Issues while flashing Orin Nano using the SDK manager

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties when attempting to flash the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board using the SDK Manager. The primary symptoms include:

• Boot Failure: The Jetson device fails to boot up after the flashing process.
• Installation Errors: Users report that the installation fails, and logs indicate issues with mounting the NFS server or failed flash commands.
• Context: The problem occurs during the setup phase, specifically when using the SDK Manager on a host running Ubuntu 22.04.4 LTS x86_64.
• Frequency: Multiple users have reported similar issues, indicating a consistent problem across different setups.
• Impact: The inability to successfully flash the device significantly hampers user experience and functionality, preventing users from utilizing their Jetson boards effectively.

Relevant hardware and software specifications mentioned include the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev kit and Ubuntu 22.04.4 LTS.

Possible Causes

The potential reasons for the issue may include:

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: If there are defects in the hardware or incompatibilities with the host system, this could lead to flashing failures.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: Bugs within the SDK Manager or conflicts with installed software on the host could disrupt the flashing process.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect configurations in either the SDK Manager or on the host machine may prevent successful communication with the Jetson device.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or incorrect drivers for USB or networking components could hinder device recognition and communication.

• Environmental Factors: Network-related issues, such as firewall settings on the host machine, can block necessary communications for flashing.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Incorrect procedures followed by users during setup can lead to failures in flashing.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address the issues encountered while flashing the Orin Nano, users can follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Check NFS Server Configuration:

   • Ensure that your host’s firewall settings allow NFS server access. If using Ubuntu, you can disable the firewall temporarily with:

     sudo ufw disable
     

2. Verify Device Type:

   • Confirm whether you are using an Nvidia development kit or a custom board. This distinction may affect troubleshooting steps.

3. Access Device Terminal:

   • If applicable, access the target’s terminal using SSH:

     sshpass -p root ssh root@fc00:1:1:0::2
     

4. Check Serial Console Output:

   • For custom boards, dump serial console output from UART to gather more information about boot issues.

5. Network Configuration:

   • Ensure that your Ethernet interface between the Jetson and host PC is correctly established through a USB cable.

6. Downgrade Ubuntu Version (if applicable):

   • Some users have reported persistent issues even after downgrading to Ubuntu 20.04; however, if you haven’t tried this yet, it may be worth considering.

7. Log Analysis:

   • Review log files for specific error messages that can provide insight into what went wrong during installation:
     • sdkm-2024-09-05-14-56-26.log
     • SDKM_logs_JetPack_6.0_(rev._2)_Linux_for_Jetson_Orin_Nano_modules_2024-09-05_14-56-45.zip

8. Firewall Settings:

   • If network issues persist, check your college Wi-Fi’s firewall settings as they may also interfere with connections needed for flashing.

9. Consult Documentation:

   • Refer to Nvidia’s official documentation for any updates regarding driver installations or firmware upgrades that might resolve compatibility issues.

10. Community Support:

    • Engage with community forums for additional insights and potential fixes from other users who have faced similar issues.

By following these steps and recommendations, users should be able to diagnose and potentially resolve their flashing issues with the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board. Further investigation may be required if problems persist after these troubleshooting measures are exhausted.