How to find Jetpack version of NVIDIA Jetson Nano

NVIDIA Jetson Nano is a popular platform for edge AI and embedded systems. It is powered by the JetPack SDK, which provides an integrated software stack that includes Linux for Tegra (L4T), CUDA, cuDNN, TensorRT, and other key components for AI and deep learning.

Knowing your JetPack version is crucial when building applications, troubleshooting issues, or upgrading your system. This blog post will guide you through the various methods to find the JetPack version installed on your Jetson Nano.

What is JetPack SDK?

The JetPack SDK is NVIDIA’s development platform for AI applications on Jetson devices. It includes:

• CUDA Toolkit: For GPU-accelerated computing.
• cuDNN: GPU-accelerated library for deep learning.
• TensorRT: Optimizer and runtime for AI inference.
• OpenCV: Optimized computer vision libraries.
• Linux for Tegra (L4T): A customized Ubuntu-based OS with GPU drivers.

Each JetPack version corresponds to a specific L4T version, CUDA version, and TensorRT version. For example:

• JetPack 4.6.2 includes L4T R32.7.1 and CUDA 10.2.
• JetPack 5.1 includes L4T R35.2.1 and CUDA 11.4.

Why Do You Need to Know Your JetPack Version?

1. Compatibility: Some applications, models, or frameworks require specific CUDA or TensorRT versions tied to your JetPack version.
2. Upgrades: When upgrading JetPack, it’s essential to know your current version to ensure compatibility.
3. Troubleshooting: Many solutions for Jetson Nano issues depend on knowing the installed JetPack version.

Method 1: Check Using /etc/nv_tegra_release

head -n 1 /etc/nv_tegra_release
# R32 (release), REVISION: 7.1, GCID: 29818004, BOARD: t210ref, EABI: aarch64, DATE: Sat Feb 19 17:05:08 UT

What it means:

• R32: Indicates the JetPack 4.x series.
• REVISION: 7.1: Maps to L4T 32.7.1, which corresponds to JetPack 4.6.2.
• BOARD: t210ref: Indicates the board is a Jetson Nano.

JetPack Version for L4T Mapping:

You are on JetPack 4.6.2.

Method 2: Check Installed nvidia-l4t-core Package

You can also find the JetPack version by querying the nvidia-l4t-core package, which is installed with L4T.

Steps:

1. Open a terminal.
2. Run the following command:

dpkg-query --show nvidia-l4t-core

Example Output:

nvidia-l4t-core 32.7.1-20220219085840

How to Interpret This Output:

• 32.7.1: Indicates the L4T version, which corresponds to JetPack 4.6.2.
• 20220219085840: Build timestamp.

This is a quick way to find your JetPack version without needing to interpret long file outputs.

Method 3: Use the jetson_release Script

The jetson_release script is a third-party utility that provides a detailed overview of your Jetson Nano’s system configuration, including the JetPack version.

Steps to Install and Use jetson_release:

1. Download the script:

wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/jetsonhacks/jetsonUtilities/master/jetsonRelease.py

1. Make it executable:

chmod +x jetsonRelease.py

1. Run the script:

code./jetsonRelease.py

Output:

Jetson Model: NVIDIA Jetson Nano Developer Kit
Jetpack: 4.6.2 [L4T 32.7.1]
CUDA: 10.2
cuDNN: 8.2
TensorRT: 8.2
OpenCV: 4.1.1

This is the most user-friendly method to check your JetPack version and other system details in one go.

Method 4: Check Documentation or Logs

If you installed JetPack using NVIDIA SDK Manager, the installation logs or /opt/nvidia/jetpack folder might contain the JetPack version.

Steps:

1. List files in /opt/nvidia/jetpack:

ls /opt/nvidia/jetpack

1. The folder name often includes the JetPack version. For example:

jetpack_4.6.2

Bonus: Check CUDA Version

The CUDA version is often tied to the JetPack version. To check the CUDA version installed on your Jetson Nano, run:

nvcc --version

Output:

nvcc: NVIDIA (R) Cuda compiler driver
Cuda compilation tools, release 10.2, V10.2.300

This indicates CUDA 10.2, which matches JetPack 4.6.x.

Conclusion

Finding your JetPack version on NVIDIA Jetson Nano is straightforward using the methods outlined above:

• Use /etc/nv_tegra_release for a quick check.
• Use dpkg-query for precise L4T details.
• Use jetson_release for a user-friendly overview.

Knowing your JetPack version is essential for ensuring compatibility with your projects, frameworks, and system upgrades. If you’re unsure about interpreting the outputs, refer to the JetPack version table provided above.

Quick Command Summary:

# Check JetPack version using nv_tegra_release
head -n 1 /etc/nv_tegra_release

# Check L4T version using dpkg-query
dpkg-query --show nvidia-l4t-core

# Use jetson_release script
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/jetsonhacks/jetsonUtilities/master/jetsonRelease.py
chmod +x jetsonRelease.py
./jetsonRelease.py

With these methods, you’ll always know the JetPack version running on your Jetson Nano! 🚀

Let me know if you have any questions or need assistance with your Jetson Nano projects!