Difference between revisions of "BeagleBoardUbuntu"

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m (Oneiric 11.10: not beta anymore)
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[[Category: BeagleBoard]]
 
[[Category: BeagleBoard]]
 
''(For BeagleBoardAngstrom, click [[BeagleBoardAngstrom|here]].)''
 
''(For BeagleBoardAngstrom, click [[BeagleBoardAngstrom|here]].)''
 +
''(Should [[Beagleboard:Ubuntu On BeagleBone Black]] be merged into this page?)''
  
This page is about running a (ARM EABI) [http://www.ubuntu.com/ Ubuntu] distribution at [[BeagleBoard]]. BeagleBoard will boot the (ARM EABI) Ubuntu distribution from [[BeagleBoard#MMC.2FSD_boot|SD card]].
+
This page is about running a Linux distribution (ARM [https://wiki.debian.org/ArmEabiPort EABI]) [http://www.ubuntu.com/ Ubuntu] on the [[BeagleBoard]]. BeagleBoard will boot the (ARM EABI) Ubuntu distribution from the [[BeagleBoard#MMC.2FSD_boot|SD card]]. Since much of this page is generic, it has also been extended to help support devices such as the [[PandaBoard]] and [[BeagleBone]].
  
Note: for the best experience, make sure you have an LCD attached to the HDMI port, 2GB/4GB/8GB SD card, and a known good usb2.0 hub with mouse and keyboard.
+
* For the best experience, make sure you have an LCD/HDMI monitor attached to the BeagleBoard's HDMI port, 2 GB/4 GB/8 GB SD card, and a known good USB 2.0 hub with mouse and keyboard.
  
 
= Help =
 
= Help =
Line 14: Line 15:
  
 
*Kernel related help:
 
*Kernel related help:
** [http://groups.google.com/group/beagleboard Email Beagleboard user group] *Recommended method
+
** [https://groups.google.com/group/beagleboard Email Beagleboard user group] *Recommended method
** ''#beagle'': Beagle irc on freenode, accessible also by [http://beagleboard.org/discuss web interface] ([http://www.beagleboard.org/irclogs/index.php logs])
+
** ''#beagle'': Beagle IRC on Freenode, accessible also by [http://beagleboard.org/discuss web interface] ([http://www.beagleboard.org/irclogs/index.php logs])
** Kernel Tree's
+
** Kernel Trees
*** [https://github.com/RobertCNelson/stable-kernel Stable Kernel 3.0 src]
+
*** [https://github.com/RobertCNelson/armv7-multiplatform/ v3.17.x kernel branch]
*** [https://github.com/RobertCNelson/linux-dev Development Kernel src]
+
*** [https://github.com/RobertCNelson/linux-dev Development Kernel source code]
  
 
*Ubuntu related help:
 
*Ubuntu related help:
** ''#ubuntu-arm'': Ubuntu's arm irc on freenode ([http://irclogs.ubuntu.com/ logs] -> year -> month -> day -> #ubuntu-arm.html)
+
** ''#ubuntu-arm'': Ubuntu's ARM IRC on Freenode ([http://irclogs.ubuntu.com/ logs] -> year -> month -> day -> #ubuntu-arm.html)
  
*When asking for help, please provide some debugging information:
+
*When requesting help, please provide some debugging information:
 
** U-Boot Version installed on board
 
** U-Boot Version installed on board
 
** Kernel Version: uname -a
 
** Kernel Version: uname -a
Line 31: Line 32:
 
= Required Beagle Software =  
 
= Required Beagle Software =  
  
Angstrom's X-loader/MLO & U-Boot
+
Mainline U-Boot:
* All Bx, C2/3/4 Boards are required to upgrade to atleast these MLO and U-Boot versions.
+
* All older BeagleBoard (classic) Ax, Bx, Cx and Dx boards are required to upgrade to at least these U-Boot versions
* XM Boards have no NAND, so u-boot.bin is always required on the first partition
+
* XM Boards have no NAND, so MLO/u-boot.img is always required on the first partition
 
* Directions: [http://elinux.org/BeagleBoardUbuntu#Upgrade_X-loader_and_U-boot Upgrade X-loader and U-Boot]
 
* Directions: [http://elinux.org/BeagleBoardUbuntu#Upgrade_X-loader_and_U-boot Upgrade X-loader and U-Boot]
  
Line 55: Line 56:
 
= Method 1: Download a Complete Pre-Configured Image =
 
= Method 1: Download a Complete Pre-Configured Image =
  
== Canonical/Ubuntu Images ==
+
== Demo Image ==
Support:
 
''#ubuntu-arm'': Ubuntu's arm irc on freenode ([http://irclogs.ubuntu.com/ logs] -> year -> month -> day -> #ubuntu-arm.html)
 
  
=== Natty 11.04 ===
+
* '''Advanced Users only''': BeagleBoard xM: Kernel source, used in these demo images: https://github.com/RobertCNelson/armv7-multiplatform
 +
git clone https://github.com/RobertCNelson/armv7-multiplatform.git
 +
cd armv7-multiplatform
 +
git checkout origin/v4.4.x -b tmp
 +
./build_kernel.sh
 +
* '''Advanced Users only''': BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black:  Kernel v4.1.x source, used in these demo images: https://github.com/RobertCNelson/ti-linux-kernel-dev/tree/ti-linux-4.1.y
 +
git clone https://github.com/RobertCNelson/ti-linux-kernel-dev.git
 +
cd ti-linux-kernel-dev
 +
git checkout origin/ti-linux-rt-4.1.y -b tmp
 +
./build_kernel.sh
  
Just follow: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ARM/OMAP
+
=== Ubuntu (14.04.3) ===
  
=== Maverick 10.10 ===
+
Default username/password:
 +
*username: ubuntu
 +
*password: temppwd
  
Just follow https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ARM/OMAPMaverickInstall and make sure you're using a SD card >= 4GB.
+
Image Updated:
 +
*2016-01-14
 +
** BeagleBoard xM: v4.4.0-armv7-x3 kernel
 +
** BeagleBone White/Black/Green: v4.1.15-ti-rt-r40 kernel
 +
** OMAP5432 uEVM: v4.1.15-ti-rt-r40 kernel
 +
** BeagleBoard-X15: v4.1.15-ti-rt-r40 kernel
 +
*2015-12-11
 +
** BeagleBoard xM: v4.3.2-armv7-x1 kernel
 +
** BeagleBone White/Black/Green: v4.1.13-ti-r36 kernel
 +
** OMAP5432 uEVM: v4.1.13-ti-r36 kernel
 +
** BeagleBoard-X15: v4.1.13-ti-r36 kernel
 +
*2015-11-13
 +
** BeagleBoard xM: v4.3.0-armv7-x0 kernel
 +
** BeagleBone White/Black/Green: v4.1.12-ti-r29 kernel
 +
** OMAP5432 uEVM: v4.1.12-ti-r29 kernel
 +
** BeagleBoard-X15: v4.1.12-ti-r29 kernel
  
==Demo Image==
+
Services Active:
 
+
Note: Depending on your internal network these may work out of the box
Note, these Demo Images contain a custom kernel from rcn-ee.net. If you'd like to use ubuntu's 'kernel' edit "/etc/flash-kernel.conf" disable the rcn-ee kernel variable then install flash-kernel which should bring ubuntu's kernel with it. Once you do this, it's not trivial to reverse the process..
+
  Apache, Port 80: http://arm.local/ (Bone: via usb) http://192.168.7.2
 
+
SSH, Port 22: ssh ubuntu@arm.local (Bone: via usb) ubuntu@192.168.7.2
If the script in these demo images fail: email "bugs@rcn-ee.com" I need: terminal command, terminal log, distribution name, arch...
+
Getty, Serial Port
 
 
=== Oneiric 11.10 ===
 
 
 
Image Updated Oct 13th, updated v3.0.6 kernel, now with better s-video support (setup_sdcard.sh option)...
 
  
 
Default user: ubuntu pass: temppwd
 
Default user: ubuntu pass: temppwd
  
 
Get prebuilt image:
 
Get prebuilt image:
 +
wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2016-01-14/elinux/ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14.tar.xz
  
wget http://rcn-ee.net/deb/rootfs/oneiric/ubuntu-11.10-r0-minimal-armel.tar.xz
+
Verify Image with:
mirrors (will take some time to update):
+
  sha256sum ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14.tar.xz
wget http://ynezz.ibawizard.net/beagleboard/oneiric/ubuntu-11.10-r0-minimal-armel.tar.xz
+
  3f2fa9b8c95ae5f52d2f285f51de5d1d2195fddf28032b10f079c8356ade1f52 ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14.tar.xz
 
 
Verify Image with:  
 
  md5sum ubuntu-11.10-r0-minimal-armel.tar.xz
 
  06f5559e9c3cbd1ddb3dd4735e0edb8d ubuntu-11.10-r0-minimal-armel.tar.xz
 
  
 
Unpack Image:
 
Unpack Image:
  tar xJf ubuntu-11.10-r0-minimal-armel.tar.xz
+
  tar xf ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14.tar.xz
  cd ubuntu-11.10-r0-minimal-armel
+
  cd ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14
  
 
If you don't know the location of your SD card:
 
If you don't know the location of your SD card:
 
  sudo ./setup_sdcard.sh --probe-mmc
 
  sudo ./setup_sdcard.sh --probe-mmc
  
You should see something like  
+
You should see something like:
  
  Are you sure? I Don't see [/dev/idontknow], here is what I do see...
+
  Are you sure? I don't see [/dev/idontknow], here is what I do see...
 
   
 
   
 
  fdisk -l:
 
  fdisk -l:
 
  Disk /dev/sda: 500.1 GB, 500107862016 bytes '''<- x86 Root Drive'''
 
  Disk /dev/sda: 500.1 GB, 500107862016 bytes '''<- x86 Root Drive'''
  Disk /dev/mmcblk0: 3957 MB, 3957325824 bytes '''<- MMC/SD card'''
+
  Disk /dev/sdd: 3957 MB, 3957325824 bytes '''<- MMC/SD card'''
 
   
 
   
  mount:
+
  lsblk:
  /dev/sda1 on / type ext4 (rw,errors=remount-ro,commit=0) '''<- x86 Root Partition'''
+
  NAME  MAJ:MIN RM  SIZE RO TYPE MOUNTPOINT
 +
sda      8:0    0 465.8G  0 disk
 +
├─sda1  8:1    0 446.9G  0 part / '''<- x86 Root Partition'''
 +
├─sda2  8:2    0    1K  0 part
 +
└─sda5  8:5    0  18.9G  0 part [SWAP]
 +
sdd      8:48  1  3.7G  0 disk
 +
├─sdd1  8:49  1    64M  0 part
 +
└─sdd2  8:50  1  3.6G  0 part
  
* In this example, we can see via mount, '''/dev/sda5''' is the x68 rootfs, therefore '''/dev/mmcblk0''' is the other drive in the system, which is the MMC/SD card that was inserted and should be used by ./setup_sdcard.sh...
+
* In this example, we can see via mount, '''/dev/sda1''' is the x86 rootfs, therefore '''/dev/sdd''' is the other drive in the system, which is the MMC/SD card that was inserted and should be used by ./setup_sdcard.sh...
  
