Understanding the Purpose of Internal vs. External Device Flashing on Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board

Issue Overview

The discussion revolves around confusion regarding the flashing process of the Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit, specifically concerning the use of the --external-device flag in the flashing command. Users have reported that during the flashing process, the command specifies <rootdev> as "internal," even though the Jetson Orin Nano does not have internal storage. The symptoms include uncertainty about when to use "internal" versus "external" and how these settings affect boot behavior. The issue arises during the initial setup and flashing process, where users are trying to correctly configure their devices for optimal performance. The impact includes potential boot failures or misconfigurations that could hinder development efforts.

Possible Causes

1. Misunderstanding of Flashing Parameters: Users may not fully grasp the implications of setting <rootdev> to "internal," leading to confusion about its necessity.

   • The command structure implies a default behavior that might not align with user expectations regarding storage options.

2. Boot Flow Configuration: The distinction between internal and external devices is tied to how UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) determines where to load the kernel and mount the filesystem.

   • Setting it to "internal" may be a safeguard for specific configurations, especially in scenarios involving other Jetson modules.

3. User Error: Users may inadvertently misconfigure their setup by not following recommended practices or by misunderstanding technical documentation.

   • This can lead to incorrect assumptions about device capabilities and settings.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Review Flashing Command:

   • Ensure that you are using the correct command format for flashing:

     sudo ./tools/kernel_flash/l4t_initrd_flash.sh --external-device mmcblk0p1 \
     -c tools/kernel_flash/flash_l4t_t234_nvme.xml -p "-c bootloader/generic/cfg/flash_t234_qspi.xml" \
     --showlogs --network usb0 jetson-orin-nano-devkit internal
     

   • Note that using "internal" is generally recommended unless specific external configurations are required.

2. Understand Boot Flow:

   • Familiarize yourself with how UEFI handles booting from different devices. The response in the forum suggests that using "internal" is typically sufficient and avoids complications unless you have a specific need to configure it otherwise.

3. Testing Different Configurations:

   • If issues persist, try flashing with different configurations:
     • Use --external-device only when necessary.
     • Test with both internal and external settings to observe differences in behavior.

4. Documentation Review:

   • Consult the Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit User Guide for comprehensive instructions on setup and flashing procedures.
   • Check for updates or errata regarding the flashing process or known issues with specific JetPack versions.

5. Community Support:

   • Engage with community forums or NVIDIA support channels for shared experiences and solutions from other users who faced similar issues.
   • Utilize resources like Discord or NVIDIA’s developer forums for real-time assistance.

6. Best Practices:

   • Always ensure your board is in recovery mode when attempting to flash.
   • Verify your connections and ensure that all necessary components (like power supply) are correctly set up before starting the flash process.
   • Keep your JetPack version updated, preferably starting with stable releases like JetPack 5 before attempting developer previews like JetPack 6.

7. Unresolved Aspects:

   • Further investigation may be needed regarding specific error messages encountered during boot or flashing processes.
   • Users should document any anomalies they experience for better community troubleshooting.

By following these steps, users can better navigate the complexities of flashing their Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit and ensure a smoother setup process.