Vendor-provided Linux images for single board computers are not always working optimally, so this post is a regular reminder that users may want to check out Armbian and DietPi projects mostly supported by the community but also backed by some of the vendors who offload some (repackaging) software work to them.
Armbian and DietPi are separate projects, but this month, Armbian v25.2 and DietPi v9.11 were almost released simultaneously. I don’t report on each release (should I?), but they release an update every few months. The last time we had a look at both projects was in September 2024 for the releases of DietPi 9.7 and Armbian 24.8. Let’s see what the new releases have to bring.
Armbian v25.2
Main changes:
- New Boards – Rock 2A and 2F, NanoPi R3S, Retroid Pocket RP5, RPMini, Rock 5T, GenBook, MKS-PI, SKIPR, Armsom CM5, NextThing C.H.I.P, Magicsee C400 Plus
- Rockchip 3588 Improvements – Upgrade to the latest vendor kernel v6.1.99 and mainline to 6.12.y, including HDMI driver updates, USB3 fixes, and Bluetooth support updates.
- Wireless Enhancements – RTW88 driver additions and kernel stability fixes, added automatic wireless testing infrastructure.
- Kernel Upgrades – Most kernels were upgraded from 6.6.y to 6.12.y, with extensive refinements in all areas.
- U-Boot Updates – Most boot loaders were updated to their last stable version, 2024.10 or greater
- Easy deployment of tools – AdGuardHome, Pi-Hole, Home Assistant, Utime Kuma, NetData, Grafana, Cockpit with KVM management, NextCloud, … can now easily be deployed via armbian-config
- Expanded build and mirror network – Additional sites in Amsterdam, Vienna, and Nuremberg
- CDN Upgrade – Upgrade of Content Delivery Network (CDN) to support users affected by global conflicts, ensuring better accessibility worldwide (basically to provide easier access in Ukraine and Russia).
- Improve torrent download speed for community download targets by mirroring GitHub downloads at Armbian’s CDN.
A much longer list of changes can be found in the changelog. Armbian also notes (on X) that the Allwinner boards did not get the new 6.12 kernel in this release:
Allwinner family is the only one that hasn’t been upgraded to K6.12.y, as even common bugs couldn’t be fixed by the release date. Older boards likely still work, with kernel 6.6.y, but with so many of them and so few of us, it’s impossible to check them all.
As usual, you’ll find the latest Armbian-build Debian and/or Ubuntu images on the download page. The boards with Platinum support may work better since Armbian gets funding for those from the SBC vendors.
DietPi v9.11
DietPi is an alternative, especially if your board isn’t compatible with Armbian or if you’re looking for a leaner Debian-based image.
DietPi v9.11 changelog:
- Pi-hole – Support for Pi-hole v6 added, and the main reason for a quick release after the v9.10
- Initial boot / Firstboot – Fixes for Quartz64/Star64/VisionFive 2 and WiFi connected hardware
- Fixes for Fail2Ban
Since there’s not too much here, I’ll also list the changelog for DietPi v9.10 that was released earlier this month:
- RISC-V (StarFive VisionFive 2, PINE64 Star64) – Switch to Debian Trixie and support of Bazarr, Raspotify, NZBGet, MicroK8s and AdGuard Home
- Raspberry Pi, NanoPi M6 – New tool DietPi-Display supports the setting of console display modes/rotation
- Raspberry Pi – Migration to the new Raspberry Pi kernel/firmware stack is now possible via dietpi-config
- DietPi-Automation – New option in dietpi.txt for automated APT-based program installs
- myMPD – Available now also for ARMv6 Bookworm systems
- vaultwarden – Display of the package version within the web UI added
- Fixes for Sonarr, Fail2Ban, Raspotify, Navidrome, Home Assistant, Komga, PaperMC, Bazarr, Mono, Gogs, Domoticz and Baïkal
You can check the full changelog for any version of Dieti on the Release page. Visit the download page to see if your board is supported and download a minimal Debian image.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
Support CNX Software! Donate via cryptocurrencies, become a Patron on Patreon, or purchase goods on Amazon or Aliexpress
