- You may flash an OS image directly to the Rock S0 internal EMMC flash as follows:
- Build Linux x86 binary rkdeveloptool (sources) on host
- Remove any SDcard
- Hold down the tiny, black MASKROM button while you…
- Power on, with the MASKROM button pressed, to enter flash mode
- Release the MASKROM button after 2 seconds
- Next, run these host commands to flash the internal EMMC flash:
-
- sudo rkdeveloptool db rk3308_loader_uart0_m0_emmc_port_support_sd_20190717.bin
- #await output: Downloading bootloader succeeded.
- sudo rkdeveloptool wl 0 /path/to/uncompressed_armbian_image
- #await output: Write LBA from file (100%)
- sudo rkdeveloptool rd
- #outputs: Reset Device OK.
(check official step by step instructions)
-
- If a valid image is found on the built-in EMMC flash, the board will boot that image unless…
- Holding down the MASKROM button disables the EMMC flash.
- If no valid image can be read from EMMC flash, it will attempt to boot from SD Card.
- The white “RECOVERY” button as no predefined function.
- The Rock S0 has no “reset” button!
- Kernel serial console is on UART0.
- The serial console operates at 1.5Mbaud with 8 data, 1 stop, and no parity bits.
- Red(far right)=+5V, Black(center right)=GND,White(center left)=TxD, Green(far left)=RxD
There is no need to attach the +5V to the GPIO header (as pictured above) if the board is powered via USB.
If not using an external antenna, consider adding this line to /boot/armbianEnv.txt file to increase CPU clock to 1.3 GHz:
overlays=b@1.3ghz
However, use of an external antenna will dramatically improve radio performance.
If using an external antenna, consider adding this line to /boot/armbianEnv.txt file to increase CPU clock to 1.3 GHz and select the external antenna:
overlays=b@1.3ghz s0-ext-antenna
Refer to /boot/dtb/rockchip/overlay/README.rockchip-overlays for more information.
Different images? Missing features? -> Download SDK Looking for compatible accessories? Want to participate in development?
Server images with Armbian Linux v6.6
Build Date: Aug 26, 2024
| Distro | Variant | Extensions | Torrent | Integrity | Size | |||||
 Debian 12 (Bookworm) |
Server / CLI |  |
SHA | ASC | 430.8 MB | |||||
 Ubuntu 22.04 (Jammy) |
Server / CLI | |
SHA | ASC | 446.5 MB | |||||
| * Server / CLI images comes with Network Manager and include packages like armbian-config, armbian-zsh etc. | ||||||||||
Minimal/IOT images with Armbian Linux v6.6
Build Date: Aug 26, 2024
| Distro | Variant | Extensions | Torrent | Integrity | Size | |||||
| Ubuntu 24.04 (Noble) |
Minimal / IOT | |
SHA | ASC | 232.4 MB | |||||
| * Minimal images have very small footprint. They come only with essential packages and build-in systemd-networkd. They are optimised for automation and production deployments. | ||||||||||
Dedicated applications images with Armbian Linux v6.6
Build Date: Oct 23, 2024
| Distro | Application | Torrent | Integrity | Size | ||||||
| Debian 12 (Bookworm) |
Home Assistant | |
SHA | ASC | 308.5 MB | |||||
| * 3rd party unofficial applications deployment made with official Armbian build framework. Application support is not provided by Armbian team, but you are welcome to use our community forums for support. | ||||||||||
Specifications
* Specifications differ from hardware revision, model and software support level
FAQs
- check previous images from archive
- join community forums
Simple
BASH or ZSH shell, standard Debian/Ubuntu utilities. Features can be adjusted with menu-driven utility. Login is possible via serial, HDMI or SSH.
Universal
Minimal, server or Desktop. We work with XFCE, Gnome and Cinnamon but more is possible to build: Mate, KDE, Budgie, Deepin, i3, …
Light
No bloatware or spyware. Special utilities are completely optional. Suitable for newcomers and professionals.
Optimized
Distributed images are optimized for flash media (SD/eMMC/SSD) and compacted to real data size.
Fast
Armbian is optimized on kernel and userspace level. ZRAM & ZSWAP support, browser profile memory caching, garbage commit delay.
Secure
Security level can be adjusted with the armbian-config. OS is reviewed by professionals within the community.
Supported
Maintainers and community have deep understanding how HW work. We are seniors with 30+ years of experience in Linux + embedded Linux.
Open
Armbian provides open source build framework to build a distribution of optimised Linux hardware interface for armhf, aarch64 and x86.
We provide a selection of images that fits hardware best. If you need different image – use build framework and make whatever you need. Build framework relies on Debian and Ubuntu packages – you can build any combination – stable, old stable or rolling release.
Minimal images have very small footprint. They come only with essential packages and build-in systemd-networkd while CLI server images have Network Manager based networking, armbian-config utilities, option to select ZSH as default shell.
Make sure you have a good & reliable boot media (SD card / USB key) and a proper power supply. Archives can be flashed with Etcher (all OS) directly.
Insert the SD card into the slot, connect a cable to your network if possible or a display and power your board. (First) boot (with DHCP) takes a bit longer.
Support is provided in one of two ways:
- Free support is provided via general project search engine, documentation, community forums or IRC/Discord. Keep in mind this is mostly provided by our awesome community members in a best effort manner and therefore there are no guaranteed solutions.
- For commercial or prioritised assistance:
- book a an hour of professional consultation,
- consider becoming a project partner.
- Reach us out at https://armbian.com/contact,
Rolling releases images with Armbian Linux v6.6
Build Date: Nov 12, 2024
| Distro | Variant | User space | Kernel | Torrent | Integrity | Size | |
| Ubuntu 24.10 (Oracular) |
Minimal / IOT | stable | 6.6.60 | | SHA | ASC | 233.1 MB |
| Debian Testing (Trixie) |
Minimal / IOT | stable | 6.6.60 | | SHA | ASC | 245.3 MB |
Rolling releases are suitable for Linux enthusiasts who want cutting edge packages and have the skills to fix damage that a bad update might cause. If you want stability in a production environment or low headaches as a novice user, skip rolling releases.
They are only at, build and ship, Debian testing / Arch / Manjaro / Suse Tumbleweed / Kali / Gentoo support quality level!