 
Install Image:
 
Install Image:
  
Quick Install script for Beagle Bx
+
Quick install script for [board]
  sudo ./setup_sdcard.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --uboot beagle_bx
+
  sudo ./setup_sdcard.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --dtb board
  
Quick Install script for Beagle Cx, xM A/B/C
+
board options:
sudo ./setup_sdcard.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --uboot beagle
+
*BeagleBoard Ax/Bx/Cx/Dx          - omap3-beagle
 +
*BeagleBoard xM                   - omap3-beagle-xm
 +
*BeagleBone White/Black/Green    - beaglebone
 +
*OMAP5432 uEVM                    - omap5-uevm
 +
*BeagleBoard-X15                  - am57xx-beagle-x15
  
Quick Install script for Panda
+
So for the BeagleBoard xM:
  sudo ./setup_sdcard.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --uboot panda
+
  sudo ./setup_sdcard.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --dtb omap3-beagle-xm
  
*Additional Options
+
Advanced: Build Image:
** --rootfs <ext4 default>
 
** --swap_file <swap file size in MB's>
 
** --addon <pico>
 
** --svideo-ntsc <use ntsc over dvi for video)
 
** --svideo-pal <use pal over dvi for video)
 
  
You should now be able to unmount the SD card from you PC, insert into your BeagleBoard, reboot and have Ubuntu Maverick loaded.
+
git clone https://github.com/RobertCNelson/omap-image-builder.git
 +
cd omap-image-builder
 +
git checkout v2016.01 -b tmp
  
For a full gui install run this on your beagle (make sure network is setup):
+
Stable:
Ethernet: "sudo ifconfig -a" and "sudo dhclient usb1" or "sudo dhclient eth0"
 
Wireless: http://elinux.org/BeagleBoardUbuntu#Wifi_Networking_.28command_line.29
 
sudo apt-get update
 
sudo apt-get install xubuntu-desktop
 
  
Advanced: Build Image:
+
./RootStock-NG.sh -c rcn-ee_console_ubuntu_trusty_armhf
 
 
fixup.sh: https://github.com/RobertCNelson/omap-image-builder/raw/master/tools/fixup.sh
 
  
Built with rootstock trunk (ARM native mode, run directly on beagleboard):
+
Testing:
sudo ./rootstock --fqdn omap --imagesize 2G --dist oneiric --serial ttyO2 \
 
--login ubuntu --password temppwd \
 
--seed git-core,nano,pastebinit,usbutils,wget,i2c-tools,uboot-envtools,uboot-mkimage,btrfs-tools,openssh-server,usb-modeswitch,wireless-tools,wpasupplicant \
 
--script fixup.sh --components "main universe multiverse" \
 
--kernel-image http://rcn-ee.net/deb/oneiric/v3.0.6-x3/linux-image-3.0.6-x3_1.0oneiric_armel.deb
 
  
=== Natty 11.04 ===
+
./RootStock-NG.sh -c rcn-ee_console_ubuntu_xenial_armhf
  
Image Updated Oct 13th, updated v3.0.6 kernel, now with better s-video support (setup_sdcard.sh option)...
+
=== Ubuntu Testing (xenial) ===
  
Default user: ubuntu pass: temppwd
+
Image Updated:
 +
*2016-01-14
 +
** BeagleBoard xM: v4.4.0-armv7-x3 kernel
 +
** BeagleBone White/Black/Green: v4.1.15-ti-rt-r40 kernel
 +
** OMAP5432 uEVM: v4.1.15-ti-rt-r40 kernel
 +
** BeagleBoard-X15: v4.1.15-ti-rt-r40 kernel
 +
*2015-12-11
 +
** BeagleBoard xM: v4.3.2-armv7-x1 kernel
 +
** BeagleBone White/Black/Green: v4.1.13-ti-r36 kernel
 +
** OMAP5432 uEVM: v4.1.13-ti-r36 kernel
 +
** BeagleBoard-X15: v4.1.13-ti-r36 kernel
 +
*2015-11-13
 +
** BeagleBoard xM: v4.3.0-armv7-x0 kernel
 +
** BeagleBone White/Black/Green: v4.1.12-ti-r29 kernel
 +
** OMAP5432 uEVM: v4.1.12-ti-r29 kernel
 +
** BeagleBoard-X15: v4.1.12-ti-r29 kernel
  
 
Get prebuilt image:
 
Get prebuilt image:
 +
wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2016-01-14/elinux/ubuntu-xenial-console-armhf-2016-01-14.tar.xz
  
  wget http://rcn-ee.net/deb/rootfs/natty/ubuntu-11.04-r5-minimal-armel.tar.xz
+
Verify Image with:
  mirrors (will take some time to update):
+
  sha256sum ubuntu-xenial-console-armhf-2016-01-14.tar.xz
  wget http://ynezz.ibawizard.net/beagleboard/natty/ubuntu-11.04-r5-minimal-armel.tar.xz
+
  a8b5995584caf58a37e1b454724b4b4e300a21bfd72e2156f30052a104d2b035 ubuntu-xenial-console-armhf-2016-01-14.tar.xz
  
Verify Image with:  
+
Unpack image:
  md5sum ubuntu-11.04-r5-minimal-armel.tar.xz
+
  tar xf ubuntu-xenial-console-armhf-2016-01-14.tar.xz
  5b34f8078b0f62165203488eea740123  ubuntu-11.04-r5-minimal-armel.tar.xz
+
  cd ubuntu-xenial-console-armhf-2016-01-14
  
Unpack Image:
+
Then follow the directions shown above with the other images...
tar xJf ubuntu-11.04-r5-minimal-armel.tar.xz
 
cd ubuntu-11.04-r5-minimal-armel
 
  
If you don't know the location of your SD card:
+
== Flasher ==
sudo ./setup_sdcard.sh --probe-mmc
 
  
You should see something like
+
=== eMMC: BeagleBone Black/Green ===
  
Are you sure? I Don't see [/dev/idontknow], here is what I do see...
+
This image can be written to a 2GB (or larger) microSD card, via 'dd' on linux or on windows: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Win32DiskImager  First press and hold the boot select button (next to the microSD card), then apply power. On bootup the board should indicate it has started the flashing procedure visually via a Cylon Sweep pattern shown on the 4 LED's next to the ethernet jack. Progress is reported on both the serial debug and hdmi connectors, once completed all 4 LED's should be full ON. Simply remove power, remove the microSD card and Ubuntu will now boot directly from eMMC.
 
fdisk -l:
 
Disk /dev/sda: 500.1 GB, 500107862016 bytes '''<- x86 Root Drive'''
 
  Disk /dev/mmcblk0: 3957 MB, 3957325824 bytes '''<- MMC/SD card'''
 
 
mount:
 
/dev/sda1 on / type ext4 (rw,errors=remount-ro,commit=0) '''<- x86 Root Partition'''
 
  
* In this example, we can see via mount, '''/dev/sda5''' is the x68 rootfs, therefore '''/dev/mmcblk0''' is the other drive in the system, which is the MMC/SD card that was inserted and should be used by ./setup_sdcard.sh...
+
Script for reference: (this is the script that writes to the eMMC)
 +
https://github.com/RobertCNelson/boot-scripts/blob/master/tools/eMMC/init-eMMC-flasher-v3.sh
  
Install Image:
+
This script will only take about 5-6 Minutes after power on.
  
Quick Install script for Beagle Bx
+
Notes:
sudo ./setup_sdcard.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --uboot beagle_bx
+
* If only two LED's stay lit and nothing happens, the board has crashed due to lack of power. Retry with a 5Volt DC power supply connected.
 +
* If the 4 LED's blink a constant pattern, the eMMC write has failed. First REMOVE ALL capes, then retry again.
  
Quick Install script for Beagle Cx, xM A/B/C
+
User: ubuntu
sudo ./setup_sdcard.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --uboot beagle
+
pass: temppwd
  
Quick Install script for Panda
+
Image Updated:
sudo ./setup_sdcard.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --uboot panda
+
*2016-01-14
 +
** BeagleBone Black/Green: v4.1.15-ti-rt-r40 kernel
 +
*2015-12-11
 +
** BeagleBone Black/Green: v4.1.13-ti-r36 kernel
 +
*2015-11-13
 +
** BeagleBone Black/Green: v4.1.12-ti-r29 kernel
  
*Additional Options
+
Get prebuilt image:
** --rootfs <ext4 default>
+
wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2016-01-14/flasher/BBB-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz
** --swap_file <swap file size in MB's>
+
wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2016-01-14/flasher/BBB-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.bmap
** --addon <pico>
 
** --svideo-ntsc <use ntsc over dvi for video)
 
** --svideo-pal <use pal over dvi for video)
 
  
You should now be able to unmount the SD card from you PC, insert into your BeagleBoard, reboot and have Ubuntu Maverick loaded.
+
Verify Image with:
 +
sha256sum BBB-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb*
 +
cf6cae65a5cceb0bf777a6c9a9826c24991d1a9d9b8dfb3c9d86c980d5628982  BBB-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.bmap
 +
2b02acd35c419b6ae9f91f5b5f99bff8ef918ac9200bea74f10e397c90d2e918  BBB-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz
  
For a full gui install run this on your beagle (make sure network is setup):
+
Linux: (bmaptool 3.2)
  Ethernet: "sudo ifconfig -a" and "sudo dhclient usb1" or "sudo dhclient eth0"
+
  sudo bmaptool copy --bmap BBB-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.bmap \
Wireless: http://elinux.org/BeagleBoardUbuntu#Wifi_Networking_.28command_line.29
+
  BBB-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz /dev/sdX
  sudo apt-get update
 
sudo apt-get install xfce4 gdm xubuntu-gdm-theme xubuntu-artwork xserver-xorg-video-omap3 network-manager
 
  
Advanced: Build Image:
+
Linux: (dd)
 +
unxz BBB-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz
 +
sudo dd if=./BBB-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img of=/dev/sdX
  
fixup.sh: https://github.com/RobertCNelson/omap-image-builder/raw/master/tools/fixup.sh
+
=== eMMC: BeagleBoard-X15 ===
  
Built with rootstock trunk (ARM native mode, run directly on beagleboard):
+
This image can be written to a 2GB (or larger) microSD card, via 'dd' on linux or on windows: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Win32DiskImager  First press and hold the boot select button (next to the microSD card), then apply power. On bootup the board should indicate it has started the flashing procedure visually via a Cylon Sweep pattern shown on the 4 LED's next to the ethernet jack. Progress is reported on both the serial debug and hdmi connectors, once completed all 4 LED's should be full ON.  Simply remove power, remove the microSD card and Ubuntu will now boot directly from eMMC.
  
sudo ./rootstock --fqdn omap --imagesize 2G --dist natty --serial ttyO2 \
+
Script for reference: (this is the script that writes to the eMMC)
--login ubuntu --password temppwd \
+
  https://github.com/RobertCNelson/boot-scripts/blob/master/tools/eMMC/init-eMMC-flasher-v3.sh
--seed git-core,nano,pastebinit,usbutils,wget,i2c-tools,uboot-envtools,uboot-mkimage,btrfs-tools,openssh-server,usb-modeswitch,wireless-tools,wpasupplicant \
 
--script fixup.sh --components "main universe multiverse" \
 
  --kernel-image http://rcn-ee.net/deb/natty/v3.0.6-x3/linux-image-3.0.6-x3_1.0natty_armel.deb
 
  
= Method 2: Use the NetInstall method=
+
This script will only take about 5-6 Minutes after power on.
  
You will need a 1GB/2GB SD card or greater.
+
Notes:
Standard System : ~700MB
+
* If only two LED's stay lit and nothing happens, the board has crashed due to lack of power. Retry with a 5Volt DC power supply connected.
 +
* If the 4 LED's blink a constant pattern, the eMMC write has failed. First REMOVE ALL capes, then retry again.
  
