Porting Mender to New i.MX 8M Plus Machine and Working with Toradex BSP

Leon Anavi, Konsulko Group

Presented at the Yocto Project Virtual Summit, December 1, 2022

Mender is a popular open source over-the-air software update solution with numerous features for numerous different machines. In this talk we discuss the initial efforts to port Mender to Toradex Verdin iMX8M Plus SoM and the exact steps to build images for it and the Dahlia carrier board using the long-term support release of the Yocto Project and the Toradex BSP.

Getting started with Mender on this machine is straight forward thanks to the existing support in layer meta-mender-nxp. Mender A/B updates are demonstrated. Furthermore, practical tips and tricks for using Toradex Easy Installer for various use cases are shared.

Abstract

Mender is a popular open source over-the-air software update solution with numerous features for numerous different machines. In this talk we discuss the initial efforts to port Mender to Toradex Verdin iMX8M Plus. System-on-Module (SOM) provides core components on a single unit, and it is very convenient for integration in industrial equipment. Toradex Verdin iMX8M Plus is a powerful SOM capable of providing high-performance graphics. We will go through the exact steps to build an image from scratch for it and the Dahlia carrier board using the long-term support release of the Yocto Project and Toradex BSP.

Getting started with Mender on Toradex Verdin iMX8M Plus is straight forward thanks to the upstream work done in layer meta-mender-nxp. During this presentation we focus on performing of A/B updates will Mender. Guidelines for preparing the image for Mender delta updates will be also shared. Furthermore, the talk features practical experience for using Toradex Easy Installer remotely and for automatic installation without user interaction. The talk is appropriate for beginners and anyone interested in the Yocto Project and Mender.