Difference between revisions of "Installing Ubuntu 10.04 on Gumstix Overo"

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(updated kernel/module versions, updated install procedure for newest version of rootstock, added wifi instructions)
 
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== Ubuntu on Overo COM ==
 
== Ubuntu on Overo COM ==
Constructing an Ubuntu root file system for the Gumstix Overo COM is surprisingly easy with the rootstock utility.  Since Ubuntu (particularly a version including a graphical desktop) likes lots of RAM, Gumstix recommends using an Overo COM with at least 512MB RAM, such as the [http://www.gumstix.com/store/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=257 Overo Tide COM]. You can install Ubuntu on an Overo with 256MB RAM and the familiarity of Ubuntu for some users may outweigh occasional sluggishness.  These instructions were tested on an Ubuntu 10.04 desktop machine; they should work for any recent Debian-based flavour of Linux. These instruction also work for Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal with a few things to keep in mind.
+
Constructing an Ubuntu root file system for the Gumstix Overo COM is surprisingly easy with the rootstock utility.  Since Ubuntu (particularly a version including a graphical desktop) likes lots of RAM, Gumstix recommends using an Overo COM with at least 512MB RAM. You can install Ubuntu on an Overo COM with 256MB RAM and the familiarity of Ubuntu for some users may outweigh occasional sluggishness.   
 +
 
 +
These instructions were tested on an Ubuntu 10.04 desktop machine; they should work for any recent Debian-based flavour of Linux. These instructions also work for Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal with a few things to keep in mind.
  
 
== Make a MicroSD card ==
 
== Make a MicroSD card ==
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  $ sudo apt-get install rootstock qemu
 
  $ sudo apt-get install rootstock qemu
 
</code>
 
</code>
 +
<b>note:</b> To create a rootFS image for Ubuntu 11.04 you need to make sure that the machine creating the image has qemu-arm-static version 14.x or better. Ubuntu 11.04 has this but 10.04 for instance does not and segfaults during rootFS image creation.
 +
 
Next, use a command like the one shown below to make a root file system; check out 'man rootstock' for some extra options.  Note: this will take an hour or two.
 
Next, use a command like the one shown below to make a root file system; check out 'man rootstock' for some extra options.  Note: this will take an hour or two.
 
<code>
 
<code>
  $ sudo rootstock --serial ttyS2 -d lucid -f "gumstix" --seed lxde,gdm,openssh-server,x11vnc  
+
  $ sudo rootstock --serial ttyS2 -d lucid -f "gumstix" --seed lxde,gdm,openssh-server,x11vnc,wireless-tools,wpasupplicant,nano
 
</code>
 
</code>
* the '-d' option specifies the distribution release: in this case, Ubuntu Lucid (10.04).
+
* the '-d' option specifies the distribution release: in this case, Ubuntu Lucid (10.04). In the case of Ubuntu Natty (11.04) use "natty".
 
* the '--seed' option specifies the list of packages to install: in this case, we install a lightweight desktop and a standard login manager as well as ssh & VNC servers so we can connect remotely.
 
* the '--seed' option specifies the list of packages to install: in this case, we install a lightweight desktop and a standard login manager as well as ssh & VNC servers so we can connect remotely.
 
* the user name ('-l') and password ('-p') options don't seem to work at the moment; see [Configuring Ubuntu] for more information.
 
* the user name ('-l') and password ('-p') options don't seem to work at the moment; see [Configuring Ubuntu] for more information.
 +
 +
To create a rootFS image for a headless server you can use the following:
 +
<code>
 +
$ sudo rootstock --serial ttyS2 -d lucid -f "gumstix" --seed build-essential,openssh-server
 +
</code>
  
 
You should now have a spiffy root file system tarball so now we just need to create a bootable microSD with a standard bootloader and kernel.
 
You should now have a spiffy root file system tarball so now we just need to create a bootable microSD with a standard bootloader and kernel.
  
Format a microSD card as per [http://www.gumstix.net/Documentation/view/Overo-Setup-and-Programming/Creating-a-bootable-microSD-card/109.html usual]; you should copy a [http://www.sakoman.com/feeds/omap3/glibc/images/overo/201009091145/ recent] MLO, u-boot, and uImage to the boot partition.  Extract the generated root file system to the second partition of the microSD card.
+
Format a microSD card as per [http://www.gumstix.net/Documentation/view/Overo-Setup-and-Programming/Creating-a-bootable-microSD-card/109.html usual]; you should copy a [http://cumulus.gumstix.org/images/angstrom/developer/2012-01-22-1750/ recent] MLO, u-boot, and uImage to the boot partition.  Extract the generated root file system to the second partition of the microSD card.
  