== Ubuntu 11.04 (Natty) ==
+
User: ubuntu
 +
pass: temppwd
  
git clone git://github.com/RobertCNelson/netinstall.git
+
Image Updated:
cd netinstall
+
*2016-01-14
 +
** BeagleBoard-X15: v4.1.15-ti-rt-r40 kernel
 +
*2015-12-11
 +
** BeagleBoard-X15: v4.1.13-ti-r36 kernel
 +
*2015-11-13
 +
** BeagleBoard-X15: v4.1.12-ti-r29 kernel
  
Install script for Beagle Bx
+
Get prebuilt image:
  ./mk_mmc.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --uboot beagle_bx --distro natty
+
  wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2016-01-14/flasher/bbx15-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz
 +
wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2016-01-14/flasher/bbx15-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.bmap
  
Install script for Beagle Cx, xM A/B/C
+
Verify Image with:
  ./mk_mmc.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --uboot beagle --distro natty
+
  sha256sum bbx15-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb*
 +
9fb1dad893f59dd520b77ebb2561e774154ba150486b0c5073ff14ff238d3a04  bbx15-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.bmap
 +
2164ad445759eb5933aafb286213e393f031dc29d67fb0c1b3d1abcdcf65c406  bbx15-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz
  
Install script for Panda
+
Linux: (bmaptool 3.2)
  ./mk_mmc.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --uboot panda --distro natty
+
  sudo bmaptool copy --bmap bbx15-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.bmap \
 +
bbx15-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz /dev/sdX
  
*Options:
+
Linux: (dd)
**--uboot : beagle_bx, beagle, panda
+
unxz bbx15-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz
**--distro : maverick
+
sudo dd if=./bbx15-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img of=/dev/sdX
**--firmware : installs firmware
 
**--serial-mode : debian-installer uses Serial Port
 
**--usb-rootfs : (uImage on /dev/mmcblkp0 and rootfs on external usb drive /dev/sda1)
 
  
Note: The default options work for most people, but if you'd like to tweak boot settings, edit these before running the script.
+
== raw microSD img ==
 
NetInstall boot Settings:
 
gedit ./netinstall/scripts/boot.scr/dvi.cmd
 
gedit ./netinstall/scripts/boot.scr/serial.cmd
 
 
Normal Boot Settings:
 
gedit ./netinstall/scripts/boot.scr/dvi-normal-natty.cmd
 
gedit ./netinstall/scripts/boot.scr/serial-normal-natty.cmd
 
  
Place SD card into Beagle and boot:
+
=== BeagleBone White/Black/Green ===
  
Configure the network:
+
This image can be written to a 2GB (or larger) microSD card, via 'dd' on linux or on windows: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Win32DiskImager
usb0: USB net <- (usually the OTG port, but could also be the smsc95xx adapter on the beagle and panda)
 
usb1: USB net <- (usually the smsc95xx adapter on the beagle and panda, when usb0 exist)
 
eth0: Ethernet <- Your usb-ethernet device (or the smsc95xx adapter with 2.6.39+)
 
wlan0: Wifi <- Your usb-wifi device..  
 
  
Troubshooting: If boot fails..
+
User: ubuntu
*Hold the user button down to force booting from MMC
+
pass: temppwd
*Upgrade X-loader and U-boot [http://elinux.org/BeagleBoardUbuntu#Upgrade_X-loader_and_U-boot Upgrade X-loader and U-Boot]
 
*Clear U-boot's Environment Variables in nand:  
 
nand erase 260000 20000
 
  
NetInstall assumptions:
+
Auto partition resize:
  Continue with out Kernel Modules <yes>
+
  cd /opt/scripts/tools
  Partition <Guided - use the largest continuous free space>
+
  git pull
 +
./grow_partition.sh
 +
sudo reboot
  
= Method 3: Build an Ubuntu root file system with RootStock=
+
Image Updated:
 +
*2016-01-14
 +
** BeagleBone White/Black/Green: v4.1.15-ti-rt-r40 kernel
 +
*2015-12-11
 +
** BeagleBone White/Black/Green: v4.1.13-ti-r36 kernel
 +
*2015-11-13
 +
** BeagleBone White/Black/Green: v4.1.12-ti-r29 kernel
  
== Install RootStock ==
+
Get prebuilt image:
 +
wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2016-01-14/microsd/bone-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz
 +
wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2016-01-14/microsd/bone-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.bmap
  
This is based off Ubuntu's RootStock Project; [https://launchpad.net/project-rootstock RootStock] script.
+
Verify Image with:
 +
sha256sum bone-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb*
 +
4ffbb35026f3f25925d65895da4d17d69aa5133e4d2f7afcf093672073a5fa82  bone-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.bmap
 +
991888ec1ce4fb66e6d6b3d3ab4715983f0082f67508d2bd74581dfb843e3747  bone-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz
  
Maverick (10.10)
+
Linux: (bmaptool 3.2)
  sudo apt-get install rootstock
+
  sudo bmaptool copy --bmap bone-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.bmap \
 +
bone-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz /dev/sdX
  
Lucid (10.04) (use rootstock trunk)
+
Linux: (dd)
  sudo apt-get install rootstock (to install rootstock's dependices)
+
unxz bone-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz
bzr branch lp:project-rootstock
+
  sudo dd if=./bone-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img of=/dev/sdX
cd project-rootstock
 
  
== RootStock ==
+
=== OMAP5432 uEVM ===
  
=== RootStock: Useful seed Packages ===
+
This image can be written to a 2GB (or larger) microSD card, via 'dd' on linux or on windows: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Win32DiskImager
  
Useful Packages:
+
User: ubuntu
linux-firmware,wireless-tools :wifi adapters..
+
pass: temppwd
ntpdate :sync real time clock from network
 
  
GUI's (broken bug: FIXME)
+
Auto partition resize:
  xfce4: xfce4,gdm,xubuntu-gdm-theme,xubuntu-artwork
+
  cd /opt/scripts/tools
 +
git pull
 +
./grow_partition.sh
 +
  sudo reboot
  
=== RootStock: Running ===
+
Image Updated:
 +
*2016-01-14
 +
** OMAP5432 uEVM: v4.1.15-ti-rt-r40 kernel
 +
*2015-12-11
 +
** OMAP5432 uEVM: v4.1.13-ti-r36 kernel
 +
*2015-11-13
 +
** OMAP5432 uEVM: v4.1.12-ti-r29 kernel
  
Rootstock Command line:
+
Get prebuilt image:
  sudo ./rootstock --fqdn <hostname> --login <rootuser> --password <rootuserpasswd> --imagesize <qemu image size> \
+
  wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2016-01-14/microsd/omap5-uevm-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz
  --seed <packages> --dist <lucid/maverick> --serial <ttySx>  --kernel-image <http>
+
  wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2016-01-14/microsd/omap5-uevm-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.bmap
  
Basic Natty (11.04) Beagleboard minimal image:
+
Verify Image with:
  sudo ./rootstock --fqdn omap --login ubuntu --password temppwd --imagesize 2G \
+
  sha256sum omap5-uevm-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb*
  --seed wget,nano,linux-firmware,wireless-tools,usbutils --dist natty --serial ttyO2 \
+
  89759c74dd879900a7757c1abfdcf101f3ee40527c835f86d40159025ddd4d96  omap5-uevm-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.bmap
  --components "main universe multiverse" \
+
  a7130cc1a143aec3f35b6869ef722fd987b8e0f3e7e51590c3a3d80e82de93f8 omap5-uevm-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz
  --kernel-image http://rcn-ee.net/deb/natty/v2.6.39-x1/linux-image-2.6.39-x1_1.0natty_armel.deb
 
  
Upon Completion, you should have:
+
Linux: (bmaptool 3.2)
  armel-rootfs-<date>.tgz  -> Root file System, dump to ext2/3 partition of SD card
+
  sudo bmaptool copy --bmap omap5-uevm-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.bmap \
  vmlinuz-2.6.<version>    -> Boot Image, use mkimage to create uImage and dump to the first fat16 partition of SD card
+
  omap5-uevm-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz /dev/sdX
initrd.img-2.6.<version> -> Boot initramfs, use mkimage to create uInitrd and dump to the first fat16 partition of SD card
 
  
= Method 4 (More advanced) Start by Manually Setting Up your SD Card(without an automatic SD card setup script)=
+
Linux: (dd)
 +
unxz omap5-uevm-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz
 +
sudo dd if=./omap5-uevm-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img of=/dev/sdX
  
For this section, you can use the files from above:
+
=== BeagleBoard-X15 ===
Demo Images: http://elinux.org/BeagleBoardUbuntu#Demo_Image
 
Rootstock: http://elinux.org/BeagleBoardUbuntu#Build_an_Ubuntu_root_file_system_with_RootStock
 
  
== Partition SD Card ==
+
This image can be written to a 2GB (or larger) microSD card, via 'dd' on linux or on windows: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Win32DiskImager
You will need a 1GB SD card or greater.
 
Standard Console System : ~286MB
 
+ Desktop environment (lxde,gdm) : ~479MB
 
  
Starting with an empty SD card and using gparted, create:
+
User: ubuntu
50 MiB Primary Partition, fat16/fat32
+
pass: temppwd
Rest as ext2/ext3/ext4/btrfs
 
  
Note: The boot partition can be hard to make bootable at times, here's a quick command line:
+
Auto partition resize:
 +
cd /opt/scripts/tools
 +
git pull
 +
./grow_partition.sh
 +
sudo reboot
  
First blank the MMC card's partition table with parted: (/dev/sdX as an example)
+
Image Updated:
sudo parted -s /dev/sdX mklabel msdos
+
*2016-01-14
 +
** BeagleBoard-X15: v4.1.15-ti-rt-r40 kernel
 +
*2015-12-11
 +
** BeagleBoard-X15: v4.1.13-ti-r36 kernel
 +
*2015-11-13
 +
** BeagleBoard-X15: v4.1.12-ti-r29 kernel
  
Then create the new boot partition:
+
Get prebuilt image:
  sudo fdisk /dev/sdX << MMC_END
+
  wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2016-01-14/microsd/bbx15-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz
  n
+
  wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2016-01-14/microsd/bbx15-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.bmap
p
 
1
 
1
 
+64M
 
t
 
e
 
p
 
w
 
MMC_END
 
  
Notes:
+
Verify Image with:
  GNU Fdisk doesn't and won't work...
+
  sha256sum bbx15-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb*
  fdisk (util-linux-ng 2.18.x) (just Fedora) add: "-c=dos -u=cylinders" ... "sudo fdisk -c=dos -u=cylinders /dev/sdX"
+
  871a6e0022f14db643c37e81ad0684bb6111e52d90a6184b29d597c4a1b0f7fb  bbx15-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.bmap
 +
938cb6d2c5876bccf7dfa897a22d4a56a21f4ea05bff78cdde589060700ac9a2  bbx15-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz
  
Make sure to set the partition boot flag
+
Linux: (bmaptool 3.2)
  sudo parted --script /dev/sdX set 1 boot on
+
  sudo bmaptool copy --bmap bbx15-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.bmap \
 +
bbx15-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz /dev/sdX
  
And format it as vfat:
+
Linux: (dd)
  sudo mkfs.vfat -F 16 /dev/sdX1
+
unxz bbx15-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz
 +
  sudo dd if=./bbx15-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img of=/dev/sdX
  
The rootfs partition, doesn't need any special options, so just use fdisk, gparted, etc to create and format your rootfs partition..
+
= Method 2: Use the NetInstall method=
  
Gparted Example: http://nishanthmenon.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-boot-beagle.html
+
You will need a 1GB/2GB/4GB/8GB SD card or greater.
 +
Standard system : ~700&nbsp;MB
  
For Reference:
+
Report Bugs/Issues to: https://github.com/RobertCNelson/netinstall/issues
Disk /dev/sdd: 2038 MB, 2038431744 bytes
+
(anywhere else will be ignored..)
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 247 cylinders
 
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
 
Disk identifier: 0x0008e471
 
 
    Device Boot      Start        End      Blocks  Id  System
 
/dev/sdd1              1          6      48163+  6  FAT16
 
/dev/sdd2              7        247    1935832+  83  Linux
 
  
== Boot Partition ==
+
Download the netinstall script:
 +
git clone https://github.com/RobertCNelson/netinstall.git
 +
cd netinstall
  
