Difference between revisions of "BeagleBoardUbuntu"

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m (Demo Image: release 10.04.1 demo image, xfce4 image should be out over the weekend..)
(Method 3: Manual Install (no automatic scripts))
 
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[[Category:Development Boards]]
 
[[Category:Development Boards]]
 
[[Category: BeagleBoard]]
 
[[Category: BeagleBoard]]
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]].
+
''(For BeagleBoardAngstrom, click [[BeagleBoardAngstrom|here]].)''
 +
''(Should [[Beagleboard:Ubuntu On BeagleBone Black]] be merged into this page?)''
  
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.
+
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]].
 +
 
 +
* 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 12: 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])
** [https://launchpad.net/~beagleboard-kernel Launchpad Project "Beagleboard Kernel"]
+
** Kernel Trees
*** [https://code.launchpad.net/~beagleboard-kernel/+junk/2.6-stable Stable Kernel 2.6.34 src]
+
*** [https://github.com/RobertCNelson/armv7-multiplatform/ v4.17.x kernel branch]
*** [https://code.launchpad.net/~beagleboard-kernel/+junk/2.6.35-devel Development Kernel src]
+
*** [https://github.com/RobertCNelson/linux-dev Development Kernel source code]
** [http://elinux.org/BeagleBoardUbuntuKernel Kernel Testing Results]
 
  
 
*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 30: Line 32:
 
= Required Beagle Software =  
 
= Required Beagle Software =  
  
X-loader/MLO (1.4.4ss) & U-Boot (2010.03) (Zippy1 & Zippy2 Support)
+
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]
  
=Demo Image=
+
= Omap Serial Changes =
== Lucid 10.04.1 ==
 
  
Note: On first boot, you must use an DVI/LCD monitor, oem-config seems to force tty0..  2nd boot you can switch to serial by default..
+
boot.scr/boot.cmd changes:
  
Built with rootstock trunk (ARM native mode, run directly on beagleboard):
+
With 2.6.35:
  sudo ./rootstock --fqdn beagleboard --imagesize 2G --dist lucid --serial ttyS2 \
+
  console=ttyS2,115200n8
--seed aptitude,btrfs-tools,i2c-tools,nano,pastebinit,uboot-envtools,uboot-mkimage,usbutils,wget,wireless-tools,wpasupplicant \
 
--script fixup.sh --components "main universe multiverse" \
 
--kernel-image http://rcn-ee.net/deb/lucid/v2.6.35.2-l0/linux-image-2.6.35.2-l0_1.0lucid_armel.deb
 
  
Get prebuilt image:
+
With 2.6.36/37+:
 +
console=ttyO2,115200n8
  
wget http://rcn-ee.net/deb/rootfs/lucid/ubuntu-10.04.1-minimal-armel.tar.7z
+
Serial console login: /etc/init/ttyO2.conf
  mirrors (updating):
+
start on stopped rc RUNLEVEL=[2345]
  wget http://ynezz.ibawizard.net/beagleboard/lucid/ubuntu-10.04.1-minimal-armel.tar.7z
+
stop on runlevel [!2345]
 +
 +
  respawn
 +
  exec /sbin/getty 115200 ttyO2
  
Unpack it: (sudo apt-get install p7zip-full for 7za)
+
= Method 1: Download a Complete Pre-Configured Image =
  
7za x ubuntu-10.04.1-minimal-armel.tar.7z
+
== Demo Image ==
tar xf ubuntu-10.04.1-minimal-armel.tar
 
cd ubuntu-10.04.1-minimal-armel
 
  
Quick Install script for Beagle Bx, C2/C3/C4
+
* '''Advanced Users only''': BeagleBoard xM: Kernel source, used in these demo images: https://github.com/RobertCNelson/armv7-multiplatform
  ./setup_sdcard.sh --mmc /dev/sd'''X''' --uboot beagle --swap_file 50 (YOU need atleast 50Mb for oem-config to NOT Opps)
+
  git clone https://github.com/RobertCNelson/armv7-multiplatform.git
 
+
cd armv7-multiplatform
*Additional Options
+
git checkout origin/v5.4.x -b tmp
** --rootfs <ext3 default>
+
./build_kernel.sh
** --swap_file <swap file size in MB's>
+
* '''Advanced Users only''': BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black/PocketBeagle:  Kernel v4.19.x source, used in these demo images: https://github.com/RobertCNelson/ti-linux-kernel-dev/tree/ti-linux-4.19.y
 +
  git clone https://github.com/RobertCNelson/ti-linux-kernel-dev.git
 +
cd ti-linux-kernel-dev
 +
git checkout origin/ti-linux-4.19.y -b tmp
 +
./build_kernel.sh
  
md5sum: 6a2d6d085dae74f504e3f424e41efe90  ubuntu-10.04.1-minimal-armel.tar.7z
+
=== Ubuntu (18.04.4) ===
  
== Lucid 10.04.1 Xfce4 ==
+
Default username/password:
 +
*username: ubuntu
 +
*password: temppwd
  
== Maverick 10.10 Alpha-3 ==
+
Image Updated:
 +
*2020-03-12
 +
** BeagleBoard xM: v5.4.24-armv7-x20 kernel
 +
** All BeagleBone Variants and PocketBeagle: v4.19.94-ti-r36 kernel
 +
** BeagleBoard-X15 (and BeagleBone AI): v4.19.94-ti-r36 kernel
 +
*2019-04-10
 +
** BeagleBoard xM: v4.19.31-armv7-x31 kernel
 +
** All BeagleBone Variants and PocketBeagle: v4.14.108-ti-r104 kernel
 +
** BeagleBoard-X15: v4.14.108-ti-r104 kernel
 +
*2018-12-10
 +
** BeagleBoard xM: v4.19.8-armv7-x11 kernel
 +
** All BeagleBone Variants and PocketBeagle: v4.14.79-ti-r84 kernel
 +
** BeagleBoard-X15: v4.14.79-ti-r84 kernel
  
