Docs and bb-boot for USB Internet Sharing for the Pocket Beagle 2

Currently, I am trying Armbian on the Pocket Beagle 2.

I see there is a way, from the docs pages, to use Linux and iptables to handle USB network sharing.

I am getting stuck.

/etc/default/ files have no such file called bb-boot. In the /sbin/ files, there is also no /route file.

#!/bin/sh -e
#

if ! id | grep -q root; then
        echo "must be run as root"
        exit
fi

if [ -f /etc/default/bb-boot ] ; then
        . /etc/default/bb-boot
fi

if [ "x${USB_CONFIGURATION}" = "x" ] ; then
        USB0_SUBNET=192.168.7
        DNS_NAMESERVER=8.8.8.8
fi

/sbin/route add default gw ${USB0_SUBNET}.1 || true

ping -c1 ${DNS_NAMESERVER}
echo "nameserver ${DNS_NAMESERVER}" >> /etc/resolv.conf

#

The file with errors I am coming across is via an Armbian release. Has anyone figured out what to do so far to gain Internet Sharing via USB for the rolling release of Armbian?

Seth

side note: is bb-boot a dpkg installable package I can install via debian and do things with it?

Off to check. Also, I guess I could add/subtract a bit with my file usage instead of plain-Jane here and not making any advancements on my own.

Seth

P.S. Anyway, my com port is iffy but works with tio /dev/ttyACM0 on Linux and not COM ports on Windows 11. Heads up…

gaining ground...

I found this tidbit: boot-scripts/boot/default/bb-boot at 39e66ba124a2f42838e6069e16f1f394b2bdef6c · RobertCNelson/boot-scripts · GitHub

But, I see it is five years old and the last post was a Gargantuan of a time ago. So, off to relocate more ideas and preserve my sainness in this muck I call life. On a happier note, bananas are delicious.

bb-boot is optional and not required, but the USB0_SUBNET variable would need to be set appropriate to your situation.

The route command would undoubtably be part of a package of networking tools. Perhaps the iproute2 toolset?

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Yes. iproute2 is available and the SUBNET when I get UP instead of DOWN seems to brick it.

Seth

P.S. Armbian is what I am using but…

  1. The board is powering down on its own now.
  2. I have not control outside of /boot/.
  3. I guess I have to reflash and try again?
I will flash once more. The board has become odd with a Capital O!

anyway, until another day!

Regards,

1 Like

Okay. I am going to flash a new image and try again. Maybe I did not read the correct data for the Linux set up of USB networking and sharing.

Seth

Hello…

Okay. So, I have not been able to set up the Armbian OS with the PB2 for Windows and/or Linux so far.

I have been through many tutorials and finding I have to flash once more to get back to where I started. Has anyone gotten to the point where they can give some advice on this idea?

So far, I can only use the serial communication instead of USB networking for a terminal where I can alter files and try commands. As is, I cannot ssh into the board just yet.

I followed the instructions on the docs. pages for the PB2 but those instructions are not dedicated to the Armbian OS.

I am using Trixie now on a Rolling Release.

Seth

P.S. If you know of any shortcuts to getting ssh and/or USB networking, please let me know.

  • I think ssh may be a bit easier to get Network Sharing downpat.
  • I also think, so far, serial communication is neat in the fact that I can alter files easily.
  • Just to reiterate, I cannot get Network Sharing done, I am pretty sure, because of the fact that I cannot ssh into the board just yet.

Update

At first, I thought it had to do with the time/date being off. I was incorrect. Then, I thought I would alter a bunch of files. No go.

Some of the files I altered were:

# Here are the files I altered...

resolv.conf

interfaces

On the Armbian Docs, they say they use Netplan. When I set up armbian-config in the serial terminal, I have two or three dedicated ways to set up networking. None of which are useful (I am guessing), i.e. as their system just reads router data from the get go with a Wireless or eth0 connection. I will keep trying and report back anything I find but if you know any relative data on the subject, please do let me know.

ya can use something like this
netplan set network.wifis.wlan0.access-points.SSID.password=secretpassword
set your SSID and secretpassword

how ever if your using armbian build main branch it does not work,
using branch v25.08, everything worked
Linux pocketbeagle2 6.12.24-edge-k3-beagle #3 SMP PREEMPT Tue Jun 24 18:12:55 CDT 2025 aarch64 GNU/Linux

1 Like

Oh. I understand. The beagleboard.org image(s) work just fine. No issue there whatsoever.

I will keep trying with Armbian.

I see lots of tidbits to digest that I think will make for a nice set up of posts once completed. Lately, I have been missing specific posts. I know…

I am little small scale for beagleboard but I enjoy trying and executing. Then, if I could only wrap a couple sentences together for the main surprise, I get overjoyed. Just to reiterate…I know Network Sharing works on the PB2 for Windows 11 thus far with the main image available via bb-imager-rs.

Seth

P.S. I also saw bb-imager-rs had a new, small release. Um, how does NetPlan work if there is no wlan0 and/or eth0? I thought that NetPlan was strictly for already available networks and clients.

Also, I went through their entire documentation on ideas, scrolling, reading, and researching while practicing the .yaml files. Even with a correct set up via NetPlan, I was unable to get my UP initiated for Network Sharing. There must be some type of trick of the trade. I will not venture into it further unless setting up another instance of networking is available. I saw where Netplan can use networkd and there are options in Armbian for setting up AVAILABLE interfaces under networkd.

# Aw hmm...

This may be one of those things where the Armbian OS ceases.
and...

NetPlan is straight forward for the most part. I will get back to it once I get up enough guts. Aw!