# Arch Linux on OrangePi Zero

Here is a working SD card image for installing Arch Linux on an OrangePi Zero. It basically follows [this excellent build guide][build-guide] but can save you a lot of time if you just want to get an image up an running, especially with getting the ethernet support to work.

The image is located [here][image]. (It is an unofficial image, not supported by ArchLinux, use at your own risk). Last build date: 2019-11-17.

[build-guide]: https://github.com/ubitux/archlinuxarm-orangepi_zero
[image]: https://dl.ng3.io/opz/ArchLinuxARM-OrangePiZero-latest.img.xz

## Install

You need an SD card of at least 2GB. You can resize the partition to use your whole SD card after installing.

### Quick'n dirty

Replace 'sdX' with the device corresponding to your SD card.

```
curl https://dl.ng3.io/opz/ArchLinuxARM-OrangePiZero-latest.img.xz | xzcat | sudo dd of=/dev/sdX bs=1M status=progress
```

### Safer

Download the image, check the checksum, and install the traditional way. SHA256:

```
3c248c8329391544c8ff958b10d5aaaf5fc9fec35e75ed57af2d1f93fa198bfc  ArchLinuxARM-OrangePiZero-latest.img.xz
```

Steps:

```
$ wget https://dl.ng3.io/opz/ArchLinuxARM-OrangePiZero-latest.img.xz
$ sha256sum ArchLinuxARM-OrangePiZero-latest.img.xz
3c248c8329391544c8ff958b10d5aaaf5fc9fec35e75ed57af2d1f93fa198bfc  ArchLinuxARM-OrangePiZero-latest.img.xz
$ xzcat ArchLinuxARM-OrangePiZero-latest.img.xz | sudo dd of=/dev/sdX bs=1M status=progress
```

On Mac, use `dd of=/dev/rdiskX bs=1m conv=sync` (see [why dd is slow on Mac][slow-dd-mac]).

On Windows, use a tool like [Etcher][etcher].

[slow-dd-mac]: http://daoyuan.li/solution-dd-too-slow-on-mac-os-x/
[etcher]: https://etcher.io/

### Resize the partition to use the whole SD card

Once the system is working, use `fdisk /dev/mmcblk0` ([fdisk][fdisk]) as root to resize the partition. Press `d` to delete the current partition, then press `n` to create a new partition, and press `Enter` 4 times to accept the defaults. fdisk will give you defaults that work and make the partition as big as possible. Then answer `N` when fdisk asks about removing the existing ext4 signature.

Finally press `w` to write the changes.

Reboot, and use `resize2fs /dev/mmcblk0p1` as root to update the filesystem size. You're done!

[fdisk]: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Fdisk

## Hardware support issues

### USB on Orange Pi expansion board

It has been reported that when using the "Orange Pi expansion board" (that adds 2 USB ports and other IO), the additional USB ports don't work out of the box. A fix is proposed which consists in putting a sun8i-h2-plus-orangepi-zero-3usb.dtb in `/boot/dtbs`. This file is not installed by default, but is included in the default user directory for convenience, to save you troubleshooting time in case you want to use the expansion board. However, it is not part of the base ArchLinuxARM distribution which the current image is upon, and I cannot vouch for its validity. Use at your own risk.

## SSH into Orange Pi Zero

Once your image is installed on the SD card you have booted the Orange Pi Zero, if you're using ethernet, you can login via ssh:

```
$ ssh alarm@alarm

or if this does not work

$ ssh alarm@IP_ADDR
```

This is not specific to this image and is the same procedure as for the general ArchLinuxARM. As a reminder, default password is `alarm` (for user `alarm`) and `root` for superuser.

Feedbacks and comments are welcome.

## Additional resources

- Arch forum thread about Orange Pi Zero installation: [https://archlinuxarm.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=11790][forum-arch]

[forum-arch]: https://archlinuxarm.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=11790