Requirements:
+
Currently supported Ubuntu distributions:
 +
--distro oneiric (11.10)
 +
--distro precise-armhf (12.04)
 +
--distro quantal (12.10)
 +
--distro raring (13.04)
 +
--distro saucy (13.10)
  
  sudo apt-get install uboot-mkimage
+
Device: <board> selection:
  Mount the fatfs partition of your SD card.
+
*BeagleBoard Ax/Bx/Cx - omap3-beagle
 +
  *BeagleBoard xMA/B/C  - omap3-beagle-xm
 +
*BeagleBone Ax        - am335x-bone-serial
 +
*BeagleBone (DVI cape) - am335x-bone-video
 +
*BeagleBone Black      - am335x-boneblack
 +
*PandaBoard Ax    - omap4-panda
 +
*PandaBoard A4+    - omap4-panda-a4
 +
*PandaBoard ES    - omap4-panda-es
  
Mount such as: (/dev/sdX1 is the fat Boot Partition)
+
Installation script for new <board> selection: (slowly migrating all devices to this method)
  mkdir -p ./tmp
+
  sudo ./mk_mmc.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --dtb <board> --distro <distro>
sudo mount /dev/sdX1 ./tmp
 
  
=== MLO and U-Boot ===
+
So for the xM: with quantal:
 +
sudo ./mk_mmc.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --dtb omap3-beagle-xm --distro quantal
  
Download and copy MLO and U-Boot from here:  
+
*Other Options:
http://www.angstrom-distribution.org/demo/beagleboard/
+
**--firmware : installs firmware
 +
**--serial-mode : debian-installer uses Serial Port
  
First copy "MLO-beagleboard-1.44+rX+gitX-rX" as MLO to the Boot Partition
+
Place SD card into BeagleBoard and boot:
Then copy "u-boot-beagleboard-20XX.XX+r62+gitX-rX.bin" as u-boot.bin to the Boot Partition
 
  
=== U-Boot uImage and uInitrd ===
+
Configure the network:
 +
usb0: USB net <- (usually the OTG port)
 +
eth0: USB net <- (usually the smsc95xx adapter on the BeagleBoard and PandaBoard)
 +
wlan0: Wifi <- Your USDB-Wi-Fi device..
  
U-Boot needs a compatible kernel image to boot. To do this, we are using mkimage from (uboot-mkimage) to create an image from the vmlinuz kernel file.  
+
See my notes for my testing procedure: https://github.com/RobertCNelson/netinstall/blob/master/test.Ubuntu
  
mkimage -A arm -O linux -T kernel -C none -a 0x80008000 -e 0x80008000 -n "Linux" -d ./vmlinuz-* ./uImage
+
Troubleshooting: If booting fails..
  Copy "uImage" to the Boot Partition
+
*Hold the user button down to force booting from MMC
 +
*Upgrade X-loader and U-boot [http://elinux.org/BeagleBoardUbuntu#Upgrade_X-loader_and_U-boot Upgrade X-loader and U-Boot]
 +
*Clear U-boot's Environment Variables in NAND:
 +
  nand erase 260000 20000
  
Next create a uInird (this contains a script to fix the rtc on boot, otherwise fsck/reboot/fsck/reboot/repeat happens..)
+
NetInstall assumptions:
 
+
  Assume asll <default>'s... Thanks you preseed.conf!!!
mkimage -A arm -O linux -T ramdisk -C none -a 0 -e 0 -n initramfs -d ./initrd.img-* ./uInitrd
 
  Copy "uInitrd" to the Boot Partition
 
 
 
=== U-Boot Boot Scripts ===
 
The version of U-Boot installed or recommended to install uses boot scripts by default.  This allows users to easily switch between multiple SD cards with different OS's with different parameters installed.  Ubuntu/Debian requires a slight modification to the bootargs line vs. Angstrom, 'ro' vs 'rw'.
 
 
 
fixrtc: (only uInitrd) Resets RTC based on last mount
 
buddy=${buddy}: (both) Kernel Zippy1/2 Support
 
mpurate=${mpurate}: (recommended core clock)
 
 
 
==== boot.scr -> uEnv.txt ====
 
Newer version's of u-boot now look for a uEnv.txt file vs the older boot.scr, since most boards still use the older boot.scr here's an easy compatibility script:
 
 
 
create a new file: uEnv.txt
 
bootenv=boot.scr
 
loaduimage=fatload mmc ${mmcdev} ${loadaddr} ${bootenv}
 
mmcboot=echo Running boot.scr script from mmc ...; source ${loadaddr}
 
 
 
==== Beagle Bx/Cx & xM ====
 
 
 
create a new file: boot.cmd
 
setenv dvimode 1280x720MR-16@60
 
setenv vram 12MB
 
setenv bootcmd 'fatload mmc 0:1 0x80300000 uImage; fatload mmc 0:1 0x81600000 uInitrd; bootm 0x80300000 0x81600000'
 
setenv bootargs console=ttyO2,115200n8 console=tty0 root=/dev/mmcblk0p2 rootwait ro vram=${vram} omapfb.mode=dvi:${dvimode} fixrtc buddy=${buddy} mpurate=${mpurate}
 
boot
 
 
 
Use mkimage create to actual *.scr file for U-Boot:
 
 
 
mkimage -A arm -O linux -T script -C none -a 0 -e 0 -n "Ubuntu" -d ./boot.cmd ./boot.scr
 
Copy "boot.scr" to the Boot Partition
 
For "igepv2" users, rename this to "boot.ini"
 
 
 
Umount the Boot Partition:
 
 
 
sudo umount ./tmp
 
 
 
== RootFS Partition ==
 
Root File System
 
 
 
Mount your SD card's larger root file system partition (assuming /dev/sdX2) and 'untar' the rootfs into it.
 
  
mkdir -p ./tmp
+
= Method 3: Manual Install (no automatic scripts)=
sudo mount /dev/sdX2 ./tmp
 
sudo tar xfp armel-rootfs-*.tgz -C ./tmp
 
sudo umount ./tmp
 
  
== Ubuntu Bugs & Tweaks ==
+
Note, this section used to have a lot of details, but maintenance of the two wiki's became a pain, so for now on we will just link to my other pages:
  
===Enable Network Access===
+
== Beagle/Beagle xM ==
 +
http://eewiki.net/display/linuxonarm/BeagleBoard
  
Modify /etc/network/interfaces
+
== BeagleBone ==
auto eth0
+
http://eewiki.net/display/linuxonarm/BeagleBone
iface eth0 inet dhcp
 
  
Manual: From the Command line
+
== BeagleBone Black ==
  sudo ifconfig -a
+
  http://eewiki.net/display/linuxonarm/BeagleBone+Black
sudo dhclient ethX (or wlanX/etc..)
 
  
Additional Network Setup Information can be found [[BeagleBoardUbuntuNetwork|HERE]]
+
== Panda/Panda ES ==
 +
http://eewiki.net/display/linuxonarm/PandaBoard
  
 
= Advanced =
 
= Advanced =
Line 466: Line 472:
 
==Install Latest Kernel Image==
 
==Install Latest Kernel Image==
  
===Script File===
+
General apt syntax for searching and installing a specific kernel:
 +
sudo apt-get update
 +
sudo apt-cache search linux-image | grep <branch>
 +
sudo apt-get install linux-image-<specific version>
 +
sudo reboot
  
Latest Stable is : https://github.com/RobertCNelson/stable-kernel
+
Latest kernel script
 +
cd /opt/scripts/tools/
 +
git pull
 +
sudo ./update_kernel.sh <OPTIONS>
  
export DIST=natty  (options are lucid/maverick/natty/oneiric/squeeze/wheezy)
+
== 3.8.x ==
  wget http://rcn-ee.net/deb/${DIST}/LATEST-omap
+
This is the first beagleboard.org long term kernel tree with capemanager support, it's been the default install for Debian Wheezy
wget $(cat ./LATEST-omap | grep STABLE | awk '{print $3}')
+
  beagleboard.org patchset: https://github.com/beagleboard/linux/tree/3.8
/bin/bash install-me.sh
 
  
Reboot with your new uImage
+
3.8.x BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black FULL Cape Support
 +
--bone-channel --stable
  
== Upgrade X-loader and U-boot ==
+
3.8.x BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black FULL Cape Support + Xenomai
 +
--bone-xenomai-channel --stable
  
Compatible with Bx,C2/3/4
+
== 4.1.x-ti ==
 +
This is slated to replace the v3.8.x tree in Debian Jessie, cape manager support is enabled.
 +
beagleboard.org patchset: https://github.com/beagleboard/linux/tree/4.1
 +
Based on: http://git.ti.com/gitweb/?p=ti-linux-kernel/ti-linux-kernel.git;a=shortlog;h=refs/heads/ti-linux-4.1.y
  
Requires MMC card..
+
4.1.x-ti BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black/BeagleBoard-X15
 +
--ti-channel --stable
  
  git clone git://github.com/RobertCNelson/flash-omap.git
+
  4.1.x-ti BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black/BeagleBoard-X15 + RT
  cd flash-omap
+
  --ti-rt-channel --stable
  
For the Beagle Bx
+
== Mainline (lts) ==
sudo ./mk_mmc.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --uboot beagle_bx
 
  
For the Beagle Cx
+
  4.1.x BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black + SGX
  sudo ./mk_mmc.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --uboot beagle
+
--bone-kernel --lts
  
  1: Plug Serial Cable in and Start Serial terminal program
+
  4.1.x BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black + RT + SGX
  2: Place MMC card in Beagle
+
  --bone-rt-kernel --lts
3: Push and Hold User Button
 
4: Plug-in Power
 
5: Wait for U-boot countdown to finish, Let Off User Button
 
6: Wait for Flashing/script to end
 
7: Power down, remove and reformat MMC card to final OS
 
  
If you don't know the location of your SD card:
+
== Mainline ==
  ./mk_mmc.sh --mmc /dev/'''idontknow'''
+
  4.3.x BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black
 +
--bone-kernel --testing
  
You should see something like
+
== Debian 8: jessie ==
 +
sudo apt-get install linux-image-armmp
  
Are you sure? I Don't see [/dev/idontknow], here is what I do see...
+
Reboot with your new Kernel Image.
 
fdisk -l:
 
Disk /dev/sda: 500.1 GB, 500107862016 bytes '''<- x86 Root Drive'''
 
Disk /dev/mmcblk0: 3957 MB, 3957325824 bytes '''<- MMC/SD card'''
 
 
mount:
 
/dev/sda1 on / type ext4 (rw,errors=remount-ro,commit=0) '''<- x86 Root Partition'''
 
  
* In this example, we can see via mount, '''/dev/sda5''' is the x68 rootfs, therefore '''/dev/mmcblk0''' is the other drive in the system, which is the MMC/SD card that was inserted and should be used by ./mk_mmc.sh...
+
== Xorg Drivers ==
  
Worst case, depending on what's actually in NAND, you might still have to stop and do this:
+
Script:
 +
cd /opt/scripts/tools/
 +
git pull
  
  nand erase 260000 20000
+
BeagleBoard/PandaBoard:
  reset
+
  cd /opt/scripts/tools/graphics/
 +
  ./ti-omapdrm.sh
  
===Manual Run===
+
BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black:
mmc init
+
  cd /opt/scripts/tools/graphics/
fatload mmc 0:1 0x80200000 MLO
+
  ./ti-tilcdc.sh
nand unlock
 
nand ecc hw
 
nandecc hw
 
nand erase 0 80000
 
nand write 0x80200000 0 20000
 
nand write 0x80200000 20000 20000
 
nand write 0x80200000 40000 20000
 
nand write 0x80200000 60000 20000
 
 
fatload mmc 0:1 0x80300000 u-boot.bin
 
nand unlock
 
nand ecc sw
 
nandecc sw
 
nand erase 80000 160000
 
nand write 0x80300000 80000 160000
 
nand erase 260000 20000
 
reset
 
 
 
