GPU Operation of the Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit

Issue Overview

Users have reported issues with the GPU functionality on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit. Specifically, when running programs that utilize GPU resources, users find that the GPU does not seem to be operational.

Symptoms and Errors

• Users experience a lack of GPU utilization when executing CUDA applications.
• The command nvcc -version returns expected results, indicating that CUDA is installed correctly.
• The command nvidia-smi outputs "Driver Version: N/A" and shows no running processes, suggesting that the GPU driver may not be properly installed or recognized.

Context

• The issue occurs when users attempt to run their programs that were developed on other systems with GPUs.
• The version of Jetpack in use is 6.0-b52.

Impact

• This problem significantly affects user experience, as it prevents the execution of GPU-dependent applications, limiting the capabilities of the Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit.

Possible Causes

• Driver Issues: The absence of a proper GPU driver installation can lead to the GPU not being recognized by the system.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: Incompatibilities between Jetpack components and CUDA versions may cause operational issues.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect installation or configuration of Jetpack could result in missing essential components required for GPU operation.

• Environmental Factors: Power supply issues or overheating may affect GPU performance, although these are less commonly reported in this context.

• User Misconfigurations: Users may not have followed the correct installation procedures for Jetpack and its components.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify CUDA Installation

   • Run the command:

     nvcc -version
     

   • Ensure that CUDA is installed correctly (the output should confirm this).

2. Check Driver Installation

   • Confirm if the NVIDIA driver is installed by running:

     nvidia-smi
     

   • If it shows "Driver Version: N/A", proceed to install or reinstall the necessary drivers.

3. Install/Update Jetpack

   • To ensure all necessary components are installed:

     sudo apt update
     sudo apt install nvidia-jetpack
     

   • Note that this command installs Jetpack components relevant to your version of Jetson Linux L4T but may not include all necessary drivers.

4. Download Full Jetpack

   • For a complete installation, consider using NVIDIA SDK Manager:
     • Download and install NVIDIA SDK Manager on a host PC.
     • Use it to flash an image containing all Jetpack components for your device.
   • Alternatively, flash Jetson Linux BSP if you prefer manual installation.

5. Monitor GPU Usage

   • Use jtop, a monitoring tool for Jetson devices, as an alternative to nvidia-smi for checking GPU status and performance.

6. Run CUDA Samples

   • After installation, verify GPU functionality by running some CUDA sample programs included with the Jetpack installation.

7. Best Practices

   • Always keep your Jetpack and CUDA versions compatible.
   • Regularly check for updates from NVIDIA regarding drivers and SDKs.
   • Follow official documentation for installation procedures to avoid misconfigurations.

Unresolved Aspects

While several users have successfully resolved their issues by following these troubleshooting steps, some aspects remain unclear, such as specific compatibility issues between different versions of CUDA and Jetpack. Further investigation may be needed in these areas to provide more definitive guidance.