This tutorial walks you through the easiest and most efficient method to flash JetPack 6 onto your Jetson Orin Nano using NVIDIA's SDK Manager on an x86 Linux machine. This method streamlines the flashing process, automatically updates your device’s firmware, and eliminates the tedious manual updates required by the SD card method.

Introduction & Overview

Flashing JetPack onto your Jetson Orin Nano might seem daunting with many available methods. However, using NVIDIA’s SDK Manager on an x86 Linux host computer is by far the simplest approach. Unlike Docker or WSL, this method:

• Streamlines the process: Automatically updates your device’s firmware.
• Eliminates manual steps: No need for tedious SD card firmware updates.

The only requirement is having an x86 computer running Linux (Ubuntu 20.04 or 22.04).

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have the following:

1. Host Computer:

   • An x86 machine running Ubuntu 20.04 or 22.04.

2. NVIDIA SDK Manager:

   • Download, install, and register with NVIDIA on your host computer.
   • Tip: For guidance on installing Ubuntu on an x86 machine, refer to our detailed tutorial here.

3. Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit:

   • The original hardware along with its 12V DC power supply and necessary cables.

4. SSD (NVMe):

   • A 256GB (or larger) high-quality NVMe SSD (e.g., a compatible option like Cytron MakerDisk) for faster flashing and improved performance.

5. USB-C Cable:

   • A Type-C to Type-A cable to connect your Jetson Orin Nano to your Ubuntu host computer.

6. Recovery Setup:

   • Jumper pins or a jumper wire to short the FC REC and GND pins on the 12-pin header, putting your device into force recovery mode.

7. Internet Connection:

   • A stable connection, as the SDK Manager will download a significant amount of data.

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Prepare the Host Computer

1. Boot your x86 machine running Ubuntu 20.04 or 22.04.
2. Download and install the NVIDIA SDK Manager.
3. Open SDK Manager and log in with your NVIDIA Developer account.

Step 2: Installing the NVMe SSD on the Jetson Orin Nano

1. Locate the M.2 Slot:
   Flip the Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit over. The M.2 slot is located at the bottom.
2. Install the SSD:
   Align the NVMe SSD with the slot and gently slide it in. Secure it using the screw provided with the developer kit.

Step 3: Set Up the Device for Recovery

1. Enter Recovery Mode:
   Short the FC REC pin and the GND pin on the 12-pin header using the provided jumper or a jumper wire.
2. Connect the Device:
   Use a USB-C cable to connect your Jetson Orin Nano to your Ubuntu host computer, and attach the power supply to the DC jack.

Step 4: Launch SDK Manager

1. Once the device is in recovery mode, the SDK Manager on your Ubuntu machine will automatically detect it.
2. When prompted, select "Jetson Orin Nano (8GB Developer Kit)" from the popup menu.

Step 5: Select the Software Version

1. In the "SDK Version" section, choose JetPack 6.2 (or the latest available version).
2. Since this process only involves flashing the Jetson device, skip the host machine installation.

Step 6: Component Selection

1. You will be presented with options to install various components:
   • Full Installation: Install all components at once.
   • Custom Installation: Skip the Jetson Runtime and SDK components to install later via terminal (using sudo apt install nvidia-jetpack), which is often faster.
2. Accept the terms and conditions, then click "Continue to Step 03". Enter your password when prompted.

Step 7: Download and Flash Process

1. The SDK Manager will start downloading all necessary components. This process can take around an hour.
2. When prompted:
   • Select the correct device.
   • Choose "Pre-config" (instead of Runtime).
   • Select your target storage (choose your NVMe SSD, if applicable).
3. Click "Flash" to initiate the process.
4. Monitor the progress via the terminal tab to ensure everything is running smoothly.

Step 8: Completion and Verification

1. Once the installation is complete, the SDK Manager will display a success message.
2. Your Jetson Orin Nano now has JetPack 6.2 installed, with the firmware automatically updated.
3. Disconnect the device from the host computer and reboot it.
4. On first boot, the system automatically selects 25W mode. With JetPack 6.2, your NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano 8GB supports:
   • 15W Mode
   • 25W Mode (default on first boot)
   • MAXN SUPER Mode: The uncapped mode that unlocks the maximum performance of the CPU, GPU, DLA, PVA, and SOC engines. (Note: If the module exceeds its thermal design power, it will throttle to lower frequencies to maintain thermal stability.)
5. To switch between these modes, click the power mode icon in the taskbar and select the desired option.

Conclusion & Final Remarks

Congratulations! You've successfully upgraded your Jetson Orin Nano to the Super version using NVIDIA SDK Manager on an x86 Linux machine with an NVMe SSD. This method streamlines the flashing process and automatically updates your firmware, eliminating the need for tedious manual updates.

The new Super Mode delivers an unprecedented generative AI performance boost of up to 1.7x on the developer kit, making it the most affordable generative AI supercomputer available. Additionally, JetPack 6.2 enables your device to support multiple power modes—15W, 25W (default), and the uncapped MAXN SUPER mode—unlocking peak performance across all processing engines. With up to 2x higher AI model performance, this upgrade unlocks greater value and reduces the total cost of ownership for both new and existing robotics and edge AI applications.

We highly recommend customizing your own power mode to balance power consumption, thermal stability, and performance based on your specific needs. Enjoy harnessing the enhanced capabilities of your upgraded Jetson Orin Nano Super for all your edge AI projects!