Jetson Orin Nano Cannot Create clone.img

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties while attempting to create a clone image (clone.img) on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board using JetPack 5.1.2. The primary symptom reported is the failure of the command sudo ./flash.sh -r -k APP -G clone.img jetson-orin-nano-devkit nvme0n1p1, which results in repeated logs indicating the execution of tegrarcm_v2 commands without successful completion.

The issue occurs during the setup process, specifically when users try to clone the device’s image for backup or deployment purposes. Users have reported encountering errors such as "size of system.img.raw is not a multiple of 4096" and "QSPI fail" during the flashing process, indicating potential problems with image file sizes and hardware compatibility.

The problem appears to be inconsistent, with some users successfully cloning images but failing to flash them afterward. The impact on user experience is significant, as it hinders the ability to create reliable backups or deploy cloned images across multiple devices, particularly in production environments.

Possible Causes

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: The Jetson Orin Nano Dev board may have specific hardware requirements that are not being met during the cloning process, particularly related to storage devices.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: There may be bugs in JetPack 5.1.2 or conflicts with other software components affecting the cloning and flashing processes.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect configurations or command parameters used in the flash.sh script could lead to failures in creating or writing the image.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers may prevent proper communication between the host system and the Jetson device during the cloning process.

• Environmental Factors: Power supply issues or temperature fluctuations could affect performance and lead to errors during operation.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Users may not be following best practices for cloning and flashing, leading to errors in the process.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify Command Syntax:

   • Ensure that the command used for cloning is correctly formatted. Double-check parameters for accuracy.
   • Example command:

     sudo ./flash.sh -r -k APP -G clone.img jetson-orin-nano-devkit nvme0n1p1
     

2. Check for Software Updates:

   • Ensure that you are using the latest version of JetPack. If not, consider upgrading to a newer version that may have resolved known bugs.

3. Inspect Image File Sizes:

   • Verify that system.img.raw is a multiple of 4096 bytes. If it is not, use tools like mksparse to correct this issue before proceeding.
   • Command example:

     mksparse system.img.raw system.img
     

4. Use Backup/Restore Tool:

   • Instead of attempting to create a clone directly, utilize Nvidia’s backup/restore tool as it has been reported to be more reliable.
   • Follow guidelines from Nvidia’s documentation on backing up and restoring Jetson devices.

5. Testing with Different Configurations:

   • Try performing the cloning operation with different storage configurations (e.g., using different NVMe drives) to isolate potential hardware issues.

6. Review Logs for Errors:

   • Examine logs generated during the cloning and flashing processes for any specific error messages that could indicate underlying issues.
   • Look for logs at:

     Linux_for_Tegra/tools/backup_restore/images/
     

7. Disk Encryption Considerations:

   • If using disk encryption, ensure that unique encryption keys are generated per device as generic passphrases are not supported.
   • Refer to Nvidia’s documentation regarding disk encryption for detailed operational guidelines.

8. Seek Community Support:

   • If issues persist, consider reaching out on forums or Nvidia’s support channels with detailed logs and descriptions of your attempts, as community insights can often lead to solutions.

9. Documentation Reference:

   • Consult relevant sections of Nvidia’s developer guide for specific instructions on cloning root filesystems and handling disk encryption:
     • Cloning rootfs with initrd
     • Backing up and restoring a Jetson device

10. Best Practices:

    • Always ensure that your environment meets all hardware requirements and follow recommended practices when deploying images across multiple devices.

By following these troubleshooting steps, users should be able to diagnose and potentially resolve issues related to creating clone images on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board effectively.