--- title: Building an Ubuntu Core 18 image for Nitrogen i.MX6 board description: This article is written by Taiten Peng. Have you got i.MX6 hardware and are wondering how Ubuntu Core would run on it? In this blog, we will build an Ubuntu Core 18 image with the generic Ubuntu kernel for an i.MX6 based Boundary Devices board. The Nitrogen6X hardware from Boundary Device is well supported upstream […] url: https://canonical.com/blog/building-an-ubuntu-core-18-image-for-nitrogen-i-mx6-board?format=md --- 1. [Blog](https://canonical.com/blog) 2. Article --- [liam zheng](https://canonical.com/blog/author/liam-zheng "More about liam zheng") 24 June 2020 # Building an Ubuntu Core 18 image for Nitrogen i.MX6 board [i.mx6](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/i-mx6) [IoT](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/iot) [kernel](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/kernel) [nitrogen](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/nitrogen) [Ubuntu Core](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/ubuntu-core) --- Share the article *This article is written by Taiten Peng.* Have you got i.MX6 hardware and are wondering how Ubuntu Core would run on it? In this blog, we will build an Ubuntu Core 18 image with the generic Ubuntu kernel for an i.MX6 based Boundary Devices board. The Nitrogen6X hardware from Boundary Device is well supported upstream and kernel patches have already landed into Ubuntu 4.15 LTS kernel.  This allows you to create an Ubuntu Core 18 image and try an official kernel from Canonical. ## What you’ll need Reference hardware: [Nitrogen6X](https://boundarydevices.com/product/nitrogen6x/) with 2GB memory ### Tools – build environment: * Host OS: Ubuntu 18.04 LTS 64bit * Tools: ubuntu-image, snapcraft Perform the following command to install ubuntu-image and snapcraft: ``` sudo snap install --classic ubuntu-image sudo snap install --classic snapcraft ``` ## At a glance, understanding the basics In order to build an Ubuntu Core image, there are essential components that need to be prepared such as a gadget snap or signed model assertion file. A kernel snap is also required, technically, but it does not have to be a custom kernel snap on the Nitrogen6X hardware. ## Building a custom Ubuntu Core image for i.MX6 Using Nitrogen6X hardware as an example. ### Build a gadget snap Example [gadget snap](https://github.com/taiten/nitrogen6x-gadget-snap) for nitrogen6q2g board with upstream u-boot source. ### Create a model assertion and sign ``` Example model json file { "type": "model", "authority-id": "YOUR_ID", "brand-id": "YOUR_ID", "series": "16", "base": "core18", "model": "nitrogen6x", "architecture": "armhf", "gadget": "nitrogen6", "kernel": "pc-kernel=18", "timestamp": "2019-06-21T08:56:10+00:00" } ``` More detail in creating model assertion and signing can be found in this [tutorial.](https://snapcraft.io/tutorials/create-your-own-core-image) ### Build an Ubuntu Core 18 image ``` sudo ubuntu-image --snap YOUR_GADGET_SNAP.snap -o nitrogen6x.img YOUR_MODEL_ASSERTION.model ``` For instance, something like ``` ubuntu-image --snap nitrogen6x-gadget-snap/nitrogen6_18-0.1_armhf.snap -o nitrogen6x.img nitrogen6x.model ``` ## Installation and booting ### Flash the bootloader Nitrogen6x won’t boot the bootloader from a SDcard or USB. You will need to do the following step to update onboard SPI Flash. Power on the machine and enter the u-boot prompt with following command: ``` fatload mmc 0:1 0x13000000 u-boot.imx;sf probe;sf erase 0 0xc2000;sf write 0x13000000 0x400 ${filesize} ``` And update u-boot environment variables… The script loads a necessary environment setting for booting Ubuntu Core from a uboot.env file which is generated from the [gadget](https://github.com/taiten/nitrogen6x-gadget-snap) snap. The system will boot into Ubuntu Core 18 after reset. The initial boot console requires you to setup a network and Ubuntu Account. Please be aware that you will need an [Ubuntu SSO account](https://login.ubuntu.com/) and a SSH key uploaded in order to access the Ubuntu Core device. ## Advanced: Build from a custom ubuntu kernel Be aware that once a custom kernel snap has been provided during image building, the kernel snap won’t get any update from the snap store. For some experimental kernel patches you would like to try on Ubuntu kernel. (For example, adding support for other i.mx6 boards) Get the source from You might need to add the following patch to add additional kernel modules into initrd.img in the kernel snap. ``` diff --git a/snapcraft.yaml b/snapcraft.yaml index 2452c4031066..e4a94c3059fd 100644 --- a/snapcraft.yaml +++ b/snapcraft.yaml @@ -17,6 +17,24 @@ parts: kconfigflavour: generic kconfigs: - CONFIG_DEBUG_INFO=n + kernel-initrd-modules: + - usb-storage + - nls_iso8859-1 ``` Building a kernel snap with the following command: ``` snapcraft --target-arch=armhf ``` ## **What’s next?** * [Creating your first snap application](https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/create-your-first-snap) * [Explore snaps runs on your IoT devices](https://snapcraft.io/store) * [Join the Snapcraft forum](https://forum.snapcraft.io/categories) *This article was written by Taiten Peng.* ## Sign up for our newsletter Get the latest Canonical news and updates in your inbox. Work email: \*I agree to receive information about Canonical's products and services. By submitting this form, I confirm that I have read and agree to [Canonical's Privacy Policy](https://canonical.com/legal/dataprivacy). Sign up ## Share on --- ## Related posts [### So you need to add microcontrollers to your fleet: now what?](https://canonical.com/blog/microcontrollers-ubuntu-core-golioth) Your Ubuntu Core fleet is running beautifully. OTA updates roll out in minutes. Every device is strictly confined, cryptographically attested, and carrying a 10 to 15 year long... [Jonathan Beri](https://canonical.com/blog/author/jmberi) 18 June 2026 [### A look into Ubuntu Core 26: Building a local AI inference appliance in a virtual machine](https://canonical.com/blog/ubuntu-core-26-ai-box) Welcome to this blog series which explores innovative uses of Ubuntu Core. Throughout this series, Canonical’s Engineers will show what you can build with this Core 26 release,... 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