Difference between revisions of "udev"

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[[Linux]]:
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[[Computing]]: [[Linux]]: [[udev]]
[[udev]]
 
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
This text seemed like it might be useful information, even if it
+
This text seemed like it might be useful information, even if it contained some inaccuracies. Original document was published under [http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html GNU General Public License, Version 2], and those with appropriate knowledge should feel free to edit or expand the text.
contained some inaccuracies. Original document was published under
+
==Original Credits==
[http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html GNU General Public License,
 
Version 2], and those with appropriate knowledge should feel free to
 
edit or expand the text.
 
==Original Credits
 
 
:This document is written by Daniel Drake <dan@reactivated.net>
 
:This document is written by Daniel Drake <dan@reactivated.net>
 
:Please do not hesitate to send feedback!
 
:Please do not hesitate to send feedback!
 
:Copyright &copy; 2003-2005 Daniel Drake
 
:Copyright &copy; 2003-2005 Daniel Drake
:This document is licensed under the GNU General Public License,
+
:This document is licensed under the GNU General Public License, Version 2.
Version 2.
 
 
==Edit Log==
 
==Edit Log==
* '''2005-10-05''' Copied from
+
* '''2005-10-05''' Copied from http://www.reactivated.net/writing_udev_rules.html, with minor editing for clarity. Probably needs considerable format editing.
http://www.reactivated.net/writing_udev_rules.html, with minor editing
 
for clarity. Probably needs considerable format editing.
 
 
==Text==
 
==Text==
 
===Why?===
 
===Why?===
As stated above, writing rules for udev is an optional process. By
+
As stated above, writing rules for udev is an optional process. By default, you can plug a device in, and the a relevant node (e.g. /dev/sda for a mass-storage device) will be there, just like in previous /dev implementations.
default, you can plug a device in, and the a relevant node (e.g.
+
 
/dev/sda for a mass-storage device) will be there, just like in
+
However, udev allows you to customise the naming of device nodes. There are two reasons why you might want to do this: convenience, and persistent naming.
previous /dev implementations.
+
 
However, udev allows you to customise the naming of device nodes. There
+
Take the example of using udev, so that when your printer is plugged in, it gets named as /dev/printer and also as the usual /dev/lp0. It's not only convenience (e.g. reading and interpreting "printer" as opposed to "lp0"), its a solution for non-persistent naming. Say that I have two printers - a HP laser printer and an Epson inkjet. When they are both plugged in and on, I have /dev/lp0 and /dev/lp1.
are two reasons why you might want to do this: convenience, and
+
 
persistent naming.
+
How do I know which node refers to which printer? There is no easy way. The first printer that got connected was assigned name "lp0", and the second "lp1". Plugging in my printers in a different order would swap the names here, and that would mess up my scripts that always expect my HP laser printer to be lp1.
Take the example of using udev, so that when your printer is plugged
+
 
in, it gets named as /dev/printer and also as the usual /dev/lp0. It's
+
However, if my HP laser printer got named lp_hp (as well as lpX) and my other printer got named lp_epson (as well as lpY), then my scripts could just refer to those names. udev magic can control this and ensure that these '''persistent names''' always point to the device that I intended.
not only convenience (e.g. reading and interpreting "printer" as
+
 
opposed to "lp0"), its a solution for non-persistent naming. Say that I
+
For external mass-storage devices (e.g. usb hard disks), persistent naming is very helpful in that it allows you to hardcode accurate device paths into your /etc/[[fstab]].
have two printers - a HP laser printer and an Epson inkjet. When they
+
 
are both plugged in and on, I have /dev/lp0 and /dev/lp1.
+
It is important to understand that writing rules is simply a means of customizing udev behaviour. Writing rules is not a workaround for the problem where no device nodes for your particular device exist. If no matching rules exist, udev will create the node anyway, using the name that was supplied by the kernel.
How do I know which node refers to which printer? There is no easy way.
+
 
The first printer that got connected was assigned name "lp0", and the
 
second "lp1". Plugging in my printers in a different order would swap
 
the names here, and that would mess up my scripts that always expect my
 
HP laser printer to be lp1.
 
However, if my HP laser printer got named lp_hp (as well as lpX) and my
 
other printer got named lp_epson (as well as lpY), then my scripts
 
could just refer to those names. udev magic can control this and ensure
 
that these '''persistent names''' always point to the device that I
 
intended.
 
For external mass-storage devices (e.g. usb hard disks), persistent
 
naming is very helpful in that it allows you to hardcode accurate
 
device paths into your /etc/[[fstab]].
 
It is important to understand that writing rules is simply a means of
 
customizing udev behaviour. Writing rules is not a workaround for the
 
problem where no device nodes for your particular device exist. If no
 
matching rules exist, udev will create the node anyway, using the name
 
that was supplied by the kernel.
 
 
===The basics of writing rules===
 
===The basics of writing rules===
When populating /dev, udev decides which nodes to include, and how to
+
When populating /dev, udev decides which nodes to include, and how to name them, by reading a series of rules files.
name them, by reading a series of rules files.
+
 
Default udev rules are stored in /etc/udev/rules.d/50-udev.rules. You
+
Default udev rules are stored in /etc/udev/rules.d/50-udev.rules. You may find it interesting to look over this file - it includes a few examples, and then some default rules proving a devfs-style /dev layout. However, you should not write rules into this file directly, to reduce hassle while updating your udev installation in the future.
may find it interesting to look over this file - it includes a few
+
 
examples, and then some default rules proving a devfs-style /dev
+
Files in /etc/udev/rules.d/ are parsed in '''lexical''' order. udev will stop processing rules as soon as it finds a matching rule in a file for the new item of hardware that has been detected. It is important that your own rules get processed before the udev defaults, otherwise your own naming schemes will not take effect! I suggest that you keep your own rules in a file at /etc/udev/rules.d/10-local.rules (this doesn't exist by default - create it). As 10 comes before 50, you know that your rules will be looked at first. It is important that the filenames of your rule files end with the '''.rules''' suffix, otherwise they will not be used.
layout. However, you should not write rules into this file directly, to
+
 
reduce hassle while updating your udev installation in the future.
+
As your own rules will effectively mask out the udev defaults which create the base /dev layout, it is recommended that you also specify devfs-style names/symlinks for the rules you write, so that you get the sensible defaults plus your own names.
Files in /etc/udev/rules.d/ are parsed in '''lexical''' order. udev
+
 
will stop processing rules as soon as it finds a matching rule in a
+
In rule files, lines starting with a "#" are treated as comments. Every uncommented line in the file corresponds to a rule.
file for the new item of hardware that has been detected. It is
+
 
important that your own rules get processed before the udev defaults,
+
Rules are composed of keys. Keys are seperated by commas. Some keys are used for reading and matching information, others are used for assigning information and performing actions.
otherwise your own naming schemes will not take effect! I suggest that
+
 
you keep your own rules in a file at /etc/udev/rules.d/10-local.rules
+
# At least one identification key should be provided, which will match the rule to any number of devices in the system. These are listed in the later section: [[#Identifying devices through basic keys]].
(this doesn't exist by default - create it). As 10 comes before 50, you
+
# At least one assignment key should be provided, to control how the resultant device node is created. These include NAME, SYMLINK, OWNER, GROUP and MODE, all of which are described in this document.
know that your rules will be looked at first. It is important that the
+
 
filenames of your rule files end with the '''.rules''' suffix,
+
Common rules will use basic identification keys to determine the device to name, and then have a NAME assignement key to define the device node name. udev will only create one node for one device, so if you want it to be accessible through multiple nodes, then you have to specify the other nodes in the SYMLINK assignment key.
otherwise they will not be used.
+
 
As your own rules will effectively mask out the udev defaults which
 
create the base /dev layout, it is recommended that you also specify
 
devfs-style names/symlinks for the rules you write, so that you get the
 
sensible defaults plus your own names.
 
In rule files, lines starting with a "#" are treated as comments.
 
Every uncommented line in the file corresponds to a rule.
 
Rules are composed of keys. Keys are seperated by commas. Some keys are
 
used for reading and matching information, others are used for
 
assigning information and performing actions.
 
# At least one identification key should be provided, which will match
 
the rule to any number of devices in the system. These are listed in
 
the later section: [[#Identifying devices through basic keys]].
 
# At least one assignment key should be provided, to control how the
 
resultant device node is created. These include NAME, SYMLINK, OWNER,
 
GROUP and MODE, all of which are described in this document.
 