== SGX Video Acceleration ==
 
 
 
Requirements: 2.6-stable from launchpad or 2.6.35.3-x1+ deb's from rcn-ee.net. (the Demo Images hosted on rcn-ee.net meet this requirement)
 
  https://github.com/RobertCNelson/stable-kernel
 
 
 
Note: ''An older version of these instructions was adapted for the IGEPv2 platform - if you are following this tutorial and have an IGEPv2, consider using http://wiki.jmaustin.org/wiki/IgepSGXUbuntu instead''
 
 
 
=== SDK unPackage Script ===
 
 
 
Download the latest version of the "create_sgx_package.sh" script
 
2.6.37
 
  wget https://github.com/RobertCNelson/stable-kernel/raw/master/create_sgx_package_2.6.37.sh
 
  2.6.38+
 
wget https://github.com/RobertCNelson/stable-kernel/raw/master/create_sgx_package.sh
 
 
 
Make script executable
 
chmod a+x ./create_sgx_package.sh
 
  
Run script
+
== SGX Drivers ==
./create_sgx_package.sh
 
  
After Successfully running:
+
=== SGX BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black ===
  
:~/temp$ ls
+
Note, these are FBDEV only, no xorg/x11/etc...
create_sgx_package.sh
 
GFX_X_XX_XX_XX_libs.tar.gz                      : -> Copy to Beagle (System Libs)
 
GFX_Linux_SDK.tar.gz                            : -> Copy to Beagle (DEMO's)
 
Graphics_SDK_setuplinux_X_XX_XX_XX.bin
 
SDK
 
SDK_BIN
 
  
=== Beagle: GFX_*_libs.tar.gz ===
+
Install the "4.1.x" lts/bone kernel:
 +
http://elinux.org/BeagleBoardUbuntu#Mainline_.28lts.29
  
tar xf GFX_4_00_00_01_libs.tar.gz  (extracts install-SGX.sh and run-SGX.sh)
+
Build SGX userspace for 4.1.x (must be done on an x86, due to the TI 5.01.01.02 blob extractor)
  ./install-SGX.sh (copies necessary SGX libs and startup script)
+
  git clone https://github.com/RobertCNelson/bb-kernel.git
  ./run-SGX.sh (force run the new init script, or you can just reboot...)
+
cd bb-kernel/
 +
  git checkout origin/am33x-v4.1 -b tmp-sgx
 +
./sgx_create_package.sh
  
On Successful install:
+
Copy ./deploy/GFX_5.01.01.02.tar.gz to BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black and install
  Stopping PVR
+
  sudo tar xfv GFX_5.01.01.02.tar.gz -C /
  Starting PVR
+
  cd /opt/gfxinstall/
  Starting SGX fixup for ES2.x (or ES3.x) (or ES5.x xM)
+
  sudo ./sgx-install.sh
 
 
Reboot for good measure (Maverick's Alpha-1 needs this....)
 
 
  sudo reboot
 
  sudo reboot
  
=== Beagle: GFX_Linux_SDK.tar.gz ===
+
Verify omaplfb & pvrsrvkm loaded
 +
debian@arm:~$ lsmod | grep omaplfb
 +
omaplfb                12065  0
 +
pvrsrvkm              178782  1 omaplfb
  
tar xf GFX_Linux_SDK.tar.gz
+
== Xorg Drivers ==
cd GFX_Linux_SDK
 
tar xf OGLES.tar.gz
 
  
=== Test SGX with a DEMO ===
+
Script:
 +
cd /opt/scripts/tools/
 +
git pull
  
  cd OGLES/SDKPackage/Binaries/CommonX11/Demos/EvilSkull
+
BeagleBoard/PandaBoard:
  ./OGLESEvilSkull
+
  cd /opt/scripts/tools/graphics/
 +
  ./ti-omapdrm.sh
  
=== Trouble Shooting ===
+
BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black:
 +
cd /opt/scripts/tools/graphics/
 +
./ti-tilcdc.sh
  
sudo rm /etc/powervr-esrev
+
= Swapfile =
sudo depmod -a omaplfb
 
sudo /etc/init.d/pvr restart
 
  
== DSP ==
+
== Using a File for Swap Instead of a Partition ==
  
=== gst-dsp ===
+
On the Beagleboard you should expect to require a swap file given the limitation of how little RAM is available (between 256&nbsp;MB and 512&nbsp;MB). Some system programs like apt-get will only run properly when some swap space is present (due to 256&nbsp;MB not being enough RAM).
  
Seems to work on all Beagle's, with atleast 2.6.38+ now...
+
Some images (such as those from Linaro.org) do not come with a swap partition or any swap space allocated.
  
Requirements: 2.6-stable from launchpad or 2.6.38+ deb's from rcn-ee.net. (the Demo Images hosted on rcn-ee.net meet this requirement)
+
Under Linux, swap space can be either a dedicated partition or a swap file. Both can be mounted as swap which the OS can access.
  https://github.com/RobertCNelson/stable-kernel
 
  
Download the latest version of the "create_dsp_package.sh" script
+
=== Creating a Swapfile ===
wget https://github.com/RobertCNelson/stable-kernel/raw/master/create_dsp_package.sh
 
  
Make script executable
+
The following commands will create a 1 GB file, limit access only to root, format it as swap and then make it available to the OS:
chmod a+x ./create_dsp_package.sh
 
  
Package script:
+
sudo mkdir -p /var/cache/swap/ 
  ./create_dsp_package.sh
+
sudo dd if=/dev/zero of=/var/cache/swap/swapfile bs=1M count=1024
 +
sudo chmod 0600 /var/cache/swap/swapfile
 +
sudo mkswap /var/cache/swap/swapfile
 +
  sudo swapon /var/cache/swap/swapfile
  
Copy DSP_Install_libs.tar.gz to beagle
+
To tell the OS to load this swapfile on each start up, edit the /etc/fstab file to include the following additional line:
  
Setup network...
+
/var/cache/swap/swapfile    none    swap    sw    0  0
  
Extract:
+
To verify that the swapfile is accessilble as swap to the OS, run "top" or "htop" at a console.
tar xf DSP_Install_libs.tar.gz
 
 
 
Install
 
./install-DSP.sh
 
 
 
Build gst-dsp stuff..
 
./install-gst-dsp.sh
 
 
 
Playbin:
 
sudo gst-launch playbin2 uri=file://(file)
 
 
 
== Xorg omapfb Drivers ==
 
 
 
By default Ubuntu will try to use the FBDEV video driver, however for the beagleboard we can take advantage of a more software optimized driver (still not using the sgx video hardware) using the NEON extensions of the Cortex-A8 core.
 
 
 
cat /var/log/Xorg.0.log | grep FBDEV
 
(II) FBDEV: driver for framebuffer: fbdev
 
(II) FBDEV(0): using default device
 
(II) FBDEV(0): Creating default Display subsection in Screen section
 
(==) FBDEV(0): Depth 16, (==) framebuffer bpp 16
 
(==) FBDEV(0): RGB weight 565
 
 
 
Login into Ubuntu and open a new terminal, xorg has to be running..
 
 
 
xvinfo -display :0.0
 
X-Video Extension version 2.2
 
screen #0
 
  no adaptors present
 
 
 
=== Drivers ===
 
 
 
Note: These are built with neon optimizations: http://git.debian.org/?p=collab-maint/xf86-video-omapfb.git;a=blob;f=debian/rules;h=c2f0d5391c96c5abb60b1e691ad86bb27e0c17d8;hb=HEAD  (line 48/49)
 
 
 
Lucid:
 
sudo apt-get install xserver-xorg-video-omap3
 
 
 
To verify it was correctly installed, reboot and:
 
 
 
cat /var/log/Xorg.0.log | grep omapfb
 
(II) LoadModule: "omapfb"
 
(II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers//omapfb_drv.so
 
(II) Module omapfb: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
 
(II) omapfb: Driver for OMAP framebuffer (omapfb) and external LCD controllers:
 
(WW) Error opening /sys/devices/platform/omapfb/ctrl/name: No such file or directory
 
(II) omapfb(0): VideoRAM: 1800KiB (SDRAM)
 
(II) omapfb(0): Creating default Display subsection in Screen section
 
(**) omapfb(0): Depth 16, (--) framebuffer bpp 16
 
(==) omapfb(0): RGB weight 565
 
(==) omapfb(0): Default visual is TrueColor
 
(--) omapfb(0): Virtual size is 1280x720 (pitch 1280)
 
(**) omapfb(0):  Built-in mode "current"
 
(==) omapfb(0): DPI set to (96, 96)
 
(II) omapfb(0): DPMS enabled
 
(II) omapfb(0): Video plane capabilities:
 
(II) omapfb(0): Video plane supports the following image formats:
 
(II) omapfb(0): XVideo extension initialized
 
 
 
Login into Ubuntu and open a new terminal, xorg has to be running..
 
 
 
xvinfo -display :0.0
 
X-Video Extension version 2.2
 
screen #0
 
  Adaptor #0: "OMAP XV adaptor"
 
    number of ports: 1
 
    port base: 56
 
    operations supported: PutImage
 
    supported visuals:
 
      depth 16, visualID 0x21
 
    number of attributes: 1
 
    etc..
 
 
 
== Changing DVI output resolution ==
 
 
 
Ubuntu 10.10 above defaults to a resolution of 1284x768@16.  This is set in the boot.cmd file in the boot partition of the SD card.  To change the resolution the DVI output, edit boot.cmd accordingly then recreate the boot.scr file by:
 
 
 
mkimage -A arm -O linux -T script -C none -a 0 -e 0 -n "Ubuntu 10.10" -d ./boot.cmd ./boot.scr
 
 
 
Then reboot the BeagleBoard
 
 
 
== S-Video ==
 
''(For configuring S-Video on Angstrom, click [[BeagleBoardAngstrom#Configuring_uEnv.txt_to_set_s-video_as_the_default_display|here]])''.
 
 
 
===Process for setting up S-Video===
 
 
 
S-video is tested to be working on 2.6.35-rc5-dl9. BeagleBoard s-video output has traditionally been enabled by "using bootargs (boot arguments) at uboot". In newer versions of the BeagleBoard, the developers have made things easier by instructing u-boot to look for a .scr file about a dozen lines long that is called cmd.boot.scr, and then follow said parameters. In Angstrom, no boot.scr file is needed, instead, an even easier system is used, where a simple editable .txt file called uEnv.txt containing these parameters suffices (Env is for "environment"). For some reason, in the Ubuntu download files, typically there a bit of convoluted process where uEnv.txt is called up, uEnv.txt says "Go read conf.boot.scr", and cmd.boot.scr sets up the s-video.
 
 
 
To make cmd.boot.scr, create a text file named cmd.boot, then convert it into a .scr file with mkimage by running the following commands on the terminal:
 
 
 
First, you will probably need to get mkimage with apt-get. Run
 
 
 
    sudo apt-get install mkimage
 
 
 
Next, convert your cmd.boot.scr
 
 
 
    mkimage -A arm -O linux -T script -C none -a 0 -e 0 -n 'Execute uImage' -d boot.cmd boot.scr
 
 
 
===Bootargs: make this cmd.boot to set s-video===
 
 
 
* NTSC
 
 
 
    omapfb.mode='''tv:ntsc'''
 
    omapdss.def_disp='''tv'''
 
 
 
Bootargs that has been validated.
 
