Jetson Orin Nano SDK Manager Issues with JetPack Versions

Issue Overview

Users have reported difficulties in downloading specific versions of JetPack for the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board. The primary symptom is the inability to locate JetPack 5.0.2 through the SDK Manager Command Line Interface (CLI), which only displays versions above 5.1.1. This issue occurs during the process of attempting to install or upgrade JetPack, particularly when users have specific requirements for older versions due to compatibility or project constraints.

The context of the problem is centered around the use of SDK Manager version 2.1.0 on the Jetson Orin Nano hardware. Users seeking to access JetPack 5.0.2 may find themselves unable to do so, leading to frustration and potential delays in development work.

The frequency of this issue appears to be consistent among users attempting to access older JetPack versions, indicating a potential limitation or bug within the SDK Manager’s version retrieval functionality.

The impact on user experience is significant, as it hinders development efforts and may prevent users from utilizing features or fixes available only in specific versions of JetPack.

Possible Causes

• SDK Manager Limitations: The current version of SDK Manager (2.1.0) may not support listing older JetPack versions due to updates or changes in repository management.

• Repository Configuration: The repository settings within the SDK Manager might not include links to older versions, leading to their unavailability during searches.

• User Misconfiguration: Users may not be aware of how to properly configure the SDK Manager CLI to access all available versions.

• Network Issues: Connectivity problems during the attempt to retrieve version information could also result in incomplete listings.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify SDK Manager Version:

   • Ensure that you are using the latest version of SDK Manager. Consider updating to a newer version if available, as this may resolve version listing issues.
   • Command to check version:

     sdkmanager --version
     

2. Check Repository Settings:

   • Review the repository settings in SDK Manager to ensure that it is configured to access all relevant sources.
   • If necessary, add any missing repositories that might host older JetPack versions.

3. Use CLI Commands for Specific Version Retrieval:

   • Attempt to specify the desired version directly in your command line input when using SDK Manager CLI.
   • Example command:

     sdkmanager --install jetpack=5.0.2
     

4. Manual Download:

   • If the SDK Manager continues to fail in retrieving JetPack 5.0.2, consider checking Nvidia’s official website for direct downloads of older JetPack versions.
   • Look for archived versions or specific links provided in forums or community discussions.

5. Consult Documentation:

   • Review the official Nvidia documentation for any notes regarding version availability and installation instructions.
   • Documentation links:
     • JetPack Documentation
     • Jetson Linux Developer Guide

6. Community Support:

   • Engage with community forums or Nvidia support channels for additional assistance if problems persist.
   • Sharing specific error messages or behaviors observed can help others assist you more effectively.

7. Best Practices for Future Installations:

   • Regularly check for updates in both SDK Manager and available JetPack versions before starting new projects.
   • Maintain a list of required software versions for your projects to streamline future installations.

8. Unresolved Aspects:

   • Further investigation may be needed into whether this issue is a temporary glitch or a more systemic problem with SDK Manager’s handling of older versions.
   • Monitoring future updates from Nvidia regarding improvements or fixes related to this issue is advisable.

By following these troubleshooting steps and solutions, users should be able to address issues related to downloading specific JetPack versions through the Nvidia SDK Manager effectively.