Common rules will use basic identification keys to determine the device
 
to name, and then have a NAME assignement key to define the device node
 
name. udev will only create one node for one device, so if you want it
 
to be accessible through multiple nodes, then you have to specify the
 
other nodes in the SYMLINK assignment key.
 
 
I'll take a slightly modified udev example rule to illustrate this:
 
I'll take a slightly modified udev example rule to illustrate this:
BUS="usb", SYSFS{serial}="HXOLL0012202323480", NAME="lp_epson",
+
 
SYMLINK="printers/epson_stylus"
+
BUS="usb", SYSFS{serial}="HXOLL0012202323480", NAME="lp_epson", SYMLINK="printers/epson_stylus"
The identification keys here are BUS and SYSFS{serial}. The assignment
+
 
keys here are NAME and SYMLINK. udev will match this rule against a
+
The identification keys here are BUS and SYSFS{serial}. The assignment keys here are NAME and SYMLINK. udev will match this rule against a device that is connected through the USB bus and with a serial number of HXOLL0012202323480. '''Note that <u>all</u> (as opposed to any) specified keys must be matched for udev to use the rule to name a device.'''
device that is connected through the USB bus and with a serial number
+
 
of HXOLL0012202323480. '''Note that <u>all</u> (as opposed
+
udev will name this node lp_epson, and it will be located at /dev/lp_epson.
to any) specified keys must be matched for udev to use the rule to name
+
 
a device.'''
+
udev will also create a symlink to /dev/lp_epson, located at /dev/printers/epson_stylus (the printers directory will be automatically created). You can now print to your Epson printer by sending data to /dev/printers/epson_stylus or /dev/lp_epson.
udev will name this node lp_epson, and it will be located at
+
 
/dev/lp_epson.
+
Any rules that you have added or modified will '''not''' take effect until you notify udev of this. Make sure you remember to run the following every time you modify any rule files:
udev will also create a symlink to /dev/lp_epson, located at
+
 
/dev/printers/epson_stylus (the printers directory will be
+
# udevstart
automatically created). You can now print to your Epson printer by
+
 
sending data to /dev/printers/epson_stylus or /dev/lp_epson.
+
===Additional automated customisation for NAME and SYMLINK parameters===
Any rules that you have added or modified will '''not''' take effect
+
In the NAME and SYMLINK parameters of your rules, you are able to use basic operators to assist the naming of devices. Hackers will know this sort of thing as ''[[printf]]-like string substitution''. There are a number of operators which can compose some or all of your NAME/SYMLINK parameters. These operators refer to kernel-data relating to the device. Take this example:
until you notify udev of this. Make sure you remember to run the
+
 
following every time you modify any rule files: # udevstart
+
BUS="usb", SYSFS{vendor}="FUJIFILM", SYSFS{model}="M100", NAME="camera%n"
===Additional automated customisation for NAME and SYMLINK
+
 
parameters===
+
The %n operator will be replaced with the "kernel number" for the camera device, to produce a NAME such as camera0, camera1, etc.
In the NAME and SYMLINK parameters of your rules, you are able to use
+
 
basic operators to assist the naming of devices. Hackers will know this
+
Another common operator is %k. This represents what the kernel would name the device, e.g. "hda1". You may often see rules which have NAME="%k" to produce the default names for the hardware. In these rules, customisation is usually done through the SYMLINK parameter.
sort of thing as ''[[printf]]-like string substitution''. There are a
+
 
number of operators which can compose some or all of your NAME/SYMLINK
+
A full list of operators, with explanations, can be found in the udev man page.
parameters. These operators refer to kernel-data relating to the
+
 
device. Take this example: BUS="usb", SYSFS{vendor}="FUJIFILM",
 
SYSFS{model}="M100", NAME="camera%n"
 
The %n operator will be replaced with the "kernel number" for the
 
camera device, to produce a NAME such as camera0, camera1, etc.
 
Another common operator is %k. This represents what the kernel would
 
name the device, e.g. "hda1". You may often see rules which have
 
NAME="%k" to produce the default names for the hardware. In these
 
rules, customisation is usually done through the SYMLINK parameter.
 
A full list of operators, with explanations, can be found in the udev
 
man page.
 
 
===Using shell-style pattern matching in keys===
 
===Using shell-style pattern matching in keys===
You can use shell style pattern matching to provide even more
+
You can use shell style pattern matching to provide even more flexibility when writing keys. Taking a default udev rule:
flexibility when writing keys. Taking a default udev rule:
+
 
KERNEL="ts*", NAME="input/%k"
+
KERNEL="ts*", NAME="input/%k"
The * operator is used here, which matches literally anything - zero,
+
 
one, or more characters of any kind. The rule literally says:
+
The * operator is used here, which matches literally anything - zero, one, or more characters of any kind. The rule literally says:
 +
 
 
{| width=80% align=center
 
{| width=80% align=center
 
|-
 
|-
|Match a device identified by a KERNEL name starting with the letters
+
|Match a device identified by a KERNEL name starting with the letters "ts" optionally followed by anything at all, and name it with the KERNEL name (%k) under the input directory.
"ts" optionally followed by anything at all, and name it with the
 
KERNEL name (%k) under the input directory.
 
 
|}
 
|}
The ? operator is similar, and matches any single character (but not
+
 
zero characters).
+
The ? operator is similar, and matches any single character (but not zero characters).
You can also use square brackets [ ] to match any single character.
+
 
Direct quote from udev man page:
+
You can also use square brackets [ ] to match any single character. Direct quote from udev man page:
 +
 
 
{| width=80% align=center
 
{| width=80% align=center
 
|-
 
|-
|For example, the pattern string "tty[SR]" would match either "ttyS" or
+
|For example, the pattern string "tty[SR]" would match either "ttyS" or "ttyR".
"ttyR".
 
 
|}
 
|}
You can also specify ranges that can be matched, e.g. [0-9] would match
+
 
any single digit. Using an example rule from a default udev
+
You can also specify ranges that can be matched, e.g. [0-9] would match any single digit. Using an example rule from a default udev installation:
installation: KERNEL="fd[0-9]*", NAME="floppy/%n"
+
 
 +
KERNEL="fd[0-9]*", NAME="floppy/%n"
 +
 
 
This rule says:
 
This rule says:
 +
 
{| width=80%
 
{| width=80%
 
|-
 
|-
|Match a device identified by a KERNEL name starting with the letters
+
|Match a device identified by a KERNEL name starting with the letters "fd", followed by any single digit, optionally followed by anything at all. Name the device with the kernel number of the device (%n) under the floppy directory.
"fd", followed by any single digit, optionally followed by anything at
 
all. Name the device with the kernel number of the device (%n) under
 
the floppy directory.
 
 
|}
 
|}
You can use these wildcards/pattern matches in any type of key,
+
 
including both basic keys and sysfs-based identification (see below for
+
You can use these wildcards/pattern matches in any type of key, including both basic keys and sysfs-based identification (see below for explanations of these key types).
explanations of these key types).
+
 
I have purposely left out some information on this topic (particularly
+
I have purposely left out some information on this topic (particularly the flexibility of using [ ] operators) that is out of the scope of basic rule-writing documentation. More information on this topic can be found in the udev man page.
the flexibility of using [ ] operators) that is out of the scope of
+
 
basic rule-writing documentation. More information on this topic can be
 
found in the udev man page.
 
 
===Key-writing basics===
 
===Key-writing basics===
udev provides a few basic key matching methods, and also provides
+
udev provides a few basic key matching methods, and also provides flexible ways of matching information in SYSFS. A typical rule will match both normal keys (e.g. BUS and KERNEL), as well as SYSFS keys to differentiate between different hardware plugged in throught the same port.
flexible ways of matching information in SYSFS. A typical rule will
+
 
match both normal keys (e.g. BUS and KERNEL), as well as SYSFS keys to
+
You may be wondering, "How do I find the serial number of my printer? What is the model of my camera?". Rule writing isn't as hard as it sounds. The trickiest bit is finding your device in /sys, and deciding which info to use.
differentiate between different hardware plugged in throught the same
+
 
port.
 
You may be wondering, "How do I find the serial number of my printer?
 
What is the model of my camera?". Rule writing isn't as hard as it
 
sounds. The trickiest bit is finding your device in /sys, and deciding
 
which info to use.
 
 
====Identifying devices through basic keys====
 
====Identifying devices through basic keys====
 
See the udev man page for more info on these keys.
 