 
 
    setenv bootargs 'console=tty0 console=ttyO2,115200n8 root=/dev/mmcblk0p2 rootwait ro vram=12M omapfb.mode=tv:ntsc omapdss.def_disp=tv
 
    fixrtc buddy=unknown'
 
 
 
===Screen cutoff problem===
 
 
 
 
 
NTSC resolution is supposed to be 640x480. However the edge bands around the TV screen differ from TV to TV. Output of '''fbset''' shown below:
 
 
 
    mode "720x482-30"
 
        # D: 13.500 MHz, H: 15.734 kHz, V: 29.970 Hz
 
        geometry 720 482 720 482 32
 
        timings 74074 16 58 6 31 64 6
 
        rgba 8/16,8/8,8/0,0/0
 
    endmode
 
 
 
Depending on your TV device, and what desktop you are running a certain amount of screen cutoff is likely to occur. This is called [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overscan Overscan]. Typically, around 5-10% of the left and right edges of display are off the screen (using Ubuntu with xfce). This seems to be due to the fact that there is only one display resolution that is set for NTSC: <!-- I don't know about PAL--> 720 X 482. It is not possible to change this setting in the xfce4 Settings Manager like one would normally be able to do, because other options are greyed out/do not exist. Normally, even if the Settings Manager did not allow for it, a different resolution setting could be obtained by editing the xorg.conf file in /etc/X11/xorg.conf-4, or some similar place. HOWEVER there is no xorg.conf file in the Beagle version of xfce. xrandr shows the display is set to the minimum of 720x574. Adding an xorg.conf does not fix the problem, because Beagle takes its (analog) display resolution settings directly from the display driver, where 720 X 480 (720 X 574 for PAL <!-- This I gather, but I really don't know--> ) is hard coded in. 
 
 
 
An inelegant but usable workaround for the xfce desktop environment is simply to create vertical and horizontal panels that fill up the space that is cut off on the screen. This is not a complete solution, but at least it will prevent maximized windows from going off into nowhere land.
 
 
 
 
 
Truly fixing this would involve going into the display driver and reprogramming it to include additional S-video settings besides just NTSC and PAL. Specifically, to make the whole framebuffer fit on the screen you would need to adjust the overlay in the display driver, the OMAP DSS2. (Didn't test this yet. Some pointers from the driver's documentation below)
 
 
 
    /sys/devices/platform/omapdss/overlay? directory:
 
    enabled 0=off, 1=on
 
    input_size width,height (ie. the framebuffer size)
 
    manager Destination overlay manager name
 
    name
 
    output_size width,height
 
    position x,y
 
    screen_width width
 
    global_alpha  global alpha 0-255 0=transparent 255=opaque
 
 
 
== Building Kernel ==
 
 
 
https://github.com/RobertCNelson/stable-kernel
 
 
 
Download SRC
 
git clone git://github.com/RobertCNelson/stable-kernel.git
 
 
 
Build Kernel
 
./build_kernel.sh
 
 
 
Optional Building Deb File
 
./build_deb.sh
 
  
 
= Ubuntu Software =
 
= Ubuntu Software =
  
== Wifi Networking (command line) ==
+
== Wi-Fi Networking (command line) ==
  
 
=== /etc/network/interfaces ===
 
=== /etc/network/interfaces ===
  
It is possible and relatively easy to configure a wifi card from the command line.
+
It is relatively easy to configure a Wi-Fi card from the command line.
  
You will need to edit the /etc/network/interfaces file. There are several guides available via Google.
+
You will need to edit the /etc/network/interfaces file. There are several guides available via Google.
  
This is a particularly useful guide http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=202834  
+
This is a particularly useful guide https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=202834  
  
 
A sample /etc/network/interfaces file for a WPA2 encrypted access point is:
 
A sample /etc/network/interfaces file for a WPA2 encrypted access point is:
Line 802: Line 626:
 
  wpa-group CCMP
 
  wpa-group CCMP
 
  wpa-key-mgmt WPA-PSK
 
  wpa-key-mgmt WPA-PSK
  wpa-psk < INSERT KEY XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX>
+
  wpa-psk <INSERT KEY XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX>
  
Your wifi card will automatically load these settings on start up and give network access.
+
Your Wi-Fi card will automatically load these settings upon startup and initialize wireless network access.
  
 
== Lightweight window managers ==
 
== Lightweight window managers ==
Line 810: Line 634:
 
If you intend to use Ubuntu on the BeagleBoard you can install JWM or IceWM to improve performance.
 
If you intend to use Ubuntu on the BeagleBoard you can install JWM or IceWM to improve performance.
  
JWM in particular uses little RAM. On a BeagleBoard with 256MB, using JWM will leave about 60MB free to run apps in.
+
JWM in particular uses little RAM. On a BeagleBoard with 256&nbsp;MB, using JWM will leave about 60&nbsp;MB free in which to run applications.
  
 
== Web Apps ==
 
== Web Apps ==
  
 
=== Midori ===
 
=== Midori ===
Given that the BeagleBoard has fewer resources than a desktop a light weight browser is more responsive. Midori is a light weight browser that still supports flash etc
+
Given that the BeagleBoard has fewer resources than a desktop a lightweight browser is more responsive. Midori is a lightweight browser that still supports flash, etc. It is available from the standard repositories:
It is available from the standard repositories.
 
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midori_%28web_browser%29
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midori_%28web_browser%29
  
Line 822: Line 645:
  
 
=== Motion ===
 
=== Motion ===
If you have a video source (webcam, IP cam etc) which appears as /dev/video0 etc then you can use the Linux Surveillance software "motion" to monitor the video stream and record periods of activity.
+
If you have a video source (webcam, IP cam, etc.) which appears as /dev/video0, etc. then you can use the Linux surveillance software "motion" to monitor the video stream and record periods of activity.
  
Motion is also available from the standard repositories.
+
Motion is also available from the standard repositories:
 
http://www.debian-administration.org/article/An_Introduction_to_Video_Surveillance_with_%27Motion%27
 
http://www.debian-administration.org/article/An_Introduction_to_Video_Surveillance_with_%27Motion%27
Using a 960x720 resolution webcam with 15 fps rate under the UVC driver the Rev C BeagleBoard under Xubuntu reports ~60% CPU utilisation.
+
Using a 960x720 resolution webcam with a 15&nbsp;fps rate under the UVC driver the Rev C BeagleBoard under Xubuntu reports ~60% CPU utilisation.
  
To make the BeagleBoard automatically start recording on boot do the following:
+
To make the BeagleBoard automatically start recording on boot, do the following:
  
 
* Auto Login - run "gdmsetup" from a terminal and select a user to automatically login  
 
* Auto Login - run "gdmsetup" from a terminal and select a user to automatically login  
* Sessions - make sure you don't save any previous xwindows sessions so that it doesn't prompt you for which one you want
+
* Sessions - make sure you don't save any previous X Windows sessions so that it doesn't prompt you for which one you want
* motion.conf - amend /etc/motion/motion.conf to the settings you want (ie video output directory, record only video, record in mpeg4, set frame rate etc). Do this with "sudo medit /etc/motion/motion.conf" at a prompt.
+
* motion.conf - edit /etc/motion/motion.conf to use the settings you want (that is, video output directory, record only video, record in MPEG-4, set frame rate, etc). Do this with "sudo medit /etc/motion/motion.conf" at a prompt.
* Boot script - create a new script in /etc/rc2.d called "S65motion_client" and set permissions appropriately ("sudo chmod 777 /etc/rc2.d/S65motion_client"). Then edit the file so it has the following text in it:
+
* Boot script - create a new script in /etc/rc2.d called "S65motion_client" and set permissions appropriately ("sudo chmod 777 /etc/rc2.d/S65motion_client"). Then edit the file so it contains the following lines:
  
 
  #! /bin/sh
 
  #! /bin/sh
Line 840: Line 663:
 
This will now launch the motion client as root when you boot up.
 
This will now launch the motion client as root when you boot up.
  
Also note that unless your BeagleBoard can remember the time (battery backed up clock installed) the timestamps will not be correct until you update the time. If your BeagleBoard has an Internet Connection this can be achieved with the ntpdate app.
+
Also note that unless your BeagleBoard can remember the time (battery backed up clock installed), the timestamps will not be correct until you update the time. If your BeagleBoard has an Internet connection this can be achieved using the ntpdate application.
 
 
  
 
== Robotics ==
 
== Robotics ==
  
 
=== ROS ===
 
=== ROS ===
Willow Garage hosts the open source Robotic Operating System (ROS). Whilst it is natively supported in Ubuntu, the official packages are only for the x86 platform. ROS can be installed from source and is generally easy to do so (although slow).
+
ROS (Robot Operating System) provides libraries and tools to help software developers create robot applications. It provides hardware abstraction, device drivers, libraries, visualizers, message-passing, package management, and more. ROS is licensed under an open source, BSD license.
  
Following the instructions from here will build and install ROS on your beagleboard:
+
There are currently builds of ROS for Ubuntu Trusty armhf. These builds include most but not all packages, and save a considerable amount of time compared to doing a full source-based installation:
  
http://www.ros.org/wiki/cturtle/Installation/Ubuntu/SVN
+
http://wiki.ros.org/indigo/Installation/UbuntuARM
  
You will need an Internet connection for your Beagleboard for these scripts to work.
+
Alternatively ROS can be installed from source and is generally easy to do so (although slow).
  
For more information about ROS see www.ros.org
+
For more information about ROS, see www.ros.org.

Revision as of 22:03, 15 January 2016

(For BeagleBoardAngstrom, click here.) (Should Beagleboard:Ubuntu On BeagleBone Black be merged into this page?)

This page is about running a Linux distribution (ARM EABI) Ubuntu on the BeagleBoard. BeagleBoard will boot the (ARM EABI) Ubuntu distribution from the SD card. Since much of this page is generic, it has also been extended to help support devices such as the PandaBoard and BeagleBone.

  • For the best experience, make sure you have an LCD/HDMI monitor attached to the BeagleBoard's HDMI port, 2 GB/4 GB/8 GB SD card, and a known good USB 2.0 hub with mouse and keyboard.

