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#1
A20 / Re: DEBIAN 13 and up to date k...
Last post by LubOlimex - September 22, 2026, 04:32:13 PMI cannot confirm your findings. I tested both A64-OLinuXino-bookworm-minimal-20260630-091355.img and images and A64-OLinuXino-bookworm-base-20260630-091355.img I get only:
> May be Olimex could maintain two branches of Olimage linux images, one with a fully operational hardware management, one with less proposed peripheral hardware but a more up-to-date OS and kernel versions
You can just run the latest distribution and it will boot, refer to this: https://wiki.debian.org/InstallingDebianOn/Allwinner
I understand the desire for bleeding edge images and so but at the moment this is what we can provide. Unfortunately, not a lot of contribution to our software efforts and we do all the heavy lifting. Of course, our work can be used for free as basis if you wish to build own images.
Code Select
root@a64-olinuxino:~# cat /etc/os-release
PRETTY_NAME="Debian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm)"
NAME="Debian GNU/Linux"
VERSION_ID="12"
VERSION="12 (bookworm)"
VERSION_CODENAME=bookworm
ID=debian
HOME_URL="https://www.debian.org/"
SUPPORT_URL="https://www.debian.org/support"
BUG_REPORT_URL="https://bugs.debian.org/"
root@a64-olinuxino:~# cat /etc/debian_version
12.14
root@a64-olinuxino:~# ls -l /etc/os-release
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 21 May 8 17:15 /etc/os-release -> ../usr/lib/os-release
root@a64-olinuxino:~#
> May be Olimex could maintain two branches of Olimage linux images, one with a fully operational hardware management, one with less proposed peripheral hardware but a more up-to-date OS and kernel versions
You can just run the latest distribution and it will boot, refer to this: https://wiki.debian.org/InstallingDebianOn/Allwinner
I understand the desire for bleeding edge images and so but at the moment this is what we can provide. Unfortunately, not a lot of contribution to our software efforts and we do all the heavy lifting. Of course, our work can be used for free as basis if you wish to build own images.
#2
A20 / Re: DEBIAN 13 and up to date k...
Last post by oly - September 22, 2026, 01:50:07 PMHello,
Thank you for your answers.
The /etc/os-release file in the A64-OLinuXino-bookworm-base-20260630-091355.img displays information for VERSION="12 (bookworm)".
The one in the A64-OLinuXino-bookworm-minimal-20260630-091355.img displays information shown in my initial post.
I understand your marketing approach, but I draw your attention on the fact that, nowadays, state of the art security features should be part of IT products line.
Thus, using the most stable kernel version in a production environment seems not optional.
May be Olimex could maintain two branches of Olimage linux images, one with a fully operational hardware management, one with less proposed peripheral hardware but a more up-to-date OS and kernel versions ?
So, customers could choose regarding their needs and product constraints.
Thank you for your answers.
Quote from: LubOlimex on September 21, 2026, 09:12:31 AMMy advice for first test is to start with base image and after first boot make sure to run apt update and apt dist-upgrade. This requires internet connection.
I don't know where you got that about "/etc/os-release" but this is what I see:Code Selectroot@a20-olinuxino:~# cat /etc/os-release
PRETTY_NAME="Debian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm)"
NAME="Debian GNU/Linux"
VERSION_ID="12"
VERSION="12 (bookworm)"
VERSION_CODENAME=bookworm
ID=debian
HOME_URL="https://www.debian.org/"
SUPPORT_URL="https://www.debian.org/support"
BUG_REPORT_URL="https://bugs.debian.org/"
The /etc/os-release file in the A64-OLinuXino-bookworm-base-20260630-091355.img displays information for VERSION="12 (bookworm)".
The one in the A64-OLinuXino-bookworm-minimal-20260630-091355.img displays information shown in my initial post.
Quote from: LubOlimex on September 21, 2026, 09:12:31 AMWe don't have a timeline for releases but images are good as long as they still have LTS.
The point of our Olimage Linux images is mainly to demonstrate the full capabilities of the hardware and in newer kernels and file systems we sometimes face problems getting one thing or another working properly. Even the newest releases boot fine, but getting audio and video output and other peripherals working is whole another thing.
For us, the point is the customer to download Olimage image, boot the board with it, and have all or almost all of the hardware working. While keeping everything as open source as possible and available for download. We don't focus on having the latest u-boot or kernel or file system.
I understand your marketing approach, but I draw your attention on the fact that, nowadays, state of the art security features should be part of IT products line.