See the udev man page for more info on these keys.
 +
 
The valid keys are:
 
The valid keys are:
 +
 
* BUS - match the bus type of the device.
 
* BUS - match the bus type of the device.
 
* KERNEL - match the kernel device name.
 
* KERNEL - match the kernel device name.
Line 180: Line 119:
 
* SUBSYSTEM - match the kernel subsystem name.
 
* SUBSYSTEM - match the kernel subsystem name.
 
* ID - match the device number on the bus (e.g. PCI bus ID).
 
* ID - match the device number on the bus (e.g. PCI bus ID).
* PLACE - match the physical position where the device is plugged into
+
* PLACE - match the physical position where the device is plugged into (useful for USB).
(useful for USB).
+
 
The ID and PLACE keys do have their uses, but they are not commonly
+
The ID and PLACE keys do have their uses, but they are not commonly used in rules. This document focuses on using BUS and KERNEL keys, as well as SYSFS{...} keys (detailed in the next section). I will show how to use these keys by example.
used in rules. This document focuses on using BUS and KERNEL keys, as
+
 
well as SYSFS{...} keys (detailed in the next section). I will show how
+
For extra flexibility, udev also provides keys to call external scripts and examine their result, and to examine environment variables. This is out of scope of this document. Look at the udev man page for more details.
to use these keys by example.
+
 
For extra flexibility, udev also provides keys to call external scripts
 
and examine their result, and to examine environment variables. This is
 
out of scope of this document. Look at the udev man page for more
 
details.
 
 
====Identifying devices through SYSFS files====
 
====Identifying devices through SYSFS files====
Background information: SYSFS stores many small files under a tree of
+
Background information: SYSFS stores many small files under a tree of directories which provide information about your hardware. One file typically contains just one "data item" - e.g. device name, manufacturer, or product ID.
directories which provide information about your hardware. One file
+
 
typically contains just one "data item" - e.g. device name,
+
Note that SYSFS{...} keys can be combined with the basic keys described in the previous section.
manufacturer, or product ID.
+
 
Note that SYSFS{...} keys can be combined with the basic keys described
+
You can use keys in the format SYSFS{filename} to match specific info from SYSFS, where filename corresponds to a file in your SYSFS tree. For example, when my camera is connected, there is a file located at /sys/block/sda/device/model which contains "USB 2.0M DSC". To match this, I could use the following key: SYSFS{model} = "USB 2.0M DSC"
in the previous section.
+
 
You can use keys in the format SYSFS{filename} to match specific info
+
'''Note that any file in sysfs can be matched in this manner, but if you match more than one file (through multiple keys), then you must only match files that exist in the same directory.''' Typically, there will be several directories giving information about one device. You cannot mix and match (as shown by example below).
from SYSFS, where filename corresponds to a file in your SYSFS tree.
+
 
For example, when my camera is connected, there is a file located at
+
Luckily, the process of rule writing does not entail hunting through millions of files in SYSFS, the udevinfo utility does the hard work. This program is included in the udev distribution.
/sys/block/sda/device/model which contains "USB 2.0M DSC". To match
+
 
this, I could use the following key: SYSFS{model} = "USB 2.0M DSC"
+
The first thing you need to do is find a directory somewhere in /sys that corresponds to your hardware, and includes a file named "dev", as udevinfo can only work on directories of this type. These directories are all found under either /sys/block or /sys/class - there is no point looking anywhere else! However, udevinfo will follow links through this directory and read info found from other sections of sysfs.
'''Note that any file in sysfs can be matched in this manner, but if
+
 
you match more than one file (through multiple keys), then you must
+
Once you have found a directory of this type, you can use the following command to assist you in the creation of writing keys for udev rules:
only match files that exist in the same directory.''' Typically, there
+
 
will be several directories giving information about one device. You
+
# udevinfo -a -p /sys/path/to/hardware/info
cannot mix and match (as shown by example below).
+
 
Luckily, the process of rule writing does not entail hunting through
+
You may find that finding the correct place in /sys to run udevinfo on is not obvious. Chances are the device you just plugged in has already careted a device node (e.g. /dev/sda), in which case, udevinfo can be helpful! Taking the example of my /dev/sda node, running the following command will point you to the appropriate area of sysfs:
millions of files in SYSFS, the udevinfo utility does the hard work.
+
 
This program is included in the udev distribution.
+
# udevinfo -q path -n /dev/sda
The first thing you need to do is find a directory somewhere in /sys
+
 
that corresponds to your hardware, and includes a file named "dev", as
+
/block/sda
udevinfo can only work on directories of this type. These directories
+
 
are all found under either /sys/block or /sys/class - there is no point
+
The output of the command (shown above) is telling me that the sysfs path to start at is /sys/block/sda. I would now run "udevinfo -a -p /sys/block/sda". These two commands can be chained together, like so:
looking anywhere else! However, udevinfo will follow links through this
+
 
directory and read info found from other sections of sysfs.
 
Once you have found a directory of this type, you can use the following
 
command to assist you in the creation of writing keys for udev rules: #
 
udevinfo -a -p /sys/path/to/hardware/info
 
You may find that finding the correct place in /sys to run udevinfo on
 
is not obvious. Chances are the device you just plugged in has already
 
careted a device node
 
(e.g. /dev/sda), in which case, udevinfo can be helpful! Taking the
 
example of my /dev/sda node, running the following command will point
 
you to the appropriate area of sysfs: # udevinfo -q path -n /dev/sda
 
/block/sda
 
The output of the command (shown above) is telling me that the sysfs
 
path to start at is /sys/block/sda. I would now run "udevinfo -a -p
 
/sys/block/sda". These two commands can be chained together, like so:
 
 
# udevinfo -a -p $(udevinfo -q path -n /dev/sda)
 
# udevinfo -a -p $(udevinfo -q path -n /dev/sda)
Sidenote: You may notice that we previously provided full paths
+
 
(/sys/some/path) to udevinfo beforehand, but now we are providing
+
Sidenote: You may notice that we previously provided full paths (/sys/some/path) to udevinfo beforehand, but now we are providing sysfs-relative paths (/some/path) by chaining these commands. This does not matter - both types of path are accepted.
sysfs-relative paths (/some/path) by chaining these commands. This does
+
 
not matter - both types of path are accepted.
+
Moving on to rule-writing, some snipped output of the results of my "udevinfo -a -p /sys/block/sda" command is shown below, with colour added.
Moving on to rule-writing, some snipped output of the results of my
+
 
"udevinfo -a -p /sys/block/sda" command is shown below, with colour
+
<font color="#003300">
added.
+
follow the class device's "device"
<font color="#003300"> follow the class device's "device" looking
+
  looking at the device chain at '/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:02.1/usb3/3-3/3-3:1.0/host0/0:0:0:0':
at the device chain at
+
    BUS="scsi"
'/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:02.1/usb3/3-3/3-3:1.0/host0/0:0:0:0':
+
    ID="0:0:0:0"
BUS="scsi" ID="0:0:0:0" SYSFS{detach_state}="0" SYSFS{type}="0"
+
    SYSFS{detach_state}="0"
SYSFS{max_sectors}="240" SYSFS{device_blocked}="0"
+
    SYSFS{type}="0"
SYSFS{queue_depth}="1" SYSFS{scsi_level}="3" SYSFS{vendor}=" "
+
    SYSFS{max_sectors}="240"
SYSFS{model}="USB 2.0M DSC " SYSFS{rev}="1.00" SYSFS{online}="1"
+
    SYSFS{device_blocked}="0"
 +
    SYSFS{queue_depth}="1"
 +
    SYSFS{scsi_level}="3"
 +
    SYSFS{vendor}="       "
 +
    SYSFS{model}="USB 2.0M DSC   "
 +
    SYSFS{rev}="1.00"
 +
    SYSFS{online}="1"
 
