Introduction #
Armbian is a Linux distribution designed for single-board computers, providing optimized system images based on Debian or Ubuntu. It aims to enhance performance and unify the user experience across various ARM devices while supporting a wide range of hardware.
Installation #
The first thing u need is a .img file u can see on their repo over here, u need to extract to got .img extension and u need Microsd + Cardreader.
After that burn that image (.img) with whatever tool u like, for instance rufus/balena/etc. Mine will use linux to reproduce the step that will the same one there is no different.
Burn the image first with this command, in linux before we burn the image make sure the Microsd are in correct place USB or Cardreader not in HDMI. just kidding! i mean u can check with fdisk, and that show like /dev/sd[X] but in my case are /dev/sdb
Just for information, the number at the end of /dev/sdb1 are mean the partition, it same as Windows like A, B, C, and etc. but the actual address of physical drive are /dev/sdb. you can take look over here.
sudo fdisk -lDisk /dev/sda: 238.47 GiB, 256060514304 bytes, 500118192 sectors
Disk model: MTFDDAV256TDL-1A
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes
Disklabel type: gpt
Disk identifier: 5BBD9CE0-55AF-4BB4-8EB6-9F5DBFF62F28
Device Start End Sectors Size Type
/dev/sda1 2048 4196351 4194304 2G EFI System
/dev/sda2 4196352 500117503 495921152 236.5G Linux filesystem
Disk /dev/zram0: 2.85 GiB, 3060269056 bytes, 747136 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 4096 = 4096 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes
Disk /dev/sdb: 1.84 GiB, 1979711488 bytes, 3866624 sectors
Disk model: STORAGE DEVICE
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disklabel type: dos
Disk identifier: 0x44f2ac11
Device Boot Start End Sectors Size Id Type
/dev/sdb1 8192 3670015 3661824 1.7G 83 LinuxThe first one at top /dev/sda are my primary drive, make sure to put your attention on it to prevent data loss, and then am in like to use pv to burn my image here u can see.
sudo pv [file.img] -Y -o /dev/sd[X]Here the sample output of mine, that will burn to /dev/sdb or the microsd.
sudo pv Armbian_community_25.5.0-trunk.4_Tanix-tx6_bookworm_current_6.6.72_minimal.img -Yo /dev/sdbAfter that eject the microsd from the computer, turn OFF (Tanix TX6), put the microsd to slot microsd card and turn it ON.
To got access into device you need ssh, of course you need to know how to do it, first you need ethernet cable and put in your router and connect to the device, after that login to your router find the ip address on it like 192.168.1.123 or whatever. after u found the ip address type this on ssh software like putty or anything. me using default one!
ssh root@192.168.1.111and type the default password 1234, and don’t panic the password u type are not show up because that just security reason if u are in linux, after u login that will asking for new password then type whatever u want and dont forget what u type in.
New password are create, now u can fill the form or just Crtl + c to refuse it, the installation aren’t stop in here. the next step is u need to type
armbian-installThen follow that all, after u found where u will put the drive on? just pick every data on emmc that will erase your android image and will replace with armbian, and choose poweroff, unplug the power cable, take the microsd off, and replug the power cable, and make sure the ip address change or not by open the router login, and ssh like before type new password, and congrats! u r done
Conclusion #
The advantage of linux we can see they in used so many thing, this box will not be useful if that just come by default os (Android) of course its linux too but, not a penguin. if feelin unpower in this world? linux will give it to you. i’m promise!