OpenGL and Vulkan

OpenGL and Vulkan are used for desktop graphics, 3D rendering, visualization interfaces, games, and graphics benchmarks. OpenGL is a traditional graphics API, while Vulkan provides a modern low-overhead API with more explicit control.

Install the Panfrost / Panthor Driver

On supported system images, use the Firefly script to install the Panfrost / Panthor driver packages:

sudo panfrost.sh
sudo reboot

After rebooting, check whether the driver is loaded:

dmesg | grep -Ei "panfrost|panthor"

If GPU driver initialization messages are present, the kernel-side driver has been detected. Userspace OpenGL / Vulkan support should still be verified with tools such as glxinfo, glmark2, and vulkaninfo.

OpenGL Verification

Install test tools:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install glmark2

Run the OpenGL benchmark:

glmark2

Key checks:

• Whether OpenGL renderer string in glxinfo -B shows the expected GPU driver.
• Whether glmark2 can open a window and finish the test.
• Whether the test shows display corruption, hangs, window creation failures, or fallback to software rendering.

Vulkan Verification

Install Vulkan tools:

sudo apt install vulkan-tools

Show Vulkan information:

vulkaninfo --summary

Run the basic sample:

vkcube

If vkcube displays a rotating cube, the basic Vulkan rendering path is working. If it reports a missing ICD, instance creation failure, or unavailable device, check whether the Vulkan driver package, ICD configuration, and current GPU driver stack match each other.