thelio-astra-a1-n1: Update 24.04 install steps for desktop ISO

Author: jacobgkau

src/SUMMARY.md

@@ -71,8 +71,8 @@
         - [External Overview](models/thelio-astra-a1-n1/external-overview.md)
         - [Internal Overview](models/thelio-astra-a1-n1/internal-overview.md)
         - [Parts & Repairs](models/thelio-astra-a1-n1/repairs.md)
-        - [Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Setup](models/thelio-astra-a1-n1/ubuntu-20.04.md)
         - [Ubuntu 24.04 LTS Setup](models/thelio-astra-a1-n1/ubuntu-24.04.md)
+        - [Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Setup](models/thelio-astra-a1-n1/ubuntu-20.04.md)
     - [Thelio Major (thelio-major-r3)](models/thelio-major-r3/README.md)
         - [External Overview](models/thelio-major-r3/external-overview.md)
         - [Internal Overview](models/thelio-major-r3/internal-overview.md)

src/models/thelio-astra-a1-n1/README.md

@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@
 - [External Overview](./external-overview.md)
 - [Internal Overview](./internal-overview.md)
 - [Parts & Repairs](./repairs.md)
-- [Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Setup](./ubuntu-20.04.md)
 - [Ubuntu 24.04 LTS Setup](./ubuntu-24.04.md)
+- [Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Setup](./ubuntu-20.04.md)
 
 ![Thelio Astra](./img/thelio-astra-a1-n1.png)
 

src/models/thelio-astra-a1-n1/ubuntu-20.04.md

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ Thelio Astra uses an Ampere processor supporting AArch64 (ARM64) versions of Lin
 - It's recommended to fill all 8 memory channels for maximum CPU performance.
 - When using Ampere Altra (non-Max) CPUs, the top two PCIe x16 slots (closest to the CPU) will run at x8 speeds. Place x16 devices into the bottom two slots for optimal performance.
 - Install all required hardware, including GPUs and WiFi cards, before installing the OS.
-- The system firmware version must be `3.02` in order to support early boot output on NVIDIA GPUs.
+- The system firmware version must be `3.02` or above in order to support early boot output on NVIDIA GPUs.
 - There is a jumper labeled `BMC disable` that can bypass the requirement that the BMC boots before the power button is functional.
     - Because the BMC may be necessary to complete the initial setup, use of this jumper is not recommended until initial setup is complete.
     - Bridging the second and third pins disables the BMC. The default behavior (enabling the BMC) is the same as if the first and second pins are bridged.
@@ -117,6 +117,7 @@ Thelio Astra uses an Ampere processor supporting AArch64 (ARM64) versions of Lin
 ## System76 Driver installation:
 
 1. Ensure that DMI information is properly set at this point. If not, set it and reboot.
+    - If you are reinstalling your OS and have not re-flashed your firmware from a non-System76 source, then the DMI information should already be set correctly.
 2. Add the System76 PPA with the following command:
     ```
     sudo add-apt-repository ppa:system76-dev/stable
@@ -130,4 +131,4 @@ Thelio Astra uses an Ampere processor supporting AArch64 (ARM64) versions of Lin
     sudo apt update
     sudo apt full-upgrade
     ```
-5. Reboot the system with `sudo reboot`.
+5. Reboot the system with the `reboot` command.

src/models/thelio-astra-a1-n1/ubuntu-24.04.md

@@ -4,117 +4,39 @@ Thelio Astra uses an Ampere processor supporting AArch64 (ARM64) versions of Lin
 
 ## Operating system download:
 
-1. Download the [Ubuntu Server for ARM 24.04.1 LTS ISO](https://cdimage.ubuntu.com/releases/24.04/release/ubuntu-24.04.1-live-server-arm64.iso).
+1. Download the [Ubuntu Desktop for ARM 24.04.1 LTS daily ISO from 8/27/2024](https://apt.pop-os.org/iso/ubuntu-24.04-arm64-20240827.iso).
+    - This was the latest daily ISO available for arm64 at the time this guide was last updated. Newer daily ISOs may work, but will have a different SHA256SUM in the next step.
 2. Verify that the SHA256SUM matches the following:
     ```
-    5ceecb7ef5f976e8ab3fffee7871518c8e9927ec221a3bb548ee1193989e1773
+    839627cb19b70d8c4da64c789ecbdec6af14f0017d925ab086c9ad7e93f2c325
     ```
-    - You can run `sha256sum ubuntu-24.04.1-live-server-arm64.iso` to check the SHA256SUM from the terminal, or use a GUI application such as Popsicle.
+    - You can run `sha256sum noble-desktop-arm64.iso` to check the SHA256SUM from the terminal, or use a GUI application such as Popsicle.
+3. Write the ISO to a USB flash drive using an application such as [Popsicle](https://github.com/pop-os/popsicle/releases) or [Etcher](https://etcher.io).
 
