Running Arch Linux on Nanopi NEO Air

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Running Arch Linux on Nanopi NEO Air

Postby zand » Fri Apr 14, 2017 5:17 pm

I understand this board (Nanopi NEO Air) is not currently supported. However, it is already working on Ubuntu Core and already working on Armbian. Much of the work to understand the device has been done. Armbian provides packages to support this device that I think can be reviewed/used to support this device on Arch.

$this->bbcode_second_pass_code('', '
linux-image-sun8i linux-headers-sun8i
linux-u-boot-nanopiair-default linux-$(lsb_release -cs)-root-nanopiair
armbian-firmware sunxi-tools swconfig a10disp
')
What is needed to get started? How might I be able to contribute, HW or effort wise, to this project to encourage the support of this board?
zand
 
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Re: Running Arch Linux on Nanopi NEO Air

Postby andre » Sun Apr 30, 2017 9:38 am

To run ArchLinux on any device which is supported by another distro (given their kernel is recent enough and has all the options enabled systemd needs)

Install a supported distro, from this you can extract the kernel needed to boot
Then copy all kernel modules ( /usr/lib/modules in the rootfs ) to a temporary location
( Assuming the kernel is in a bootfs, otherwise also copy the /boot directory )
Replace the rootfs with an arch rootfs, take the generic image for the architecture.
Copy the kernel modules back into the rootfs

(Eventually a modification to the boot script is needed, but I assume the init binary is at the default location)
andre
 
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Location: Eindhoven

Re: Running Arch Linux on Nanopi NEO Air

Postby andre » Sun Apr 30, 2017 9:46 am

Furthermore, take a look at viewtopic.php?f=33&t=11239
As both devices are AllWinner H3 based, the procedure for the Orange Pi could be used with little adjustments. Use " nanopi_neo_air_defconfig" in the "Compile and copy U-Boot bootloader" step
andre
 
Posts: 68
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2012 1:39 pm
Location: Eindhoven


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