LinuxPR: Linux USB hits the Prime Time

Apr 02, 2001, 14:19 (3 Talkback[s])

"With the release of the 2.4 kernel, Linux users gained serious USB support for a wide range of devices. The Linux USB subsystem, integrated in the kernel and already supported by most Linux distributions, supports all necessary features like plug-and-play, USB bandwith allocation and more than 100 ports per bus. This USB support is key to the emerging Linux desktop market."

"Linux supports both the Universal Host Controller Interface (UHCI, used by Intel and Via motherboard chipsets) and the Open Host Controller Interface (OHCI, used by Compaq, Apple, SiS, OPTi, Lucent and ALi chipsets), making USB support available to anyone with a modern motherboard, or with a spare PCI or PcCard slot available to add in a cheap USB host controller board. Linux also supports USB hubs, which provide expansion for additional devices."

"Linux 2.4 provides USB support for devices conforming to the USB Human Interface Device class, which includes USB keyboards, USB mice and touchpads, USB joysticks and USB graphics tablets. These devices are supported such that they can appear as normal keyboards, mice and joysticks. This means that applications do not need to be changed to use the new kernel capabilities. In addition, the devices can also appear on a new "event" interface, which allows customised applications to take advantage of the additional capabilites offered by USB devices."

Press Release