Image-based OTA Support for Orin Nano NVME

Issue Overview

Users have reported confusion and uncertainty regarding the availability of image-based OTA (Over-the-Air) update support for the NVME storage on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano development board. The issue specifically pertains to the documentation, which suggests that this feature is currently only available for the Jetson Xavier NX board. Users are seeking clarification on whether this feature will be supported for the Orin Nano in the upcoming Jetpack 6.0 release.

The problem impacts users who wish to utilize the image-based OTA update mechanism for the NVME storage on their Orin Nano devkits or custom carrier boards like the Auvidea JNX42. Without clear documentation or instructions, users are unable to take advantage of this feature, potentially limiting their ability to seamlessly update their systems.

Possible Causes

There are a few potential reasons for the confusion and lack of clarity surrounding image-based OTA support for NVME on the Orin Nano:

1. Documentation inconsistencies: The current documentation may not be up-to-date or accurately reflect the supported features for different Jetson boards. The specific mention of the feature being limited to the Xavier NX board could be outdated or inaccurate.

2. Jetpack version differences: The availability of the feature may depend on the specific Jetpack version being used. Users running older versions like Jetpack 5.1.2 might not have access to the same features as those using newer or upcoming releases.

3. Board configuration options: The documentation mentions specific board configuration options required for enabling the feature, which may not be clearly outlined for the Orin Nano board.

4. Developmental stage of Jetpack 6.0: As Jetpack 6.0 is still in the Developer Preview (DP) stage, certain features, including image-based OTA support, may not be fully implemented or supported until the General Access (GA) release.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address the issue and enable image-based OTA support for NVME on the Orin Nano, follow these steps:

1. Verify Jetpack version: Ensure that you are using a compatible Jetpack version that supports the feature. If you are using an older version like Jetpack 5.1.2, consider upgrading to a newer release when available.

2. Use the correct board configuration: When generating the OTA update package using the l4t_generate_ota_package.sh script, make sure to use the appropriate board configuration for the Orin Nano. Replace jetson-xavier-nx-devkit-emmc with jetson-orin-nano-devkit in the command.

   Example command:

   sudo -E ./tools/ota_tools/version_upgrade/l4t_generate_ota_package.sh -r --external-device nvme0n1 jetson-orin-nano-devkit R35-4
   

3. Confirm feature availability: Check the release notes or documentation specific to your Jetpack version to confirm if image-based OTA support for NVME is available for the Orin Nano. If the feature is not yet supported, consider using alternative update methods or wait for future releases.

4. Seek official support or clarification: If the issue persists or you require further assistance, reach out to Nvidia’s official support channels or developer forums for clarification on the feature’s availability and any specific instructions for the Orin Nano board.

5. Stay updated with Jetpack releases: Keep an eye out for future Jetpack releases, especially the General Access (GA) release following the current Developer Preview (DP) version. The feature may be officially supported and documented in subsequent releases.

By following these steps and ensuring you are using the correct board configuration and compatible Jetpack version, you should be able to successfully enable and utilize image-based OTA support for NVME on your Orin Nano development board.