 ## Hardware preparation:
 
 - It's recommended to fill all 8 memory channels for maximum CPU performance.
 - When using Ampere Altra (non-Max) CPUs, the top two PCIe x16 slots (closest to the CPU) will run at x8 speeds. Place x16 devices into the bottom two slots for optimal performance.
 - Install all required hardware, including GPUs and WiFi cards, before installing the OS.
-- The system firmware version must be `3.02` in order to support early boot output on NVIDIA GPUs.
+- The system firmware version must be `3.02` or above in order to support early boot output on NVIDIA GPUs.
 - There is a jumper labeled `BMC disable` that can bypass the requirement that the BMC boots before the power button is functional.
-    - Because the BMC may be necessary to complete the initial setup, use of this jumper is not recommended until initial setup is complete.
     - Bridging the second and third pins disables the BMC. The default behavior (enabling the BMC) is the same as if the first and second pins are bridged.
 
-## Firmware preparation:
-
-1. Plug the last ethernet port (closest to the PCIe slots) into to a DHCP-capable network where you already have another computer connected.
-    - This is the BMC's ethernet port, which will enable remote server management.
-2. Power on the system. Press the `F2` key when the firmware splash screen appears to enter the firmware setup menu. 
-3. Navigate to the `Advanced` tab, then select the `Network Stack Configuration` item. Switch `Network Stack` to `Disabled`. This will reduce boot times by disabling network booting, which will not be used in this guide.
-4. Navigate to the `Server Mgmt` tab, then select the `BMC Network Configuration` item. Note the `Station IP address`, which is how you will connect to the BMC's web interface later.
-5. Navigate to the `Exit` tab and choose `Save Changes and Exit`. When prompted, select yes.
-6. After the system reboots, power it off to prepare for the next task.
-
-## BMC interface preparation:
-
-1. Open a web browser on another computer that is on the same network as the BMC. Navigate to the URL `https://AAA.BBB.CCC.DDD`, replacing `AAA.BBB.CCC.DDD` with the station IP address recorded before. 
-2. A login screen should appear. The default username is `root` and the default password is `0penBmc`.
-    - The default password starts with a zero `0`, not the letter `O`.
-3. Under the `Operations` menu, select the `Virtual media` item. Click on `Add file`, and in the `File Upload` dialog, choose the `ubuntu-24.04.1-live-server-arm64.iso` file that you downloaded and verified before. Click on `Start`; a notification should briefly appear in the top right corner indicating success.
-4. Under the `Operations` menu, select the `SOL console` item. This will show the system's serial output, which allows viewing Linux kernel output if it does not show up on the connected display.
-
 ## Operating system installation:
 
-1. Plug the second to last ethernet port (above the BMC's ethernet port) into a DHCP-capable network with internet access.
-2. Power on the system. Press the `F11` key when the firmware splash screen appears to open the boot menu.
-3. In the boot menu, select the option that starts with `UEFI OS (Linux File-Stor Gadget`.
-4. Navigate to the `Boot and Install with the HWE kernel` option and press `e` to edit it.
-5. Move the cursor to the line starting with `linux`. Between `/casper/vmlinuz` and `---`, add `console=tty0 nomodeset`, ensuring that there are spaces before and after these added arguments. Press `F10` to boot.
-    - The first added argument, `console=tty0`, tries to get Linux console output to show up on a connected display.
-    - The second added argument, `nomodeset`, works around potential nouveau driver crashes when NVIDIA graphics cards are used.
-6. It will take some time to boot to the installer. If no output is seen, check the `Serial over LAN (SOL) console` page in the BMC web interface.
-7. Select the desired language.
-8. On the `Keyboard configuration` page, select the desired keyboard layout and variant. Select `Done` to continue.
-9. On the `Choose the type of installation` page, select `Ubuntu Server`. Select `Done` to continue.
-10. On the `Network configuration` page, you should have a successfully connected ethernet port. Select `Done` to continue.
-11. On the `Proxy configuration` page, enter any required proxy (this should almost always be left blank). Select `Done` to continue.
-12. On the `Ubuntu archive mirror configuration` page, the default mirror for packages will be tested. When it completes, select `Done` to continue.
-13. On the `Guided storage configuration` page, select `Use an entire disk`, and choose the desired disk. Leave the `Set up this disk as an LVM group` option enabled. Select `Done` to continue.
-14. On the `Storage configuration` page, you can review the disk configuration. Select `Done` to continue. A warning will be shown; select `Continue`.
-15. On the `Profile setup` page, enter the following information (or substitute your own information):
-    - `Your name:` `System76`
-    - `Your servers name:` `system76-pc`
-    - `Pick a username:` `system76`
-    - `Choose a password:` `system76`
-    - `Confirm your password:` `system76`
-16. On the `Upgrade to Ubuntu Pro` page, select `Skip for now`. Select `Done` to continue.
-17. On the `SSH configuration` page, leave `Install OpenSSH server` unselected. Select `Done` to continue.
-18. On the `Featured server snaps` page, leave all options unselected. Select `Done` to continue.
-19. On the `Installing system` page, installation progress will be shown. This may take some time to finish. When it is complete, select `Reboot Now`.
-20. You may be prompted to remove the installation medium. Navigate in the BMC web interface to the `Operations` menu and `Virtual media` page. Click on the `Stop` button. A notification should briefly appear in the top right corner indicating success. Press Enter on the system to reboot.
+1. Power on the system. Press the `F11` key when the firmware splash screen appears to open the boot menu.
+2. In the boot menu, select the option to boot the installation media (e.g. `UEFI OS (Linux File-Stor Gadget`).
+3. Proceed through the graphical Ubuntu installation wizard.
 
