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Key Highlights from Recent Commits As we step into the new year, we are excited to share the latest updates and improvements from the Armbian community. These changes reflect our continued commitment to enhancing user experiences, supporting innovative hardware, and streamlining development workflows. General Updates MacchiatoBin: Transitioned to End-of-Support (EOS) status, discontinuing kernel builds for the family. This decision allows developers to focus resources on actively maintained hardware, ensuring better support and innovation. Hinlink H6XK Boards: Added KERNEL_TEST_TARGET=current, enabling focused testing on the latest kernels. Enabled the current kernel, offering users access to more recent features, stability fixes, and performance improvements tailored to this board family. BananaPi BPI-F3: The branch pull process has been updated to streamline workflows and improve efficiency when working with this hardware. Updated to a more recent upstream branch to ensure compatibility and enhanced performance. VisionFive Family: Targets for this hardware have been disabled due to a lack of community support and maintenance. This change ensures resources are directed toward actively maintained platforms. OverlayFS Enhancements: Refactored module structure to simplify the codebase and enhance maintainability. Preserved the default value of overlayroot_cfgdisk to maintain compatibility with existing setups while refining the underlying management process. Kernel Enhancements Sunxi Kernel: Upgraded to version 6.6.72, bringing critical fixes, updated functionality, and better performance to supported devices. Improved Armbian and Megous patches, with redundant changes reverted, optimizing the kernel for stability and efficiency. UEFI Kernels: Legacy: Updated to 6.6, providing long-term support for stability-focused deployments. Current: Upgraded to 6.12, introducing modern features for developers and power users. Edge: Updated to 6.13, ensuring access to the latest advancements. RK3568 Fixes: Implemented PHY fixes sourced from community mailing lists, improving network reliability for RK3568-based devices. (Affected the NanoPi R5 series.) Driver and Dependency Updates WiFi Drivers: The rtl8811cu driver has been partially reverted to address compatibility issues with kernel 6.6. This ensures stable connectivity for users relying on this hardware. RTL8822CS Driver: Updated to the latest commit, ensuring compatibility with kernel 6.13+ and delivering improved performance for supported devices. Build System Enhancements Introduced hooks for post_armbian_repo_customize_image and post_repo_customize_image, allowing developers to tailor builds more effectively with automated scripts. Transitioned unit testing to dedicated Armbian VM images, providing a controlled and consistent environment to identify and resolve issues before release. Fixed several bugs in the Armbian runner deployment scripts, improving stability and efficiency for contributors utilizing GitHub CI/CD pipelines. Additional Enhancements Documentation Updates: Automated updates ensure user and developer guides are always current, making it easier for contributors to access accurate and up-to-date information. KVM Bug Fixes: Minor but critical fixes enhance KVM functionality, ensuring smoother virtualization experiences for users who rely on Kernel-based Virtual Machines. Distro Verification Improvements: A 10-second warning display has been added during verification processes, with automatic continuation, creating a more user-friendly experience while maintaining security. For a complete overview of the latest changes, visit the Armbian GitHub page. Thank you for your continuous support to the Armbian community! The Armbian team The post Armbian Weekly Highlights first appeared on Armbian. View the full article

Happy New Year from the Armbian Team! As we step into this exciting new year, we at Armbian would like to extend our warmest wishes for a Happy New Year to our amazing community! Thank you for your continued support and contributions that make Armbian what it is today. Together, we look forward to achieving great things and exploring new possibilities in Linux and open-source innovation. Armbian Updates Summary Week 1 (v25.2.0-trunk.274): What’s Changed in the Past Week Armbian continues to push the boundaries of Linux performance and hardware compatibility with its rolling release updates. The latest changes in version v25.2.0-trunk.274 bring exciting enhancements in camera module support, board features, and software tools, all while maintaining a focus on stability and innovation. Key Highlights Camera Module Support Armbian now supports the Raspberry Pi Camera Modules on certain Rockchip hardware, expanding its capabilities for embedded systems and IoT applications: OV5647 (Camera Module 1): Enables integration with various Raspberry Pi projects and beyond. Commit by @bmx666. IMX219 (Camera Module 2): Advanced camera support for high-resolution capture in compact setups. Commit by @bmx666. Board Enhancements NanoPi M6: SPI NOR flash overlay added, providing improved boot options and storage flexibility for this versatile board. Commit by @efectn. OnePlus Kebab: Type-C support introduced, enhancing connectivity for modern peripherals and high-speed data transfers. Commit by @amazingfate. FriendlyElec CM3588: HDMI RX configuration added, optimizing display performance and making it easier to connect external monitors. Commit by @timsurber. Software Enhancements Sandboxed and Containerized SSH Server: A cutting-edge security measure, this new feature isolates SSH