Does Linux Support USB Devices?

Yes, Linux supports USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices. The Linux kernel has built-in support for a wide range of USB devices, including storage devices, printers, mice, keyboards, and many other peripherals. When you connect a USB device to a Linux system, the kernel typically recognizes it automatically and loads the appropriate drivers. Most common USB devices should work out of the box, but for specialized hardware, you may need to install additional drivers or software.

To check connected USB devices, you can use the command:

When executed, this command lists all USB devices currently connected to your system, providing information about each device.

The Linux kernel currently supports almost all USB class devices, including standard types like keyboards, mice, modems, printers, and speakers, as well as an ever-growing number of vendor-specific devices such as USB to serial converters, digital cameras, Ethernet devices, and MP3 players. Most USB devices adhere to standard protocols, making them compatible with the Linux kernel. However, the remaining kinds of USB devices that do not have support on Linux are almost all vendor-specific devices. Each vendor decides to implement a custom protocol to communicate with their device, which can necessitate the creation of a custom driver. Some vendors are open with their USB protocols and help with the creation of Linux drivers, while others do not publish them, forcing developers to reverse-engineer the protocols.

A Linux USB driver needs to register itself with the Linux USB subsystem. It provides information about which devices the driver supports and which functions to call when a supported device is inserted or removed from the system. This information is passed to the USB subsystem through the USB driver structure.

Regardless of whether a driver is present for a USB device on a Linux system, a valid USB device will always be detected at the hardware and kernel spaces of a USB-enabled Linux system. A valid USB device is one that is designed and follows the USB protocol specifications.