</font>
 
</font>
<font color="#0000ff"> looking at the device chain at
+
<font color="#0000ff">
'/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:02.1/usb3/3-3': BUS="usb" ID="3-3"
+
  looking at the device chain at '/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:02.1/usb3/3-3':
SYSFS{detach_state}="0" SYSFS{bNumInterfaces}=" 1"
+
    BUS="usb"
SYSFS{bConfigurationValue}="1" SYSFS{bmAttributes}="c0"
+
    ID="3-3"
SYSFS{bMaxPower}=" 0mA" SYSFS{idVendor}="052b" SYSFS{idProduct}="1514"
+
    SYSFS{detach_state}="0"
SYSFS{bcdDevice}="0100" SYSFS{bDeviceClass}="00"
+
    SYSFS{bNumInterfaces}=" 1"
SYSFS{bDeviceSubClass}="00" SYSFS{bDeviceProtocol}="00"
+
    SYSFS{bConfigurationValue}="1"
SYSFS{bNumConfigurations}="1" SYSFS{speed}="12"
+
    SYSFS{bmAttributes}="c0"
SYSFS{manufacturer}="Tekom Technologies, Inc" SYSFS{product}="USB 2.0M
+
    SYSFS{bMaxPower}=" 0mA"
DSC"
+
    SYSFS{idVendor}="052b"
 +
    SYSFS{idProduct}="1514"
 +
    SYSFS{bcdDevice}="0100"
 +
    SYSFS{bDeviceClass}="00"
 +
    SYSFS{bDeviceSubClass}="00"
 +
    SYSFS{bDeviceProtocol}="00"
 +
    SYSFS{bNumConfigurations}="1"
 +
    SYSFS{speed}="12"
 +
    SYSFS{manufacturer}="Tekom Technologies, Inc"
 +
    SYSFS{product}="USB 2.0M DSC"
 
</font>
 
</font>
The udevinfo tool provides a lot of information which you can simply
+
 
copy-paste as udev rules. The reason that I have colour coded the above
+
The udevinfo tool provides a lot of information which you can simply copy-paste as udev rules. The reason that I have colour coded the above output is to point out that '''you generally cannot mix and match information from different parts of the udevinfo output'''. In the above output, I could not combine information from the different coloured sections - this is because each section of output refers to a different directory in SYSFS. For example, the following rule would not work:
output is to point out that '''you generally cannot mix and match
+
 
information from different parts of the udevinfo output'''. In the
+
<font color="#003300">BUS="scsi",</font> <font color="#0000ff">SYSFS{manufacturer}="Tekom Technologies, Inc", NAME="%k"</font>
above output, I could not combine information from the different
+
 
coloured sections - this is because each section of output refers to a
+
This rule would not work because I am combining information found in the section beginning with BUS="scsi" (green) with information only found in the blue section. The rule would work if I used BUS="usb", sticking only to information found in the blue section above.
different directory in SYSFS. For example, the following rule would not
+
 
work:
+
You will notice that a lot of information is not relevant for writing basic rules (there is so much of it!), you should generally be looking for information that you recognise and know will not change (e.g. model name).
<font color="#003300">BUS="scsi",</font> <font
+
 
color="#0000ff">SYSFS{manufacturer}="Tekom Technologies, Inc",
+
'''Note that if you write your own rule to identify a device, the default devfs-style rules will not take effect!''' It is usually sensible to use NAME="%k" and specify your own extra names in the SYMLINK parameter so that you do not lose the default sensible names.
NAME="%k"</font>
+
 
This rule would not work because I am combining information found in
+
I will show three examples of this rule writing based on udevinfo output process below. I will then attempt to list some device-dependant tips and tricks for locating the correct info.
the section beginning with BUS="scsi" (green) with information only
+
 
found in the blue section. The rule would work if I used BUS="usb",
+
A reader wrote to me and informed me that he found KDE's control centre useful for writing rules. Apparently, information about USB devices (and others) can be found in the "Info Centre" section of the KDE Control Centre. This interface shows information such as serial number, vendor ID, etc. If you prefer a GUI-like approach, you might want to investigate this.
sticking only to information found in the blue section above.
+
 
You will notice that a lot of information is not relevant for writing
+
The current releases of gnome-volume-manager are unable to treat symlink-nodes as real devices. Conversely as described above, you may wish to specify your own naming in the NAME parameter and specify %k in the SYMLINK parameter.
basic rules (there is so much of it!), you should generally be looking
+
 
for information that you recognise and know will not change (e.g. model
+
The behaviour of your own rules masking the defaults can be overcome if you write multiple-SYMLINK style rules.
name).
+
 
'''Note that if you write your own rule to identify a device, the
 
default devfs-style rules will not take effect!''' It is usually
 
sensible to use NAME="%k" and specify your own extra names in the
 
SYMLINK parameter so that you do not lose the default sensible names.
 
I will show three examples of this rule writing based on udevinfo
 
output process below. I will then attempt to list some device-dependant
 
tips and tricks for locating the correct info.
 
A reader wrote to me and informed me that he found KDE's control centre
 
useful for writing rules. Apparently, information about USB devices
 
(and others) can be found in the "Info Centre" section of the KDE
 
Control Centre. This interface shows information such as serial number,
 
vendor ID, etc. If you prefer a GUI-like approach, you might want to
 
investigate this.
 
The current releases of gnome-volume-manager are unable to treat
 
symlink-nodes as real devices. Conversely as described above, you may
 
wish to specify your own naming in the NAME parameter and specify %k in
 
the SYMLINK
 
parameter.
 
The behaviour of your own rules masking the defaults can be overcome if
 
you write multiple-SYMLINK style rules.
 
 
===Using multiple SYMLINK style rules===
 
===Using multiple SYMLINK style rules===
Another recent feature is the ability to write rules that do not
+
Another recent feature is the ability to write rules that do not specify a NAME, but instead they simply specify SYMLINK keys. This allows you to avoid the issue where your own rules effectively mask the udev defaults.
specify a NAME, but instead they simply specify SYMLINK keys. This
+
 
allows you to avoid the issue where your own rules effectively mask the
+
Take the rule:
udev defaults.
+
 
Take the rule: KERNEL="hdc", SYMLINK="dvd"
+
KERNEL="hdc", SYMLINK="dvd"
When udev finds this rule, it will take a mental note of it. Upon
+
 
finding another rule matching the same device which also includes a
+
When udev finds this rule, it will take a mental note of it. Upon finding another rule matching the same device which also includes a NAME parameter, udev will create the node as specified by the NAME parameter, plus symbolic links as specified by the SYMLINK parameters of both rules.
NAME parameter, udev will create the node as specified by the NAME
+
To put it into practical terms, when udev is naming nodes for my hdc device, it will use the default rules for block devices as usual, with the addition of my personal symlink "dvd".
parameter, plus symbolic links as specified by the SYMLINK parameters
+
 
of both rules.
+
Similarly to normal rules, rules of this type will only take effect if udev is able to find them before it finds a rule specifying a NAME parameter.
To put it into practical terms, when udev is naming nodes for my hdc
+
 
device, it will use the default rules for block devices as usual, with
 
the addition of my personal symlink "dvd".
 
Similarly to normal rules, rules of this type will only take effect if
 
udev is able to find them before it finds a rule specifying a NAME
 
parameter.
 
 
Controlling ownership and permissions
 
Controlling ownership and permissions
As well as controlling the naming of the device nodes which are
+
As well as controlling the naming of the device nodes which are created, udev rules also allow you to control ownership and permission attributes on that device node.
created, udev rules also allow you to control ownership and permission
+
 
attributes on that device node.
+
The GROUP key allows you to define which unix group should own the device node. Here's an example from the udev defaults, which defines that the video group will own framebuffer (fb) devices:
The GROUP key allows you to define which unix group should own the
+
 
device node. Here's an example from the udev defaults, which defines
+
KERNEL="fb[0-9]*", NAME="fb/%n", SYMLINK="%k", GROUP="video"
that the video group will own framebuffer (fb) devices:
+
 
KERNEL="fb[0-9]*", NAME="fb/%n", SYMLINK="%k", GROUP="video"
+
The OWNER key, perhaps less useful, allows you to define which unix user should own the device node. Assuming the slightly odd situation where you would want "john" to own your floppy devices, you could use:
The OWNER key, perhaps less useful, allows you to define which unix
+
 
user should own the device node. Assuming the slightly odd situation
+
KERNEL="fd[0-9]*", OWNER="john"
where you would want "john" to own your floppy devices, you could use:
+
 
KERNEL="fd[0-9]*", OWNER="john"
+
You'll notice in the above rule that we didn't specify any NAME or SYMLINK keys. This is similar to the multiple symlink style where udev will take a mental note that we want john to own floppy nodes, and will apply that ownership once it finds a rule which defines a NAME for the floppy device nodes.
You'll notice in the above rule that we didn't specify any NAME or
+
 
SYMLINK keys. This is similar to the multiple symlink style where udev
+
Building on the style mentioned above, you can do even more flashy things. The udev defaults use the following rule to define that all the sound device nodes shall be owned by the "audio" group:
will take a mental note that we want john to own floppy nodes, and will
+
 
apply that ownership once it finds a rule which defines a NAME for the
+
SUBSYSTEM="sound", GROUP="audio"
floppy device nodes.
+
 
