🛠 Network and storage setup on Xerxes Nano

Objectives

This tutorial guides beginners through the basic configuration of the Xerxes Nano board. The goal is to connect the board to a local network via its Gigabit Ethernet port and initialize M.2 storage. These steps are essential to transform the compute module (Jetson Orin Nano or Turing RK1) into a lightweight server or autonomous data processing node. We will focus on physical connections and minimal software checks.

Required Materials

• Xerxes Nano carrier board
• Compatible compute module (NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano or Turing RK1)
• USB-C power supply or PoE injector
• RJ45 Ethernet cable
• NVMe M.2 SSD (M.2 format, PCIe Gen 3 compatible)
• Host computer with SSH terminal or connected screen/keyboard

Steps

1. Module Installation : Gently insert the compute module into the Xerxes Nano socket. Ensure connectors are aligned before pressing firmly.
2. Storage Mounting : Slide the M.2 SSD into the slot located under the module. Secure it with the provided screw. Note that this slot supports up to three PCIe lanes, offering high bandwidth.
3. Network Connection : Plug the Ethernet cable into the RJ45 port. If using PoE power, ensure the power selection jumper is set to "PoE". Otherwise, use the USB-C port with the jumper set to "USB".
4. Boot : Connect power. The fan (if connected to the PWM connector) should spin. Wait about 30 seconds for system startup.
5. System Access : Log in via SSH or screen. Open a terminal to check devices.
6. Storage Verification : Type the following command to list disks :

lsblk

Identify your SSD (often named nvme0n1).

1. Formatting and Mounting : Format the drive to ext4 and create a mount point :

sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/nvme0n1
sudo mkdir /mnt/data
sudo mount /dev/nvme0n1 /mnt/data

Verification

Run df -h to confirm storage is mounted and available. For network, type ip a to verify eth0 has a valid IP address. A ping to an external address (e.g., ping 8.8.8.8) confirms internet connectivity.

Going Further

Explore using the SFP+ cage for high-speed fiber connections. You can also test the OCuLink connector to add an external GPU if your module supports it, boosting AI computing power.