Thus, using the most stable kernel version in a production environment seems not optional.
May be Olimex could maintain two branches of Olimage linux images, one with a fully operational hardware management, one with less proposed peripheral hardware but a more up-to-date OS and kernel versions ?
So, customers could choose regarding their needs and product constraints.
#3
A20 / Re: DEBIAN 13 and up to date k...
Last post by LubOlimex - September 21, 2026, 09:12:31 AMMy advice for first test is to start with base image and after first boot make sure to run apt update and apt dist-upgrade. This requires internet connection.
I don't know where you got that about "/etc/os-release" but this is what I see:
We don't have a timeline for releases but images are good as long as they still have LTS.
The point of our Olimage Linux images is mainly to demonstrate the full capabilities of the hardware and in newer kernels and file systems we sometimes face problems getting one thing or another working properly. Even the newest releases boot fine, but getting audio and video output and other peripherals working is whole another thing.
For us, the point is the customer to download Olimage image, boot the board with it, and have all or almost all of the hardware working. While keeping everything as open source as possible and available for download. We don't focus on having the latest u-boot or kernel or file system.
I don't know where you got that about "/etc/os-release" but this is what I see:
Code Select
root@a20-olinuxino:~# cat /etc/os-release
PRETTY_NAME="Debian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm)"
NAME="Debian GNU/Linux"
VERSION_ID="12"
VERSION="12 (bookworm)"
VERSION_CODENAME=bookworm
ID=debian
HOME_URL="https://www.debian.org/"
SUPPORT_URL="https://www.debian.org/support"
BUG_REPORT_URL="https://bugs.debian.org/"
We don't have a timeline for releases but images are good as long as they still have LTS.
The point of our Olimage Linux images is mainly to demonstrate the full capabilities of the hardware and in newer kernels and file systems we sometimes face problems getting one thing or another working properly. Even the newest releases boot fine, but getting audio and video output and other peripherals working is whole another thing.
For us, the point is the customer to download Olimage image, boot the board with it, and have all or almost all of the hardware working. While keeping everything as open source as possible and available for download. We don't focus on having the latest u-boot or kernel or file system.
#4
A20 / Re: difference between A20-OLi...
Last post by LubOlimex - September 21, 2026, 08:23:51 AMMainly the RAM size and the Ethernet speed as you wrote but also:
- LIME is 6-layer PCB, LIME2 is 8-layer PCB;
- GPIO and LCD connectors have different layouts between the two boards, so shield boards like LIME2-SD and LIME2-SHIELD are only compatible with A20-OLinuXino-LIME2.
- LIME is 6-layer PCB, LIME2 is 8-layer PCB;
- GPIO and LCD connectors have different layouts between the two boards, so shield boards like LIME2-SD and LIME2-SHIELD are only compatible with A20-OLinuXino-LIME2.
#5
A20 / DEBIAN 13 and up to date kerne...
Last post by oly - September 20, 2026, 11:46:37 AMHi here,
As mentionned here, Debian 12 (Bookworm) became EOL by end of 2026-07.
When Olimex will make a Debian 13 image available ?
Moreover, what about using such an old version of the Linux Kernel in the last published Olimex Debian 12 Image ? Any fresher one to come ?
EDIT:
I just dd on a SD Card, the so called image : A20-OLinuXino-bookworm-minimal-20260323-113959.img
The /etc/os-release file contains this informations :
wich is consistant with the mentionned kernel version, but not with the image file name.
What is the point of this strange settings ?
As mentionned here, Debian 12 (Bookworm) became EOL by end of 2026-07.
When Olimex will make a Debian 13 image available ?
Moreover, what about using such an old version of the Linux Kernel in the last published Olimex Debian 12 Image ? Any fresher one to come ?
EDIT:
I just dd on a SD Card, the so called image : A20-OLinuXino-bookworm-minimal-20260323-113959.img
The /etc/os-release file contains this informations :
Code Select
PRETTY_NAME="Debian GNU/Linux 11 (bullseye)"
NAME="Debian GNU/Linux"
VERSION_ID="11"
VERSION="11 (bullseye)"
VERSION_CODENAME=bullseye
(...)
wich is consistant with the mentionned kernel version, but not with the image file name.
What is the point of this strange settings ?
#6
A20 / difference between A20-OLinuXi...
Last post by oeren - September 19, 2026, 02:12:33 PMIs only difference between A20-OLinuXino-LIME and A20-OLinuXino-LIME2 size of ram and speed of ethernet? Thank you.