Building on the style mentioned above, you can do even more flashy
+
This prevents the need to excessively provide a GROUP="audio" key on every following rule which names sound devices.
things. The udev defaults use the following rule to define that all the
+
 
sound device nodes shall be owned by the "audio" group:
+
udev defaults to creating nodes with unix permissions of 0660 (read/write to owner and group), which is configured by the default_mode setting inside /etc/udev/udev.conf. There may be some situations where you do not want to use the default permissions on your device node. Fortunately, you can easily override the permissions in your rules using the MODE assignment key. As an example, the following rule defines that the inotify node shall be readable and writable to everyone:
SUBSYSTEM="sound", GROUP="audio"
+
 
This prevents the need to excessively provide a GROUP="audio" key on
+
KERNEL="inotify", NAME="misc/%k", SYMLINK="%k", MODE="0666"
every following rule which names sound devices.
+
 
udev defaults to creating nodes with unix permissions of 0660
 
(read/write to owner and group), which is configured by the
 
default_mode setting inside /etc/udev/udev.conf. There may be some
 
situations where you do not want to use the default permissions on your
 
device node. Fortunately, you can easily override the permissions in
 
your rules using the MODE assignment key. As an example, the following
 
rule defines that the inotify node shall be readable and writable to
 
everyone: KERNEL="inotify", NAME="misc/%k", SYMLINK="%k", MODE="0666"
 
 
Example: Writing a rule for my USB printer
 
Example: Writing a rule for my USB printer
After plugging in my printer, I started looking around some /sys
+
After plugging in my printer, I started looking around some /sys directories for a relevant place to start. I didn't get anywhere, but I noticed that my printer had been given device node /dev/lp0. udevinfo was able to provide me with a useful path:
directories for a relevant place to start. I didn't get anywhere, but I
+
 
noticed that my printer had been given device node /dev/lp0. udevinfo
+
# udevinfo -q path -n /dev/lp0
was able to provide me with a useful path: # udevinfo -q path -n
+
/class/usb/lp0
/dev/lp0 /class/usb/lp0
+
 
Running "udevinfo -a -p /sys/class/usb/lp0" provided me with a heap of
+
Running "udevinfo -a -p /sys/class/usb/lp0" provided me with a heap of info, as usual. I picked out the relevant bits for unique device identification:
info, as usual. I picked out the relevant bits for unique device
+
 
identification:
+
looking at the device chain at '/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:02.1/usb3/3-3':
looking at the device chain at
+
BUS="usb"
'/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:02.1/usb3/3-3': BUS="usb"
+
SYSFS{manufacturer}="EPSON"
SYSFS{manufacturer}="EPSON" SYSFS{product}="USB Printer"
+
SYSFS{product}="USB Printer"
SYSFS{serial}="L72010011070626380"
+
SYSFS{serial}="L72010011070626380"
My udev rule becomes: BUS="usb", SYSFS{serial}="L72010011070626380",
+
 
NAME="%k", SYMLINK="epson_680"
+
My udev rule becomes:
And my printer nodes exist at /dev/lp0 (or /dev/lp1 if another printer
+
 
was plugged in beforehand) and /dev/epson_680 always points at the
+
BUS="usb", SYSFS{serial}="L72010011070626380", NAME="%k", SYMLINK="epson_680"
device node for that particular printer.
+
 
 +
And my printer nodes exist at /dev/lp0 (or /dev/lp1 if another printer was plugged in beforehand) and /dev/epson_680 always points at the device node for that particular printer.
 +
 
 
Example: Writing a rule for my USB-Storage digital camera
 
Example: Writing a rule for my USB-Storage digital camera
Quick Intro: My camera identifies itself as an external SCSI hard disk
+
Quick Intro: My camera identifies itself as an external SCSI hard disk (it uses the usb-storage driver which is also used by devices such as USB hard disks and flash-card readers). I can then mount the partition on that disk and copy images over. Not all cameras work like this - many require external software (e.g. gphoto2) to be able to access photos.
(it uses the usb-storage driver which is also
+
 
used by devices such as USB hard disks and flash-card readers). I can
+
This one is a bit tricky. Several nodes are created by default when my camera is connected : /dev/sda and /dev/sda1, and possibly even /dev/sg1. This is an example where specifity is important - if your rule is not specific enough, it could match any of the above 3 nodes.
then mount the partition on that disk and copy images over. Not all
+
 
cameras work like this - many require external software (e.g. gphoto2)
+
sda1 is the node that I would like as my /dev/camera, as that is what gets mounted. udevinfo did not point out any useful differences between sda, sda1, and sg1. I decided that a reliable way to differentiate between these 3 nodes would be to look at the KERNEL name.
to be able to access photos.
+
 
This one is a bit tricky. Several nodes are created by default when my
+
A key such as KERNEL="sd?1" would match KERNEL names such as "sda1", "sdb1", "sdc1", and equally importantly, it will not match KERNEL names such as sda, sdb, or sg1. The purpose of this key is to ignore the /dev/sda and /dev/sg1 nodes. The device is a digital camera - I would not dream of fdisking it or anything like that, so these 2 nodes are pretty useless to me. The key attempts to capture the /dev/sda1 node, which is mountable and therefore useful!
camera is connected : /dev/sda and /dev/sda1, and possibly even
+
 
/dev/sg1. This is an example where specifity is important - if your
+
As this node (sda1) is treated as a block device, looking in /sys/block would be a good place to start.
rule is not specific enough, it could match any of the above 3 nodes.
+
 
sda1 is the node that I would like as my /dev/camera, as that is what
+
In my /sys/block, I have a directory named sda. In my /sys/block/sda, I have a directory named sda1. Both of these directories have dev files in, so they are OK to run udevinfo on. Running the following dumps a lot of information about my camera and the USB port it is connected through.
gets mounted. udevinfo did not point out any useful differences between
+
 
sda, sda1, and sg1. I decided that a reliable way to differentiate
 
between these 3 nodes would be to look at the KERNEL name.
 
A key such as KERNEL="sd?1" would match KERNEL names such as "sda1",
 
"sdb1", "sdc1", and equally importantly, it will not match KERNEL names
 
such as sda, sdb, or sg1. The purpose of this key is to ignore the
 
/dev/sda and /dev/sg1 nodes. The device is a digital camera - I would
 
not dream of fdisking it or anything like that, so these 2 nodes are
 
pretty useless to me. The key attempts to capture the /dev/sda1 node,
 
which is mountable and therefore useful!
 
As this node (sda1) is treated as a block device, looking in /sys/block
 
would be a good place to start.
 
In my /sys/block, I have a directory named sda. In my /sys/block/sda, I
 
have a directory named sda1. Both of these directories have dev files
 
in, so they are OK to run udevinfo on. Running the following dumps a
 
lot of information about my camera and the USB port it is connected
 
through.
 
 
# udevinfo -a -p /sys/block/sda/sda1
 
# udevinfo -a -p /sys/block/sda/sda1
In the udevinfo output, I also noticed this bit of useful and
+
 
understandable information:
+
In the udevinfo output, I also noticed this bit of useful and understandable information:
 +
 
 
SYSFS{product}="USB 2.0M DSC"
 
SYSFS{product}="USB 2.0M DSC"
So that gives me my rule. For completeness, I also include a BUS key
+
 
(this was also found in the udevinfo output).
+
So that gives me my rule. For completeness, I also include a BUS key (this was also found in the udevinfo output).
BUS="usb", SYSFS{product}="USB 2.0M DSC", KERNEL="sd?1", NAME="%k",
+
 
SYMLINK="camera"
+
BUS="usb", SYSFS{product}="USB 2.0M DSC", KERNEL="sd?1", NAME="%k", SYMLINK="camera"
Now, when my camera is plugged in, it will be named /dev/sda1 (or, if
+
 
sda1 isnt available, it might be called /dev/sdb1) and will always be
+
Now, when my camera is plugged in, it will be named /dev/sda1 (or, if sda1 isnt available, it might be called /dev/sdb1) and will always be correctly linked to from /dev/camera. The /dev/sda (or sdb) node still appears as normal, but the important thing is that my custom persistent "camera" symlink points to the mountable partition.
correctly linked to from /dev/camera. The /dev/sda (or sdb) node still
+
 
appears as normal, but the important thing is that my custom persistent
 
"camera" symlink points to the mountable partition.
 