Finally, the loadable modules in the file system should match the kernel. For users that don't want to build a kernel, you can use this [http://dl.dropbox.com/u/211887/Ubuntu/uImage-2.6.34-r88-overo.bin 2.6.34 kernel] and the associated [http://dl.dropbox.com/u/211887/Ubuntu/modules-2.6.34-r88-overo.tgz modules] tarball; this is approximately the Gumstix Overo kernel from September 9th, 2010.  Extract the modules file into the second partition over top of the root file system. E.g. for a root partition mounted at /media/rootfs:
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Next we'll need to add the loadable modules and firmware. If you don't want to build the kernel: Download and extract a wifi enabled image using the same kernel as the uImage you're using (In this case we're using Kernel 3.0.0 so we want the 2012-01-22 developer image):
<code>
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sudo tar xaf modules-2.6.34-r88-overo.tgz -C /media/rootfs
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</code>
+
  
== Configuring Ubuntu ==
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  wget http://cumulus.gumstix.org/images/angstrom/developer/2012-01-22-1750/omap3-console-image-overo.tar.bz2
The ''rootstock'' utility doesn't make passwords properly. For now, it is easiest to remove the root password, boot your system to create new users and choose a new root password. To do this, open the ''/etc/shadow'' file on the second partition and delete the '*' for the root entry. E.g.
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tar xvjf ./omap3-console-image-overo.tar.bz2
<code>
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$ sudo gedit /path/to/second/partition/etc/shadow
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Copy the <code>/lib/firmware</code> and <code>/lib/modules</code> directories to the same location on your SD card:
</code>
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Note: remember to put the ‘*’ back after you have created a user so someone can’t login as root and screw up your system
+
  
 +
sudo cp -rf ./lib/firmware /media/rootfs/lib/
 +
sudo cp -rf ./lib/modules /media/rootfs/lib/
 +
 +
== Configuring Ubuntu ==
 
For Overo expansion boards with an Ethernet interface, it is nice to have Ethernet working right off the bat without having to have Network Manager installed. Open the ''/etc/network/interfaces'' file on the second partition.
 
For Overo expansion boards with an Ethernet interface, it is nice to have Ethernet working right off the bat without having to have Network Manager installed. Open the ''/etc/network/interfaces'' file on the second partition.
 
<code>
 
<code>
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You can now unmount the microSD card, place it in the Gumstix and boot to it.
 
You can now unmount the microSD card, place it in the Gumstix and boot to it.
  
Login using serial console using these [http://www.gumstix.net/Documentation/view/Overo-Setup-and-Programming/Getting-started/109.html instructions] or you can plug an Ethernet card in and jump in via ssh.
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Login using serial console using these [http://www.gumstix.net/Documentation/view/Overo-Setup-and-Programming/Getting-started/109.html instructions] or you can jump in via ssh.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
First we need to load the firmware modules:
 +
 
 +
cd /lib/modules/3.0.0/
 +
depmod
 +
 
 +
Next, if you're using a wireless COM, you'll need to configure the wireless settings. First, create the file wpa.conf in your /etc/ directory.
 +
 
 +
cd /etc/
 +
wpa_passphrase <your wireless ssid> <your password> > wpa.conf
 +
 
 +
If you're using a hidden wireless network you'll need to append the line <code>scan_ssid=1</code> to <code>wpa.conf</code>. Your <code>wpa.conf</code> should look like this:
 +
 
 +
network={
 +
ssid= "YourNetworkName"
 +
#psk="YourNetworkPass"
 +
psk=some-long-generated-value
 +
# add the following line if you're using a hidden wireless network
 +
scan_ssid=1
 +
}
 +
 
 +
Next, edit your <code>/etc/network/interfaces</code> and append the following lines:
 +
 
 +
auto wlan0
 +
iface wlan0 inet dhcp
 +
wireless_mode managed
 +
wireless_essid any
 +
pre-up wpa_supplicant -B -Dwext -iwlan0 -c/etc/wpa.conf
 +
post-down killall -q wpa_supplicant
 +
 
 +
Restart your Overo and wireless should be working.
  
 
Once you are logged in, you might make some other tweaks:
 
Once you are logged in, you might make some other tweaks:
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  $ sudo adduser youruser
 
  $ sudo adduser youruser
 
  $ sudo adduser youruser sudo
 
  $ sudo adduser youruser sudo
</code>
 
* edit /etc/shadow and add the ‘*’ back in that we removed earlier. E.g.
 
<code>
 
$ nano /etc/shadow
 
 
</code>
 
</code>
  
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  $ sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade
 
  $ sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade
 
</code>
 
</code>
Have fun!
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====Install a window manager====
 +
 
 +
If you require a graphical user interface you may install a window manager of your choice. These window managers have not been tested so proceed at your own risk:
 +
 
 +
=====Xfce=====
 +
 
 +
sudo apt-get install xfwm4
 +
 
 +
=====Matchbox=====
 +
 +
sudo apt-get install matchbox-window-manager
  
 
== Related Links ==
 
== Related Links ==

Latest revision as of 10:02, 9 July 2012

Ubuntu on Overo COM

Constructing an Ubuntu root file system for the Gumstix Overo COM is surprisingly easy with the rootstock utility. Since Ubuntu (particularly a version including a graphical desktop) likes lots of RAM, Gumstix recommends using an Overo COM with at least 512MB RAM. You can install Ubuntu on an Overo COM with 256MB RAM and the familiarity of Ubuntu for some users may outweigh occasional sluggishness.

