Read/Write to SPI flash?

[Matthai]

OrangePi Zero has (according to specifications) 2Mb SPI flash.

 

Sorry for my newbie question, but how is it possible to write there some file and read it later? Or at least some data (string)?

[martinayotte]

1 hour ago, Matthai said:

how is it possible to write there some file and read it later? Or at least some data (string)?

Normally, this SPI Flash is used to contain U-Boot for people that wish to boot from USB, either a dongle or an HDD.

If you don't need that, Yes, you can still use the SPI Flash to save data in it, but not as a filesystem with files.

There are some libraries that manage to send commands to flash certain amount of bytes or send "erase page" command, etc ...

 

But, btw, what is your "use-case" exactly ? It is more easy to write directly on your SDCard, right ?

[Matthai]

The idea is to have WifiAP, which connects to VPN. Software on a SD card would be generic, but VPN keys/paswords would be written on a SPI flash.

[Mabrafs]

Is it possible to connect that with VeePN service? Now I am using VeePN just in order to receive access to blocked content like websites, games, media, music, some streaming TV apps like Netflix, etc. But, of course, if you need VPN for serious tasks you have to use more serious approach with SD cards.

[sfx2000]

On 3/10/2019 at 3:04 PM, martinayotte said:

Normally, this SPI Flash is used to contain U-Boot for people that wish to boot from USB, either a dongle or an HDD.

If you don't need that, Yes, you can still use the SPI Flash to save data in it, but not as a filesystem with files.

There are some libraries that manage to send commands to flash certain amount of bytes or send "erase page" command, etc ...

 

Should also note that most SPI-NOR flash parts have a very limited write cycle count compared to NAND (naked or SD/eMMC) - it's an order of a magnitude less...

 

should add that typically NOR is an MTD device, so a file system that is appropriate (jffs/jffs2 or ubi/ubifs) is needed...