Flashing TX2 on Orbitty

Introduction

The goal of this tutorial is to reinstall the Ubuntu Linux OS on the TX2, for reasons such as starting from scratch or upgrading. This tutorial is for installing the TX2 on the carrier board, including the BSP (Board Support Package) installation.

Requirements

You will need the following:

• x86_64 computer running Linux with Docker support (I am using Kubuntu 20.04). Ubuntu-based distribution is recommended.
• NVIDIA Jetson TX2 installed on the Connect Tech Orbitty Carrier Board
• Network Connectivity for your computer (Wi-Fi or wired) and Jetson TX2 (through wired Ethernet)
• Ethernet cable
• Micro USB cable
• HDMI display
• USB Keyboard/Mouse (will need a USB hub if no using one wireless receiver for both)

If your computer is running Ubuntu 18.04

In this case, you will not need to install an Ubuntu 18.04 virtual machine nor will you need to use the Docker SDK Manager for installing Jetson SDK Components. Instead, you will perform all operations in your computer's OS directly, and using the .deb SDK Manager. Alternatively, you may still follow these instructions.

Overview

1. Install an Ubuntu 18.04 VM
2. In VM, install SDK Manager and Host Components
3. In VM, prepare the BSP
4. Copy BSP Files out of VM and flash on TX2
5. Install Jatson SDK Components through SDK Manager Docker

Installation

WARNING: To avoid unnecessary complications, ensure a large amount of disk space is available (i.e. more than 100GB)

Install Ubuntu 18.04 VM

This step is necessary as we will need a fully-fledged Ubuntu 18.04 environment (instead of Docker) to prepare the BSP. I used Lubuntu 18.04.5 for smaller footprint, running on VirtualBox on Kubuntu 20.04. The ISO can be downloaded here: https://cdimage.ubuntu.com/lubuntu/releases/18.04.5/release/. Detailed installation process is omitted. Make sure to run updates and install Guest Additions.

Install SDK Manager and Host Components

NOTE: Run these steps within the VM.

1. Download the .deb version of the SDK Manager from NVIDIA's website, and install it using sudo apt install /path/to/sdkmanager.deb.
2. Follow this guide until step 7. Choose TX2 as the device and for the Jetpack version, pick the largest common version number between the available versions on SDK Manager, the container version list, and the BSP supported versions. In my case it was 4.6.1.

Prepare BSP

NOTE: Run these steps within the VM. On Connect Tech's site, download the BSP for the version selected above. Download the Release Notes (can be on any device, it's just a PDF) and follow the Installation section in the VM. Note that the path ~/nvidia/nvidia_sdk/JetPack_4.6.1_Linux_JETSON_TX2/Linux_for_Tegra/ might have the word TARGET after JetPack_4.6.1_Linux_JETSON_TX2. This is normal.

Copy BSP Files and flash

1. Archive the nvidia folder in the VM's home directory, using command sudo tar -czf flash.tar.gz nvidia/
2. When complete, copy the file out of the VM into the host OS.
3. Extract the tar.gz file into the host OS user's home directory using tar -xf flash.tar.gz --directory /home/USERNAME/
4. Follow the Flashing TX2/TX2i/TX2-4G section of the Release Notes, using CTI Assisted Flashing

Install Jetson Components

1. Plug the TX2 into an HDMI monitor and go through the first time setup, noting its IP Address
2. If your host OS is 18.04, follow this guide directly instead of the following steps. Otherwise, refer to this guide for the general procedure.
3. Perform the installation with this command docker run -it --privileged -v /dev/bus/usb:/dev/bus/usb/ -v /dev:/dev -v /media/$USER:/media/nvidia:slave --network host --rm sdkmanager --cli install --logintype devzone --product Jetson --version 4.6.2 --targetos Linux --target JETSON_TX2_TARGETS --flash all --license accept --staylogin true, swapping the 4.6.2 version to the version you wish to flash. NOTE: --host should NOT be added.
4. Deselect the Jetson OS option and only install Jetson SDK Component.
5. Running sudo apt update then sudo apt upgrade is probably a good idea.