Unable to Install OS on Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board Using Docker SDKManager

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties when attempting to install the operating system on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board using the Docker version of SDKManager. The primary symptoms include frequent errors during the flash phase, regardless of whether the NVMe SSD or SD card is selected as the storage device.

The context of the problem arises during the installation process, specifically when users try to flash the OS onto NVMe storage. Some users have reported success using the SD card image method, but their goal is to utilize NVMe for better performance.

The hardware setup typically includes:

• Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Kit
• M.2 (2280) 512GB SSD
• SD card

The issue appears to be consistent across multiple attempts and affects user experience significantly, as it prevents proper installation and utilization of the device’s capabilities.

Possible Causes

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: There may be issues with the NVMe SSD compatibility or defects in the hardware that prevent successful flashing.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: The SDKManager may have unresolved bugs or conflicts with Docker that hinder proper installation.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect configurations during setup could lead to errors in recognizing the storage device.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers may prevent successful communication between the host PC and the Jetson device.

• Environmental Factors: Power supply inconsistencies or overheating could affect performance during installation.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Users may inadvertently misconfigure settings within Docker or SDKManager, leading to installation failures.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify Hardware Compatibility:

   • Ensure that the NVMe SSD is compatible with the Jetson Orin Nano Dev board.
   • Check for any physical defects in hardware components.

2. Update SDKManager:

   • Ensure you are using the latest version of SDKManager. As of April 2022, there were indications that NVMe flashing was not fully supported; check for updates that may have resolved this issue.

3. Manual Flash Setup:

   • If errors persist with SDKManager, consider performing a manual flash setup using these steps:

   sudo apt-get install qemu-user-static sshpass abootimg nfs-kernel-server libxml2-utils
   wget https://developer.nvidia.com/downloads/embedded/l4t/r35_release_v3.1/release/jetson_linux_r35.3.1_aarch64.tbz2
   wget https://developer.nvidia.com/downloads/embedded/l4t/r35_release_v3.1/release/tegra_linux_sample-root-filesystem_r35.3.1_aarch64.tbz2
   wget https://developer.nvidia.com/downloads/embedded/l4t/r35_release_v3.1/overlay_xusb_35.3.1.tbz2
   
   export L4T_RELEASE_PACKAGE=jetson_linux_r35.3.1_aarch64.tbz2
   export SAMPLE_FS_PACKAGE=tegra_linux_sample-root-filesystem_r35.3.1_aarch64.tbz2
   export BOARD=jetson-orin-nano-devkit
   
   tar xvf ${L4T_RELEASE_PACKAGE}
   sudo tar xvpf ${SAMPLE_FS_PACKAGE} -C Linux_for_Tegra/rootfs/
   tar xvf overlay_xusb_35.3.1.tbz2
   
   cd Linux_for_Tegra/
   sudo . /apply_binaries.sh
   sudo . /tools/l4t_flash_prerequisites.sh
   

4. Flash from Host PC to NVMe:

   • After setting up, connect your host PC to the Jetson Dev Kit via USB and perform a flash using:

   sudo . /tools/kernel_flash/l4t_initrd_flash.sh --external-device nvme0n1p1 \
   -c tools/kernel_flash/flash_l4t_external.xml -p "-c bootloader/t186ref/cfg/flash_t234_qspi.xml" \
   --showlogs --network usb0 jetson-orin-nano-devkit internal
   

5. Check Device Recognition:

   • Before flashing, ensure your Dev Kit is recognized as a USB device by running:

   lsusb
   

6. Install Additional Components:

   • Once the OS is successfully installed on NVMe, connect your host PC to install additional components like CUDA and DeepStream through SDKManager.

7. Best Practices for Future Installations:

   • Regularly check for updates to both SDKManager and relevant drivers.
   • Follow official documentation closely during installations.

8. Documentation and Support Links:

   • Refer to NVIDIA’s Developer Guide for further assistance.

9. Unresolved Aspects:

   • Users should monitor updates from NVIDIA regarding support for NVMe installations via SDKManager, as prior versions had limitations that may have been addressed in recent releases.

By following these troubleshooting steps and solutions, users should be able to resolve issues related to installing the OS on Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board using Docker SDKManager effectively.