Is a kernel and rootfs update from Jetpack 3.X to 4.X possible without reflashing boot partitions

Robotics & Edge Computing Jetson & Embedded Systems Jetson TX2
1

Hi,

I was trying to find this information and believe I have inferred it indirectly but wanted to confirm. Is it definitively not possible to run the kernel from r32.7.3 (4.9.299) and Ubuntu 18.04 with the 32.7.3 BSP installed without re-flashing the boot partitions?

I am asking because we have the TX2 in fielded systems running 28.4, which is 3.X. Our update process reflashes the APP partition with a new boot image, kernel, rootfs, etc, but does not touch the NVIDIA-specific partitions.

We noticed when we run the update process on a TX2 that was already flashed with Jetpack 32.7.3, it works fine, but when we run the same update process on a TX2 that was flashed with Jetpack 28.4 (4.4.197 kernel), the newly flashed 32.7.3 APP partition image with 4.9.299 kernel fails to boot.

Can you please advise? Thanks

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They are different kernal version and rootfs structures, thus can’t do the update directly.

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Hi kayccc,

Thanks for your reply. I’m not sure I understand your response. My specific question is, is a JetPack 3.X to 4.X upgrade possible without re-flashing the device? i.e. can the newer 4.9 kernel run with the old 3.X cboot etc

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R28.x was from a time before changing release was possible via the apt mechanism. Even in R32.x the first releases were not capable of this. I don’t remember which release started making this available, but there is zero chance to make this release upgrade without a flash. Once at R32.7.3 you’ll probably be in luck (however, there is still a risk of remote update whereby it might not work and you’d still need physical access).

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Thank you so much linuxdev. That is what I suspected but was looking for a sanity check from someone else who had been through a similar experience

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