#7
A20 / Re: update to Debian 12 (Bookw...
Last post by oly - September 19, 2026, 12:06:01 PMQuote from: gregh on April 06, 2026, 05:23:24 PMIt seems that there are Olimex bookworm images now:
https://images.olimex.com/release/a20/
It also seems that they contain only the old kernel versions from Bullseye:
https://repository.olimex.com/dists/bookworm/main/binary-armhf/Packages
How secure are those old kernels?
https://www.cybersecurity-help.cz/vdb/soft/linux_foundation/linux_kernel/5.15.105/
https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v5.x/ChangeLog-5.10.105
#8
New Product Ideas / Re: can a lime 2 or pico 2 xxl...
Last post by Roman - September 09, 2026, 11:16:28 AMI couldn't find a specification, but, looking at their marketing materials, it appears that the Open Printer project implements the control module as a HAT on top of a Raspberry Pi Zero W and tailors the shape of the control module to accommodate the board of that particular size. Assuming that it is the case, it sets constraints on what the board must be. I doubt that Open Printer will want to adapt their design, even in a future iteration of their printer, to accommodate the shape of one of Olimex boards, which are comparably less widespread.
Olimex doesn't sell a drop-in replacement for Raspberry Pi Zero. Olimex boards are typically larger with more interfaces and are not pin-compatible with that board. Also, the market is already crowded with Raspberry Pi Zero clones, so I assume that it is hard to justify developing yet another one.
Unfortunately, all the ARM-based clones of the board that I am aware of require some binary blobs to boot.
However, there is an existing product on the market from another manufacturer that you may consider. There is a pin-compatible board in the same form factor as Raspberry Pi Zero, which is known to boot without proprietary blobs in uboot and in the Linux kernel, and on which it should be possible to run CUPS. There are several caveats to keep in mind. It is based on Allwinner D1, and thus, is RISC-V, not ARM. Also, I could only find versions with built-in Wi-Fi, which is not expected to work without a blob. But the onboard WiFi module could be kept uninitialized, or, alternatively, desoldered completely. So, it can be used entirely with free software. And it should be possible to adapt it for use in Open Printer.
Speaking of Wi-Fi. Open Printer only lists two options to connect the printer: either over USB Type-C directly to a computer or over Wi-Fi. They left Ethernet out, so one will have to write a USB driver for the board and connect the printer to another computer. That another computer could be an Olimex board, but it does not require any customization by Olimex to work.
Considering the above, it probably makes little sense for Olimex to get interested in Open Printer at this point.
Olimex doesn't sell a drop-in replacement for Raspberry Pi Zero. Olimex boards are typically larger with more interfaces and are not pin-compatible with that board. Also, the market is already crowded with Raspberry Pi Zero clones, so I assume that it is hard to justify developing yet another one.
Unfortunately, all the ARM-based clones of the board that I am aware of require some binary blobs to boot.
However, there is an existing product on the market from another manufacturer that you may consider. There is a pin-compatible board in the same form factor as Raspberry Pi Zero, which is known to boot without proprietary blobs in uboot and in the Linux kernel, and on which it should be possible to run CUPS. There are several caveats to keep in mind. It is based on Allwinner D1, and thus, is RISC-V, not ARM. Also, I could only find versions with built-in Wi-Fi, which is not expected to work without a blob. But the onboard WiFi module could be kept uninitialized, or, alternatively, desoldered completely. So, it can be used entirely with free software. And it should be possible to adapt it for use in Open Printer.
Speaking of Wi-Fi. Open Printer only lists two options to connect the printer: either over USB Type-C directly to a computer or over Wi-Fi. They left Ethernet out, so one will have to write a USB driver for the board and connect the printer to another computer. That another computer could be an Olimex board, but it does not require any customization by Olimex to work.
Considering the above, it probably makes little sense for Olimex to get interested in Open Printer at this point.
#9
A20 / Re: Working Linux driver for U...
Last post by sasha2002 - September 08, 2026, 02:25:09 PMChipset info :
#10
ESP32 / Works! Olimex esp32-poe-iso(lx...
Last post by mihaiadrian - September 06, 2026, 10:27:09 PMSucceed doing a local voice intercom with Olimex esp32-poe-iso(lx6) as primary and ESP32-S3-DevKit-Lipo(lx7) as DSP with ECHO cancellation . The voice communication is full duplex. Initially tried without the lx7 and was impossible to make a full duplex communication due to big noise echo. So, lx7 is doing a good job in canceling the echo.