[Arm-netbook] Debian GNU/Linux (armhf) on the Hardkernel ODroid-U2

[luke.leighton]

http://lkcl.net/reports/odroid-u2.html

this is an install report (successful one!) with full bootstrap
instructions on how to get from android to debian GNU/Linux (armhf
variant) on an ODroid-U2 device.  it's got quirks (the hardware) but
the sheer tiny size for something that has 3 USBs and Ethernet is
just... i couldn't resist.

Software Freedom Caveats:

a) i'm deeply unhappy to have learned that Hardkernel have enabled DRM
in the bootloader, and require that, if you want to modify u-boot, you
must send them the u-boot image and *they* will sign it with their
private key.  this is deeply unimpressive but at least they will
actually sign it... unlike e.g. the fucked-up arrangement with UEFI
boot and microsoft and the linux foundation.  try asking microsoft
"excuse me could you please sign my linux kernel i built" and see how
far that gets.

regardless of that screw-up-of-an-arrangement, i found that the
pre-installed pre-built u-boot did not need modifying so i did not
need to contact hardkernel.com: the default parameters of the default
pre-built u-boot will look for a kernel on the NAND partition first,
followed by looking for one on the SD Card partition.  personally i
feel this should be the other way round, but hey, it worked.

b) the HDMI framebuffer appears to need a proprietary library (as
usual) to compile up the X11 driver.  as this qualifies as a "System
Library" and thus is covered by the GPL Exceptions Clauses it's kinda
ok, only not really if you know what i mean.

i've spoken to libv on #lima and he's got an odroid-x2 which he's just
started playing with, and will be getting the mali wrapper library
back up-and-running in order to start tackling xorg.

anyway: the process didn't need to install android developer tools
under debian, and, amazingly, all the compilation was done *native* on
the Odroid-U2 itself.  all this "cross-compiling" bollocks, that's all
out the window.  kernel including modules took around 10 to 15 minutes
using "make -j6", which is not bad.

specifications of the odroid u2, for $85 (!)

* Quad-Core 1.7ghz (!) ARM Cortex A9
* 2gb of RAM
* 2 USB ports, 1 Micro-USB (OTG)
* 1 10/100 Ethernet RJ45
* 1 Micro-HDMI
* Micro-SD slot
* Optional ($25 for an 8gbyte chip) NAND Flash module (eMMC)
* Headphone socket (which i've not been able to get to work yet)

limitations found so far:

* Ethernet you *must* boot up with the cable plugged in, it looks like
auto-detect doesn't work
* the HDMI framebuffer is hard-coded in the kernel source to 1280x720
apparently.
* the sound chip comes up only with switches, no volumes (!) in alsamixer.
* Android's ethernet support is unstable if you push the transfer
sizes a bit hard, but Debian seems fine

overall conclusion: some quirks but for $85+$25+MicroHDMI cable it's not bad!

l.