Initial commit: add support for Banana Pi M2 Zero

[DanielVolz]

Just added support for the Banana Pi M2 Zero because the Raspberry Pi Zero is sold out in my region.

I'm pretty new to Buildroot and I just figured it out through your example and examples on the internet. So maybe it is not the most optimized solution, but to be frank, I'm just glad it works as intended.

For loading the Wi-Fi kernel module, I use your old init.d script, but I noticed in the most recent version you do it differently now. I couldn't figure out how to do it the "new" way, so I did it the old way.

[Shivelight]

So maybe it is not the most optimized solution, but to be frank, I'm just glad it works as intended.

As long as the PS4 can connect without getting unable to connect notification, you did fine. Although, there is still room for improvement that can be done in the common overlay.

For loading the Wi-Fi kernel module, I use your old init.d script, but I noticed in the most recent version you do it differently now. I couldn't figure out how to do it the "new" way, so I did it the old way.

I'm using mdev to allow USB dongle hotplug for a board with an additional USB port like Orange Pi Zero. Since Banana Pi M2 Zero does not have an additional USB port for data, it would make sense to manually load the modules for faster boot time. That's why I didn't put BR2_ROOTFS_DEVICE_CREATION_DYNAMIC_MDEV in the template as it is per board judgment. So, you did right 👍

[Shivelight]

Can you explain what exactly linux-extras.config does?

[DanielVolz]

Can you explain what exactly linux-extras.config does?

This is the part which I took from a Buildroot configuration for the Banana Pi P2. It has the same WiFi hardware.

I don't know if the encryption part is really necessary. Honestly I don't really know which part of this config, maybe besides the WiFi settings, is necessary. I just put it in because it worked for the other board.

[Shivelight]

I will do some checking and merge this ASAP. In the meantime, you can update the README and add your config to the supported board section. Thanks!

[Shivelight]

In case someone wants to test this PR. Based on f2c9cdd

sdcard.img.zip

[Shivelight]

@DanielVolz If you have time, can you try this image and see if the wifi module working correctly without the sleep?

sdcard-bananapi-m2-0-test.img.zip

[DanielVolz]

@DanielVolz If you have time, can you try this image and see if the wifi module working correctly without the sleep?

sdcard-bananapi-m2-0-test.img.zip

I tested your image "blindly" because my USB to console cable is not available.

And it does not work. I have the same problem I had before I added the 2 sec sleep.

You can see the AP but if you try connecting to it, the DHCP service (dnsmasq) won't give you an IP address. Hence you can't connect to the AP.

Edit: if you are concerned about the 2 seconds delay, in the sense the banana pi won't boot fast enough.
I can assure you the pi boots much faster than the PS4, thus it connects without a problem with the pi.

[Shivelight]

I think we can try adding bind-dynamic to dnsmasq.conf, see manpage for what it does.

if you are concerned about the 2 seconds delay

I'm just trying to find the best agnostic way to solve it in case other boards have similar problems, haha.