Built with rootstock trunk (ARM native mode, run directly on beagleboard):
+
Services Active:
  sudo ./rootstock --fqdn beagleboard --imagesize 2G --dist maverick --serial ttyS2 \
+
  Note: Depending on your internal network these may work out of the box
  --seed aptitude,btrfs-tools,i2c-tools,nano,pastebinit,uboot-envtools,uboot-mkimage,usbutils,wget,wireless-tools,wpasupplicant \
+
  Apache, Port 80: http://arm.local/ (Bone: via usb) (Windows/Linux) http://192.168.7.2, (Mac/Linux) http://192.168.6.2
--script fixup.sh --components "main universe multiverse" \
+
SSH, Port 22: ssh ubuntu@arm.local (Bone: via usb) (Windows/Linux) ubuntu@192.168.7.2, (Mac/Linux) ubuntu@192.168.6.2
--kernel-image http://rcn-ee.net/deb/maverick/v2.6.34.2-l2/linux-image-2.6.34.2-l2_1.0maverick_armel.deb
+
Getty, Serial Port
  
fixup.sh: http://bazaar.launchpad.net/~beagleboard-kernel/%2Bjunk/image-builder/annotate/head:/tools/fixup.sh
+
Default user: ubuntu pass: temppwd
  
 
Get prebuilt image:
 
Get prebuilt image:
 +
wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2020-03-12/elinux/ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12.tar.xz
  
  wget http://rcn-ee.net/deb/rootfs/maverick/ubuntu-maverick-alpha3-minimal-armel.tar.7z
+
Verify Image with:
  mirrors (will take some time to update):
+
  sha256sum ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12.tar.xz
  wget http://ynezz.ibawizard.net/beagleboard/maverick/ubuntu-maverick-alpha3-minimal-armel.tar.7z
+
  abe086f9132dfe8e8b9df8d14da225e0ce89a082abc92515de8a2ac63fc54ae2 ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12.tar.xz
wget http://vivaphp.net/beagle/maverick/ubuntu-maverick-alpha3-minimal-armel.tar.7z
 
  
md5sum: e52a1fd4adac95888821044d8bd738c4 ubuntu-maverick-alpha3-minimal-armel.tar.7z
+
Unpack Image:
 +
  tar xf ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12.tar.xz
 +
cd ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12
  
Unpack it: (sudo apt-get install p7zip-full for 7za)
+
If you don't know the location of your SD card:
 +
sudo ./setup_sdcard.sh --probe-mmc
  
7za x ubuntu-maverick-alpha3-minimal-armel.tar.7z
+
You should see something like:
tar xf ubuntu-maverick-alpha3-minimal-armel.tar
 
cd ubuntu-maverick-alpha3-minimal-armel
 
  
Quick Install script for Beagle Bx, C2/C3/C4
+
Are you sure? I don't see [/dev/idontknow], here is what I do see...
  ./setup_sdcard.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --uboot beagle --swap_file 50  (YOU need atleast 50Mb for oem-config to NOT Opps)
+
   
 +
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
  
*Additional Options
+
* 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...
** --rootfs <ext3 default>
 
** --swap_file <swap file size in MB's>
 
  
= NetInstall Method =
+
Install Image:
  
The NetInstall Method, allows you to install Ubuntu directly onto your Beagle by pre-populating a boot image that will perform the complete install. 
+
Quick install script for [board]
 +
sudo ./setup_sdcard.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --dtb board
  
Note: The boot arg's are stored in boot.scr which will be copied to the first partition.
+
board options:
 +
*BeagleBoard Ax/Bx/Cx/Dx          - omap3-beagle
 +
*BeagleBoard xM                  - omap3-beagle-xm
 +
*All BeagleBone Variants          - beaglebone
 +
*OMAP5432 uEVM                    - omap5-uevm
 +
*BeagleBoard-X15 (BeagleBone AI)  - am57xx-beagle-x15
  
Recommended:
+
So for the BeagleBoard xM:
* 2GB+ SD card
+
sudo ./setup_sdcard.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --dtb omap3-beagle-xm
* USB Ethernet/Wifi
 
  
Script Source: https://code.launchpad.net/~beagleboard-kernel/+junk/debian-di
+
Advanced: Build Image:
  
Install bzr
+
git clone https://github.com/RobertCNelson/omap-image-builder.git
  sudo apt-get install bzr
+
cd omap-image-builder
 +
  git checkout v2020.03 -b tmp
  
Download debian-di script
+
Stable:
bzr branch lp:~beagleboard-kernel/+junk/debian-di
 
  
Discover SD/MMC Partition
+
./RootStock-NG.sh -c rcn-ee_console_ubuntu_bionic_armhf
sudo fdisk -l
 
  
Run Script
+
== Flasher ==
cd debian-di
 
./mk_mmc.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --distro lucid --firmware
 
  
*Options:
+
=== eMMC: All BeagleBone Variants with eMMC ===
**--distro : lucid
 
**--firmware : install firmware for WiFi devices
 
**--serial-mode : force NetInstall to use Serial Port
 
  
Note: The default boot options work for most people, but if you'd like to tweak boot settings, edit these before running the script.
+
This image can be written to a 2GB (or larger) microSD card, via 'dd' on Linux or on Windows/Mac/Linux: https://etcher.io First press and hold the boot select button (next to the microSD card), then apply power. On boot-up 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 ONSimply remove power, remove the microSD card and Ubuntu will now boot directly from eMMC.
 
