Build embedded Linux applications on an Arm server
Introduction
Install a Raspberry Pi OS file system
Build MXNet
Install on Raspberry Pi
Next Steps
Build embedded Linux applications on an Arm server
Who is this for?
This is an advanced topic for software developers who want to reduce compile time for embedded Linux software projects.
What will you learn?
Upon completion of this Learning Path, you will be able to:
- Install a Raspberry Pi OS file system on an Arm server
- Reduce compile time for a Linux application, the MXNet machine learning framework
- Transfer the compiled MXNet application to a Raspberry Pi and test it
- Utilize an Arm server to reduce compile time for your own embedded Linux projects
Prerequisites
Before starting, you will need the following:
- An Arm computer running Linux. Cloud instances can be used, refer to the list of Arm cloud service providers .
- A Raspberry Pi 3 or 4 board
Summary
This summary was drafted with an approved AI-assisted workflow and reviewed by Arm contributors before publication. Human technical review remains part of the process so the final page reflects engineering rigor, accuracy, and Arm editorial standards.
You’ll use an Arm Linux server to build MXNet in a Raspberry Pi OS file system before deploying it to a Raspberry Pi. First, you’ll install build dependencies, switch to the
pi user, and compile MXNet inside the target file system. Then, you’ll retrieve the updated image, write it to an SD card, and start it on a Raspberry Pi 3 or 4.Frequently asked questions
These FAQs were drafted with an approved AI-assisted workflow and reviewed by Arm contributors before publication. Human technical review remains part of the process so the final page reflects engineering rigor, accuracy, and Arm editorial standards.
You should have a root (#) prompt within the Raspberry Pi OS environment and be able to switch to the
pi user.Switch from root to the
pi user before building. Run su pi and work from the pi user’s home directory.Install
git, cmake, ninja-build, gfortran, lapack/blas, OpenCV, OpenBLAS, python3-dev, python3-pip, python-dev, and virtualenv with apt. Then, install Cython with pip3.Copy the Raspberry Pi OS image you built on the server with
scp using your server’s IP address and SSH key.Yes. The Raspberry Pi deployment step is optional, so you can stop after producing the Raspberry Pi OS image.