What is the USB access mechanism on "newer Linux hosts"?

Discussions related to using VirtualBox on Linux hosts.
Post Reply
catkin
Posts: 33
Joined: 20. Jul 2008, 12:17
Primary OS: Linux other
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Windows XP + various Linux
Location: Tamil Nadu, India

What is the USB access mechanism on "newer Linux hosts"?

Post by catkin »

Hello :)

In the VBox 3.0.6 User Manual, it says "On newer Linux hosts, VirtualBox accesses USB devices through special files in the file system". What are "newer Linux hosts"?

I've just started developing a script to check the Linux host configuration for VirtualBox VM users to be able to use USB devices in VMs. It is posted on http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions ... ed-762585/. I would like to test for a "newer Linux host" (and any associated configuration required) but do not know how to do so apart from checking the user is in group vboxusers.

Best

Charles
Sasquatch
Volunteer
Posts: 17798
Joined: 17. Mar 2008, 13:41
Primary OS: Debian other
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Windows XP, Windows 7, Linux
Location: /dev/random

Re: What is the USB access mechanism on "newer Linux hosts"?

Post by Sasquatch »

Newer distributions no longer support the method that was used since 1.5 or somewhere near that. It was on /proc/bus/usb, but is now obsolete. Instead of that, some udev rules are created when you install VB (PUEL only, OSE doesn't support USB). In the rules is noted that the group vboxusers has access to USB. This is the rule:

Code: Select all

KERNEL=="vboxdrv", NAME="vboxdrv", OWNER="root", GROUP="root", MODE="0600"
SUBSYSTEM=="usb_device", GROUP="vboxusers", MODE="0664"
SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ENV{DEVTYPE}=="usb_device", GROUP="vboxusers", MODE="0664"
Read the Forum Posting Guide before opening a topic.
VirtualBox FAQ: Check this before asking questions.
Online User Manual: A must read if you want to know what we're talking about.
Howto: Install Linux Guest Additions
Howto: Use Shared Folders on Linux Guest
See the Tutorials and FAQ section at the top of the Forum for more guides.
Try searching the forums first with Google and add the site filter for this forum.
E.g. install guest additions site:forums.virtualbox.org

Retired from this Forum since OSSO introduction.
catkin
Posts: 33
Joined: 20. Jul 2008, 12:17
Primary OS: Linux other
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Windows XP + various Linux
Location: Tamil Nadu, India

Re: What is the USB access mechanism on "newer Linux hosts"?

Post by catkin »

Many thanks Sasquatch :)

Don't you ever sleep?! You are always so quick and with great advice.

Best

Charles
Sasquatch
Volunteer
Posts: 17798
Joined: 17. Mar 2008, 13:41
Primary OS: Debian other
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Windows XP, Windows 7, Linux
Location: /dev/random

Re: What is the USB access mechanism on "newer Linux hosts"?

Post by Sasquatch »

Oh, I sleep al right. I try to sleep 8 hours a day ;). But this forum is, well, addictive you could say :P. I'm just online when people need me, and that's a lot :lol:.
Read the Forum Posting Guide before opening a topic.
VirtualBox FAQ: Check this before asking questions.
Online User Manual: A must read if you want to know what we're talking about.
Howto: Install Linux Guest Additions
Howto: Use Shared Folders on Linux Guest
See the Tutorials and FAQ section at the top of the Forum for more guides.
Try searching the forums first with Google and add the site filter for this forum.
E.g. install guest additions site:forums.virtualbox.org

Retired from this Forum since OSSO introduction.
Post Reply