NetInstall boot Settings:
 
gedit ./debian-di/scripts/dvi.cmd
 
  gedit ./debian-di/scripts/serial.cmd
 
   
 
Normal Boot Settings:
 
gedit ./debian-di/scripts/dvi-normal-lucid.cmd
 
gedit ./debian-di/scripts/serial-normal-lucid.cmd
 
  
Place SD card into Beagle and Boot
+
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
  
Troubshooting: If boot fails..
+
This script will only take about 5-6 Minutes after power on.
*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
 
  
NetInstall assumptions:
+
Notes:
Continue with out Kernel Modules <yes>
+
* 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.
Partition <Guided - use the largest continuous free space>
+
* If the 4 LED's blink a constant pattern, the eMMC write has failed. First REMOVE ALL capes, then retry again.
  
= RootStock: Build an Ubuntu root file system =
+
User: ubuntu
 +
pass: temppwd
  
== Ubuntu Version's ==
+
Image Updated:
This guide only covers the latest Ubuntu stable (lucid) release and notes for the testing (lucid+1) dists. Notes for older release's can be found here:
+
*2020-03-12
 +
** All BeagleBone Variants with eMMC: v4.19.94-ti-r36 kernel
 +
*2019-04-10
 +
** All BeagleBone Variants with eMMC: v4.14.108-ti-r104 kernel
 +
*2018-12-10
 +
** All BeagleBone Variants with eMMC: v4.14.79-ti-r84 kernel
  
* Jaunty, aka Ubuntu 9.04, is the very-old-stable version (armv5 optimized)
+
Get prebuilt image:
** TODO: http://elinux.org/BeagleBoardUbuntuJaunty
+
  wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2020-03-12/flasher/bone-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb.img.xz
* Karmic, aka Ubuntu 9.10, is the old-stable version (armv6 optimized)
 
** http://elinux.org/BeagleBoardUbuntuKarmic
 
* Lucid, aka Ubuntu 10.04 is the stable version (armv7 optimized)
 
** TODO: http://elinux.org/BeagleBoardUbuntuLucid
 
* Maverick, aka Ubuntu 10.10 is the development version. Currently listed here as 'testing'. (armv7 optimized)
 
** TODO: http://elinux.org/BeagleBoardUbuntuMaverick
 
  
== Install RootStock ==
+
Verify Image with:
 +
sha256sum bone-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb*
 +
2bc7f92df84dbd89c1cdd790ec794926a5d6b0f0b891143085d77141170518e2  bone-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb.img.xz
  
This is based off Ubuntu's RootStock Project; [https://launchpad.net/project-rootstock RootStock] script.
+
Windows/Mac/Linux gui
 +
http://etcher.io
  
Debian Squeeze
+
Linux: (dd)
  (unsupported as tested on 4/28/2010, qemu segfaults)
+
  xzcat bone-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb.img.xz | sudo dd of=/dev/sdX
  
Karmic (9.10)
+
=== eMMC: BeagleBoard-X15 and BeagleBone AI ===
sudo apt-get install (FIXME: rootstock minimum requirements)
 
bzr branch lp:project-rootstock
 
cd project-rootstock
 
bzr revert -r 94  (Commit 95, isn't supported by Karmic's QEMU)
 
*qemu: unknown parameter 'aio' in 'file=/tmp/tmp.QxNNQAxEyv/qemu-armel-201004221701.img,aio=native,cache=none'
 
  
Lucid (10.04)
+
This image can be written to a 2GB (or larger) microSD card, via 'dd' on Linux or on Windows/Mac/Linux: https://etcher.io  First press and hold the boot select button (next to the microSD card), then apply power. On boot-up 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 apt-get install rootstock
 
  
== RootStock ==
+
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
  
=== RootStock: Useful seed Packages ===
+
This script will only take about 5-6 Minutes after power on.
  
Useful Packages:
+
Notes:
linux-firmware,wireless-tools :wifi adapters..
+
* 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.
ntpdate :sync real time clock from network
+
* If the 4 LED's blink a constant pattern, the eMMC write has failed. First REMOVE ALL capes, then retry again.
  
GUI's (broken bug: FIXME)
+
User: ubuntu
xfce4: xfce4,gdm,xubuntu-gdm-theme,xubuntu-artwork
+
pass: temppwd
  
=== RootStock: Running ===
+
Image Updated:
 +
*2020-03-12
 +
** BeagleBoard-X15 (and BeagleBone AI): v4.19.94-ti-r36 kernel
 +
*2019-04-10
 +
** BeagleBoard-X15 (and BeagleBone AI): v4.14.108-ti-r104 kernel
 +
*2018-12-10
 +
** BeagleBoard-X15 (and BeagleBone AI): v4.14.79-ti-r84 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/2020-03-12/flasher/am57xx-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb.img.xz
--seed <packages> --dist <jaunty/karmic/lucid> --serial <ttySx>  --kernel-image <http>
 
  
Basic Lucid (10.04) Beagleboard minimal image:
+
Verify Image with:
  sudo ./rootstock --fqdn beagleboard --login ubuntu --password temppwd --imagesize 2G \
+
  sha256sum am57xx-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb*
--seed wget,nano,linux-firmware,wireless-tools,usbutils --dist lucid --serial ttyS2 \
+
  0c359f2b5e9d27d167f55877d3abfea0af2fe721463136f354dfd5d72be8a541 am57xx-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb.img.xz
  --components "main universe multiverse" \
 
  --kernel-image http://rcn-ee.net/deb/lucid/v2.6.33.4-l3/linux-image-2.6.33.4-l3_1.0lucid_armel.deb
 
  
Upon Completion, you should have:
+
Windows/Mac/Linux gui
  armel-rootfs-<date>.tgz  -> Root file System, dump to ext2/3 partition of SD card
+
  http://etcher.io
vmlinuz-2.6.<version>    -> Boot Image, use mkimage to create uImage and dump to the first fat16 partition of SD card
 
initrd.img-2.6.<version> -> Boot initramfs, use mkimage to create uInitrd and dump to the first fat16 partition of SD card
 