server operations to enhance safety and protect against vulnerabilities. Commit by @igorpecovnik. Wireguard VPN Server: Enables quick and easy VPN configuration, offering secure remote access to your systems. View commit. Grafana Monitoring Dashboards: Provides detailed insights into performance and resource usage, allowing users to visualize and monitor their setups effectively. View commit. OctoPrint: Streamlines 3D printing management, offering a robust web-based interface for monitoring and controlling 3D printers. View commit. These updates reflect Armbian’s dedication to delivering user-friendly, powerful tools for a seamless experience. U-Boot Improvements Refinements in U-Boot build processes ensure better stability and clearer configurations for developers: Addressed whitespace and newlines in UBOOT_TARGET_MAP. Commits by @rpardini. Introduced clean builds for each U-Boot target, ensuring consistent and error-free deployment. Commit by @rpardini. Kernel Updates Changing full kernel config into defconfig Commit by @rpardini Trusted Firmware: Updated Arm Trusted Firmware to version 2.12, improving security and compatibility for Rockchip64 platforms. Commit by @timsurber. Contributors Armbian’s progress is made possible by the contributions of its dedicated developers. A big thank you to @rpardini, @bmx666, @amazingfate, @igorpecovnik, @efectn, and @timsurber for their hard work! Looking Ahead The Armbian team is excited about the year ahead, aiming to introduce even more innovative features and improvements. With the support of a growing community, Armbian will continue to lead in providing a robust Linux experience for single-board computers. Together, let’s achieve new milestones and explore endless possibilities! Stay updated by visiting the Armbian releases page. The post Happy New Year 2025! Armbian Weekly Highlights first appeared on Armbian. View the full article

As the holidays approach, the Armbian team continues to bring you exciting updates and improvements to make your development experience even better. Whether you’re tinkering with new boards over the festive break or updating your systems for the new year, here’s what’s new this week: Infrastructure and Community Updates New Mirror in Ukraine A new mirror has been kindly provided by Hostiko to improve download availability in the region. Mirror Status Page A new page has been introduced to show the status of Armbian mirrors. Check it out here. If you have capacity to host our files, you are more then welcome! Kernel Updates and Enhancements Kernel Porting to 6.12.y Significant efforts are underway to port remaining kernels to version 6.12.y, ensuring the latest improvements and security fixes are incorporated. Rockchip Kernel Update Removed mainlined patches to improve kernel consistency. Commit by @paolosabatino Meson64 Kernel Updates Removed obsolete HDMI patch due to kernel upgrades. Commit by @way5 Bluetooth Enhancements Added support for IMC Networks Bluetooth Radio (13d3:3572). Commit by @openedev Introduced firmware format v2 support for Realtek Bluetooth. Commit by @rtkbt-max Rolling Releases: A Bold Step Forward Armbian offers rolling releases, providing more frequent updates for cutting-edge features. However, these builds are not thoroughly tested and are unsuitable for production environments. Rolling releases can be found at the bottom of official download pages. Learn more about switching between stable and rolling releases or customizing provided images. Important: Before switching to a rolling release, review the automated tests to ensure compatibility. Board and Device Fixes StarFive: Fixed broken patches caused by kernel upgrades. Commit by @igorpecovnik Odroid-XU4: Updated the current kernel to 6.6.65 for improved stability. Commit by @belegdol Build System Enhancements Fixing LVM and cryptroot support Commits by @swissiety Rockchip Boot Enhancements Disabled ROCKCHIP_THUNDER_BOOT_DEFER_FREE_MEMBLOCK to enhance boot reliability. Commit by @nyanmisaka These updates demonstrate Armbian’s ongoing commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology, improved hardware support, and enhanced system functionality. For a complete overview of the latest changes, visit the Armbian GitHub repository. The post Armbian Weekly Highlights first appeared on Armbian. View the full article

Armbian continues its evolution with exciting updates, new features, and bug fixes. Below are the highlights: Build System Enhancements Automatic Board Configurations Synchronization Automatic synchronization of board configurations, streamlining updates. Commit by @igorpecovnik Kernel Updates ST7796 Display Enhancements Fixed the kernel module patch for ST7796. Commit by @redrathnure Added a kernel module (fbtft) for improved ST7796 support. Commit by @redrathnure Board Support Mixtile Edge 2 Updated to branch rk-6.1-rkr4.1 for vendor kernel. Commit by @rpardini BigTreeTech CB2 Fixed misplaced reset GPIOs. Commit by @JohnTheCoolingFan Added BigTreeTech CB2 board support. Commit by @JohnTheCoolingFan Moved BigTreeTech CB2 from the CSC category. Commit by @JohnTheCoolingFan Created edge device tree for CB2. Commit by @JohnTheCoolingFan Linux-Rockchip Enhancements 2.4-inch RPi Display Support Added overlay for 2.4-inch Raspberry Pi displays on ArmSoM-CM5. Commit by @null Stay Connected with Armbian Stay up-to-date with all the latest developments by visiting the Armbian GitHub Repository. Whether you are testing rolling releases or contributing to the project, Armbian offers a unique opportunity to explore the forefront of Linux on ARM devices, driven by a passionate community of developers and users. The post Armbian Weekly Highlights first appeared on Armbian. View the full article

