properly seated

eMMC not appearing in rpiboot

• Verify USB cable is data-capable (not charge-only)
• Check boot mode jumper/switch
• Try a different USB port

System boots but no network

• Check Ethernet cable connection
• Verify link LED on the Ethernet port
• Check ip link show for interface status

Last modified February 25, 2026