  
== Partition SD Card ==
+
Linux: (dd)
You will need a 1GB SD card or greater.
+
  xzcat am57xx-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb.img.xz | sudo dd of=/dev/sdX
Standard Console System : ~286MB
 
  + Desktop environment (lxde,gdm) : ~479MB
 
  
Starting with an empty SD card and using gparted, create:
+
== raw microSD img ==
50 MiB Primary Partition, fat16/fat32
 
Rest as ext2/ext3/ext4/btrfs
 
  
Gparted Example: http://nishanthmenon.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-boot-beagle.html
+
=== BeagleBoard xM ===
  
For Reference:
+
This image can be written to a 2GB (or larger) microSD card, via 'dd' on Linux or on Windows/Mac/Linux: https://etcher.io
Disk /dev/sdd: 2038 MB, 2038431744 bytes
 
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
 
  
== Copy Root File System to SD Card ==
+
User: ubuntu
 +
pass: temppwd
  
Mount your SD card's larger root file system partition (assuming /dev/sdX2) and 'untar' the rootfs into it.
+
Auto partition resize:
 +
cd /opt/scripts/tools
 +
git pull
 +
./grow_partition.sh
 +
sudo reboot
  
mkdir -p ./tmp
+
Image Updated:
sudo mount /dev/sdX2 ./tmp
+
*2020-03-12
sudo tar xfp armel-rootfs-*.tgz -C ./tmp
+
** BeagleBoard xM: v5.4.24-armv7-x20 kernel
sudo umount ./tmp
+
*2019-04-10
 +
** BeagleBoard xM: v4.19.31-armv7-x31 kernel
 +
*2018-12-10
 +
** BeagleBoard xM: v4.19.8-armv7-x11 kernel
  
== Boot Partition ==
+
Get prebuilt image:
 +
wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2020-03-12/microsd/bbxm-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb.img.xz
  
Requirements:
+
Verify Image with:
 +
sha256sum bbxm-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb*
 +
a3d8780a69ceca6c5462c80c5a061dbba7df91d9111e08e718ecf55420302b91  bbxm-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb.img.xz
  
  sudo apt-get install uboot-mkimage
+
Windows/Mac/Linux gui
 +
  http://etcher.io
  
=== U-Boot uImage ===
+
Linux: (dd)
 +
xzcat bbxm-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb.img.xz | sudo dd of=/dev/sdX
  
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.
+
=== All BeagleBone Variants and PocketBeagle===
  
mkimage -A arm -O linux -T kernel -C none -a 0x80008000 -e 0x80008000 -n "Linux" -d ./vmlinuz-* ./uImage
+
This image can be written to a 2GB (or larger) microSD card, via 'dd' on Linux or on Windows/Mac/Linux: https://etcher.io
  
=== U-Boot uInitrd ===
+
User: ubuntu
 +
pass: temppwd
  
This step is Optional, but it helps with the lucid and Lucid++ experience.
+
Auto partition resize:
 +
cd /opt/scripts/tools
 +
git pull
 +
./grow_partition.sh
 +
sudo reboot
  
mkimage -A arm -O linux -T ramdisk -C none -a 0 -e 0 -n initramfs -d ./initrd.img-* ./uInitrd
+
Image Updated:
 +
*2020-03-12
 +
** All BeagleBone Variants and PocketBeagle: v4.19.94-ti-r36 kernel
 +
*2019-04-10
 +
** All BeagleBone Variants and PocketBeagle: v4.14.108-ti-r104 kernel
 +
*2018-12-10
 +
** All BeagleBone Variants and PocketBeagle: v4.14.79-ti-r84 kernel
  
=== U-Boot Boot Scripts ===
+
Get prebuilt image:
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'.
+
wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2020-03-12/microsd/bone-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb.img.xz
  
fixrtc: (only uInitrd) Resets RTC based on last mount
+
Verify Image with:
  buddy=${buddy}: (both) Kernel Zippy1/2 Support
+
  sha256sum bone-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb*
  mpurate=${mpurate}: (recommended core clock)
+
  4c41976f1f574a4786002482167fe6443d8c9f1bced86a174459ffeba1f5b780  bone-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb.img.xz
  
create ubuntu.cmd
+
Windows/Mac/Linux gui
  setenv bootcmd 'mmc init; fatload mmc 0:1 0x80300000 uImage; bootm 0x80300000'
+
  http://etcher.io
setenv bootargs console=tty0 console=ttyS2,115200n8 root=/dev/mmcblk0p2 rootwait ro vram=12M omapfb.mode=dvi:1280x720MR-16@60 buddy=${buddy} mpurate=${mpurate}
 
boot
 
  
With optional uInitrd:
+
Linux: (dd)
create ubuntu.cmd:
+
xzcat bone-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb.img.xz | sudo dd of=/dev/sdX
setenv bootcmd 'mmc init; fatload mmc 0:1 0x80300000 uImage; fatload mmc 0:1 0x81600000 uInitrd; bootm 0x80300000 0x81600000'
 
setenv bootargs console=tty0 console=ttyS2,115200n8 root=/dev/mmcblk0p2 rootwait ro vram=12M omapfb.mode=dvi:1280x720MR-16@60 fixrtc buddy=${buddy} mpurate=${mpurate}
 
boot
 
  
Use mkimage create to actual *.scr file for U-Boot:
+
=== BeagleBoard-X15 and BeagleBone AI===
  
mkimage -A arm -O linux -T script -C none -a 0 -e 0 -n "Ubuntu 10.04" -d ./ubuntu.cmd ./ubuntu.scr
+
This image can be written to a 2GB (or larger) microSD card, via 'dd' on Linux or on Windows/Mac/Linux: https://etcher.io
  
