Orin Nano NVIDIA Partitions

Issue Overview

Users of the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board have reported confusion regarding the partition structure after modifying their disk setup. Specifically, one user indicated that they deleted all partitions except for the root filesystem (rootfs), root filesystem backup (rootfs_b), and the EFI System Partition (esp). Despite these deletions, the device continued to boot correctly, leading to uncertainty about the necessity of the deleted partitions.

Symptoms observed include:

• Successful booting of the Orin Nano despite the deletion of several partitions.
• Confusion regarding the function and necessity of various partitions, particularly in relation to boot processes.

The issue arises primarily during setup or configuration changes related to disk partitions. The hardware specifications mentioned include the Orin Nano Devkit with NVMe storage and AB booting enabled.

This situation has been reported consistently by users experimenting with partition management, impacting their understanding of system functionality and potentially leading to misconfigurations in future setups.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes for this confusion regarding partition necessity may include:

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: While unlikely in this case, any underlying hardware issues could affect how partitions are recognized or utilized.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: The operating system or bootloader might not accurately reflect partition dependencies, leading users to believe that certain partitions are critical when they are not.

• Configuration Errors: Misunderstanding of how UEFI settings interact with partition structures could lead to unnecessary concern over deleted partitions.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers may not provide accurate information about partition usage.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Users may not fully understand the role of each partition, leading to unnecessary deletions or modifications.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address and clarify the situation regarding partition management on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Verify Current Partition Setup:

   • Use terminal commands to list current partitions:

     lsblk
     

   • Check mounted filesystems:

     df -h
     

2. Consult Documentation:

   • Refer to Nvidia’s official documentation on partition structures and boot processes:
     • Nvidia Jetson Bootloader Documentation

3. Understand Boot Process:

   • Familiarize yourself with how kernel images and Device Tree Blobs (DTBs) work in relation to UEFI boot settings. This understanding can clarify why certain partitions may not be needed for successful booting.

4. Experiment with UEFI Settings:

   • Access UEFI settings during boot to explore options related to kernel image and DTB selection. Adjust settings as necessary to see if it impacts boot behavior.

5. Backup Important Data:

   • Always back up critical data before making any changes to partitions. This ensures that you can restore functionality if something goes wrong.

6. Monitor System Behavior:

   • After making changes, observe system behavior for any irregularities. If issues arise, revert to previous configurations.

7. Seek Community Support:

   • Engage with forums or community discussions for additional insights from other users who may have faced similar challenges.

8. Best Practices:

   • Document any changes made to partition structures for future reference.
   • Regularly check for firmware updates that may enhance compatibility and functionality.

By following these steps, users can better navigate the complexities of partition management on their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev boards while minimizing confusion and potential issues in future configurations.