Armbian continues to evolve with exciting updates, optimizations, and bug fixes across its ecosystem. Here are the highlights from the past week: Kernel Updates rk35xx-vendor: Updated to the 6.1 rkr4.1 SDK kernel, enhancing compatibility and features for rk35xx boards (commit by @amazingfate). Rockchip: Edge kernel upgraded to 6.12, bringing improved stability and performance (commit by @paolosabatino). Feature Deprecations WireGuard: Removed from the build system (commit by @EvilOlaf). Bug Fixes NanoPi-R6S: Resolved MMC0/MMC1 ordering issues to enhance reliability (commit by @efectn). Documentation Enhancements Added release notes for version 24.11.1 (commit by @igorpecovnik). Configuration Management Overlay Management: Disabled unsupported options on certain platforms (commit by @igorpecovnik). WiFi Handling: Improved reliability by retrying station scans up to three times (commit by @igorpecovnik). Known Issues While we’re proud of the progress made, software development inevitably involves challenges. Along with numerous fixes and enhancements, some regressions have been introduced. Overlay Handling: Recent updates inadvertently broke overlay handling support in several ways. Our team is actively working to resolve these issues and will release an upgrade to address the problem as soon as possible. BalenaEtcher Flashing Issue: A well-known issue has been observed with the BalenaEtcher flashing program, which fails when flashing large images. This is due to a decompression method within Etcher and is not a bug related to Armbian itself. However, since many users may encounter this problem, we recommend using alternative tools such as USBimager or Gnome Imager as a workaround. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we address these issues. Why Contributing to Armbian Matters Contributing to Armbian strengthens the open-source community, benefiting developers, users, and enthusiasts worldwide. By participating, you help expand hardware support, improve system reliability, and foster innovation. Contributors gain valuable experience in kernel development, device driver optimization, and Linux system integration. Open-source projects thrive on collaboration, and Armbian is a testament to how collective effort transforms challenges into robust solutions. Whether fixing bugs, enhancing documentation, or contributing code, every effort helps Armbian deliver a superior experience for its users. Explore Armbian’s GitHub repositories and join the movement! Your contributions empower an ecosystem built on transparency, inclusivity, and community-driven progress. The post Armbian Weekly Highlights first appeared on Armbian. View the full article

Dear Armbian Community, We are thrilled to announce Armbian Release 24.11.1, packed with significant updates across our entire ecosystem! These updates are aimed at enhancing functionality, expanding hardware support, and refining the user experience for both developers and everyday SBC users. Let’s dive into the exciting new features! Core system updates Armbian Build Framework The updated build system introduces new tools for faster builds and seamless integration. Optimized compilation workflows and prebuilt configurations make deploying custom firmware easier and more efficient, especially for developers focusing on specialized projects. Armbian Config Utility Armbian Config Next Generation has seen improvements in hardware control, streamlined service management, and automated configuration scripting, all designed to make system setup more efficient. Security patches and bug fixes further enhance reliability for device management. Rockchip Linux Kernel This kernel release brings major improvements to performance and compatibility for Rockchip-based single-board computers (SBCs). Key enhancements include better power management, enhanced GPU driver stability, and expanded support for advanced peripherals. Numerous bug fixes are also included, ensuring smoother and more reliable operations. These updates are focused on improving performance, expanding hardware support, and refining tools for developers and SBC users alike. Visit the provided links for more comprehensive information on each update. Significant Userspace Improvements We are introducing significant advancements in the userspace with our refactored system configuration utility, armbian-config, rewritten from the ground up. This utility supports customization and automation of tasks in the Armbian environment, simplifying setup processes for various configurations and use cases. It helps users configure networks, manage SSH settings, adjust hardware features, and easily install or uninstall software packages. We have integrated unit testing and fast updates through GitHub, maximizing efficiency. We welcome your contributions! Minimal OS Armbian is available in both Debian and Ubuntu flavors. Each variant has its unique strengths, but we treat them both equally to ensure a consistent Armbian UX experience. We provide a smooth and straightforward Netplan assisted lightweight systemd-networkd or feature rich Network Manager based networking solution, ensuring consistent network configurations across different images. Migration between Armbian, Ubuntu, or Debian is seamless. Whether you need to set up an Access Point or simple or advanced networking, we’ve got you covered. For application installations, use armbian-config for a quicker setup or follow the standard installation path. Notable Software Packages with Easy Installation With a single command or through a menu-driven process, users can install