 
Additional notes on writing rules for USB storage
 
Additional notes on writing rules for USB storage
Carl Streeter, the owner of a large USB hard disk, wrote to me and
+
Carl Streeter, the owner of a large USB hard disk, wrote to me and explained that unlike in my digital camera example, the /dev/sda node is useful to him. He pointed out that he does occasionally need to use tools such as fdisk and hdparm on that node.
explained that unlike in my digital camera example, the /dev/sda node
+
 
is useful to him. He pointed out that he does occasionally need to use
 
tools such as fdisk and hdparm on that node.
 
 
Carl's rule is:
 
Carl's rule is:
BUS="usb", KERNEL="sd*", SYSFS{product}="USB 2.0 Storage Device",
+
 
NAME="%k", SYMLINK="usbhd%n"
+
BUS="usb", KERNEL="sd*", SYSFS{product}="USB 2.0 Storage Device", NAME="%k", SYMLINK="usbhd%n"
 +
 
 
This rule creates symlinks such as:
 
This rule creates symlinks such as:
 +
 
* /dev/usbhd - The fdiskable node
 
* /dev/usbhd - The fdiskable node
 
* /dev/usbhd1 - The first partition (mountable)
 
* /dev/usbhd1 - The first partition (mountable)
 
* /dev/usbhd2 - The second partition (mountable)
 
* /dev/usbhd2 - The second partition (mountable)
We agreed that depending on the situation and device in question, there
+
 
are reasons for both wanting and not wanting the non-mountable /dev/sda
+
We agreed that depending on the situation and device in question, there are reasons for both wanting and not wanting the non-mountable /dev/sda node. Use whichever setup suits you best.
node. Use whichever setup suits you best.
+
 
Another difficult situation is having a multiple-slot USB-storage card
+
Another difficult situation is having a multiple-slot USB-storage card reader. These types of device generally do not inform the host when new cards are plugged in or out, so plugging a card into an unused slot while the reader is plugged in will not create the extra device node needed for mounting!
reader. These types of device generally do not inform the host when new
+
This problem also applies to other USB disks - e.g. if you create a new partition, the new partition node will not appear until you re-plug the device.
cards are plugged in or out, so plugging a card into an unused slot
+
 
while the reader is plugged in will not create the extra device node
+
udev provides a solution here - it is able to create nodes for all partitions of a block device. For every rule that you specify, the block device will have all 16 partition nodes created. To achieve this, you can simply modify the NAME key, as shown below:
needed for mounting!
+
 
This problem also applies to other USB disks - e.g. if you create a new
+
BUS="usb", SYSFS{product}="USB 2.0 Storage Device", NAME{all_partitions}="usbhd"
partition, the new partition node will not appear until you re-plug the
+
 
device.
+
You will now have nodes named: usbhd, usbhd1, usbhd2, usbhd3, ..., usbhd15.
udev provides a solution here - it is able to create nodes for all
+
 
partitions of a block device. For every rule that you specify, the
 
block device will have all 16 partition nodes created. To achieve this,
 
you can simply modify the NAME key, as shown below: BUS="usb",
 
SYSFS{product}="USB 2.0 Storage Device", NAME{all_partitions}="usbhd"
 
You will now have nodes named: usbhd, usbhd1, usbhd2, usbhd3, ...,
 
usbhd15.
 
 
===Examples===
 
===Examples===
 
====Writing convenience rules for my CD drives====
 
====Writing convenience rules for my CD drives====
I have two CD drives in my PC - a DVD reader, and a CD rewriter. My
+
I have two CD drives in my PC - a DVD reader, and a CD rewriter. My DVD is hdc and my CDRW is hdd. I would not expect this to change, unless I manually changed the cabling of my system.
DVD is hdc and my CDRW is hdd. I would not expect this to change,
+
 
unless I manually changed the cabling of my system.
+
Still, some people (myself included) like to have nodes such as /dev/dvd and /dev/cdrw for convenience. Since we know the "hdX" values for these drives, writing rules is simple. The examples below should be self explanatory.
Still, some people (myself included) like to have nodes such as
+
 
/dev/dvd and /dev/cdrw for convenience. Since we know the "hdX" values
+
BUS="ide", KERNEL="hdc", NAME="%k", SYMLINK="dvd cdroms/cdrom%n"
for these drives, writing rules is simple. The examples below should be
+
BUS="ide", KERNEL="hdd", NAME="%k", SYMLINK="cdrw cdroms/cdrom%n"
self explanatory. BUS="ide", KERNEL="hdc", NAME="%k", SYMLINK="dvd
+
 
cdroms/cdrom%n" BUS="ide", KERNEL="hdd", NAME="%k", SYMLINK="cdrw
+
You may have noticed that the default 50-udev.rules file contains a rule which runs a script to produces names for block devices. Do not be confused by this - as usual, because your own rules are located in a file which is processed before the default rules, the defaults will not be used when naming the hardware you have written rules for.
cdroms/cdrom%n"
+
 
You may have noticed that the default 50-udev.rules file contains a
 
rule which runs a script to produces names for block devices. Do not be
 
confused by this - as usual, because your own rules are located in a
 
file which is processed before the default rules, the defaults will not
 
be used when naming the hardware you have written rules for.
 
 
====Writing a rule for your USB Visor Palm Pilot====
 
====Writing a rule for your USB Visor Palm Pilot====
These devices work as USB-serial devices, so by default, you only get
+
These devices work as USB-serial devices, so by default, you only get the ttyUSB1 node. The user-space palm utilities rely on /dev/pilot, so you need to use a rule to create this. The following rule will do the job:
the ttyUSB1 node. The user-space palm utilities rely on /dev/pilot, so
+
 
you need to use a rule to create this. The following rule will do the
+
BUS="usb", SYSFS{product}="Palm Handheld", KERNEL="ttyUSB*", SYMLINK="pilot"
job: BUS="usb", SYSFS{product}="Palm Handheld", KERNEL="ttyUSB*",
+
 
SYMLINK="pilot"
+
This was adapted from Carsten Clasohm's blog entry, which includes a useful discussion of the situation. You may also wish to add ownership and permission keys to the rule to suit your setup.
This was adapted from Carsten Clasohm's blog entry, which includes a
+
 
useful discussion of the situation. You may also wish to add ownership
 
and permission keys to the rule to suit your setup.
 
 
====Writing a rule to name my network interface====
 
====Writing a rule to name my network interface====
An interesting new feature in recent udev versions is the ability to
+
An interesting new feature in recent udev versions is the ability to rename your network interfaces, like the nameif utility does. Network interfaces do not show up in /dev, but they are generally referenced by names (e.g. with ifconfig). Despite the differences, the rule writing process is almost identical.
rename your network interfaces, like the nameif utility does. Network
+
 
interfaces do not show up in /dev, but they are generally referenced by
+
As usual, udevinfo comes to our aid in rule-writing. In my example, I wish to rename my "eth0" network device (the following output is snipped):
names (e.g. with ifconfig). Despite the differences, the rule writing
+
 
process is almost identical.
+
# udevinfo -a -p /sys/class/net/eth0/
As usual, udevinfo comes to our aid in rule-writing. In my example, I
+
  looking at class device '/sys/class/net/eth0':
wish to rename my "eth0" network device (the following output is
+
    SYSFS{address}="00:52:8b:d5:04:48"
snipped): # udevinfo -a -p /sys/class/net/eth0/ looking at class device
+
 
'/sys/class/net/eth0': SYSFS{address}="00:52:8b:d5:04:48"
+
Every network adapter has its own unique MAC-address, so I chose to use this when writing my rule. This will not change, unless you change your network card. There is one caveat here: make sure you use the MAC address you obtain from udevinfo (as above), because it is case sensitive. Be careful when using utilities such as ifconfig as they will capitalize the letters.
Every network adapter has its own unique MAC-address, so I chose to use
+
 
this when writing my rule. This will not change, unless you change your
+
An example rule is shown below:
network card. There is one caveat here: make sure you use the MAC
+
 
address you obtain from udevinfo (as above), because it is case
+
KERNEL="eth*", SYSFS{address}="00:52:8b:d5:04:48", NAME="lan"
sensitive. Be careful when using utilities such as ifconfig as they
+
 
will capitalize the letters.
+
You will need to reload the net driver for this rule to take effect. You can either unload and reload the module, or simply reboot the system. You will also need to reconfigure your system to use "lan" rather than "eth0". I had some troubles getting this going (the interface wasn't being renamed) until I had completely dropped all references to eth0.
An example rule is shown below: KERNEL="eth*",
+
After that, you should be able to use "lan" instead of "eth0" in any calls to ifconfig or similar utilities.
SYSFS{address}="00:52:8b:d5:04:48", NAME="lan"
+
 
You will need to reload the net driver for this rule to take effect.
 