-## Desktop environment installation:
+## System76 Driver installation:
 
-1. The system will boot to a terminal login prompt. Log in with `system76` as the username and `system76` as the password (or your own credentials).
-    - You may need to log in with the BMC serial console if the physical display does not show a prompt.
-2. Upgrade the system with the following commands:
+1. Ensure that DMI information is properly set at this point. If not, set it and reboot.
+    - If you are reinstalling your OS and have not re-flashed your firmware from a non-System76 source, then the DMI information should already be set correctly.
+2. Install all available operating system updates:
     ```
     sudo apt update
-    sudo apt full-upgrade
-    ```
-3. Install the NVIDIA driver with the following command:
+    sudo apt full-upgrade    
     ```
-    sudo apt install nvidia-driver-550
-    ```
-4. Install the default Ubuntu desktop environment with the following command. This will download a lot of packages and take a while to install:
-    ```
-    sudo apt install ubuntu-desktop
-    ```
-5. At this point, NetworkManager will be installed alongside systemd-networkd, which causes boot delays as they both wait for network completion. The following steps will disable systemd-networkd in favor of NetworkManager, which has better integration with the Ubuntu desktop.
-    - A. Disable and mask systemd-networkd services with the following commands:
-        ```
-        sudo systemctl disable systemd-networkd.service systemd-networkd.socket
-        sudo systemctl mask systemd-networkd.service systemd-networkd.socket
-        ```
-    - B. Edit the netplan configuration with `sudo nano /etc/netplan/00-installer-config.yaml` and replace all of the contents with the following:
-        ```
-        network:
-          version: 2
-          renderer: NetworkManager
-        ```
-    - C. Regenerate the netplan configuration by running the following command:
-        ```
-        sudo netplan generate
-        ```
-6. Reboot by running `sudo reboot`.
-7. You should see a login screen, where you can log in to the `System76` user with the password `system76` (or log into your own account).
-    - If you don't see a login screen, try a different display connection type (e.g. DisplayPort instead of HDMI) and/or a different display.
-8. After logging in, initial setup will appear.
-    - A. On the first page, click `Next` to continue.
-    - B. On the `Ubuntu Pro` page, select `Skip for now`, then click `Next` to continue.
-    - C. On the `Help improve Ubuntu` page, select `No, don't share system data`. Click `Next` to continue.
-    - D. On the `Ready to go` page, click `Finish`.
-9. Default additional ethernet connections will repeatedly fail to connect. Run `nm-connnection-editor` to open the connection manager and remove them.
-
-## System76 Driver installation:
-
-1. Ensure that DMI information is properly set at this point. If not, set it and reboot.
 2. Add the System76 PPA with the following command:
     ```
     sudo add-apt-repository ppa:system76-dev/stable
@@ -123,9 +45,9 @@ Thelio Astra uses an Ampere processor supporting AArch64 (ARM64) versions of Lin
     ```
     sudo apt install system76-driver
     ```
-4. Upgrade the system with the following commands. This may downgrade some packages as they pull the version from the System76 PPA:
+4. Install all available OS updates again. This may downgrade some packages as they pull the version from the System76 PPA:
     ```
     sudo apt update
     sudo apt full-upgrade
     ```
-5. Reboot the system with `sudo reboot`.
+5. Reboot the system with the GUI or with the `reboot` command.