Lack of Console Mode Support on Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board

Issue Overview

Users of the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano development kit running L4T 35.5.0 are experiencing difficulties when attempting to set up the device as a server without running X, while maintaining the ability to log in via text mode for emergency purposes. The specific symptoms include:

• The system can be accessed via SSH, but the connected screen remains blank when set to multi-user target mode.
• Switching to a different virtual console (using Ctrl+Alt+F3) causes the screen to go to sleep.
• The display works correctly under graphical.target mode.

This issue affects users who want to run their Jetson Orin Nano in a headless server configuration while retaining the option for local text-based access in emergencies.

Possible Causes

The primary cause of this issue is a limitation in the current software support for the Jetson Orin Nano:

1. Lack of Console Mode Support: The Jetson Orin Nano, running on release 35 (rel-35) of the L4T (Linux for Tegra) operating system, does not support console mode. This is a fundamental limitation of the current software implementation for this specific hardware.

2. Hardware Differences: The Jetson Orin Nano is a newer SoC (System on Chip) compared to the older Jetson Nano. Solutions that worked for the Jetson Nano may not be applicable to the Orin Nano due to hardware and software differences.

3. Display Port Limitations: The Orin Nano only has a DisplayPort output, which may have different capabilities or limitations compared to HDMI outputs on older models.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

Given the current limitations of the Jetson Orin Nano, there is no direct solution to enable console mode as desired. However, here are some alternative approaches and workarounds:

1. Use SSH for Remote Access:

   • Continue using SSH for remote access and management of the device.
   • Ensure SSH is properly configured and secured.
   • Example command to connect via SSH:

     ssh username@jetson_ip_address
     

2. Consider Using a Serial Console:

   • If available, set up a serial console for local text-based access.
   • This may require additional hardware and configuration.

3. Monitor Software Updates:

   • Regularly check for L4T updates that might introduce console mode support in the future.
   • Visit the NVIDIA Developer website for the latest Jetson software updates.

4. Use Graphical Mode When Local Access is Needed:

   • When local access is required, temporarily switch to graphical mode:

     sudo systemctl set-default graphical.target
     sudo reboot
     

   • Switch back to multi-user target when done:

     sudo systemctl set-default multi-user.target
     sudo reboot
     

5. Explore Alternative Display Options:

   • Investigate if there are any DisplayPort to HDMI adapters that might work with console mode, although this is unlikely given the current software limitations.

6. File a Feature Request:

   • Consider submitting a feature request to NVIDIA for console mode support on the Jetson Orin Nano.
   • Provide detailed use cases and reasons for needing this functionality.

7. Investigate Custom Kernel Modifications:

   • Advanced users might explore custom kernel modifications to enable console mode, but this approach is complex and not officially supported.

It is worth emphasizing that as of the current L4T release (35.5.0), there is no official solution to enable console mode on the Jetson Orin Nano. Users requiring this functionality may need to consider alternative hardware options or wait for potential future software updates that might introduce this feature.