You can either unload and reload the module, or simply reboot the
 
system. You will also need to reconfigure your system to use "lan"
 
rather than "eth0". I had some troubles getting this going (the
 
interface wasn't being renamed) until I had completely dropped all
 
references to eth0.
 
After that, you should be able to use "lan" instead of "eth0" in any
 
calls to ifconfig or similar utilities.
 
 
===Tips for finding the appropriate places in SYSFS===
 
===Tips for finding the appropriate places in SYSFS===
I'm looking for some more device specific tips here. Please contact me
+
I'm looking for some more device specific tips here. Please contact me with any you can provide.
with any you can provide.
+
 
* If the device you are looking to write rules for has created a device
+
* If the device you are looking to write rules for has created a device node under /dev, then you are in luck! Run the following command to get an appropriate /sys path: udevinfo -q path -n /dev/yournode
node under /dev, then you are in luck! Run the following command to get
+
* Always use udevinfo to assist the rule-writing process. Always use udevinfo to look under /sys/block or /sys/class (it will not start reading a chain from anywhere else).
an appropriate /sys path: udevinfo -q path -n /dev/yournode
+
* If you get totally stuck, use the following command to find all "dev" files under /sys (udevinfo can work on directories containing this file): find /sys -iname dev
* Always use udevinfo to assist the rule-writing process. Always use
+
* If your device is a flash-card reader, usb flash-drive, or digital camera that acts as usb-storage, that is created as /dev/sdX, then start looking in /sys/block/sdX.
udevinfo to look under /sys/block or /sys/class (it will not start
+
* If applicable, make sure you identify the difference between sdX and sdX1 in the above situation. This can be done with the key KERNEL="sd?1" to match sdX1, or KERNEL="sd?" to match sdX.
reading a chain from anywhere else).
+
* For USB printers that are created as /dev/lpX, then you should start looking in /sys/class/usb/lpX.
* If you get totally stuck, use the following command to find all "dev"
+
* The usb scanner driver has recently been removed from the kernel and re-implemented in userspace (as part of the SANE package). You do not (and can not) write rules for this hardware as it does not rely on specific kernel drivers.
files under /sys (udevinfo can work on directories containing this
+
* Remember that unfortunately, the kernel does not export information for all devices into sysfs, meaning that you simply can't write rules for some devices yet. On 20/02/04, the udev author stated that there are 162 drivers left to convert to sysfs.
file): find /sys -iname dev
+
 
* If your device is a flash-card reader, usb flash-drive, or digital
 
camera that acts as usb-storage, that is created as /dev/sdX, then
 
start looking in /sys/block/sdX.
 
* If applicable, make sure you identify the difference between sdX and
 
sdX1 in the above situation. This can be done with the key
 
KERNEL="sd?1" to match sdX1, or KERNEL="sd?" to match sdX.
 
* For USB printers that are created as /dev/lpX, then you should start
 
looking in /sys/class/usb/lpX.
 
* The usb scanner driver has recently been removed from the kernel and
 
re-implemented in userspace (as part of the SANE package). You do not
 
(and can not) write rules for this hardware as it does not rely on
 
specific kernel drivers.
 
* Remember that unfortunately, the kernel does not export information
 
for all devices into sysfs, meaning that you simply can't write rules
 
for some devices yet. On 20/02/04, the udev author stated that there
 
are 162 drivers left to convert to sysfs.
 
 
===Debugging your rules===
 
===Debugging your rules===
If you have written rules and remembered to run udevstart but they do
+
If you have written rules and remembered to run udevstart but they do not appear to be taking effect, there are a couple of ways you can debug them.
not appear to be taking effect, there are a couple of ways you can
+
 
debug them.
+
The file /etc/udev/udev.conf contains a udev_log option. Setting this option to yes will cause udev to log some useful information about which rules are being applied to which nodes into the system logger. The logs will be included in /var/log/messages for most users.
The file /etc/udev/udev.conf contains a udev_log option. Setting this
+
 
option to yes will cause udev to log some useful information about
+
Additionally, if you know the path in sysfs for the node you want to create, you can use udevtest to see a rundown on what udev would do with the node. For example:
which rules are being applied to which nodes into the system logger.
+
 
The logs will be included in /var/log/messages for most users.
+
# udevtest /sys/class/sound/dsp/
Additionally, if you know the path in sysfs for the node you want to
+
version 056
create, you can use udevtest to see a rundown on what udev would do
+
looking at '/class/sound/dsp/'
with the node. For example: # udevtest /sys/class/sound/dsp/ version
+
opened class_dev->name='dsp'
056 looking at '/class/sound/dsp/' opened class_dev->name='dsp'
+
configured rule in '/etc/udev/rules.d/50-udev.rules[132]' applied, added symlink '%k'
configured rule in '/etc/udev/rules.d/50-udev.rules[132]' applied,
+
configured rule in '/etc/udev/rules.d/50-udev.rules[132]' applied, 'dsp' becomes 'sound/%k'
added symlink '%k' configured rule in
+
creating device node '/dev/sound/dsp', major = '14', minor = '3', mode = '0660', uid = '0', gid = '18'
'/etc/udev/rules.d/50-udev.rules[132]' applied, 'dsp' becomes
+
 
'sound/%k' creating device node '/dev/sound/dsp', major = '14', minor =
+
udevtest is only a debugging/testing tool - it does not actually create the device node, even though it says it doing so!
'3', mode = '0660', uid = '0', gid = '18'
 
udevtest is only a debugging/testing tool - it does not actually create
 
the device node, even though it says it doing so!
 

Revision as of 18:06, 14 October 2005

Computing: Linux: udev

Notes

This text seemed like it might be useful information, even if it contained some inaccuracies. Original document was published under GNU General Public License, Version 2, and those with appropriate knowledge should feel free to edit or expand the text.

Original Credits

This document is written by Daniel Drake <dan@reactivated.net>
Please do not hesitate to send feedback!
Copyright © 2003-2005 Daniel Drake
This document is licensed under the GNU General Public License, Version 2.

Edit Log

Text

Why?

As stated above, writing rules for udev is an optional process. By default, you can plug a device in, and the a relevant node (e.g. /dev/sda for a mass-storage device) will be there, just like in previous /dev implementations.

However, udev allows you to customise the naming of device nodes. There are two reasons why you might want to do this: convenience, and persistent naming.

Take the example of using udev, so that when your printer is plugged in, it gets named as /dev/printer and also as the usual /dev/lp0. It's not only convenience (e.g. reading and interpreting "printer" as opposed to "lp0"), its a solution for non-persistent naming. Say that I have two printers - a HP laser printer and an Epson inkjet. When they are both plugged in and on, I have /dev/lp0 and /dev/lp1.

How do I know which node refers to which printer? There is no easy way. The first printer that got connected was assigned name "lp0", and the second "lp1". Plugging in my printers in a different order would swap the names here, and that would mess up my scripts that always expect my HP laser printer to be lp1.

However, if my HP laser printer got named lp_hp (as well as lpX) and my other printer got named lp_epson (as well as lpY), then my scripts could just refer to those names. udev magic can control this and ensure that these persistent names always point to the device that I intended.

For external mass-storage devices (e.g. usb hard disks), persistent naming is very helpful in that it allows you to hardcode accurate device paths into your /etc/fstab.

It is important to understand that writing rules is simply a means of customizing udev behaviour. Writing rules is not a workaround for the problem where no device nodes for your particular device exist. If no matching rules exist, udev will create the node anyway, using the name that was supplied by the kernel.

The basics of writing rules

When populating /dev, udev decides which nodes to include, and how to name them, by reading a series of rules files.

Default udev rules are stored in /etc/udev/rules.d/50-udev.rules. You may find it interesting to look over this file - it includes a few examples, and then some default rules proving a devfs-style /dev layout. However, you should not write rules into this file directly, to reduce hassle while updating your udev installation in the future.

Files in /etc/udev/rules.d/ are parsed in lexical order. udev will stop processing rules as soon as it finds a matching rule in a file for the new item of hardware that has been detected. It is important that your own rules get processed before the udev defaults, otherwise your own naming schemes will not take effect! I suggest that you keep your own rules in a file at /etc/udev/rules.d/10-local.rules (this doesn't exist by default - create it). As 10 comes before 50, you know that your rules will be looked at first. It is important that the filenames of your rule files end with the .rules suffix, otherwise they will not be used.

