Orin Devkit – Flashing to Device Fails – Unit proc-fs-nfsd.mount is masked

Issue Overview

The issue reported in the forum revolves around the failure to flash the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board using the NVIDIA SDK Manager. Users encounter an error during the flashing process, specifically stating:

Failed to restart nfs-kernel-server.service: Unit proc-fs-nfsd.mount is masked.

This error occurs after the target image creation and device identification steps, indicating a problem during the flashing phase. The logs show that the process attempts to execute a script related to kernel flashing but fails due to the masked service.

Symptoms of this issue include:

• Inability to complete the flashing process, leading to a non-functional device.
• The error message indicates that a critical service (nfs-kernel-server) cannot be restarted due to being masked, which prevents necessary operations from being executed.

The issue appears to be consistent across multiple attempts, significantly affecting user experience as it halts setup and development processes. Users have reported this problem while working with JetPack version 5.1.2 on their Orin Nano devices.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes could lead to this issue:

• Masked Services: The error indicates that the proc-fs-nfsd.mount service is masked, meaning it has been disabled and cannot be started. This can occur if there are configuration errors or if previous installations have altered service states.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: There may be bugs in JetPack 5.1.2 or conflicts with existing services on the system that prevent proper flashing.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect configurations in the flash command or SDK Manager settings could lead to failure during the flashing process.

• Driver Issues: Incompatibilities or outdated drivers may cause problems with device recognition and service management.

• Environmental Factors: Issues such as insufficient power supply or overheating could affect device performance during flashing.

• User Errors: Misconfigurations by users during setup or incorrect command usage could lead to this issue.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To resolve the flashing issue with the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Check Service Status:

   • Verify if the proc-fs-nfsd.mount service is indeed masked:

     systemctl status proc-fs-nfsd.mount
     

   • If it is masked, unmask it using:

     sudo systemctl unmask proc-fs-nfsd.mount
     

2. Restart NFS Services:

   • After unmasking, attempt to restart the NFS services:

     sudo systemctl restart nfs-kernel-server.service
     

3. Review Flash Command:

   • Ensure that the flash command used in SDK Manager is correctly configured without any erroneous parameters.
   • Consider running a fresh installation of JetPack if issues persist.

4. Update SDK Manager and JetPack:

   • Ensure you are using the latest version of NVIDIA SDK Manager and JetPack. Updates often fix known bugs and compatibility issues.

5. Check for Conflicting Services:

   • Look for other services that might conflict with NFS operations and disable them if necessary.

6. Inspect Logs:

   • Review detailed logs for additional errors that may provide insight into what went wrong during flashing:

     cat /var/log/syslog | grep nfs
     

7. Test Different Configurations:

   • If possible, try using a different USB port or cable for connecting your Orin Nano.
   • Attempt flashing from a different host machine or OS environment (e.g., using a virtual machine).

8. Consult Documentation:

   • Refer to NVIDIA’s official documentation for any specific troubleshooting related to flashing issues on Jetson devices.

9. Best Practices for Future Prevention:

   • Regularly update software and firmware.
   • Maintain backups of configurations before making changes.
   • Monitor system resources and ensure adequate power supply during operations.

10. Seek Community Help:

    • If unresolved, consider posting detailed logs and descriptions of your setup in relevant forums for community assistance.

By following these steps, users can diagnose and potentially resolve issues related to flashing their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board effectively.