popular software packages such as Docker, Portainer, Pi-Hole, OpenHab, and Kuma. The selection of available software titles is expanding rapidly through our system configuration tool. We designed this tool to allow new installation scripts to be added effortlessly, enabling community contributions. Comprehensive automation is in place to verify code from multiple perspectives, and unit tests for each function as well as automatic documentation generation are supported. Once a new feature is added, we regularly verify it for deployment and reliability. Dedicated Application Images To offer the best possible user experience and ensure compatibility, we provide dedicated images with pre-configured applications on top of a clean Armbian OS. These dedicated images contain only the essential components required to run specific applications, delivering optimal performance. For instance: Home Assistant: We provide images with Home Assistant functionality on par with their official HAOS. This ensures users have the same level of integration and support as with HAOS, tailored for Armbian environments. Security-oriented Armbian OS Images: For security-focused use cases, we also provide images that come with pre-installed security tools commonly found in Kali Linux. This gives users a ready-to-go solution for security-related projects. OpenMediaVault: For storage enthusiasts, we offer pre-installed OpenMediaVault images to help set up personal or home NAS solutions quickly and efficiently. These dedicated application images are optimized for their respective purposes and provide the essentials without the overhead of unnecessary components. This enables users to focus directly on their application goals without the hassle of configuration from scratch. Desktop Images While Armbian primarily focuses on minimal OS images for deployments, our desktop variants are designed to deliver streamlined desktop experiences on both x86 workstations and many small SBCs. We have narrowed our desktop environments to KDE Neon, Gnome, and XFCE. All three options are available for powerful hardware, while XFCE is the choice for low-powered, older devices. Each option comes with 3D acceleration if the SoC supports it, and Rockchip-based hardware also features 4K video playback out of the box. Partnership Collaborations We are collaborating with leading vendors of single-board computers (SBCs). Recently, in partnership with Radxa, we successfully deployed a low-power mirror server running Armbian, built around their ITX platform: Radxa Rock 5 ITX. We also provide platinum support for this hardware, as well as for Rock 5B+ and 5C models. In collaboration with Khadas, we maintain Khadas Edge2 and several models from the VIM series. Additionally, we organized a giveaway of two powerful Mind workstations, limited to active contributors to the Armbian project. Open source maintainers sacrifice their time to ensure the smooth functioning of the code we all use, and we wanted to show our appreciation. We also offer platinum support for the Allwinner-powered CB1, developed by the renowned 3D printer manufacturer Bigtreetech. In collaboration with BananaPi Tech, we provide advanced support for their computing module CM40 and the Rockchip RK3588-powered BananaPi M7. We are also developing for their RISC-V platform-based BananaPi F3. Our renewed cooperation with FriendlyElec sees us maintaining several devices, such as the M6, T6, and R6x, all built around RK3588. Additionally, we offer advanced support for Mekotronics, Innovato, Libre Computer, Texas Instruments, JetHome, SmartNow, AlfredSmart, and others. Our contribution to the community is in providing OS images for all build targets. However, for boards that are not under active team supervision, while most of them function well, we cannot commit to resolving tickets related to unsupported models due to limited resources. Remarkable Contributors Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to individuals who have significantly contributed to the growth and success of Armbian: @AaronDewes, @adeepn, @aiamadeus, @alex3d, @alexl83, @amazingfate, @as-jackson, @belegdol, @benhoff, @bmilde, @brentr, @btbxbob, @buldo, @chainsx, @ColorfulRhino, @davidandreoletti, @dependabot, @dimitry-ishenko, @dust-7, @efectn, @EvilOlaf, @fridtjof, @ginkage, @HeyMeco, @hqnicolas, @igorpecovnik, @IsMrX, @itlhd, @JohnTheCoolingFan, @jomadeto, @Joshua-Riek, @lpapadakos, @mahdichi, @mattx433, @monkaBlyat, @MrSuicideParrot, @mr-toolcraft, @mschirrmeister, @paolosabatino, @pyavitz, @pykpkg47, @RadxaNaoki, @RadxaStephen, @rpardini, @rvalle, @schmiedelm, @schwar3kat, @sicXnull, @siis2992, @SuperKali, @Tearran, @The-going, @Tonymac32, @viraniac, @williammartin We also thank our support staff: Didier, Lanefu, Adam, Werner, Aaron, and many more for their dedicated expertise in providing support and guidance. We also extend our gratitude to our esteemed partners. Find out more about them here. Your contributions and support are invaluable in shaping the Armbian community and its success. Thank you for your continuous support of the Armbian community! The Armbian Team. The post Armbian v24.11 first appeared on Armbian. View the full article

Dear Armbians, here are the latest highlights Armbian Configuration Tool Enhancements New Label for Issue Tracking To simplify the bug-tracking process and improve prioritization, a new label called “not armbian-config” has been introduced. This label helps users identify and address issues that are unrelated to the Armbian configuration tool. Contributor: @igorpecovnik Commit: 0f24c12 Automatic Documentation Updates Armbian’s documentation system has been upgraded to ensure automatic updates. This improvement guarantees that users always have access to the most accurate and up-to-date information. Contributor: @igorpecovnik Commit: d70cdbf Improved First Login Experience The first login experience for users has been significantly enhanced. A refreshed logo now appears alongside key information, creating a more welcoming and informative introduction to Armbian. Contributor: @igorpecovnik Commit: 95722fe Enhanced Software Module Support Updates to the installation scripts for tools like OpenHab, Uptime-Kuma, and Webmin ensure better compatibility with the latest versions. These enhancements improve usability and streamline the configuration process. Contributor: @Tearran Commit: 5c95bc9 Help Messages for Module Usage New help messages have been added for various modules, such as Pi-Hole. These messages offer clear guidance on usage, making it easier for users to get started. Contributor: @Tearran Commit: f0f0d93 Expanded Configuration Options for Modules Additional configuration options have been introduced for modules, offering users greater flexibility to tailor their setups to specific needs. Contributor: @Tearran Commit: 02c9205 Style and Usability Improvements Menu and Template Refinements Several adjustments have been made to menus and module templates, resulting in a cleaner, more intuitive user interface. These refinements enhance the overall user experience. Contributor: @Tearran Commits: 3bc6f39, 8495ebe, 88b8672 Additional Style Tweaks Continued style polishing has improved alignment and visual presentation, ensuring a consistent and professional look throughout the system. Contributor: @Tearran Commit: a1c98d6 Build System Enhancements Automated Synchronization for Board Configurations The Armbian build system now includes an automatic synchronization feature for board configurations, ensuring consistent support across all supported boards. Contributor: @igorpecovnik Commit: 0de1801 Rockchip Kernel Updates Kernel updates for Rockchip platforms, including RK3588 and Rockchip64, have been introduced. These updates add support for kernel version 6.12, expanding compatibility and performance. Contributor: @amazingfate Commits: 8db8e19, 02a4741 Core3566 Platform Support Support for the Core3566 platform has been added, further extending Armbian’s compatibility with a wider range of hardware. Contributor: @btbxbob Commit: 9763862 LVDS Device Tree for MBa8MPxL-RAS314 A new device tree for LVDS displays on the MBa8MPxL-RAS314 board has been introduced, enhancing display capabilities. Contributor: @schmiedelm Commit: ed57514 Updated nftables Configuration Improvements to nftables settings have been implemented, providing enhanced network security and performance. Contributor: @schmiedelm Commit: 266e2c5 WIREGUARD build switch deprecation Armbian ships Wireguard support by default with all its images. Therefore the “WIREGUARD” build switch has been officially deprecated to align with evolving standards and best practices. Contributors: @EvilOlaf, @igorpecovnik Commits: 0afd94a, c07fd49 Documentation Improvements Removal of WireGuard References All documentation related to the deprecated WIREGUARD build switch has been removed to avoid confusion and maintain accuracy. Contributor: @igorpecovnik Commit: c07fd49 Guide Updates and New Examples Several user guides have been updated, and additional examples have been added to help users navigate recent changes in Armbian software more effectively. Contributor: @Tearran Commit: 4d8da80 Stay Connected with Armbian Stay up-to-date with all the latest developments by visiting the Armbian GitHub Repository. Whether you are testing rolling releases or contributing to the project, Armbian offers a unique opportunity to explore the forefront of Linux on ARM devices, driven by a passionate community of developers and users. The post Armbian Weekly Highlights first appeared on Armbian. View the full article

As we approach our next point release, the focus shifts entirely towards bug fixing and stabilization. Feature development is on hold this month to ensure that core functionalities like network connectivity, video output, and booting processes are solid. We aim to resolve as many issues as possible during this period. However, we encourage users to report any recognized problems here so that they can be addressed in future updates. Target for next release We are targeting kernel v6.6 for our current builds and v6.12 for edge builds, while vendor kernels will remain at their latest versions – 6.1.y for Rockchip 35xx and 5.15.y for Meson64 legacy. Video acceleration for Rockchip 35xx should now work in Chromium with both vendor and edge kernels on Noble Gnome builds, with potential compatibility on other platforms. We focus on providing stable builds where we have active maintainers who are well-versed in the current status of images. If you’re interested in contributing, consider stepping up. For Aspiring Maintainers (tl;dr;): Review the status of the board(s) you want to maintain, including vendor, current, and optionally edge kernels. Address issues as early as possible, ideally before the last week of the month. Once ready, release the updates in one go. Update the board configuration from .csc to .conf here and add yourself as a maintainer. Adjust extensions if needed here. Release Deadline: November 23rd If there’s something you can’t manage, please open a ticket. Thank you for your contributions and dedication. Stay well and safe! The Armbian team The post Release is coming! first appeared on Armbian. View the full article

