Use Embedded Multimedia Card (eMMC) Storage Device on Intel® NUCs.

Documentation

Install & Setup

000006602

01/25/2024

Use the embedded MultiMedia Card (eMMC) in your Intel® NUC as the:

  • Main 32Gb storage device with Windows* OS preinstalled, or
  • Small 4GB storage option for small-footprint operating systems (OS), typically used for thin-client and light-embedded applications

Refer to these guidelines if you plan to install Linux* or other small-footprint OS on the eMMC storage device.

  • Make sure the Linux OS* supports the mmc_block kernel module, most modern distributions do.
  • The eMMC storage device is identified in the Linux environment as: /dev/mmcblk0.
    Caution
    As a flash-based storage device, excessive drive access, particularly write commands, reduces its useful life. WE strongly suggest you NOT create a swap partition on the eMMC device.
  • Stock releases, installing directly from a distribution ISO image:
    • OS size after installation must be small enough to fit as-is on the eMMC storage. For example, Linux Lite NUC Edition* or Debian, with low-footprint graphical environments.
    • The OS installer must allow package selection in order to reduce the footprint of the installed image.
  • Custom builds, preparing a custom image:
    • Stock OS releases, requiring more than the available storage, must be installed on another drive or system, then customized. The size must be reduced and confirmed to support the mmc_block kernel module. Then it can be installed onto the eMMC device.
    • Custom image builds, using Yocto Project or Android*, perform better on a separate build host, with higher processing performance, and larger storage.
    Note Creating a single root / partition on the eMMC device results in a maximum amount of storage space for the OS installation. As a reference, product testing was done with a single root/partition, formatted with ext4fs and no swap partition.

Click  on the topic for details:

Before beginning the Linux OS installation

Before beginning the Linux OS installation, set the Visual BIOS as follows:

  1. Press F2 during boot to enter Intel® Visual BIOS.
  2. Go to Boot > Boot Configuration.
  3. Set OS Selection to Linux. This option automatically enables the eMMC device.
  4. Press F10 to save and exit.

    eMMC for Linux*

Accessing the eMMC storage from Windows 8.x

The eMMC storage device might not be large enough for any Windows 8*, 8.1*, or 8 embedded installation. But, you can enable the device to be accessible for extra storage space.

  1. Press F2 during boot to enter Intel Visual BIOS.
  2. Go to Advanced > Devices and Peripherals > Onboard Devices.
  3. Select Enable 4 GB eMMC Built-in Storage.
  4. Press F10 to save and exit.

    eMMC for Windows 8*

Accessing the eMMC storage from Windows 7*

Windows 7 doesn't include driver support for eMMC devices. If Windows 7 is selected in the BIOS, the eMMC device is grayed out and disabled.