Updating the Jetson

The Jetson comes with Ubuntu installed. The initial installer, and subsequent reboot, loads Jetson-specific Tegra Linux drivers. However, to use the full development capabilities with the most recent software, it is necessary to “flash” the bootloader and kernel onto the Jetson using JetPack. JetPack must be run from an Ubuntu Linux host connected to the Jetson Development Kit via the micro-USB port.

Choose the Correct Version of Ubuntu

The version of the host Linux Ubuntu x86_64 operating system required for flashing varies depending on the JetPack version being used. For example, at the time of this writing, JetPack 3.1 is the production release, but JetPack 3.2 is available for preview. An important note at the bottom of the JetPack page provides direction for which version of Ubuntu should be installed on the host:

NOTE:

JetPack 3.1 requires Ubuntu 14.04 on your host PC

JetPack 3.2 Developer Preview supports Ubuntu 16.04 on your host PC

Ubuntu 14.04 on your host PC will also work, except OpenCV and VisionWorks will be unavailable for installation on that host PC

It's also worth taking a look at the Jetson & Embedded Systems developer forums to gain insight. For example, this post discusses the issues and workarounds for a host Ubuntu 16.04 with JetPack 3.1.

Installing Ubuntu on the Host

Download and install Ubuntu 14.04 x86_64 or Ubuntu 16.04 x86_64 onto the host PC, depending on your choice of JetPack versions. For a list of releases go to Ubuntu Releases. Below are 16.04 and 14.04 links to the iso 64-bit desktop downloads.

http://releases.ubuntu.com/16.04/ubuntu-16.04.3-desktop-amd64.iso

http://releases.ubuntu.com/trusty/ubuntu-14.04.5-desktop-amd64.iso

Instructions for installing are provided in Ubuntu Tutorials. You can install the system on a dedicated PC, or dual boot with a Windows PC. In either case, be sure to allow 50GB of disk space for the host, because it will need to be large enough to hold the expanded JetPack flash image.

Installation on a Virtual Machine (VM) can be done in a similar way. However, it is not supported as a host for the Jetson flash, though it has been tried with mixed success: