Boot from microSD Card and Install System to UFS

This guide explains how to install the system to UFS using the dd command when the system can boot normally from a MicroSD card .

warning

Installing the system will format the UFS module or onboard UFS. Please back up any important data in advance!

Prerequisites

To use the dd command to install the system to UFS, you need to meet the following conditions:

• The system can boot normally from a MicroSD card
• UFS is installed on the board or the board has onboard UFS

Hardware Connection

UFS Module

UFS Module Installation Steps:

1. Observe the notch direction on the UFS module and the notch marking on the board's UFS module interface to determine the correct installation orientation.
2. Place the UFS module above the board's UFS module interface, ensuring the UFS module interface is properly aligned with the board's UFS module interface.
3. Gently press one end of the UFS module until you hear a "click" sound, indicating successful installation. Then press the other end in the same way to ensure the UFS module is properly installed.

Onboard UFS

If your board has onboard UFS, no installation is required.

System Installation

Download System Image

Access the Resource Download page from your device and download the latest system image to the device.

Image Note

The downloaded system image is a compressed file and needs to be extracted before use!

You can use the wget command to download the system image file to your device.

radxa@dragon-q6a$

sudo apt update
sudo apt install wget -y
wget <download_url>

Where <download_url> is the download URL of the system image file. You can copy the image download URL from the Resource Download page to replace it.

Download example: wget https://github.com/radxa-build/radxa-dragon-q6a/releases/download/rsdk-t4/radxa-dragon-q6a_noble_kde_t4.output_4096.img.xz

Extract System Image

Our system images are generally in *.img.xz format and need to be extracted before use.

radxa@dragon-q6a$

sudo apt install xz-utils -y
unxz <path_to_image_unxz>

Where <path_to_image_unxz> is the path to the system image file, which needs to be replaced with the actual system image file path.

Extraction example:

unxz radxa-dragon-q6a_noble_kde_t4.output_4096.img.xz

Determine Device Path

You can use the lsblk command to check the device path and determine it based on the disk capacity.

Note: If the disk capacities are similar, you can safely remove and reinsert the UFS module to observe which device path appears and disappears, thus determining the correct device path.

radxa@dragon-q6a$

lsblk

If the system recognizes the UFS device, it will typically be identified as a /dev/sd* device.

Terminal output example:

NAME        MAJ:MIN RM   SIZE RO TYPE MOUNTPOINTS
···
sda           8:0    0 119.2G  0 disk
└─sda1        8:1    0 119.2G  0 part
···

Install System Image

Use the dd command to install the system image to the UFS.

radxa@dragon-q6a$

sudo dd if=<path_to_image> of=<device_target> bs=4M status=progress

Write example:

sudo dd if=radxa-dragon-q6a_noble_kde_t4.output_4096.img of=/dev/sda bs=4M status=progress

Parameter description:

• <path_to_image>: The path to the system image file, which needs to be replaced with the actual system image file path.

• <device_target>: The device path of the UFS module, which needs to be replaced with the actual UFS module's device path.

• bs=4M: Block size for writing.

• status=progress: Display write progress.

Verify Write Result

After the system installation is complete, you can use the lsblk command to check if the UFS partition table has been created correctly.

radxa@dragon-q6a$

lsblk

Terminal output example:

NAME        MAJ:MIN RM   SIZE RO TYPE MOUNTPOINTS
···
sda           8:0    0 119.2G  0 disk
├─sda1        8:1    0   128M  0 part
├─sda2        8:2    0   2.3G  0 part
└─sda3        8:3    0   6.4G  0 part
···

Booting the System

After completing the system installation, remove the microSD card, ensure the UFS module is properly installed in the UFS module interface of the Dragon Q6A, then power on the Dragon Q6A using the 12V Type-C power adapter.

① : Ensure the UFS module is installed

② : Connect the monitor to the board using an HDMI cable

③ : Power on the Dragon Q6A using the 12V Type-C power adapter

When the system boots normally, the power indicator will light up green and the status LED will blink blue.

System Login

When you first start the system, you'll need to log in using the default username and password.

The default credentials for Radxa OS are as follows:

Item	Value
Username	radxa
Password	radxa

Using the System

After successfully booting the system, you can start using the Radxa system on your Dragon Q6A. For basic usage instructions, please refer to the Using the System guide.