=== Copy to Boot Partition ===
+
User: ubuntu
 +
pass: temppwd
  
Mount your SD card fat16/fat32 partition (assuming /dev/sdX1) and copy the uImage, boot.scr, and optional uInitrd to the first partition.
+
Auto partition resize:
 +
cd /opt/scripts/tools
 +
git pull
 +
./grow_partition.sh
 +
sudo reboot
  
mkdir -p ./tmp
+
Image Updated:
sudo mount /dev/sdX1 ./tmp
+
*2020-03-12
sudo cp ./uImage ./tmp/uImage
+
** BeagleBoard-X15 (and BeagleBone AI): v4.19.94-ti-r36 kernel
sudo cp ./uInitrd ./tmp/uInitrd
+
*2019-04-10
+
** BeagleBoard-X15 (and BeagleBone AI): v4.14.108-ti-r104 kernel
Beagle:
+
*2018-12-10
sudo cp ./ubuntu.scr ./tmp/boot.scr
+
** BeagleBoard-X15 (and BeagleBone AI): v4.14.79-ti-r84 kernel
 
IGEPv2:
 
sudo cp ./ubuntu.scr ./tmp/boot.ini
 
 
sudo umount ./tmp
 
  
== Ubuntu Bugs & Tweaks ==
+
Get prebuilt image:
 
+
wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2020-03-12/microsd/am57xx-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb.img.xz
===Enable Network Access===
 
  
Modify /etc/network/interfaces
+
Verify Image with:
  auto eth0
+
  sha256sum am57xx-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb*
  iface eth0 inet dhcp
+
  cd253167b43186c14c02e9e85ede006cd51336d5f8beae5b96765f494c24bd91  am57xx-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb.img.xz
  
Manual: From the Command line
+
Windows/Mac/Linux gui
  sudo ifconfig -a
+
  http://etcher.io
sudo dhclient ethX (or wlanX/etc..)
 
  
Additional Network Setup Information can be found [[BeagleBoardUbuntuNetwork|HERE]]
+
Linux: (dd)
 +
xzcat am57xx-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb.img.xz | sudo dd of=/dev/sdX
  
= Advanced =
+
= Method 2: Manual Install (no automatic scripts)=
  
==Install Latest Kernel Image==
+
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:
  
===Script File===
+
== Beagle/Beagle xM ==
Note: this subsection is basically obsolete every time it's modified...
+
http://eewiki.net/display/linuxonarm/BeagleBoard
  
Latest Stable is : https://code.launchpad.net/~beagleboard-kernel/+junk/2.6-stable
+
== BeagleBone ==
 +
http://eewiki.net/display/linuxonarm/BeagleBone
  
But for example: http://rcn-ee.net/deb/lucid/v2.6.34.1-l2/
+
== BeagleBone Black ==
+
  http://eewiki.net/display/linuxonarm/BeagleBone+Black
  wget http://rcn-ee.net/deb/lucid/v2.6.34.1-l2/install-me.sh
 
/bin/bash install-me.sh
 
  
Reboot with your new uImage
+
== Panda/Panda ES ==
 +
http://eewiki.net/display/linuxonarm/PandaBoard
  
== Upgrade X-loader and U-boot ==
+
= Advanced =
  
Compatible with Bx,C2/3/4
+
==Install Latest Kernel Image==
  
Requires MMC card..
+
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
  
  bzr branch lp:~beagleboard-kernel/+junk/omap-flasher
+
Latest kernel script
  cd omap-flasher
+
  cd /opt/scripts/tools/
  ./mk_mmc.sh --mmc /dev/sdX (i.e. use /dev/sdc - the entire device, not a partition)
+
  git pull
 +
  sudo ./update_kernel.sh <OPTIONS>
  
1: Place MMC card in Beagle
+
== 3.8.x ==
2: Push/Hold User Button Down
+
This is the first beagleboard.org long term kernel tree with capemanager support, it's been the default install for Debian Wheezy
3: Apply Power
+
  beagleboard.org patchset: https://github.com/beagleboard/linux/tree/3.8
4: After U-boot loads, Let Off User Button
 
  5: Wait for Flashing to end
 
6: Power down, remove/edit boot.scr from MMC card
 
  
Example 4G card:
+
3.8.x BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black FULL Cape Support
 +
--bone-channel --stable
  
  sudo fdisk -l
+
  3.8.x BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black FULL Cape Support + Xenomai
 +
--bone-xenomai-channel --stable
  
Disk '''/dev/sde''': 3957 MB, 3957325824 bytes
+
== 4.9.x-ti ==
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 481 cylinders
+
  beagleboard.org patchset: https://github.com/beagleboard/linux/tree/4.9
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
+
  Based on: http://git.ti.com/gitweb/?p=ti-linux-kernel/ti-linux-kernel.git;a=shortlog;h=refs/heads/ti-linux-4.9.y
  Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
 
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
 
  Disk identifier: 0x00080e99
 
 
    Device Boot      Start        End      Blocks  Id  System
 
'''/dev/sde'''1  *          1          9       72261    e  W95 FAT16 (LBA)
 
  
  ./mk_mmc.sh --mmc /dev/sde
+
  4.9.x-ti BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black/BeagleBoard-X15
 +
--ti-channel --lts-4_9
  
Worst case, depending on what's actually in NAND, you might still have to stop and do this:
+
4.9.x-ti BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black/BeagleBoard-X15 + RT
 +
--ti-rt-channel --lts-4_9
  
  nand erase 260000 20000
+
  4.9.x-ti BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black/BeagleBoard-X15 + Xenomai
  reset
+
  --ti-xenomai-channel --lts-4_9
  
===Manual Run===
+
== 4.14.x-ti ==
  mmc init
+
  beagleboard.org patchset: https://github.com/beagleboard/linux/tree/4.14
  fatload mmc 0:1 0x80200000 MLO
+
  Based on: http://git.ti.com/gitweb/?p=ti-linux-kernel/ti-linux-kernel.git;a=shortlog;h=refs/heads/ti-linux-4.14.y
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 ==
+
4.14.x-ti BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black/BeagleBoard-X15
 +
--ti-channel --lts-4_14
  