Help

If you need any help:

  • Ubuntu related help:
    • #ubuntu-arm: Ubuntu's ARM IRC on Freenode (logs -> year -> month -> day -> #ubuntu-arm.html)
  • When requesting help, please provide some debugging information:
    • U-Boot Version installed on board
    • Kernel Version: uname -a
    • pastebin dmesg
      • Copy from serial port or use "dmesg | pastebinit" (sudo apt-get install pastebinit)

Required Beagle Software

Mainline U-Boot:

  • All older BeagleBoard (classic) Ax, Bx, Cx and Dx boards are required to upgrade to at least these U-Boot versions
  • XM Boards have no NAND, so MLO/u-boot.img is always required on the first partition
  • Directions: Upgrade X-loader and U-Boot

Omap Serial Changes

boot.scr/boot.cmd changes:

With 2.6.35:

console=ttyS2,115200n8

With 2.6.36/37+:

console=ttyO2,115200n8

Serial console login: /etc/init/ttyO2.conf

start on stopped rc RUNLEVEL=[2345]
stop on runlevel [!2345]

respawn
exec /sbin/getty 115200 ttyO2

Method 1: Download a Complete Pre-Configured Image

Demo Image

git clone https://github.com/RobertCNelson/armv7-multiplatform.git
cd armv7-multiplatform
git checkout origin/v4.4.x -b tmp
./build_kernel.sh
git clone https://github.com/RobertCNelson/ti-linux-kernel-dev.git
cd ti-linux-kernel-dev
git checkout origin/ti-linux-rt-4.1.y -b tmp
./build_kernel.sh

Ubuntu (14.04.3)

Default username/password:

  • username: ubuntu
  • password: temppwd

Image Updated:

  • 2016-01-14
    • BeagleBoard xM: v4.4.0-armv7-x3 kernel
    • BeagleBone White/Black/Green: v4.1.15-ti-rt-r40 kernel
    • OMAP5432 uEVM: v4.1.15-ti-rt-r40 kernel
    • BeagleBoard-X15: v4.1.15-ti-rt-r40 kernel
  • 2015-12-11
    • BeagleBoard xM: v4.3.2-armv7-x1 kernel
    • BeagleBone White/Black/Green: v4.1.13-ti-r36 kernel
    • OMAP5432 uEVM: v4.1.13-ti-r36 kernel
    • BeagleBoard-X15: v4.1.13-ti-r36 kernel
  • 2015-11-13
    • BeagleBoard xM: v4.3.0-armv7-x0 kernel
    • BeagleBone White/Black/Green: v4.1.12-ti-r29 kernel
    • OMAP5432 uEVM: v4.1.12-ti-r29 kernel
    • BeagleBoard-X15: v4.1.12-ti-r29 kernel

Services Active:

Note: Depending on your internal network these may work out of the box
Apache, Port 80: http://arm.local/ (Bone: via usb) http://192.168.7.2
SSH, Port 22: ssh ubuntu@arm.local (Bone: via usb) ubuntu@192.168.7.2
Getty, Serial Port

Default user: ubuntu pass: temppwd

Get prebuilt image:

wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2016-01-14/elinux/ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14.tar.xz

Verify Image with:

sha256sum ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14.tar.xz
3f2fa9b8c95ae5f52d2f285f51de5d1d2195fddf28032b10f079c8356ade1f52  ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14.tar.xz

Unpack Image:

tar xf ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14.tar.xz
cd ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14

If you don't know the location of your SD card:

sudo ./setup_sdcard.sh --probe-mmc

You should see something like:

Are you sure? I don't see [/dev/idontknow], here is what I do see...

fdisk -l:
Disk /dev/sda: 500.1 GB, 500107862016 bytes <- x86 Root Drive
Disk /dev/sdd: 3957 MB, 3957325824 bytes <- MMC/SD card

lsblk:
NAME   MAJ:MIN RM   SIZE RO TYPE MOUNTPOINT
sda      8:0    0 465.8G  0 disk 
├─sda1   8:1    0 446.9G  0 part /  <- x86 Root Partition
├─sda2   8:2    0     1K  0 part 
└─sda5   8:5    0  18.9G  0 part [SWAP]
sdd      8:48   1   3.7G  0 disk 
├─sdd1   8:49   1    64M  0 part 
└─sdd2   8:50   1   3.6G  0 part 
  • In this example, we can see via mount, /dev/sda1 is the x86 rootfs, therefore /dev/sdd is the other drive in the system, which is the MMC/SD card that was inserted and should be used by ./setup_sdcard.sh...

Install Image:

Quick install script for [board]

sudo ./setup_sdcard.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --dtb board

board options:

  • BeagleBoard Ax/Bx/Cx/Dx - omap3-beagle
  • BeagleBoard xM - omap3-beagle-xm
  • BeagleBone White/Black/Green - beaglebone
  • OMAP5432 uEVM - omap5-uevm
  • BeagleBoard-X15 - am57xx-beagle-x15

So for the BeagleBoard xM:

sudo ./setup_sdcard.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --dtb omap3-beagle-xm

Advanced: Build Image:

git clone https://github.com/RobertCNelson/omap-image-builder.git
cd omap-image-builder
git checkout v2016.01 -b tmp

Stable:

./RootStock-NG.sh -c rcn-ee_console_ubuntu_trusty_armhf

Testing:

./RootStock-NG.sh -c rcn-ee_console_ubuntu_xenial_armhf

Ubuntu Testing (xenial)

Image Updated:

  • 2016-01-14
    • BeagleBoard xM: v4.4.0-armv7-x3 kernel
    • BeagleBone White/Black/Green: v4.1.15-ti-rt-r40 kernel
    • OMAP5432 uEVM: v4.1.15-ti-rt-r40 kernel
    • BeagleBoard-X15: v4.1.15-ti-rt-r40 kernel
  • 2015-12-11
    • BeagleBoard xM: v4.3.2-armv7-x1 kernel
    • BeagleBone White/Black/Green: v4.1.13-ti-r36 kernel
    • OMAP5432 uEVM: v4.1.13-ti-r36 kernel
    • BeagleBoard-X15: v4.1.13-ti-r36 kernel
  • 2015-11-13
    • BeagleBoard xM: v4.3.0-armv7-x0 kernel
    • BeagleBone White/Black/Green: v4.1.12-ti-r29 kernel
    • OMAP5432 uEVM: v4.1.12-ti-r29 kernel
    • BeagleBoard-X15: v4.1.12-ti-r29 kernel

Get prebuilt image:

wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2016-01-14/elinux/ubuntu-xenial-console-armhf-2016-01-14.tar.xz

Verify Image with:

sha256sum ubuntu-xenial-console-armhf-2016-01-14.tar.xz
a8b5995584caf58a37e1b454724b4b4e300a21bfd72e2156f30052a104d2b035  ubuntu-xenial-console-armhf-2016-01-14.tar.xz

Unpack image:

tar xf ubuntu-xenial-console-armhf-2016-01-14.tar.xz
cd ubuntu-xenial-console-armhf-2016-01-14

Then follow the directions shown above with the other images...

Flasher

eMMC: BeagleBone Black/Green

This image can be written to a 2GB (or larger) microSD card, via 'dd' on linux or on windows: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Win32DiskImager First press and hold the boot select button (next to the microSD card), then apply power. On bootup the board should indicate it has started the flashing procedure visually via a Cylon Sweep pattern shown on the 4 LED's next to the ethernet jack. Progress is reported on both the serial debug and hdmi connectors, once completed all 4 LED's should be full ON. Simply remove power, remove the microSD card and Ubuntu will now boot directly from eMMC.

Script for reference: (this is the script that writes to the eMMC)

https://github.com/RobertCNelson/boot-scripts/blob/master/tools/eMMC/init-eMMC-flasher-v3.sh

This script will only take about 5-6 Minutes after power on.

Notes:

  • If only two LED's stay lit and nothing happens, the board has crashed due to lack of power. Retry with a 5Volt DC power supply connected.
  • If the 4 LED's blink a constant pattern, the eMMC write has failed. First REMOVE ALL capes, then retry again.

User: ubuntu pass: temppwd

Image Updated:

  • 2016-01-14
    • BeagleBone Black/Green: v4.1.15-ti-rt-r40 kernel
  • 2015-12-11
    • BeagleBone Black/Green: v4.1.13-ti-r36 kernel
  • 2015-11-13
    • BeagleBone Black/Green: v4.1.12-ti-r29 kernel

Get prebuilt image:

wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2016-01-14/flasher/BBB-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz
wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2016-01-14/flasher/BBB-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.bmap

Verify Image with:

sha256sum BBB-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb*
cf6cae65a5cceb0bf777a6c9a9826c24991d1a9d9b8dfb3c9d86c980d5628982  BBB-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.bmap
2b02acd35c419b6ae9f91f5b5f99bff8ef918ac9200bea74f10e397c90d2e918  BBB-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz

Linux: (bmaptool 3.2)

sudo bmaptool copy --bmap BBB-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.bmap \
BBB-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz /dev/sdX

Linux: (dd)

unxz BBB-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz
sudo dd if=./BBB-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img of=/dev/sdX

eMMC: BeagleBoard-X15

This image can be written to a 2GB (or larger) microSD card, via 'dd' on linux or on windows: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Win32DiskImager First press and hold the boot select button (next to the microSD card), then apply power. On bootup the board should indicate it has started the flashing procedure visually via a Cylon Sweep pattern shown on the 4 LED's next to the ethernet jack. Progress is reported on both the serial debug and hdmi connectors, once completed all 4 LED's should be full ON. Simply remove power, remove the microSD card and Ubuntu will now boot directly from eMMC.

Script for reference: (this is the script that writes to the eMMC)

https://github.com/RobertCNelson/boot-scripts/blob/master/tools/eMMC/init-eMMC-flasher-v3.sh

This script will only take about 5-6 Minutes after power on.

Notes:

  • If only two LED's stay lit and nothing happens, the board has crashed due to lack of power. Retry with a 5Volt DC power supply connected.
  • If the 4 LED's blink a constant pattern, the eMMC write has failed. First REMOVE ALL capes, then retry again.

User: ubuntu pass: temppwd

Image Updated:

  • 2016-01-14
    • BeagleBoard-X15: v4.1.15-ti-rt-r40 kernel
  • 2015-12-11
    • BeagleBoard-X15: v4.1.13-ti-r36 kernel
  • 2015-11-13
    • BeagleBoard-X15: v4.1.12-ti-r29 kernel

Get prebuilt image:

wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2016-01-14/flasher/bbx15-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz
wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2016-01-14/flasher/bbx15-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.bmap

Verify Image with:

sha256sum bbx15-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb*
9fb1dad893f59dd520b77ebb2561e774154ba150486b0c5073ff14ff238d3a04  bbx15-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.bmap
2164ad445759eb5933aafb286213e393f031dc29d67fb0c1b3d1abcdcf65c406  bbx15-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz

Linux: (bmaptool 3.2)

sudo bmaptool copy --bmap bbx15-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.bmap \
bbx15-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz /dev/sdX

Linux: (dd)

unxz bbx15-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz
sudo dd if=./bbx15-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img of=/dev/sdX

raw microSD img

BeagleBone White/Black/Green

This image can be written to a 2GB (or larger) microSD card, via 'dd' on linux or on windows: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Win32DiskImager

User: ubuntu pass: temppwd

Auto partition resize:

cd /opt/scripts/tools
git pull
./grow_partition.sh
sudo reboot

Image Updated:

  • 2016-01-14
    • BeagleBone White/Black/Green: v4.1.15-ti-rt-r40 kernel
  • 2015-12-11
    • BeagleBone White/Black/Green: v4.1.13-ti-r36 kernel
  • 2015-11-13
    • BeagleBone White/Black/Green: v4.1.12-ti-r29 kernel

Get prebuilt image:

wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2016-01-14/microsd/bone-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz
wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2016-01-14/microsd/bone-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.bmap

Verify Image with:

sha256sum bone-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb*
4ffbb35026f3f25925d65895da4d17d69aa5133e4d2f7afcf093672073a5fa82  bone-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.bmap
991888ec1ce4fb66e6d6b3d3ab4715983f0082f67508d2bd74581dfb843e3747  bone-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz

Linux: (bmaptool 3.2)

sudo bmaptool copy --bmap bone-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.bmap \
bone-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz /dev/sdX

Linux: (dd)

unxz bone-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz
sudo dd if=./bone-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img of=/dev/sdX

OMAP5432 uEVM

This image can be written to a 2GB (or larger) microSD card, via 'dd' on linux or on windows: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Win32DiskImager

User: ubuntu pass: temppwd

Auto partition resize:

cd /opt/scripts/tools
git pull
./grow_partition.sh
sudo reboot

Image Updated:

  • 2016-01-14
    • OMAP5432 uEVM: v4.1.15-ti-rt-r40 kernel
  • 2015-12-11
    • OMAP5432 uEVM: v4.1.13-ti-r36 kernel
  • 2015-11-13
    • OMAP5432 uEVM: v4.1.12-ti-r29 kernel

Get prebuilt image:

wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2016-01-14/microsd/omap5-uevm-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz
wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2016-01-14/microsd/omap5-uevm-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.bmap

Verify Image with:

sha256sum omap5-uevm-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb*
89759c74dd879900a7757c1abfdcf101f3ee40527c835f86d40159025ddd4d96  omap5-uevm-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.bmap
a7130cc1a143aec3f35b6869ef722fd987b8e0f3e7e51590c3a3d80e82de93f8  omap5-uevm-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz

Linux: (bmaptool 3.2)

sudo bmaptool copy --bmap omap5-uevm-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.bmap \
omap5-uevm-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz /dev/sdX

Linux: (dd)

unxz omap5-uevm-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz
sudo dd if=./omap5-uevm-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img of=/dev/sdX

BeagleBoard-X15

This image can be written to a 2GB (or larger) microSD card, via 'dd' on linux or on windows: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Win32DiskImager

User: ubuntu pass: temppwd

Auto partition resize:

cd /opt/scripts/tools
git pull
./grow_partition.sh
sudo reboot

Image Updated:

  • 2016-01-14
    • BeagleBoard-X15: v4.1.15-ti-rt-r40 kernel
  • 2015-12-11
    • BeagleBoard-X15: v4.1.13-ti-r36 kernel
  • 2015-11-13
    • BeagleBoard-X15: v4.1.12-ti-r29 kernel

Get prebuilt image:

wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2016-01-14/microsd/bbx15-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz
wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2016-01-14/microsd/bbx15-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.bmap

Verify Image with:

sha256sum bbx15-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb*
871a6e0022f14db643c37e81ad0684bb6111e52d90a6184b29d597c4a1b0f7fb  bbx15-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.bmap
938cb6d2c5876bccf7dfa897a22d4a56a21f4ea05bff78cdde589060700ac9a2  bbx15-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz

Linux: (bmaptool 3.2)

sudo bmaptool copy --bmap bbx15-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.bmap \
bbx15-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz /dev/sdX

Linux: (dd)

unxz bbx15-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img.xz
sudo dd if=./bbx15-ubuntu-14.04.3-console-armhf-2016-01-14-2gb.img of=/dev/sdX

Method 2: Use the NetInstall method

You will need a 1GB/2GB/4GB/8GB SD card or greater.

Standard system : ~700 MB

Report Bugs/Issues to: https://github.com/RobertCNelson/netinstall/issues (anywhere else will be ignored..)

Download the netinstall script:

git clone https://github.com/RobertCNelson/netinstall.git
cd netinstall

Currently supported Ubuntu distributions:

--distro oneiric (11.10)
--distro precise-armhf (12.04)
--distro quantal (12.10)
--distro raring (13.04)
--distro saucy (13.10)

Device: <board> selection:

*BeagleBoard Ax/Bx/Cx  - omap3-beagle
*BeagleBoard xMA/B/C   - omap3-beagle-xm
*BeagleBone Ax         - am335x-bone-serial
*BeagleBone (DVI cape) - am335x-bone-video
*BeagleBone Black      - am335x-boneblack
*PandaBoard Ax     - omap4-panda
*PandaBoard A4+    - omap4-panda-a4
*PandaBoard ES     - omap4-panda-es

Installation script for new <board> selection: (slowly migrating all devices to this method)

sudo ./mk_mmc.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --dtb <board> --distro <distro>

So for the xM: with quantal:

sudo ./mk_mmc.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --dtb omap3-beagle-xm --distro quantal
  • Other Options:
    • --firmware : installs firmware
    • --serial-mode : debian-installer uses Serial Port

Place SD card into BeagleBoard and boot:

Configure the network:

usb0: USB net <- (usually the OTG port)
eth0: USB net <- (usually the smsc95xx adapter on the BeagleBoard and PandaBoard)
wlan0: Wifi <- Your USDB-Wi-Fi device.. 

See my notes for my testing procedure: https://github.com/RobertCNelson/netinstall/blob/master/test.Ubuntu

Troubleshooting: If booting fails..

  • Hold the user button down to force booting from MMC
  • Upgrade X-loader and U-boot Upgrade X-loader and U-Boot
  • Clear U-boot's Environment Variables in NAND:
nand erase 260000 20000

NetInstall assumptions:

Assume asll <default>'s... Thanks you preseed.conf!!!

Method 3: Manual Install (no automatic scripts)

Note, this section used to have a lot of details, but maintenance of the two wiki's became a pain, so for now on we will just link to my other pages:

Beagle/Beagle xM

http://eewiki.net/display/linuxonarm/BeagleBoard

BeagleBone

http://eewiki.net/display/linuxonarm/BeagleBone

BeagleBone Black

http://eewiki.net/display/linuxonarm/BeagleBone+Black

Panda/Panda ES

http://eewiki.net/display/linuxonarm/PandaBoard

Advanced

Install Latest Kernel Image

General apt syntax for searching and installing a specific kernel:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-cache search linux-image | grep <branch>
sudo apt-get install linux-image-<specific version>
sudo reboot

Latest kernel script

cd /opt/scripts/tools/
git pull
sudo ./update_kernel.sh <OPTIONS>

3.8.x

This is the first beagleboard.org long term kernel tree with capemanager support, it's been the default install for Debian Wheezy

beagleboard.org patchset: https://github.com/beagleboard/linux/tree/3.8
3.8.x BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black FULL Cape Support
--bone-channel --stable
3.8.x BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black FULL Cape Support + Xenomai
--bone-xenomai-channel --stable

4.1.x-ti

This is slated to replace the v3.8.x tree in Debian Jessie, cape manager support is enabled.

beagleboard.org patchset: https://github.com/beagleboard/linux/tree/4.1
Based on: http://git.ti.com/gitweb/?p=ti-linux-kernel/ti-linux-kernel.git;a=shortlog;h=refs/heads/ti-linux-4.1.y
4.1.x-ti BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black/BeagleBoard-X15
--ti-channel --stable
4.1.x-ti BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black/BeagleBoard-X15 + RT
--ti-rt-channel --stable

Mainline (lts)

4.1.x BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black + SGX
--bone-kernel --lts
4.1.x BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black + RT + SGX
--bone-rt-kernel --lts

Mainline

4.3.x BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black
--bone-kernel --testing

Debian 8: jessie

sudo apt-get install linux-image-armmp

Reboot with your new Kernel Image.

Xorg Drivers

Script:

cd /opt/scripts/tools/
git pull

BeagleBoard/PandaBoard:

cd /opt/scripts/tools/graphics/
./ti-omapdrm.sh

BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black:

cd /opt/scripts/tools/graphics/
./ti-tilcdc.sh

SGX Drivers

SGX BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black

Note, these are FBDEV only, no xorg/x11/etc...

Install the "4.1.x" lts/bone kernel: http://elinux.org/BeagleBoardUbuntu#Mainline_.28lts.29

Build SGX userspace for 4.1.x (must be done on an x86, due to the TI 5.01.01.02 blob extractor)

git clone https://github.com/RobertCNelson/bb-kernel.git
cd bb-kernel/
git checkout origin/am33x-v4.1 -b tmp-sgx
./sgx_create_package.sh

Copy ./deploy/GFX_5.01.01.02.tar.gz to BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black and install

sudo tar xfv GFX_5.01.01.02.tar.gz -C /
cd /opt/gfxinstall/
sudo ./sgx-install.sh
sudo reboot

Verify omaplfb & pvrsrvkm loaded

debian@arm:~$ lsmod | grep omaplfb
omaplfb                12065  0 
pvrsrvkm              178782  1 omaplfb

Xorg Drivers

Script:

cd /opt/scripts/tools/
git pull

BeagleBoard/PandaBoard:

cd /opt/scripts/tools/graphics/
./ti-omapdrm.sh

BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black:

cd /opt/scripts/tools/graphics/
./ti-tilcdc.sh

Swapfile

Using a File for Swap Instead of a Partition

On the Beagleboard you should expect to require a swap file given the limitation of how little RAM is available (between 256 MB and 512 MB). Some system programs like apt-get will only run properly when some swap space is present (due to 256 MB not being enough RAM).

Some images (such as those from Linaro.org) do not come with a swap partition or any swap space allocated.

Under Linux, swap space can be either a dedicated partition or a swap file. Both can be mounted as swap which the OS can access.

Creating a Swapfile

The following commands will create a 1 GB file, limit access only to root, format it as swap and then make it available to the OS:

sudo mkdir -p /var/cache/swap/   
sudo dd if=/dev/zero of=/var/cache/swap/swapfile bs=1M count=1024
sudo chmod 0600 /var/cache/swap/swapfile 
sudo mkswap /var/cache/swap/swapfile 
sudo swapon /var/cache/swap/swapfile 

To tell the OS to load this swapfile on each start up, edit the /etc/fstab file to include the following additional line:

/var/cache/swap/swapfile    none    swap    sw    0   0

To verify that the swapfile is accessilble as swap to the OS, run "top" or "htop" at a console.

Ubuntu Software

Wi-Fi Networking (command line)

/etc/network/interfaces

It is relatively easy to configure a Wi-Fi card from the command line.

You will need to edit the /etc/network/interfaces file. There are several guides available via Google.

This is a particularly useful guide https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=202834

A sample /etc/network/interfaces file for a WPA2 encrypted access point is:

auto lo
iface lo inet loopback
auto wlan0
iface wlan0 inet dhcp
wpa-driver wext
wpa-ssid <NAME OF AP>
wpa-ap-scan 1
wpa-proto RSN
wpa-pairwise CCMP
wpa-group CCMP
wpa-key-mgmt WPA-PSK
wpa-psk <INSERT KEY XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX>

Your Wi-Fi card will automatically load these settings upon startup and initialize wireless network access.

Lightweight window managers

If you intend to use Ubuntu on the BeagleBoard you can install JWM or IceWM to improve performance.

JWM in particular uses little RAM. On a BeagleBoard with 256 MB, using JWM will leave about 60 MB free in which to run applications.

Web Apps

Midori

Given that the BeagleBoard has fewer resources than a desktop a lightweight browser is more responsive. Midori is a lightweight browser that still supports flash, etc. It is available from the standard repositories: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midori_%28web_browser%29

Surveillance

Motion

If you have a video source (webcam, IP cam, etc.) which appears as /dev/video0, etc. then you can use the Linux surveillance software "motion" to monitor the video stream and record periods of activity.

Motion is also available from the standard repositories: http://www.debian-administration.org/article/An_Introduction_to_Video_Surveillance_with_%27Motion%27 Using a 960x720 resolution webcam with a 15 fps rate under the UVC driver the Rev C BeagleBoard under Xubuntu reports ~60% CPU utilisation.

To make the BeagleBoard automatically start recording on boot, do the following:

  • Auto Login - run "gdmsetup" from a terminal and select a user to automatically login
  • Sessions - make sure you don't save any previous X Windows sessions so that it doesn't prompt you for which one you want
  • motion.conf - edit /etc/motion/motion.conf to use the settings you want (that is, video output directory, record only video, record in MPEG-4, set frame rate, etc). Do this with "sudo medit /etc/motion/motion.conf" at a prompt.
  • Boot script - create a new script in /etc/rc2.d called "S65motion_client" and set permissions appropriately ("sudo chmod 777 /etc/rc2.d/S65motion_client"). Then edit the file so it contains the following lines:
#! /bin/sh
/usr/bin/motion -c /etc/motion/motion.conf

This will now launch the motion client as root when you boot up.

Also note that unless your BeagleBoard can remember the time (battery backed up clock installed), the timestamps will not be correct until you update the time. If your BeagleBoard has an Internet connection this can be achieved using the ntpdate application.

Robotics

ROS

ROS (Robot Operating System) provides libraries and tools to help software developers create robot applications. It provides hardware abstraction, device drivers, libraries, visualizers, message-passing, package management, and more. ROS is licensed under an open source, BSD license.

There are currently builds of ROS for Ubuntu Trusty armhf. These builds include most but not all packages, and save a considerable amount of time compared to doing a full source-based installation:

http://wiki.ros.org/indigo/Installation/UbuntuARM

Alternatively ROS can be installed from source and is generally easy to do so (although slow).

For more information about ROS, see www.ros.org.