Dear Armbians, welcome to this week’s newsletter! Here, you’ll find updates on the latest release and community contributions. New Additions and Improvements Raydium Display Compatibility Orientation and Timing Enhancements: Raydium displays now read orientation and timing directly from the DTS (device tree source), improving display support for more consistent visuals. (Contributor: @ginkage) PWM Fan Fix for RetrOLED CM5 Cooling Optimization: PWM fan frequency adjustments bring improved cooling management for RetrOLED CM5 devices, increasing device longevity and performance. (Contributor: @ginkage) SHELLFMT Tool Upgrade Developer Tooling Update: SHELLFMT_VERSION has been updated from 3.9.0 to 3.10.0, streamlining shell formatting and enforcing a unified style across Armbian projects. (Contributor: @igorpecovnik) Enhanced GitHub Workflow Automation and Workflow Updates: A new log cleaner, revised naming conventions, and an improved labeling system have been added to GitHub Actions. These refinements streamline the development process for contributors. (Contributor: @igorpecovnik) Documentation and Build System Updates Boot Configuration Simplification Duplicate Entries Removed: The BOOTPATCHDIR variable was refined to eliminate duplicate entries, leading to a more organized boot process and better maintainability. (Contributor: @mr-toolcraft) U-Boot Update Mainline U-Boot 2024.10: Switched to the latest mainline U-Boot, incorporating the newest bootloader features for enhanced compatibility across supported boards. (Contributor: @mr-toolcraft) Kernel Config Synchronization Automatic Config Updates: Kernel configurations are now automatically rewritten to include new updates, ensuring consistency across various Armbian builds. (Contributor: @igorpecovnik) Linux-UEFI Edge Config Update Configuration Refinement: Updated linux-uefi-arm64-edge.config for improved ARM64 device support under UEFI, enhancing compatibility and user experience. (Contributor: @bmilde) Armbian Config and Board-Specific Updates User Experience Fix First-Run Warning Correction: A bug causing unsupported userspace warnings on first run has been resolved, leading to a smoother initial setup experience. (Contributor: @igorpecovnik) Automatic Board Config Synchronization Real-Time Updates: Board configuration statuses now synchronize automatically, reducing manual intervention and keeping configurations up to date. (Contributor: @igorpecovnik) OnePlus Kebab Edge Build Adjustment Edge Build Disabled: The edge build for OnePlus Kebab has been disabled to improve stability and optimize resource allocation. (Contributor: @amazingfate) RK3576 Boot Improvements Switch to boot.scr: Booting on the RK3576 platform has been updated to use boot.scr instead of extlinux, and an additional boot fix has been applied, resolving previous booting issues. (Contributor: @amazingfate) Join the Armbian Community Armbian thrives on community involvement. Your contributions are essential to the ongoing development and success of Armbian. Whether you’re interested in development, documentation, testing, or other areas, we welcome your support. Thank you for being a part of Armbian! The Armbian Team The post Armbian Weekly Highlights first appeared on Armbian. View the full article

Dear Armbians, welcome to this week’s newsletter! Here, you’ll find updates on the latest release and community contributions. New Additions and Improvements 1. TQMa Configuration Update Enabled SQUASHFS_XZ: This feature uses XZ compression to optimize storage, which is particularly useful for systems where space is limited. XFCE AccountsService Support: XFCE now includes user profile management, enhancing usability and personalization for those using this desktop environment. 2. Rockchip64-6.11 Kernel Enhancements WiFi/BT Patch for Orange Pi 3B v1.1: The UWE5622 WiFi and Bluetooth are now supported on Orange Pi 3B v1.1, offering more connectivity options. Kernel Patch Rewrite: This update brings increased stability to Rockchip devices through a refined patching approach. Documentation and Linux Rockchip Updates Our Armbian Documentation has been updated with a focus on clarity and accessibility. These refinements are aimed at providing smoother setup experiences for both new and advanced users, making Armbian more user-friendly. Additionally, recent changes in the Armbian Linux Rockchip repository bring improved compatibility and performance optimizations for Rockchip-based boards. Updates include kernel refinements, enhanced driver support, and stability improvements for a better user experience on Rockchip hardware. Armbian Config: The Next Geneneration Bash Configuration API Armbian Config Next generation with API capabilities offers versatile configuration management with JSON, TUI, CLI, and API support. This feature simplifies system setup, network configuration, and software installation, making deployment across environments more flexible. Armbian Config Next generation is especially beneficial for larger-scale configurations, enhancing automation support. Check it out on GitHub. Italian Mirror for Armbian Hosted by Atomo Networks Thanks to Atomo Networks, we now have a new, low-power Armbian mirror based in Italy. This addition enhances access speeds and availability for south European users, providing a more sustainable and reliable download experience for community members. This is part of Armbian’s commitment to building a strong global support network. Workflow Automation and Pull Request Improvements To streamline development, Armbian has implemented several updates: Refined PR Labeling: Labels are now applied to opened, reopened, and synchronized PRs, making it easier to track status quickly. Automated Status Sync: Board configuration statuses are now synchronized automatically. Approval Workflow: Approved PRs get a “Ready to Merge” label, while new PRs are tagged “Need Review” for prioritized handling. The maintainer function has been centralized in the main build repository, simplifying management. Join the Armbian Community Armbian thrives on community involvement. Your contributions are crucial to sustaining this vibrant ecosystem. Whether you’re an experienced developer or just getting started, there’s always a way to contribute. Thank you for your continued support. The Armbian Team The post Armbian Weekly Highlights first appeared on Armbian. View the full article

