Releases · intel/linux-npu-driver (original) (raw)

Linux NPU Driver v1.26.0

Verified with the following configuration

Common:

Installation procedure

1. Remove old packages

sudo dpkg --purge --force-remove-reinstreq intel-driver-compiler-npu intel-fw-npu intel-level-zero-npu intel-level-zero-npu-dbgsym

1. Download all *.deb package

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.26.0/linux-npu-driver-v1.26.0.20251125-19665715237-ubuntu2204.tar.gz tar -xf linux-npu-driver-v1.26.0.20251125-19665715237-ubuntu2204.tar.gz

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.26.0/linux-npu-driver-v1.26.0.20251125-19665715237-ubuntu2404.tar.gz tar -xf linux-npu-driver-v1.26.0.20251125-19665715237-ubuntu2404.tar.gz

1. Install libtbb12 which is a dependency for intel-driver-compiler-npu

sudo apt update sudo apt install libtbb12

1. Install all packages
2. Install Level Zero if it is not in the system

Check if Level Zero is installed

dpkg -l level-zero

Download and install package if Level Zero is missing

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.24.2/level-zero_1.24.2+u22.04_amd64.deb sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.24.2/level-zero_1.24.2+u24.04_amd64.deb sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

1. Optional add your user to render group

sudo gpasswd -a ${USER} render newgrp render

1. Optional reboot

sudo reboot

if everything works, we should see /dev/accel/accel0 device

ls /dev/accel/accel0 /dev/accel/accel0

to receive intel_vpu state

sudo dmesg

GPG sign and verify deb packages

Signing data with a GPG key allows the recipient of the data to check whether any modifications have occurred after the data was signed.

Since release 1.22.0, each Debian package file (.deb file) has been signed with a GPG key, and the signature is included in the archive.

The Public Key has been uploaded to https://keys.openpgp.org/search?q=EA267657A608300C296B8F8AD52C9665A4077678

To verify the signature:

Download and import the Public Key

curl https://keys.openpgp.org/vks/v1/by-fingerprint/EA267657A608300C296B8F8AD52C9665A4077678 | gpg --import

Download the driver package

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.26.0/linux-npu-driver-v1.26.0.20251125-19665715237-ubuntu2404.tar.gz tar -xf linux-npu-driver-v1.26.0.20251125-19665715237-ubuntu2404.tar.gz

Verify signatures

for PACKAGE in *deb.asc; do gpg --verify $PACKAGE; done

Driver Overview

Important

For more information check README.md

Linux NPU Driver v1.24.0

Validated on following configuration

Common:

Installation procedure

1. Remove old packages

sudo dpkg --purge --force-remove-reinstreq intel-driver-compiler-npu intel-fw-npu intel-level-zero-npu intel-level-zero-npu-dbgsym

1. Download all *.deb package

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.24.0/linux-npu-driver-v1.24.0.20251003-18218973328-ubuntu2204.tar.gz tar -xf linux-npu-driver-v1.24.0.20251003-18218973328-ubuntu2204.tar.gz

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.24.0/linux-npu-driver-v1.24.0.20251003-18218973328-ubuntu2404.tar.gz tar -xf linux-npu-driver-v1.24.0.20251003-18218973328-ubuntu2404.tar.gz

1. Install libtbb12 which is a dependency for intel-driver-compiler-npu

sudo apt update sudo apt install libtbb12

1. Install all packages
2. Install Level Zero if it is not in the system

Check if Level Zero is installed

dpkg -l level-zero

Download and install package if Level Zero is missing

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.24.2/level-zero_1.24.2+u22.04_amd64.deb sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.24.2/level-zero_1.24.2+u24.04_amd64.deb sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

1. Optional add your user to render group

sudo gpasswd -a ${USER} render newgrp render

1. Optional reboot

sudo reboot

if everything works, we should see /dev/accel/accel0 device

ls /dev/accel/accel0 /dev/accel/accel0

to receive intel_vpu state

sudo dmesg

GPG sign and verify deb packages

Signing data with a GPG key allows the recipient of the data to check whether any modifications have occurred after the data was signed.

Since release 1.22.0, each Debian package file (.deb file) has been signed with a GPG key, and the signature is included in the archive.

The Public Key has been uploaded to https://keys.openpgp.org/search?q=EA267657A608300C296B8F8AD52C9665A4077678

To verify the signature:

Download and import the Public Key

curl https://keys.openpgp.org/vks/v1/by-fingerprint/EA267657A608300C296B8F8AD52C9665A4077678 | gpg --import

Download the driver package

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.24.0/linux-npu-driver-v1.24.0.20251003-18218973328-ubuntu2404.tar.gz tar -xf linux-npu-driver-v1.24.0.20251003-18218973328-ubuntu2404.tar.gz

Verify signatures

for PACKAGE in *deb.asc; do gpg --verify $PACKAGE; done

Driver Overview

Important

For more information check README.md

Linux NPU Driver v1.23.0

Validated on following configuration

Common:

Installation procedure

1. Remove old packages

sudo dpkg --purge --force-remove-reinstreq intel-driver-compiler-npu intel-fw-npu intel-level-zero-npu

1. Download all *.deb package

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.23.0/linux-npu-driver-v1.23.0.20250827-17270089246-ubuntu2204.tar.gz
tar -xf linux-npu-driver-v1.23.0.20250827-17270089246-ubuntu2204.tar.gz

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.23.0/linux-npu-driver-v1.23.0.20250827-17270089246-ubuntu2404.tar.gz
tar -xf linux-npu-driver-v1.23.0.20250827-17270089246-ubuntu2404.tar.gz

1. Install libtbb12 which is a dependency for intel-driver-compiler-npu

sudo apt update
sudo apt install libtbb12

1. Install all packages
2. Install Level Zero if it is not in the system

# Check if Level Zero is installed
dpkg -l level-zero

Download and install package if Level Zero is missing

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.22.4/level-zero_1.22.4+u22.04_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.22.4/level-zero_1.22.4+u24.04_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

1. Reboot

reboot
# if everything works, we should see /dev/accel/accel0 device
ls /dev/accel/accel0
/dev/accel/accel0
# to receive intel_vpu state
dmesg

GPG sign and verify deb packages

Signing data with a GPG key allows the recipient of the data to check whether any modifications have occurred after the data was signed.

Since release 1.22.0, each Debian package file (.deb file) has been signed with a GPG key, and the signature is included in the archive.

The Public Key has been uploaded to https://keys.openpgp.org/search?q=EA267657A608300C296B8F8AD52C9665A4077678

To verify the signature:

# Download and import the Public Key
curl https://keys.openpgp.org/vks/v1/by-fingerprint/EA267657A608300C296B8F8AD52C9665A4077678 | gpg --import

# Download the driver package
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.23.0/linux-npu-driver-v1.23.0.20250827-17270089246-ubuntu2404.tar.gz
tar -xf linux-npu-driver-v1.23.0.20250827-17270089246-ubuntu2404.tar.gz

# Verify signatures
for PACKAGE in *deb.asc; do gpg --verify $PACKAGE; done

Driver Overview

Important

For more information check README.md

Linux NPU Driver v1.22.0

Warning

NPU recovery issue after failed inference - #87

Validated on following configuration

Common:

Installation procedure

1. Remove old packages

sudo dpkg --purge --force-remove-reinstreq intel-driver-compiler-npu intel-fw-npu intel-level-zero-npu

1. Download all *.deb package

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.22.0/linux-npu-driver-v1.22.0.20250813-16938856004-ubuntu2204.tar.gz
tar -xf linux-npu-driver-v1.22.0.20250813-16938856004-ubuntu2204.tar.gz

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.22.0/linux-npu-driver-v1.22.0.20250813-16938856004-ubuntu2404.tar.gz
tar -xf linux-npu-driver-v1.22.0.20250813-16938856004-ubuntu2404.tar.gz

1. Install libtbb12 which is a dependency for intel-driver-compiler-npu

sudo apt update
sudo apt install libtbb12

1. Install all packages
2. Install Level Zero if it is not in the system

# Check if Level Zero is installed
dpkg -l level-zero

Download and install package if Level Zero is missing

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.22.4/level-zero_1.22.4+u22.04_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.22.4/level-zero_1.22.4+u24.04_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

1. Reboot

reboot
# if everything works, we should see /dev/accel/accel0 device
ls /dev/accel/accel0
/dev/accel/accel0
# to receive intel_vpu state
dmesg

GPG sign and verify deb packages

Signing data with a GPG key allows the recipient of the data to check whether any modifications have occurred after the data was signed.

Since release 1.22.0, each Debian package file (.deb file) has been signed with a GPG key, and the signature is included in the archive.

The Public Key has been uploaded to https://keys.openpgp.org/search?q=EA267657A608300C296B8F8AD52C9665A4077678

To verify the signature:

# Download and import the Public Key
curl https://keys.openpgp.org/vks/v1/by-fingerprint/EA267657A608300C296B8F8AD52C9665A4077678 | gpg --import

# Download the driver package
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.22.0/linux-npu-driver-v1.22.0.20250813-16938856004-ubuntu2404.tar.gz
tar -xf linux-npu-driver-v1.22.0.20250813-16938856004-ubuntu2404.tar.gz

# Verify signatures
for PACKAGE in *deb.asc; do gpg --verify $PACKAGE; done

Driver Overview

Important

For more information check README.md

Linux NPU Driver v1.19.0

Warning

NPU recovery issue after failed inference - #87

Validated on following configuration

Common:

Installation procedure

1. Remove old packages

sudo dpkg --purge --force-remove-reinstreq intel-driver-compiler-npu intel-fw-npu intel-level-zero-npu

1. Download all *.deb package

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.19.0/intel-driver-compiler-npu_1.19.0.20250707-16111289554_ubuntu22.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.19.0/intel-fw-npu_1.19.0.20250707-16111289554_ubuntu22.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.19.0/intel-level-zero-npu_1.19.0.20250707-16111289554_ubuntu22.04_amd64.deb

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.19.0/intel-driver-compiler-npu_1.19.0.20250707-16111289554_ubuntu24.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.19.0/intel-fw-npu_1.19.0.20250707-16111289554_ubuntu24.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.19.0/intel-level-zero-npu_1.19.0.20250707-16111289554_ubuntu24.04_amd64.deb

Tip

Since release v1.13.0, there is a checksum.sha256 file in Assets to ensure that the downloaded packages match those available in the repository.

To verify, run:
sha256sum --ignore-missing --check checksum.sha256

1. Install libtbb12 which is a dependency for intel-driver-compiler-npu

sudo apt update
sudo apt install libtbb12

1. Install all packages
2. Install Level Zero if it is not in the system

# Check if Level Zero is installed
dpkg -l level-zero

Download and install package if Level Zero is missing

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.22.4/level-zero_1.22.4+u22.04_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.22.4/level-zero_1.22.4+u24.04_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

1. Reboot

reboot
# if everything works, we should see /dev/accel/accel0 device
ls /dev/accel/accel0
/dev/accel/accel0
# to receive intel_vpu state
dmesg

User access to the device

👉 Ubuntu24.04 does not require setting access to the device

As a root user, this step can be skipped.

The new device /dev/accel/accel0 requires manual setting of permissions access.
The accel devices should be in the "render" group in Ubuntu:

# set the render group for accel device
sudo chown root:render /dev/accel/accel0
sudo chmod g+rw /dev/accel/accel0
# add user to the render group
sudo usermod -a -G render <user-name>
# user needs to restart the session to use the new group (log out and log in)

The above steps must be repeated each time module is reloaded or on every reboot.
To avoid manual setup of the group for accel device, the udev rules can be used:

sudo bash -c "echo 'SUBSYSTEM==\"accel\", KERNEL==\"accel*\", GROUP=\"render\", MODE=\"0660\"' > /etc/udev/rules.d/10-intel-vpu.rules"
sudo udevadm control --reload-rules
sudo udevadm trigger --subsystem-match=accel

Tip

In case of NPU is not visible, always check the access to the device with following command:

$ ls -lah /dev/accel/accel0
crw-rw---- 1 root render 261, 0 Mar 22 13:22 /dev/accel/accel0

If render is missing, or crw-rw---- is not set, please repeat the steps to set the access to the device.

Important

For more information check README.md

Linux NPU Driver v1.17.0

Important

The library name has changed from libze_intel_vpu to libze_intel_npu. Using an older version of Level Zero than v1.17.17 requires using libze_intel_vpu.so.1

Warning

NPU recovery issue after failed inference - #87

Validated on following configuration

Common:

Installation procedure

1. Remove old packages

sudo dpkg --purge --force-remove-reinstreq intel-driver-compiler-npu intel-fw-npu intel-level-zero-npu

1. Download all *.deb package

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.17.0/intel-driver-compiler-npu_1.17.0.20250508-14912879441_ubuntu22.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.17.0/intel-fw-npu_1.17.0.20250508-14912879441_ubuntu22.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.17.0/intel-level-zero-npu_1.17.0.20250508-14912879441_ubuntu22.04_amd64.deb

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.17.0/intel-driver-compiler-npu_1.17.0.20250508-14912879441_ubuntu24.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.17.0/intel-fw-npu_1.17.0.20250508-14912879441_ubuntu24.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.17.0/intel-level-zero-npu_1.17.0.20250508-14912879441_ubuntu24.04_amd64.deb

Tip

Since release v1.13.0, there is a checksum.sha256 file in Assets to ensure that the downloaded packages match those available in the repository.

To verify, run:
sha256sum --ignore-missing --check checksum.sha256

1. Install libtbb12 which is a dependency for intel-driver-compiler-npu

sudo apt update
sudo apt install libtbb12

1. Install all packages
2. Install Level Zero if it is not in the system

# Check if Level Zero is installed
dpkg -l level-zero

Download and install package if Level Zero is missing

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.21.9/level-zero_1.21.9+u22.04_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.21.9/level-zero_1.21.9+u24.04_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

1. Reboot

reboot
# if everything works, we should see /dev/accel/accel0 device
ls /dev/accel/accel0
/dev/accel/accel0
# to receive intel_vpu state
dmesg

User access to the device

As a root user, this step can be skipped.

The new device /dev/accel/accel0 requires manual setting of permissions access.
The accel devices should be in the "render" group in Ubuntu:

# set the render group for accel device
sudo chown root:render /dev/accel/accel0
sudo chmod g+rw /dev/accel/accel0
# add user to the render group
sudo usermod -a -G render <user-name>
# user needs to restart the session to use the new group (log out and log in)

The above steps must be repeated each time module is reloaded or on every reboot.
To avoid manual setup of the group for accel device, the udev rules can be used:

sudo bash -c "echo 'SUBSYSTEM==\"accel\", KERNEL==\"accel*\", GROUP=\"render\", MODE=\"0660\"' > /etc/udev/rules.d/10-intel-vpu.rules"
sudo udevadm control --reload-rules
sudo udevadm trigger --subsystem-match=accel

Tip

In case of NPU is not visible, always check the access to the device with following command:

$ ls -lah /dev/accel/accel0
crw-rw---- 1 root render 261, 0 Mar 22 13:22 /dev/accel/accel0

If render is missing, or crw-rw---- is not set, please repeat the steps to set the access to the device.

Important

For more information check README.md

Linux NPU Driver v1.16.0

Important

The library name has changed from libze_intel_vpu to libze_intel_npu. Using an older version of Level Zero than v1.17.17 requires using libze_intel_vpu.so.1

Warning

Issue with NPU recovery after failed inference - #87

Validated on following configuration

Common:

Installation procedure

1. Remove old packages

sudo dpkg --purge --force-remove-reinstreq intel-driver-compiler-npu intel-fw-npu intel-level-zero-npu

1. Download all *.deb package

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.16.0/intel-driver-compiler-npu_1.16.0.20250328-14132024782_ubuntu22.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.16.0/intel-fw-npu_1.16.0.20250328-14132024782_ubuntu22.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.16.0/intel-level-zero-npu_1.16.0.20250328-14132024782_ubuntu22.04_amd64.deb

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.16.0/intel-driver-compiler-npu_1.16.0.20250328-14132024782_ubuntu24.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.16.0/intel-fw-npu_1.16.0.20250328-14132024782_ubuntu24.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.16.0/intel-level-zero-npu_1.16.0.20250328-14132024782_ubuntu24.04_amd64.deb

Tip

Since release v1.13.0, there is a checksum.sha256 file in Assets to ensure that the downloaded packages match those available in the repository.

To verify, run:
sha256sum --ignore-missing --check checksum.sha256

1. Install libtbb12 which is a dependency for intel-driver-compiler-npu

sudo apt update
sudo apt install libtbb12

1. Install all packages
2. Install Level Zero if it is not in the system

# Check if Level Zero is installed
dpkg -l level-zero

Download and install package if Level Zero is missing

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.20.2/level-zero_1.20.2+u22.04_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.20.2/level-zero_1.20.2+u24.04_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

1. Reboot

reboot
# if everything works, we should see /dev/accel/accel0 device
ls /dev/accel/accel0
/dev/accel/accel0
# to receive intel_vpu state
dmesg

User access to the device

As a root user, this step can be skipped.

The new device /dev/accel/accel0 requires manual setting of permissions access.
The accel devices should be in the "render" group in Ubuntu:

# set the render group for accel device
sudo chown root:render /dev/accel/accel0
sudo chmod g+rw /dev/accel/accel0
# add user to the render group
sudo usermod -a -G render <user-name>
# user needs to restart the session to use the new group (log out and log in)

The above steps must be repeated each time module is reloaded or on every reboot.
To avoid manual setup of the group for accel device, the udev rules can be used:

sudo bash -c "echo 'SUBSYSTEM==\"accel\", KERNEL==\"accel*\", GROUP=\"render\", MODE=\"0660\"' > /etc/udev/rules.d/10-intel-vpu.rules"
sudo udevadm control --reload-rules
sudo udevadm trigger --subsystem-match=accel

Tip

In case of NPU is not visible, always check the access to the device with following command:

$ ls -lah /dev/accel/accel0
crw-rw---- 1 root render 261, 0 Mar 22 13:22 /dev/accel/accel0

If render is missing, or crw-rw---- is not set, please repeat the steps to set the access to the device.

Important

For more information check README.md

Linux NPU Driver v1.13.0

Validated on following configuration

Note

Ubuntu24.04 packages were used in Ubuntu24.10

Common:

Installation procedure

1. Remove old packages

sudo dpkg --purge --force-remove-reinstreq intel-driver-compiler-npu intel-fw-npu intel-level-zero-npu

1. Download all *.deb package

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.13.0/intel-driver-compiler-npu_1.13.0.20250131-13074932693_ubuntu22.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.13.0/intel-fw-npu_1.13.0.20250131-13074932693_ubuntu22.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.13.0/intel-level-zero-npu_1.13.0.20250131-13074932693_ubuntu22.04_amd64.deb

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.13.0/intel-driver-compiler-npu_1.13.0.20250131-13074932693_ubuntu24.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.13.0/intel-fw-npu_1.13.0.20250131-13074932693_ubuntu24.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.13.0/intel-level-zero-npu_1.13.0.20250131-13074932693_ubuntu24.04_amd64.deb

1. Install libtbb12 which is a dependency for intel-driver-compiler-npu

sudo apt update
sudo apt install libtbb12

1. Install all packages
2. Install Level Zero if it is not in the system

# Check if Level Zero is installed
dpkg -l level-zero

Download and install package if Level Zero is missing

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.18.5/level-zero_1.18.5+u22.04_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.18.5/level-zero_1.18.5+u24.04_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

1. Reboot

reboot
# if everything works, we should see /dev/accel/accel0 device
ls /dev/accel/accel0
/dev/accel/accel0
# to receive intel_vpu state
dmesg

User access to the device

As a root user, this step can be skipped.

The new device /dev/accel/accel0 requires manual setting of permissions access.
The accel devices should be in the "render" group in Ubuntu:

# set the render group for accel device
sudo chown root:render /dev/accel/accel0
sudo chmod g+rw /dev/accel/accel0
# add user to the render group
sudo usermod -a -G render <user-name>
# user needs to restart the session to use the new group (log out and log in)

The above steps must be repeated each time module is reloaded or on every reboot.
To avoid manual setup of the group for accel device, the udev rules can be used:

sudo bash -c "echo 'SUBSYSTEM==\"accel\", KERNEL==\"accel*\", GROUP=\"render\", MODE=\"0660\"' > /etc/udev/rules.d/10-intel-vpu.rules"
sudo udevadm control --reload-rules
sudo udevadm trigger --subsystem-match=accel

Tip

In case of NPU is not visible, always check the access to the device with following command:

$ ls -lah /dev/accel/accel0
crw-rw---- 1 root render 261, 0 Mar 22 13:22 /dev/accel/accel0

If render is missing, or crw-rw---- is not set, please repeat the steps to set the access to the device.

Important

For more information check README.md

Linux NPU Driver v1.10.1

Note

Linux NPU Driver v1.10.1 contains a fix for LLM in Lunar Lake platforms

Validated on following configuration

Common:

Installation procedure

1. Remove old packages

sudo dpkg --purge --force-remove-reinstreq intel-driver-compiler-npu intel-fw-npu intel-level-zero-npu

1. Download all *.deb package

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.10.1/intel-driver-compiler-npu_1.10.1.20241220-12430270326_ubuntu22.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.10.1/intel-fw-npu_1.10.1.20241220-12430270326_ubuntu22.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.10.1/intel-level-zero-npu_1.10.1.20241220-12430270326_ubuntu22.04_amd64.deb

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.10.1/intel-driver-compiler-npu_1.10.1.20241220-12430270326_ubuntu24.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.10.1/intel-fw-npu_1.10.1.20241220-12430270326_ubuntu24.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.10.1/intel-level-zero-npu_1.10.1.20241220-12430270326_ubuntu24.04_amd64.deb

1. Install libtbb12 which is a dependency for intel-driver-compiler-npu

sudo apt update
sudo apt install libtbb12

1. Install all packages
2. Install Level Zero if it is not in the system

# check if Level Zero is installed
dpkg -l level-zero

# download and install package if Level Zero is missing
wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.17.44/level-zero_1.17.44+u22.04_amd64.deb
dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

1. Reboot

reboot
# if everything works, we should see /dev/accel/accel0 device
ls /dev/accel/accel0
/dev/accel/accel0
# to receive intel_vpu state
dmesg

User access to the device

As a root user, this step can be skipped.

The new device /dev/accel/accel0 requires manual setting of permissions access.
The accel devices should be in the "render" group in Ubuntu:

# set the render group for accel device
sudo chown root:render /dev/accel/accel0
sudo chmod g+rw /dev/accel/accel0
# add user to the render group
sudo usermod -a -G render <user-name>
# user needs to restart the session to use the new group (log out and log in)

The above steps must be repeated each time module is reloaded or on every reboot.
To avoid manual setup of the group for accel device, the udev rules can be used:

sudo bash -c "echo 'SUBSYSTEM==\"accel\", KERNEL==\"accel*\", GROUP=\"render\", MODE=\"0660\"' > /etc/udev/rules.d/10-intel-vpu.rules"
sudo udevadm control --reload-rules
sudo udevadm trigger --subsystem-match=accel

Tip

In case of NPU is not visible, always check the access to the device with following command:

$ ls -lah /dev/accel/accel0
crw-rw---- 1 root render 261, 0 Mar 22 13:22 /dev/accel/accel0

If render is missing, or crw-rw---- is not set, please repeat the steps to set the access to the device.

Important

For more information check README.md

Linux NPU Driver v1.10.0

Validated on following configuration

Common:

Installation procedure

1. Remove old packages

sudo dpkg --purge --force-remove-reinstreq intel-driver-compiler-npu intel-fw-npu intel-level-zero-npu

1. Download all *.deb package

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.10.0/intel-driver-compiler-npu_1.10.0.20241107-11729849322_ubuntu22.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.10.0/intel-fw-npu_1.10.0.20241107-11729849322_ubuntu22.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.10.0/intel-level-zero-npu_1.10.0.20241107-11729849322_ubuntu22.04_amd64.deb

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.10.0/intel-driver-compiler-npu_1.10.0.20241107-11729849322_ubuntu24.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.10.0/intel-fw-npu_1.10.0.20241107-11729849322_ubuntu24.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.10.0/intel-level-zero-npu_1.10.0.20241107-11729849322_ubuntu24.04_amd64.deb

1. Install libtbb12 which is a dependency for intel-driver-compiler-npu

sudo apt update
sudo apt install libtbb12

1. Install all packages
2. Install Level Zero if it is not in the system

# check if Level Zero is installed
dpkg -l level-zero

# download and install package if Level Zero is missing
wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.17.44/level-zero_1.17.44+u22.04_amd64.deb
dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

1. Reboot

reboot
# if everything works, we should see /dev/accel/accel0 device
ls /dev/accel/accel0
/dev/accel/accel0
# to receive intel_vpu state
dmesg

User access to the device

As a root user, this step can be skipped.

The new device /dev/accel/accel0 requires manual setting of permissions access.
The accel devices should be in the "render" group in Ubuntu:

# set the render group for accel device
sudo chown root:render /dev/accel/accel0
sudo chmod g+rw /dev/accel/accel0
# add user to the render group
sudo usermod -a -G render <user-name>
# user needs to restart the session to use the new group (log out and log in)

The above steps must be repeated each time module is reloaded or on every reboot.
To avoid manual setup of the group for accel device, the udev rules can be used:

sudo bash -c "echo 'SUBSYSTEM==\"accel\", KERNEL==\"accel*\", GROUP=\"render\", MODE=\"0660\"' > /etc/udev/rules.d/10-intel-vpu.rules"
sudo udevadm control --reload-rules
sudo udevadm trigger --subsystem-match=accel

Tip

In case of NPU is not visible, always check the access to the device with following command:

$ ls -lah /dev/accel/accel0
crw-rw---- 1 root render 261, 0 Mar 22 13:22 /dev/accel/accel0

If render is missing, or crw-rw---- is not set, please repeat the steps to set the access to the device.

Important

For more information check README.md