Projects:Orange Pi 4 Workstation

Project: Workstation computer built using Orange Pi 4 running Linux fulfilling Goal:Technology.

Requirements

• open source software
  • ability to build all of the components and utilities from source
• standalone and independent
  • ability to build on the target hardware in order to be independent
• up-to-date software
  • mainline kernel (with only a few necessary patches)
  • actively maintained distribution
• NO binary blobs

Hardware

Details: Orange Pi 4 Hardware

• multiple 64-bit ARM cores which provides enough horsepower for common tasks
• 4 GB of LPDDR4 RAM is sufficient for common tasks given it will run Linux
• 1 Gbps Ethernet & WiFi & Bluetooth for solid connectivity
• tiny form factor frees up lots of space (compared to a standard desktop tower PC)
• low power consumption makes this cheap to run
• low noise levels thanks to a single slow running fan

Software

Experimental Stage

1. ☑ Try pre-built images
   • BSP Linux on Orange Pi 4: [+] everything mostly works, [–] old kernel with missing components
   • Armbian on Orange Pi 4: [+] new kernel, [–] high power usage, incomplete HW support (e.g. graphics)
2. ☆ Try custom-built images
   • ☓ BSP Linux on Orange Pi 4: [+] collection of shell scripts useful for studying, [–] couldn't get it to boot, not very robust.
   • ☆ Armbian on Orange Pi 4: [+] generic build system, patch files applied to mainline repositories, [–] x86_64 Ubuntu build system not usable on the target device
     • ☑ Legacy kernel, standard console image: OK
     • ☓ Current kernel, minimal console image: Kernel doesn't boot
     • ☆ Current kernel (5.4.32), standard console image: ?
3. ☐ Design a custom image-building process
   • ☐ U-Boot: U-Boot on Orange Pi 4
   • ☐ Linux: Mainline Linux on Orange Pi 4
   • ☐ Image & flash an SD card
   • ☐ Flash updates
4. ☐ Build on the target device

Target Stage

• Mainline Linux on Orange Pi 4
• Arch Linux ARM on Orange Pi 4