Requirements: 2.6-stable from launchpad or 2.6.34+ deb's from rcn-ee.net (finally supports 3.01.00.06)
+
4.14.x-ti BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black/BeagleBoard-X15 + RT
  https://code.launchpad.net/~beagleboard-kernel/+junk/2.6-stable
+
--ti-rt-channel --lts-4_14
  
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''
+
== Mainline (4.9.x lts) ==
  
Use a "corporate email" and download the latest (3.01.00.06):
+
4.9.x BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black
  http://software-dl.ti.com/dsps/dsps_public_sw/sdo_sb/targetcontent/gfxsdk/latest/index_FDS.html
+
  --bone-kernel --lts-4_9
  
=== SDK unPackage Script ===
+
4.9.x BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black + RT
 +
--bone-rt-kernel --lts-4_9
  
Download the latest version of the "create_sgx_package.sh" script into the same directory that has "OMAP35x_Graphics_SDK_setuplinux_3_01_00_06.bin"
+
== Mainline (4.14.x lts) ==
http://bazaar.launchpad.net/~beagleboard-kernel/%2Bjunk/2.6-stable/annotate/head:/create_sgx_package.sh (click: download file)  
 
  
  :~/temp$ ls
+
  4.14.x BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black
create_sgx_package.sh
+
  --bone-kernel --lts-4_14
  OMAP35x_Graphics_SDK_setuplinux_3_01_00_06.bin
 
  
Make script executable
+
  4.14.x BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black + RT
  chmod a+x ./create_sgx_package.sh
+
--bone-rt-kernel --lts-4_14
  
Run script
+
Reboot with your new Kernel Image.
./create_sgx_package.sh
 
  
After Successfully running:
+
== Xorg Drivers ==
  
:~/temp$ ls
+
Script:
  create_sgx_package.sh
+
  cd /opt/scripts/tools/
GFX_3_01_00_06_libs.tar.gz                      : -> Copy to Beagle (System Libs)
+
  git pull
GFX_Linux_SDK.tar.gz                            : -> Copy to Beagle (DEMO's)
 
OMAP35x_Graphics_SDK_setuplinux_3_01_00_06.bin
 
SDK
 
  SDK_BIN
 
  
=== Beagle: GFX_*_libs.tar.gz ===
+
BeagleBoard/PandaBoard:
 +
cd /opt/scripts/tools/graphics/
 +
./ti-omapdrm.sh
  
tar xf GFX_3_01_00_06_libs.tar.gz  (extracts install-SGX.sh and run-SGX.sh)
+
BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black:
  ./install-SGX.sh (copies necessary SGX libs and startup script)
+
  cd /opt/scripts/tools/graphics/
  ./run-SGX.sh (force run the new init script, or you can just reboot...)
+
  ./ti-tilcdc.sh
  
On Successful install:
+
== SGX Drivers ==
Stopping PVR
 
Starting PVR
 
Starting SGX fixup for ES2.x (or ES3.x)
 
  
Reboot for good measure (Maverick's Alpha-1 needs this....)
+
=== SGX BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black ===
sudo reboot
 
  
=== Beagle: GFX_Linux_SDK.tar.gz ===
+
Note, these are FBDEV only, no xorg/x11/etc...
  
tar xf GFX_Linux_SDK.tar.gz
+
Install the "4.1.x" lts/bone kernel:
cd GFX_Linux_SDK
+
http://elinux.org/BeagleBoardUbuntu#Mainline_.28lts.29
tar xf OGLES.tar.gz
 
  
=== Test SGX with a DEMO ===
+
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
  
  cd OGLES/SDKPackage/Binaries/CommonX11/Demos/ChameleonMan
+
Copy ./deploy/GFX_5.01.01.02.tar.gz to BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black and install
  ./OGLESChameleonMan
+
sudo tar xfv GFX_5.01.01.02.tar.gz -C /
 +
  cd /opt/gfxinstall/
 +
  sudo ./sgx-install.sh
 +
sudo reboot
  
=== Trouble Shooting ===
+
Verify omaplfb & pvrsrvkm loaded
 +
debian@arm:~$ lsmod | grep omaplfb
 +
omaplfb                12065  0
 +
pvrsrvkm              178782  1 omaplfb
  
sudo rm /etc/powervr-esrev
+
== Xorg Drivers ==
sudo depmod -a omaplfb
 
sudo /etc/init.d/pvr restart
 
  
== DSP ==
+
Script:
 +
cd /opt/scripts/tools/
 +
git pull
  
This is still a major work in progress...
+
BeagleBoard/PandaBoard:
 +
cd /opt/scripts/tools/graphics/
 +
./ti-omapdrm.sh
  
Here is one approach: [http://www.elinux.org/BeagleBoard_Ubuntu_%26_DSP_From_Sources BeagleBoard Ubuntu & DSP From Sources]
+
BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black:
 +
cd /opt/scripts/tools/graphics/
 +
./ti-tilcdc.sh
  
== Xorg omapfb Drivers ==
+
= Swapfile =
  
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.
+
== Using a File for Swap Instead of a Partition ==
  
cat /var/log/Xorg.0.log | grep FBDEV
+
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).
(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..
+
Some images (such as those from Linaro.org) do not come with a swap partition or any swap space allocated.
  
xvinfo -display :0.0
+
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.
X-Video Extension version 2.2
 
screen #0
 
  no adaptors present
 
  
=== Drivers ===
+
=== Creating a Swapfile ===
  
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)
+
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:
  
Lucid:
+
sudo mkdir -p /var/cache/swap/ 
  sudo apt-get install xserver-xorg-video-omap3
+
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 verify it was correctly installed, reboot and:
+
To tell the OS to load this swapfile on each start up, edit the /etc/fstab file to include the following additional line:
  
cat /var/log/Xorg.0.log | grep omapfb
+
/var/cache/swap/swapfile    none    swap    sw    0   0
(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..
+
To verify that the swapfile is accessilble as swap to the OS, run "top" or "htop" at a console.
  
xvinfo -display :0.0
+
= Ubuntu Software =
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..
 
