BSP Setup#

BSP Installation#

The Jetson Linux BSP provides the boot firmware, Linux kernel, Ubuntu root file system, NVIDIA drivers, and low-level platform support for Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit.

For JetPack 7.2, the recommended first-time setup path is Jetson ISO. On Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit, Jetson ISO is supported only for JetPack 7.2. Jetson ISO lets you boot an installation USB flash drive and install Jetson Linux directly on target storage attached to the developer kit, such as a microSD card or a NVMe SSD.

Important

JetPack 7.2 installation requires JetPack 6.x-generation Jetson UEFI/QSPI firmware on Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit. If the kit still has older factory firmware, complete the JetPack 6.x update path before booting the JetPack 7.2 image. See JetPack 6.x Update Path.

Note

Unlike Jetson AGX Thor Developer Kit, Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit does not include target storage in the box. Prepare either a microSD card or a NVMe SSD before installing Jetson Linux.

Installation Options#

Jetson ISO

SDK Manager

Flash script

Short summary

USB installation media that installs Jetson Linux to microSD or NVMe SSD

GUI workflow for flashing and optional JetPack components

Command-line workflow using Jetson Linux tools

Host PC

Windows, macOS, or Linux computer to create USB media

Ubuntu x86_64 host PC

Ubuntu x86_64 host PC

Target storage

microSD card or NVMe SSD installed on the developer kit

microSD card, NVMe SSD, or other supported target

microSD card, NVMe SSD, or other supported target

Best for

JetPack 7.2 only, for first-time setup without an Ubuntu host PC

Guided setup, recovery, and JetPack component installation

Automation and advanced flashing

Covered here

See Quick Start Guide

Starter guidance below

Starter guidance below

Option 1. Jetson ISO Installation USB#

Supported only for JetPack 7.2 on Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit.

This method is illustrated in Quick Start Guide.

Option 2. NVIDIA SDK Manager#

Use NVIDIA SDK Manager when you want a guided host-PC workflow for flashing Jetson Linux, updating firmware, and installing JetPack components.

Choose SDK Manager when:

  • You have an Ubuntu 20.04 or 22.04 x86_64 host PC available.

  • You want to flash firmware and a supported JetPack release in one guided workflow.

  • You want to install Jetson Linux directly to a NVMe SSD instead of using a microSD card.

  • You need to recover or reflash a developer kit from Force Recovery Mode.

  • You prefer a host-driven flow instead of Jetson ISO.

SDK Manager Toolbox#

Prepare these items before starting the SDK Manager method.

Item

Requirement

Host PC

x86 PC running Ubuntu 22.04 or Ubuntu 20.04.

Target storage

microSD card, 64GB or larger, or NVMe SSD.

Flashing supply

USB cable for the USB-C port on Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit and a jumper pin or metal paper clip.

Display or console

DisplayPort monitor and USB keyboard, DisplayPort-to-HDMI display path and USB keyboard, or USB to TTL serial cable.

Account and network

Internet access and an NVIDIA Developer Program account.
microSD card

microSD card: 64GB or larger.
NVMe SSD

NVMe SSD: Recommended for better storage performance.

Overall Flow#

flowchart LR startNode([Start]) install["0. Install SDK Manager"] connect["1. Connect target hardware"] select["2. Select software components"] download["3. Download on host PC"] flash["4. Flash"] boot["5. Boot and initial setup"] readyNode([Ready]) startNode --> install --> connect --> select --> download --> flash --> boot --> readyNode

0. Install SDK Manager#

Install SDK Manager on the Ubuntu host PC. For more information, see the NVIDIA SDK Manager documentation and the Download and Run SDK Manager page.

Select the tab that matches your Ubuntu host version.

wget https://developer.download.nvidia.com/compute/cuda/repos/ubuntu2204/x86_64/cuda-keyring_1.1-1_all.deb
sudo dpkg -i cuda-keyring_1.1-1_all.deb
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get -y install sdkmanager

wget https://developer.download.nvidia.com/compute/cuda/repos/ubuntu2004/x86_64/cuda-keyring_1.1-1_all.deb
sudo dpkg -i cuda-keyring_1.1-1_all.deb
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get -y install sdkmanager

Launch SDK Manager:

sdkmanager
First time using SDK Manager

When using SDK Manager for the first time, log in with your NVIDIA Developer credentials. Select Stay logged in, then click LOGIN.

