Flash Back Clone SSD Issues on Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board

Issue Overview

Users have reported difficulties when attempting to create image backups of SSDs or NVMe drives using the flash.sh script on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board. The primary symptoms include failure to execute the backup process, with users receiving errors indicating that the script does not support NVMe or USB devices. This issue typically occurs during the setup phase when users attempt to back up their system images.

Specific Symptoms:

• Inability to use flash.sh for SSD/NVMe backups.
• Errors such as "RTNETLINK answers: File exists" and "Input/output error" during backup attempts.
• Users report that the command does not yield any results after initiating SSH connections.

Context:

• The issue arises particularly when users try to run commands like sudo ./tools/backup_restore/l4t_backup_restore.sh -e nvme0n1 -b jetson-orin-nano-devkit.
• Users have expressed confusion regarding the necessity of multiple backup files and how to convert them into a usable system image.

Hardware/Software Specifications:

• Users are operating with JetPack 6 and earlier versions, such as 35.4.1.
• The discussions indicate varying success rates with different JetPack versions.

Frequency:

The issue appears to be consistent among multiple users, particularly those using JetPack 6.

Impact:

This problem significantly hampers user experience, as it prevents effective system backups, which are crucial for recovery and development processes.

Possible Causes

1. Hardware Incompatibilities: The flash.sh script does not support NVMe or USB devices, which may lead to failures in backup attempts.
2. Software Bugs: Users have indicated potential bugs in JetPack 6 that affect the backup functionality.
3. Configuration Errors: Incorrect command usage or misunderstanding of required parameters can lead to failed operations.
4. Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers may prevent proper communication with NVMe devices.
5. User Errors: Misconfigurations in command execution or incorrect assumptions about file requirements can lead to confusion and errors.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Use Alternative Backup Tools:

   • Instead of flash.sh, utilize the backup/restore tool located in Linux_for_Tegra/tools/backup_restore.
   • Execute the command:

     sudo ./tools/backup_restore/l4t_backup_restore.sh -e nvme0n1 -b jetson-orin-nano-devkit
     

2. Check Command Syntax:

   • Ensure that all parameters are correctly specified, particularly the device identifier (e.g., nvme0n1).

3. Review Logs:

   • Analyze logs saved at Linux_for_Tegra/initrdlog/flash_1-4_0_20240117-095412.log for detailed error messages.

4. Verify JetPack Version Compatibility:

   • Users have reported that JetPack 35.4.1 works better for backups compared to JetPack 6. Consider reverting if issues persist.

5. Backup File Requirements:

   • Confirm that all required files are included during backup processes; users noted that all _bak.img files are necessary for a complete backup.

6. Creating Custom System Images:

   • To create a custom system.img, run the flashing command with --no-flash to generate an image without flashing the device, then swap out system.img with your own and flash using --flash-only.

7. Best Practices:

   • Regularly update your JetPack version and drivers.
   • Keep backups of essential files in multiple formats to prevent data loss.
   • Consult official Nvidia documentation for updates on tools and procedures related to your specific hardware configuration.

8. Further Investigation:

   • Monitor forum discussions for updates regarding bugs in JetPack 6 and potential fixes from Nvidia support teams.

By following these steps and utilizing alternative tools, users should be able to navigate the challenges associated with backing up their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev boards effectively.