  
== S-Video ==
+
== Wi-Fi Networking (command line) ==
S-video is tested to be working on 2.6.35-rc5-dl9. S-video output can be enabled using bootargs at uboot as mentioned below.
 
  
=== NTSC ===
+
=== /etc/network/interfaces ===
  
    omapfb.mode='''tv:ntsc'''
+
It is relatively easy to configure a Wi-Fi card from the command line.
    omapdss.def_disp='''tv'''
 
  
Bootargs that has been validated.
+
You will need to edit the /etc/network/interfaces file. There are several guides available via Google.
  
    setenv bootargs 'console=tty0 console=ttyS2,115200n8 root=/dev/mmcblk0p2 rootwait ro vram=12M omapfb.mode=tv:ntsc omapdss.def_disp=tv
+
This is a particularly useful guide https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=202834
    fixrtc buddy=unknown'
 
  
Note that the NTSC resolution is 640x480. However the edge bands around the TV screen differ from TV to TV. Output of '''fbset''' shown below, which does not seem right.
+
A sample /etc/network/interfaces file for a WPA2 encrypted access point is:
  
    mode "720x482-30"
+
auto lo
        # D: 13.500 MHz, H: 15.734 kHz, V: 29.970 Hz
+
iface lo inet loopback
        geometry 720 482 720 482 32
+
auto wlan0
        timings 74074 16 58 6 31 64 6
+
iface wlan0 inet dhcp
        rgba 8/16,8/8,8/0,0/0
+
wpa-driver wext
    endmode
+
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>
  
=== PAL ===
+
Your Wi-Fi card will automatically load these settings upon startup and initialize wireless network access.
  
I do not have PAL tv, most likely changing above to omapfb.mode='''tv:pal''' should work. Someone with access to PAL tv please check and update.
+
== Lightweight window managers ==
  
== Building Kernel ==
+
If you intend to use Ubuntu on the BeagleBoard you can install JWM or IceWM to improve performance.
  
https://launchpad.net/~beagleboard-kernel
+
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.
 
 
Register on launchpad.net, install bzr
 
sudo apt-get install bzr
 
 
 
Download SRC
 
bzr branch lp:~beagleboard-kernel/+junk/2.6-stable
 
 
 
Build Kernel
 
./build_kernel.sh
 
 
 
Optional Building Deb File
 
./build_deb.sh
 
 
 
= Ubuntu Software =
 
  
 
== 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 574: Line 542:
  
 
=== 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 592: Line 560:
 
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 ==
 +
 
 +
=== 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 Bionic 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/melodic/Installation/Ubuntu
 +
 
 +
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.

Latest revision as of 08:47, 13 March 2020

(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/v5.4.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-4.19.y -b tmp
./build_kernel.sh

Ubuntu (18.04.4)

Default username/password:

  • username: ubuntu
  • password: temppwd

Image Updated:

  • 2020-03-12
    • BeagleBoard xM: v5.4.24-armv7-x20 kernel
    • All BeagleBone Variants and PocketBeagle: v4.19.94-ti-r36 kernel
    • BeagleBoard-X15 (and BeagleBone AI): v4.19.94-ti-r36 kernel
  • 2019-04-10
    • BeagleBoard xM: v4.19.31-armv7-x31 kernel
    • All BeagleBone Variants and PocketBeagle: v4.14.108-ti-r104 kernel
    • BeagleBoard-X15: v4.14.108-ti-r104 kernel
  • 2018-12-10
    • BeagleBoard xM: v4.19.8-armv7-x11 kernel
    • All BeagleBone Variants and PocketBeagle: v4.14.79-ti-r84 kernel
    • BeagleBoard-X15: v4.14.79-ti-r84 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) (Windows/Linux) http://192.168.7.2, (Mac/Linux) http://192.168.6.2
SSH, Port 22: ssh ubuntu@arm.local (Bone: via usb) (Windows/Linux) ubuntu@192.168.7.2, (Mac/Linux) ubuntu@192.168.6.2
Getty, Serial Port

Default user: ubuntu pass: temppwd

Get prebuilt image:

wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2020-03-12/elinux/ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12.tar.xz

Verify Image with:

sha256sum ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12.tar.xz
abe086f9132dfe8e8b9df8d14da225e0ce89a082abc92515de8a2ac63fc54ae2  ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12.tar.xz

Unpack Image:

tar xf ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12.tar.xz
cd ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12

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
  • All BeagleBone Variants - beaglebone
  • OMAP5432 uEVM - omap5-uevm
  • BeagleBoard-X15 (BeagleBone AI) - 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 v2020.03 -b tmp

Stable:

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

Flasher

eMMC: All BeagleBone Variants with eMMC

This image can be written to a 2GB (or larger) microSD card, via 'dd' on Linux or on Windows/Mac/Linux: https://etcher.io First press and hold the boot select button (next to the microSD card), then apply power. On boot-up 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:

  • 2020-03-12
    • All BeagleBone Variants with eMMC: v4.19.94-ti-r36 kernel
  • 2019-04-10
    • All BeagleBone Variants with eMMC: v4.14.108-ti-r104 kernel
  • 2018-12-10
    • All BeagleBone Variants with eMMC: v4.14.79-ti-r84 kernel

Get prebuilt image:

wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2020-03-12/flasher/bone-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb.img.xz

Verify Image with:

sha256sum bone-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb*
2bc7f92df84dbd89c1cdd790ec794926a5d6b0f0b891143085d77141170518e2  bone-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb.img.xz