SDK Manager login screen

A browser window opens. Enter the email address registered with your NVIDIA Developer account.

NVIDIA Developer browser login

Two-factor authentication may appear.

Two-factor authentication challenge

After authentication, the browser redirects back to SDK Manager.

Browser redirect after authentication

SDK Manager completes the login.

SDK Manager login in progress

After login completes, SDK Manager is ready.

SDK Manager ready screen

1. Connect the Target Hardware#

After SDK Manager is running, connect Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit to the Ubuntu host PC and power it on in Force Recovery Mode.

  1. Connect Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit to the host PC with a USB cable.

    Note

    Connect the USB cable to the USB-C port on the developer kit carrier board.

  2. Short pin 9 and pin 10 of the J14 header located below the Jetson module with a jumper pin, then insert the DC power supply plug into the DC jack to power on the developer kit.

    Jetson Orin Nano carrier board top view

    You can also use a metal paper clip.

    Jumper pins used for Force Recovery Mode

  3. In SDK Manager, select Jetson Orin Nano [8GB developer kit version] and click OK.

    SDK Manager device selection

  4. Clear Host Machine so only the Jetson target remains selected.

    SDK Manager target hardware selected

  5. Click Continue.

2. Select Software Components to Install#

  1. Keep only Jetson Linux selected and clear the other components if you only want to flash the BSP.

    SDK Manager component selection

  2. Select I accept the terms and conditions of the license agreements.

  3. Click Continue.

  4. Enter your host PC sudo password when prompted.

    SDK Manager sudo password prompt

3. Download on Host PC#

  1. SDK Manager downloads the BSP package and root file system package.

    SDK Manager downloading BSP and rootfs packages

  2. After downloads complete, SDK Manager extracts the packages and generates the images to flash.

    SDK Manager generating images

  3. When the images are ready, SDK Manager opens the flashing prompt.

    SDK Manager ready to flash prompt

4. Flash#

  1. In the flashing prompt, select Runtime for OEM Configuration.

    SDK Manager runtime OEM configuration selection

  2. Select NVMe to flash Jetson Linux to a NVMe SSD, or select SD Card to flash to a microSD card.

    SDK Manager storage selection

  3. Click Flash.

    SDK Manager flashing started

  4. Watch the flash progress.

    SDK Manager flash progress details
    SDK Manager flash progress terminal output

  5. Confirm that flashing completes successfully.

    SDK Manager flash complete details
    SDK Manager flash complete terminal output

5. Boot and Initial Setup#

  1. Remove the jumper from the J14 header if it is still installed.

  2. Connect display and input peripherals, or connect a USB to TTL serial cable for headless setup.

  3. Power cycle the developer kit by unplugging the power supply and plugging it back in.

  4. The developer kit boots Jetson Linux from the target storage selected in SDK Manager.

  5. Complete the initial software setup, also called oem-config.

Switch to MAXN SUPER Mode#

The default power mode on JetPack 6.2 is typically 25W. To enable maximum performance:

  1. Click the current power mode in the Ubuntu desktop top bar.

  2. Select Power Mode.

  3. Choose MAXN SUPER.

Selecting MAXN SUPER power mode

Next Steps for SDK Manager Setup#

After Jetson Linux boots, use SDK Manager again if needed to install optional JetPack components such as CUDA, developer tools, samples, or additional runtime packages.

Option 3. Flash Script#

Use the Jetson Linux flashing tools when you need a command-line workflow.

  1. Download the Jetson Linux Driver Package and sample root file system for the JetPack release you plan to use.

  2. Extract the Driver Package on an Ubuntu x86_64 host PC.

  3. Extract the sample root file system into Linux_for_Tegra/rootfs.

  4. Run apply_binaries.sh from Linux_for_Tegra.

  5. Put the developer kit into Force Recovery Mode.

  6. Run the appropriate flash command for the Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit target.

Refer to the Jetson Linux Developer Guide for target names and detailed flashing commands.

Force Recovery Mode#

Force Recovery Mode is required when flashing the developer kit from a host PC.

  1. Power off the developer kit.

  2. Press and hold the Force Recovery button.

  3. Connect power, or press the power button if needed.

  4. Release the Force Recovery button after the host PC detects the device.

Use lsusb on the Ubuntu host PC to confirm that an NVIDIA USB device is present before starting the flash operation.