Flash Script Creates Image with Binaries Missing Extended Attributes (xattrs)

Issue Overview

Users of the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board have reported issues related to the flash scripts used during the setup process, specifically concerning the handling of extended file attributes (xattrs). The main symptoms include:

• Missing Capabilities: Binaries such as arping from the iputils-arping package lose their capabilities after flashing, which are stored in xattrs.
• Context of Occurrence: This problem arises during the flashing process, particularly when using scripts like l4t_initrd_flash.sh and flash.sh.
• Hardware/Software Specifications: The issue appears to be related to the local system’s configuration, particularly how the mkfs.ext4 command is executed during the flashing.
• Frequency: While not universally experienced, users who customize their root filesystem or use backup/restore scripts are more likely to encounter this issue.
• Impact on User Experience: The loss of extended attributes can lead to reduced functionality for applications relying on these capabilities, affecting overall system performance and usability.

Possible Causes

The potential causes for this issue include:

• Flash Script Limitations: The existing flash scripts do not utilize the necessary options for preserving extended attributes during tar operations.

• mkfs.ext4 Defaults: The generated image inherits defaults from the local system’s /etc/mke2fs.conf, which may not include extended attributes unless explicitly configured.

• Kernel Options: The presence of extended attributes also depends on kernel configurations that may not be set by default.

• User Customization: Users building custom root filesystems may inadvertently create scenarios where extended attributes are not preserved.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address the issue of missing extended attributes during the flashing process, follow these troubleshooting steps and solutions:

1. Review Flash Script Configuration:

   • Open the flash.sh script and locate the tar commands responsible for populating the root filesystem.
   • Modify the tar command to include options for preserving xattrs:

     (cd "${__rootfs_dir}"; tar --xattrs -cpf - *) | tar --xattrs --xattrs-include='*' -xpf -
     

2. Update Initrd Flash Script:

   • Similarly, in l4t_initrd_flash.sh, update the tar command as follows:

     if ! tar --xattrs --xattrs-include='*' -xpf "${file_image}" "${COMMON_TAR_OPTIONS[@]}" -C "${tmp_dir}"; then
     

3. Check mkfs.ext4 Configuration:

   • Review your local /etc/mke2fs.conf file to ensure it supports extended attributes. You can add options under [defaults] if necessary.

4. Kernel Configuration Review:

   • Ensure that your kernel is configured to support extended file attributes. This may involve recompiling your kernel with appropriate options enabled.

5. Testing with Sample Root Filesystem:

   • If possible, test with Nvidia’s sample root filesystem to determine if the issue persists. This can help isolate whether it’s a user-specific problem or a broader issue.

6. Backup/Restore Scripts Review:

   • If using backup/restore scripts, ensure they also handle xattrs properly. Modify them similarly to how you adjusted flash.sh.

7. Documentation and Updates:

   • Keep an eye on Nvidia’s documentation for any updates regarding this issue. Check for firmware updates or patches that may address this problem in future L4T releases.

8. Community Feedback:

   • Engage with community forums or Nvidia support to report your findings and see if others have encountered similar issues or implemented successful fixes.

By following these steps, users can effectively troubleshoot and resolve issues related to missing extended attributes in flashed images on their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board.