Dear Armbians, welcome to this week’s newsletter! Here, you’ll find updates on the latest release and community contributions. Armbian Rolling Releases: What You Need to Know Armbian offers rolling releases for users seeking the most up-to-date features and bug fixes. These rolling releases are available at the bottom of the official Armbian download pages. However, it’s important to remember that while these versions are functional, they are not as thoroughly tested as the stable releases and therefore are not recommended for production environments. If you need to switch between stable and rolling releases, check out armbian-config. Recent Changes The Armbian team has been hard at work making significant updates. Here’s what was changed in the past week (detailed): Rockchip64 Bootable in VMs A major update now makes Rockchip64 bootable in virtual machines (VMs). This enhancement is a big step forward for developers and users working with Rockchip-based boards in virtualized environments. Kernel Module Compression Changes A contribution to the Armbian kernel changed the forced uncompressed modules option for kernels version 6.12 and above. This update should streamline kernel management and improve overall system performance. HexagonFS Firmware for Elish Added An important addition to the firmware repository includes HexagonFS firmware for the Elish platform. This new firmware broadens hardware compatibility, helping users integrate newer hardware more seamlessly into their Armbian setups. Khadas Rewards Community Contributors We are excited to announce that Khadas has generously rewarded outstanding contributors to the Armbian community! Khadas Mind Standard goes to @Heisath Khadas Mind Premium goes to @iav Their hard work and dedication have helped improve Armbian for all users, and we thank them for their efforts! If you’d like to become a contributor or participate in future reward programs, don’t hesitate to get involved in the Armbian community and make your mark. Congratulations once again to @Heisath and @iav! Things to Keep in Mind Rolling Releases Are for the Bold Rolling releases are intended for users who are comfortable with potential instability in exchange for access to the latest features and updates. They undergo limited testing, so it’s crucial to check the automated tests before making the switch to ensure it meets your system requirements. Stay Up-to-Date For users who prefer stability over cutting-edge features, the stable Armbian Linux release continues to offer well-tested and robust builds that are ideal for production systems. The post Armbian Weekly Highlights first appeared on Armbian. View the full article

We are excited to introduce the next generation of the Armbian Config tool! This redesigned and lightweight tool is central to managing single-board computers, offering a wide range of features for both hardware-specific and general system configuration. Key Advantages: Extremely lightweight with minimal dependencies Redesigned from scratch for better performance and flexibility JSON-based menu structure with options for TUI, CLI, or API Quick Recap The armbian-config tool has been essential for configuring single-board computers, combining our long-term expertise in Linux and the embedded world. However, the old version had become bulky and difficult to maintain, prompting us to redesign it from the ground up. This new version offers better performance, flexibility, and robustness. We’re calling on the community to help test and complete it before the upcoming release! You can help by installing the developer version for testing: echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/armbian.gpg] https://armbian.github.io/configng stable main" \ | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/armbian-development.list > /dev/null sudo apt update && sudo apt install armbian-configng Then, execute: sudo armbian-configng Check help with: sudo bin/armbian-configng --help Note: This is a developer version meant for testing purposes only. Users: We Need Your Feedback! This tool is not yet production-ready, and we expect issues to arise. We encourage you to submit bug reports and feature requests as you encounter them. Our team will address these based on priority and feasibility. Submit Bug Report Request a Feature Developers: Show your talent! We’re looking for developers to contribute to this project! If you have skills in application design, function development, or code improvement, we’d love to have your input. This new tool has been completely redesigned, so it’s more than just copy-pasting from the old armbian-config. As a token of our appreciation, contributors of non-trivial code will be entered into a draw to win a mini PC or a high-end desktop workstation. Stick around to help maintain the tool, and we can even discuss monthly compensation. Head over to GitHub to contribute: https://github.com/armbian/configng Propose changes by opening a pull request! Thank you for your support!

