Flashing and Cloning Issues with Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties when attempting to use an NVMe SSD that has been successfully flashed with one Jetson Orin Nano device on other new Jetson Orin Nano devices. The primary issue is that the flashed SSD doesn’t work when plugged into a different Jetson board. Additionally, users are seeking efficient methods to clone data (including environment and code) from one Jetson SSD to another for multiple devices, as manual copying is time-consuming.

Possible Causes

1. Incomplete Board Initialization: New Jetson modules require initial flashing of bootloader components before they can boot up properly.

2. Hardware-Specific Configurations: The flashed SSD may contain hardware-specific configurations that are incompatible with other Jetson boards.

3. Firmware Differences: Variations in firmware versions between Jetson boards could lead to compatibility issues.

4. Missing Device-Specific Information: The flashed SSD might lack crucial device-specific information required for booting on different hardware.

5. Improper Cloning Process: Attempting to clone data without using the appropriate NVIDIA-provided tools may result in incomplete or incompatible transfers.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Flash Bootloader on New Modules:
   For new Jetson Orin Nano modules, flash the bootloader components before attempting to use a pre-flashed SSD:

   For JetPack 5:

   sudo ./flash.sh --no-systemimg -c bootloader/t186ref/cfg/flash_t234_qspi.xml jetson-orin-nano-devkit internal
   

   For JetPack 6:

   sudo ./flash.sh --no-systemimg -c bootloader/generic/cfg/flash_t234_qspi.xml jetson-orin-nano-devkit internal
   

2. Use NVIDIA’s Backup and Restore Tool:
   To efficiently clone data from one Jetson SSD to another, use NVIDIA’s official backup and restore tool:

   • Refer to the NVIDIA documentation for detailed instructions: https://docs.nvidia.com/jetson/archives/r36.3/DeveloperGuide/SD/FlashingSupport.html#backing-up-and-restoring-a-jetson-device

3. Mass Flashing Process:
   For cloning to multiple devices, follow these steps:
   a. Generate a massflash package:

   sudo ./tools/kernel_flash/l4t_initrd_flash.sh --use-backup-image --no-flash --network usb0 --massflash <number_of_devices> jetson-orin-nano-devkit mmcblk0p1
   

   b. Put the new Jetson device into recovery mode.
   c. Flash the device using the generated package:

   sudo ./tools/kernel_flash/l4t_initrd_flash.sh --flash-only --massflash <number_of_devices> --network usb0
   

   Note: If you encounter errors during this process, double-check the number of devices specified and ensure all connections are secure.

4. Check for Compatibility Issues:

   • Verify that all Jetson boards are using the same or compatible JetPack versions.
   • Ensure that the SSD firmware is compatible with all target Jetson boards.

5. Manual Data Transfer (if necessary):
   If automated methods fail, you may need to manually transfer data:

   • Use rsync or scp for efficient file transfer between devices.
   • Document the manual process to create a replicable workflow for multiple devices.

6. Consult NVIDIA Developer Forums:
   For unresolved issues or advanced cloning techniques, consult the NVIDIA Developer Forums or official documentation for the most up-to-date information and community support.

7. Consider Custom Scripts:
   Develop custom scripts to automate the process of setting up multiple Jetson devices, including data transfer and configuration.

It is worth pointing out that some advanced cloning and mass flashing techniques may not be officially supported by NVIDIA. Always refer to the latest official documentation and consider reaching out to NVIDIA support for complex deployment scenarios.