These instructions were tested on an Ubuntu 10.04 desktop machine; they should work for any recent Debian-based flavour of Linux. These instructions also work for Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal with a few things to keep in mind.

Make a MicroSD card

The rootstock utility builds a root file system inside a virtual arm machine supplied by qemu. First, install the required packages.

$ sudo apt-get install rootstock qemu

note: To create a rootFS image for Ubuntu 11.04 you need to make sure that the machine creating the image has qemu-arm-static version 14.x or better. Ubuntu 11.04 has this but 10.04 for instance does not and segfaults during rootFS image creation.

Next, use a command like the one shown below to make a root file system; check out 'man rootstock' for some extra options. Note: this will take an hour or two.

$ sudo rootstock --serial ttyS2 -d lucid -f "gumstix" --seed lxde,gdm,openssh-server,x11vnc,wireless-tools,wpasupplicant,nano 

  • the '-d' option specifies the distribution release: in this case, Ubuntu Lucid (10.04). In the case of Ubuntu Natty (11.04) use "natty".
  • the '--seed' option specifies the list of packages to install: in this case, we install a lightweight desktop and a standard login manager as well as ssh & VNC servers so we can connect remotely.
  • the user name ('-l') and password ('-p') options don't seem to work at the moment; see [Configuring Ubuntu] for more information.

To create a rootFS image for a headless server you can use the following:

$ sudo rootstock --serial ttyS2 -d lucid -f "gumstix" --seed build-essential,openssh-server 

You should now have a spiffy root file system tarball so now we just need to create a bootable microSD with a standard bootloader and kernel.

Format a microSD card as per usual; you should copy a recent MLO, u-boot, and uImage to the boot partition. Extract the generated root file system to the second partition of the microSD card.

Next we'll need to add the loadable modules and firmware. If you don't want to build the kernel: Download and extract a wifi enabled image using the same kernel as the uImage you're using (In this case we're using Kernel 3.0.0 so we want the 2012-01-22 developer image):

wget http://cumulus.gumstix.org/images/angstrom/developer/2012-01-22-1750/omap3-console-image-overo.tar.bz2
tar xvjf ./omap3-console-image-overo.tar.bz2

Copy the /lib/firmware and /lib/modules directories to the same location on your SD card:

sudo cp -rf ./lib/firmware /media/rootfs/lib/
sudo cp -rf ./lib/modules /media/rootfs/lib/ 

Configuring Ubuntu

For Overo expansion boards with an Ethernet interface, it is nice to have Ethernet working right off the bat without having to have Network Manager installed. Open the /etc/network/interfaces file on the second partition.

$ sudo gedit /path/to/second/partition/etc/network/interfaces

Add the following code to the bottom:

auto eth0
iface eth0 inet dhcp

You can now unmount the microSD card, place it in the Gumstix and boot to it.

Login using serial console using these instructions or you can jump in via ssh.


First we need to load the firmware modules:

cd /lib/modules/3.0.0/
depmod

Next, if you're using a wireless COM, you'll need to configure the wireless settings. First, create the file wpa.conf in your /etc/ directory.

cd /etc/
wpa_passphrase <your wireless ssid> <your password> > wpa.conf

If you're using a hidden wireless network you'll need to append the line scan_ssid=1 to wpa.conf. Your wpa.conf should look like this:

network={
ssid= "YourNetworkName"
#psk="YourNetworkPass"
psk=some-long-generated-value
# add the following line if you're using a hidden wireless network
scan_ssid=1
}

Next, edit your /etc/network/interfaces and append the following lines:

auto wlan0
iface wlan0 inet dhcp
wireless_mode managed
wireless_essid any
pre-up wpa_supplicant -B -Dwext -iwlan0 -c/etc/wpa.conf
post-down killall -q wpa_supplicant

Restart your Overo and wireless should be working.

Once you are logged in, you might make some other tweaks:

  • login as root and then create a user for yourself and give yourself sudo

$ sudo adduser youruser
$ sudo adduser youruser sudo

  • add some useful package repositories if they're not already present. Edit /etc/apt/sources.list and add these lines:

$ deb http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports lucid-updates main
$ deb http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports lucid-security main

  • get up-to-date:

$ sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade

Install a window manager

If you require a graphical user interface you may install a window manager of your choice. These window managers have not been tested so proceed at your own risk:

Xfce
sudo apt-get install xfwm4
Matchbox
sudo apt-get install matchbox-window-manager

Related Links

Here are some links I found useful when putting this post together: