SuSE Linux: Version 7.x
This article refers to an older version of SuSE Linux.
Therefore some of the informations given in this article may
be outdated or the article may contain stale links.
Kernel: Version ab 2.2
This article provides an insight into the set up of USB support and USB devices:
Although several types of set up procedures can be used, the easiest method consists of managing the USB subsystem through the hotplugging scripts. In this way, the only thing you have to do is plugging your USB device in - provided the USB service is already activated.
If this is not the case, you can change it by editing the configuration file /etc/rc.config as root with an editor of your choice, or with YaST through:
System administration Change configuration file
Simply change the line:
START_HOTPLUG="no" to START_HOTPLUG="yes"
The name of this variable in previous SuSE Linux versions is:
START_USB=""
By doing this, the USB service will be activated the next time the system reboots, and it will be managed by the hotplug scripts or by usbmgr.
The hotplug USB service will automatically detect the USB device, always provided that no special driver from the manufacturer is required (i.e., the device is supported by the available drivers).
USB hotplugging's initialization script can be found at /etc/init.d/hotplug.rc.config, whereas individual configuration scripts are located in the directory /etc/hotplug. However, modifying scripts should not be necessary.
The program:
usbview
allows you to check in an easy way whether your device is supported or not.
If the device is marked in red, its operation will require an additional driver. In order to find out the support status for this device, please refer to our hardware database or to the URL http://www.linux-usb.org.
The USB service can be manually started or stopped by executing:
rchotplug start or rchotplug stop
as user root.
In the case of SuSE Linux 7.2 this can be done by means of:
rcusbmgr start or rcusbmgr stop
Further information about Linux hotplugging can be found at the URL http://linux-hotplug.sourceforge.net. More details concerning usbmgr are described here usbmgr.
The USB support in previous SuSE Linux versions can be set through /etc/rc.config (except for SuSE Linux 7.2, where the USB support is managed through usbmgr). This can be still done this way. Nevertheless, it would be more sensible to disable USB by means of rc.config, since otherwise USB will be managed by usbmgr in SuSE Linux 7.2 and Hotplugging in SuSE Linux 7.3 - always provided they are installed.
USB ports can be put into operation through the modules usb-uhci or usb-ohci.
These can be manually started by entering in the console:
modprobe -a usb-uhci
or
modprobe -a usb-ohci
depending on your USB host controller.
The following command provides information about the host controller:
hwinfo --pci | grep USB
The output will be similar to this:
05: PCI 07.2: 0c03 USB Controller (UHCI) Model: 7112 "82371AB PIIX4 USB"
If the module has been successfully loaded, you can enter:
lsmod
to check the loaded modules. If the modules
hid input usb-uhci usbcore
needed for USB support are not loaded, please load them manually with modprobe.
Mass storage devices |
---|
Please load the module usb-storage for USB devices like CD-ROM, hard disk, or ZIP drives. This can be done in the root console by entering: modprobe usb-storage |
USB mouse or other pointing devices |
Please load the module mousedev for navigation devices at the USB port (e.g. a mouse or a touchpad). In order to load this module manually by means of a terminal, please enter as root user: modprobe mousedev |
USB modem or ISDN Fritz box |
The module acm is needed for establishing a connection by means of a USB modem or another communication device. This module can be manually loaded by entering in the console as root user: modprobe acm |
USB keyboard |
The module keybdev is necessary for using a USB keyboard. A manual loading process would be conceivable but unfortunately impossible without a keyboard. Therefore you will need this module when booting. If your keyboard does not work, you can mount it by using the CD 1 to boot the already installed system. This - if your keyboard works now - will allow you to perform the steps required to integrate your keyboard into the system. |
USB scanner |
The module scanner is needed for USB scanners. This module can be manually loaded with: modprobe scanner You can check if your scanner is supported by having a look at the URL: Other interesting Internet pages about USB scanners are: |
USB sound cards |
USB audio components require the module audio. This module can be manually started with: modprobe audio so that the device is ready for operation. |
USB joystick |
The module joydev is needed for USB joysticks. This module can be also manually loaded with: modprobe joydev |
If you have successfully started your USB components, it is now time to load the modules when booting, so that they are permanently integrated into the system.
This process can be carried out through the file /etc/rc.config. Depending on the device you want to operate, the file will look like this:
INITRD_MODULES="usb-uhci usbcore input hid"
Insert all the modules needed for the USB support in the line above along with the module for the corresponding device. Save this file and execute the following command to generate an initial ramdisk:
mk_initrd
This causes that the entered modules are written in a file called /boot/initrd.
Finally you have to insert the line:
initrd = /boot/initrd
in the file /etc/lilo.conf. This instruction prompts lilo to load the file /boot/initrd and the modules included in it, most of which are indispensable to a system start.
An extract of the file lilo.conf containing the initrd entry looks like this:
# image = /boot/vmlinuz root = /dev/hda3 label = linux initrd = /boot/initrd
Once you have inserted the initrd instruction, proceed to install lilo by executing as root user:
lilo
If this is successfully completed, the output will be similar to:
Added linux * Added failsafe Added memtest86
If you have opted for this set up method, the modules should be loaded the next time the system reboots.
Once the set up is completed, you can execute the following command as root user:
hwinfo --usb
to have displayed the output of the USB devices in a terminal on your screen. This is a sample output from a USB mouse.
02: USB 102.0: 10503 USB Mouse [Created at usb.88] Unique ID: TVjZ.qEJLdiOT77E Vendor: u05b8 "?" Model: 3003 "?" SubVendor: "Agiler" SubDevice: "3D USB Mouse" Revision: "4.91" Comaptible to: s0200 0001 "Generic USB Mouse" USB Device status: driver active ("hid") Device File: /dev/input/mice Speed: 12 Mbps Driver Info #0: XFree86 Protocol: imps/2 GPM Protocol: ps2 Attached to: #1 (Hub)
Here you will obtain all the necessary information to activate your devices. _top
Please refer to the following articles of our support database to obtain further information about the set up of USB components:
> usb.3: read info