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EDGE AI · SOFTWARE

What Is Linux for Tegra (L4T)?

Linux for Tegra, or L4T, is the NVIDIA operating system for the Jetson edge AI platform: an Ubuntu-based Linux plus the board support package — kernel, bootloader, and drivers — that makes Linux run on Jetson hardware. It is the base layer of JetPack.

01

The Short Answer

Linux for Tegra (L4T) is the operating system NVIDIA ships for its Jetson edge AI modules. It is an Ubuntu-based Linux together with the board support package — the kernel, bootloader, and device drivers tuned for the Tegra processor in a Jetson module. When a Jetson is flashed, L4T is what gives it a working OS; JetPack then adds the AI and vision libraries on top.

02

Why the Version Matters

L4T is the layer that ties software to a specific Jetson generation. A given L4T version supports particular modules and pairs with a particular JetPack, CUDA, and driver set. That is why a driver or application built for one L4T release — say L4T 35.x — will not simply run on another such as L4T 36.x. Matching the L4T and JetPack to the module is a basic part of bringing a Jetson up.

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    The OS An Ubuntu-based Linux userspace.
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    The BSP Kernel, bootloader, and Tegra device drivers.
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    The base of JetPack Everything else in JetPack sits on top of L4T.
03

L4T and Production

For a product, the L4T base is where a custom or minimal image is built, often with Yocto on top of the board support package. We take the L4T base through to a production image. See our guide to NVIDIA JetPack for the wider Jetson stack.