Windows/Mac/Linux gui

http://etcher.io

Linux: (dd)

xzcat bone-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb.img.xz | sudo dd of=/dev/sdX

eMMC: BeagleBoard-X15 and BeagleBone AI

This image can be written to a 2GB (or larger) microSD card, via 'dd' on Linux or on Windows/Mac/Linux: https://etcher.io First press and hold the boot select button (next to the microSD card), then apply power. On boot-up 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:

  • 2020-03-12
    • BeagleBoard-X15 (and BeagleBone AI): v4.19.94-ti-r36 kernel
  • 2019-04-10
    • BeagleBoard-X15 (and BeagleBone AI): v4.14.108-ti-r104 kernel
  • 2018-12-10
    • BeagleBoard-X15 (and BeagleBone AI): v4.14.79-ti-r84 kernel

Get prebuilt image:

wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2020-03-12/flasher/am57xx-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb.img.xz

Verify Image with:

sha256sum am57xx-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb*
0c359f2b5e9d27d167f55877d3abfea0af2fe721463136f354dfd5d72be8a541  am57xx-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb.img.xz

Windows/Mac/Linux gui

http://etcher.io

Linux: (dd)

xzcat am57xx-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb.img.xz | sudo dd of=/dev/sdX

raw microSD img

BeagleBoard xM

This image can be written to a 2GB (or larger) microSD card, via 'dd' on Linux or on Windows/Mac/Linux: https://etcher.io

User: ubuntu pass: temppwd

Auto partition resize:

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

Image Updated:

  • 2020-03-12
    • BeagleBoard xM: v5.4.24-armv7-x20 kernel
  • 2019-04-10
    • BeagleBoard xM: v4.19.31-armv7-x31 kernel
  • 2018-12-10
    • BeagleBoard xM: v4.19.8-armv7-x11 kernel

Get prebuilt image:

wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2020-03-12/microsd/bbxm-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb.img.xz

Verify Image with:

sha256sum bbxm-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb*
a3d8780a69ceca6c5462c80c5a061dbba7df91d9111e08e718ecf55420302b91  bbxm-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb.img.xz

Windows/Mac/Linux gui

http://etcher.io

Linux: (dd)

xzcat bbxm-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb.img.xz | sudo dd of=/dev/sdX

All BeagleBone Variants and PocketBeagle

This image can be written to a 2GB (or larger) microSD card, via 'dd' on Linux or on Windows/Mac/Linux: https://etcher.io

User: ubuntu pass: temppwd

Auto partition resize:

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

Image Updated:

  • 2020-03-12
    • All BeagleBone Variants and PocketBeagle: v4.19.94-ti-r36 kernel
  • 2019-04-10
    • All BeagleBone Variants and PocketBeagle: v4.14.108-ti-r104 kernel
  • 2018-12-10
    • All BeagleBone Variants and PocketBeagle: v4.14.79-ti-r84 kernel

Get prebuilt image:

wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2020-03-12/microsd/bone-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb.img.xz

Verify Image with:

sha256sum bone-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb*
4c41976f1f574a4786002482167fe6443d8c9f1bced86a174459ffeba1f5b780  bone-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb.img.xz

Windows/Mac/Linux gui

http://etcher.io

Linux: (dd)

xzcat bone-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb.img.xz | sudo dd of=/dev/sdX

BeagleBoard-X15 and BeagleBone AI

This image can be written to a 2GB (or larger) microSD card, via 'dd' on Linux or on Windows/Mac/Linux: https://etcher.io

User: ubuntu pass: temppwd

Auto partition resize:

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

Image Updated:

  • 2020-03-12
    • BeagleBoard-X15 (and BeagleBone AI): v4.19.94-ti-r36 kernel
  • 2019-04-10
    • BeagleBoard-X15 (and BeagleBone AI): v4.14.108-ti-r104 kernel
  • 2018-12-10
    • BeagleBoard-X15 (and BeagleBone AI): v4.14.79-ti-r84 kernel

Get prebuilt image:

wget https://rcn-ee.com/rootfs/2020-03-12/microsd/am57xx-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb.img.xz

Verify Image with:

sha256sum am57xx-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb*
cd253167b43186c14c02e9e85ede006cd51336d5f8beae5b96765f494c24bd91  am57xx-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb.img.xz

Windows/Mac/Linux gui

http://etcher.io

Linux: (dd)

xzcat am57xx-ubuntu-18.04.4-console-armhf-2020-03-12-2gb.img.xz | sudo dd of=/dev/sdX

Method 2: 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

4.9.x-ti

beagleboard.org patchset: https://github.com/beagleboard/linux/tree/4.9
Based on: http://git.ti.com/gitweb/?p=ti-linux-kernel/ti-linux-kernel.git;a=shortlog;h=refs/heads/ti-linux-4.9.y
4.9.x-ti BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black/BeagleBoard-X15
--ti-channel --lts-4_9
4.9.x-ti BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black/BeagleBoard-X15 + RT
--ti-rt-channel --lts-4_9
4.9.x-ti BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black/BeagleBoard-X15 + Xenomai
--ti-xenomai-channel --lts-4_9

4.14.x-ti

beagleboard.org patchset: https://github.com/beagleboard/linux/tree/4.14
Based on: http://git.ti.com/gitweb/?p=ti-linux-kernel/ti-linux-kernel.git;a=shortlog;h=refs/heads/ti-linux-4.14.y
4.14.x-ti BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black/BeagleBoard-X15
--ti-channel --lts-4_14
4.14.x-ti BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black/BeagleBoard-X15 + RT
--ti-rt-channel --lts-4_14

Mainline (4.9.x lts)

4.9.x BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black
--bone-kernel --lts-4_9
4.9.x BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black + RT
--bone-rt-kernel --lts-4_9

Mainline (4.14.x lts)

4.14.x BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black
--bone-kernel --lts-4_14
4.14.x BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black + RT
--bone-rt-kernel --lts-4_14

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 Bionic 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/melodic/Installation/Ubuntu

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.