How do I install the NVIDIA drivers for RTX A6000 GPUs on Ubuntu 22.04?

 

How do I install the NVIDIA drivers for RTX A6000 GPUs on Ubuntu 22.04?

Installing NVIDIA drivers for the RTX A6000 on Ubuntu 22.04 requires a few key steps to ensure optimal performance and compatibility. The RTX A6000 is a powerful data center and workstation GPU, and proper driver installation is essential for machine learning, AI, and high-performance computing workloads.

Prerequisites

• Ubuntu 22.04 LTS installed and updated (sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y)
• RTX A6000 GPU properly installed in the system
• Internet connection for downloading drivers
• Administrative (sudo) privileges

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

1. Disable Nouveau Drivers (Open-Source Alternative)

Nouveau drivers can conflict with NVIDIA's proprietary drivers. Disable them by running:

1. Open a terminal and create a new blacklist file: sudo nano /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-nouveau.conf
2. Add these lines:

   blacklist nouveau
   options nouveau modeset=0

3. Save the file (Ctrl+O, then Ctrl+X).
4. Update the initramfs: sudo update-initramfs -u
5. Reboot the system: sudo reboot

2. Install NVIDIA Drivers via Ubuntu Repository

The simplest method is using Ubuntu's built-in repository:

1. Open a terminal and update the package list: sudo apt update
2. Install the recommended NVIDIA driver (usually the latest stable version): sudo ubuntu-drivers autoinstall
3. Alternatively, manually select a driver version: sudo apt install nvidia-driver-535 (replace 535 with the latest version)
4. Reboot the system: sudo reboot

3. Verify Installation

After rebooting, confirm the driver is working:

• Run nvidia-smi to check GPU status and driver version.
• Check the NVIDIA settings panel: nvidia-settings.
• Verify CUDA compatibility if needed: nvcc --version (requires CUDA Toolkit).

Alternative: Install Drivers from NVIDIA Website

For the latest drivers directly from NVIDIA:

1. Visit NVIDIA's official driver download page and select the RTX A6000 and Linux 64-bit option.
2. Download the .run file.
3. Make it executable: chmod +x NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-*.run
4. Run the installer: sudo ./NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-*.run
5. Follow on-screen prompts and reboot.

Troubleshooting Tips

• If the system boots to a black screen, try switching to a virtual terminal (Ctrl+Alt+F2) and reinstalling drivers.
• Use sudo apt purge nvidia* to remove existing drivers before reinstalling.
• Check logs for errors: dmesg | grep -i nvidia.

Following these steps ensures your RTX A6000 operates at peak performance on Ubuntu 22.04, whether for AI training, 3D rendering, or high-performance computing tasks.