Expanding Your Smart Home Horizons In the ever-evolving landscape of smart home technology, Home Assistant (HA) has emerged as a powerful open-source platform, enabling users to seamlessly connect and automate their smart home devices—from TVs and fans to cameras, thermostats, lights, and sensors. Home Assistant’s unified web-based user interface offers a user-friendly experience, allowing both beginners and tech-savvy users to build intricate automations that bring their smart homes to life. Traditionally, Home Assistant’s Operating System (HAOS) is optimized for popular mainstream hardware such as the Raspberry Pi and x86 platforms. However, one of the key limitations of HAOS is its restricted environment. As an embedded Linux system, HAOS is designed to run Home Assistant and little else, making it difficult to install additional applications alongside it. While this ensures a streamlined experience for Home Assistant, it also limits the flexibility and functionality that power users might desire. This is where Armbian steps in, breaking down the barriers imposed by the official HAOS. Armbian offers a unique advantage by providing Home Assistant on top of a full-fledged operating system—Armbian Minimal. This not only allows Home Assistant to run on a vast selection of ARM-based devices supported by Armbian but also opens the door to a more versatile and expandable smart home setup. With Armbian, you can enjoy the best of both worlds: the power and simplicity of Home Assistant combined with the flexibility of a complete operating system. Whether you’re using a Raspberry Pi, a Rockchip, an Allwinner, or any other ARM-based device, Armbian with preinstalled Home Assistant provides a robust solution for your smart home needs—without the downsides of a restricted embedded environment. For more information and to get started, check out Armbian download pages for your device. References: Applications distributed as Armbian appliance Community support forums Support Armbian development The post Armbian with Preinstalled Home Assistant first appeared on Armbian. View the full article

As we continue to evolve, Armbian is proud to introduce our latest release, packed with enhancements, new hardware support, and important upgrades that will further solidify the stability and performance of your systems. Key Highlights RK3588 Boot Loader Upgrades: Enhanced stability for RK3588 hardware with the latest bootloader upgrades. This ensures a more reliable experience across supported devices. 4K60p Video Acceleration: Experience smoother visuals with 4K60p video acceleration, now available on Gnome and KDE desktop builds. Kernel Bump to 6.10.y: All kernels have been updated to 6.10.y, bringing improved performance, security patches, and broader hardware support. BigTreeTech CB1 Platinum Support: Armbian now fully supports BigTreeTech CB1, offering a robust platform for your 3D printing projects. Expanded Desktop Options: We’re thrilled to bring you Gnome, XFCE, Cinnamon, and KDE Neon desktop environments. Choose the desktop that best suits your needs. ZFS 2.2.5: The latest ZFS version (2.2.5) is now supported, optimized for kernel 6.10. Long-Term Support (LTS): We’re committed to keeping older devices like the Odroid C1, NanoPi NEO, BPi M1, ClearFog, Helios64 and TinkerBoard in great shape with ongoing updates and support. ThinkPad X13s Enhancements: Several upgrades have been rolled out for the ThinkPad X13s, enhancing its compatibility and performance with Armbian. 3D Support on Debian-Based Systems: 3D acceleration is now supported on Debian-based Armbian builds, improving the overall user experience. New Board Support: We’ve expanded our hardware support with new boards, including Libre Alta and Solitude, Radxa E25, Rock 5C, RISCV64 BananaPi F3, and more. Deprecation and Cleanup: Significant code cleanup and the demotion of deprecated support, ensuring a leaner and more efficient codebase. We are moving towards mainline-only support for many devices. Ubuntu Noble: Ubuntu Noble is entering its final testing phase as a build host supported target, bringing us closer to a full release. Detailed change logs Platinum Support and Community Contributions Our focus remains on boards with platinum support, where vendors assist us in mitigating costs, ensuring top-tier support and contributing to open-source efforts. If you’re looking for the best-supported boards, we highly recommend selecting from this category. Armbian remains a community-driven project. We cannot maintain this large and complex ecosystem without your support. Whether it’s rewriting manuals, BASH scripting, or reviewing contributions, there’s a place for everyone. Notably, your valuable contributions could even earn you a chance to win a powerful Intel-based mini PC from Khadas. Production Use Recommendations For production environments, we recommend: Opting for hardware labeled with platinum or standard support. Utilizing stabilized point releases around Armbian Linux 6.10.y. Becoming an Armbian support partner to gain access to professional services. Recognizing Our Contributors We extend our deepest gratitude to the remarkable contributors who have played a pivotal role in this release. Special thanks to: @ColorfulRhino, @igorpecovnik, @rpardini, @alexl83, @amazingfate, @The-going, @efectn, @adeepn, @paolosabatino, @SteeManMI, @JohnTheCoolingFan, @EvilOlaf, @chainsx, @viraniac, @monkaBlyat, @alex3d, @belegdol, @kernelzru, @tq-schmiedel, @ginkage, @Tonymac32, @schwar3kat, @pyavitz, @Kreyren, @hqnicolas, @prahal, @h-s-c, @RadxaYuntian, and many others. Our dedicated support staff: Igor, Didier, Lanefu, Adam, Werner, Metka, Aaron, and more, deserve special recognition for their continuous efforts and support. Join the Armbian Community Armbian thrives on community involvement. Your contributions are crucial to sustaining this vibrant ecosystem. Whether you’re an experienced developer or just getting started, there’s always a way to contribute. Thank you for your continued support. The Armbian Team The post Armbian 24.8 Yelt first appeared on Armbian. View the full article