As your own rules will effectively mask out the udev defaults which create the base /dev layout, it is recommended that you also specify devfs-style names/symlinks for the rules you write, so that you get the sensible defaults plus your own names.

In rule files, lines starting with a "#" are treated as comments. Every uncommented line in the file corresponds to a rule.

Rules are composed of keys. Keys are seperated by commas. Some keys are used for reading and matching information, others are used for assigning information and performing actions.

  1. At least one identification key should be provided, which will match the rule to any number of devices in the system. These are listed in the later section: #Identifying devices through basic keys.
  2. At least one assignment key should be provided, to control how the resultant device node is created. These include NAME, SYMLINK, OWNER, GROUP and MODE, all of which are described in this document.

Common rules will use basic identification keys to determine the device to name, and then have a NAME assignement key to define the device node name. udev will only create one node for one device, so if you want it to be accessible through multiple nodes, then you have to specify the other nodes in the SYMLINK assignment key.

I'll take a slightly modified udev example rule to illustrate this:

BUS="usb", SYSFS{serial}="HXOLL0012202323480", NAME="lp_epson", SYMLINK="printers/epson_stylus"

The identification keys here are BUS and SYSFS{serial}. The assignment keys here are NAME and SYMLINK. udev will match this rule against a device that is connected through the USB bus and with a serial number of HXOLL0012202323480. Note that all (as opposed to any) specified keys must be matched for udev to use the rule to name a device.

udev will name this node lp_epson, and it will be located at /dev/lp_epson.

udev will also create a symlink to /dev/lp_epson, located at /dev/printers/epson_stylus (the printers directory will be automatically created). You can now print to your Epson printer by sending data to /dev/printers/epson_stylus or /dev/lp_epson.

Any rules that you have added or modified will not take effect until you notify udev of this. Make sure you remember to run the following every time you modify any rule files:

# udevstart

Additional automated customisation for NAME and SYMLINK parameters

In the NAME and SYMLINK parameters of your rules, you are able to use basic operators to assist the naming of devices. Hackers will know this sort of thing as printf-like string substitution. There are a number of operators which can compose some or all of your NAME/SYMLINK parameters. These operators refer to kernel-data relating to the device. Take this example:

BUS="usb", SYSFS{vendor}="FUJIFILM", SYSFS{model}="M100", NAME="camera%n"

The %n operator will be replaced with the "kernel number" for the camera device, to produce a NAME such as camera0, camera1, etc.

Another common operator is %k. This represents what the kernel would name the device, e.g. "hda1". You may often see rules which have NAME="%k" to produce the default names for the hardware. In these rules, customisation is usually done through the SYMLINK parameter.

A full list of operators, with explanations, can be found in the udev man page.

Using shell-style pattern matching in keys

You can use shell style pattern matching to provide even more flexibility when writing keys. Taking a default udev rule:

KERNEL="ts*", NAME="input/%k"

The * operator is used here, which matches literally anything - zero, one, or more characters of any kind. The rule literally says:

Match a device identified by a KERNEL name starting with the letters "ts" optionally followed by anything at all, and name it with the KERNEL name (%k) under the input directory.

The ? operator is similar, and matches any single character (but not zero characters).

You can also use square brackets [ ] to match any single character. Direct quote from udev man page:

For example, the pattern string "tty[SR]" would match either "ttyS" or "ttyR".

You can also specify ranges that can be matched, e.g. [0-9] would match any single digit. Using an example rule from a default udev installation:

KERNEL="fd[0-9]*", NAME="floppy/%n"

This rule says:

Match a device identified by a KERNEL name starting with the letters "fd", followed by any single digit, optionally followed by anything at all. Name the device with the kernel number of the device (%n) under the floppy directory.

You can use these wildcards/pattern matches in any type of key, including both basic keys and sysfs-based identification (see below for explanations of these key types).

I have purposely left out some information on this topic (particularly the flexibility of using [ ] operators) that is out of the scope of basic rule-writing documentation. More information on this topic can be found in the udev man page.

Key-writing basics

udev provides a few basic key matching methods, and also provides flexible ways of matching information in SYSFS. A typical rule will match both normal keys (e.g. BUS and KERNEL), as well as SYSFS keys to differentiate between different hardware plugged in throught the same port.

You may be wondering, "How do I find the serial number of my printer? What is the model of my camera?". Rule writing isn't as hard as it sounds. The trickiest bit is finding your device in /sys, and deciding which info to use.

Identifying devices through basic keys

See the udev man page for more info on these keys.

The valid keys are:

  • BUS - match the bus type of the device.
  • KERNEL - match the kernel device name.
  • DRIVER - match the name of the kernel driver.
  • SUBSYSTEM - match the kernel subsystem name.
  • ID - match the device number on the bus (e.g. PCI bus ID).
  • PLACE - match the physical position where the device is plugged into (useful for USB).

The ID and PLACE keys do have their uses, but they are not commonly used in rules. This document focuses on using BUS and KERNEL keys, as well as SYSFS{...} keys (detailed in the next section). I will show how to use these keys by example.

For extra flexibility, udev also provides keys to call external scripts and examine their result, and to examine environment variables. This is out of scope of this document. Look at the udev man page for more details.

Identifying devices through SYSFS files

Background information: SYSFS stores many small files under a tree of directories which provide information about your hardware. One file typically contains just one "data item" - e.g. device name, manufacturer, or product ID.

Note that SYSFS{...} keys can be combined with the basic keys described in the previous section.

You can use keys in the format SYSFS{filename} to match specific info from SYSFS, where filename corresponds to a file in your SYSFS tree. For example, when my camera is connected, there is a file located at /sys/block/sda/device/model which contains "USB 2.0M DSC". To match this, I could use the following key: SYSFS{model} = "USB 2.0M DSC"

Note that any file in sysfs can be matched in this manner, but if you match more than one file (through multiple keys), then you must only match files that exist in the same directory. Typically, there will be several directories giving information about one device. You cannot mix and match (as shown by example below).

Luckily, the process of rule writing does not entail hunting through millions of files in SYSFS, the udevinfo utility does the hard work. This program is included in the udev distribution.

The first thing you need to do is find a directory somewhere in /sys that corresponds to your hardware, and includes a file named "dev", as udevinfo can only work on directories of this type. These directories are all found under either /sys/block or /sys/class - there is no point looking anywhere else! However, udevinfo will follow links through this directory and read info found from other sections of sysfs.

Once you have found a directory of this type, you can use the following command to assist you in the creation of writing keys for udev rules:

# udevinfo -a -p /sys/path/to/hardware/info

You may find that finding the correct place in /sys to run udevinfo on is not obvious. Chances are the device you just plugged in has already careted a device node (e.g. /dev/sda), in which case, udevinfo can be helpful! Taking the example of my /dev/sda node, running the following command will point you to the appropriate area of sysfs:

# udevinfo -q path -n /dev/sda
/block/sda

The output of the command (shown above) is telling me that the sysfs path to start at is /sys/block/sda. I would now run "udevinfo -a -p /sys/block/sda". These two commands can be chained together, like so:

  1. udevinfo -a -p $(udevinfo -q path -n /dev/sda)

Sidenote: You may notice that we previously provided full paths (/sys/some/path) to udevinfo beforehand, but now we are providing sysfs-relative paths (/some/path) by chaining these commands. This does not matter - both types of path are accepted.

Moving on to rule-writing, some snipped output of the results of my "udevinfo -a -p /sys/block/sda" command is shown below, with colour added.

follow the class device's "device"
 looking at the device chain at '/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:02.1/usb3/3-3/3-3:1.0/host0/0:0:0:0':
   BUS="scsi"
   ID="0:0:0:0"
   SYSFS{detach_state}="0"
   SYSFS{type}="0"
   SYSFS{max_sectors}="240"
   SYSFS{device_blocked}="0"
   SYSFS{queue_depth}="1"
   SYSFS{scsi_level}="3"
   SYSFS{vendor}="        "
   SYSFS{model}="USB 2.0M DSC    "
   SYSFS{rev}="1.00"
   SYSFS{online}="1"

 looking at the device chain at '/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:02.1/usb3/3-3':
   BUS="usb"
   ID="3-3"
   SYSFS{detach_state}="0"
   SYSFS{bNumInterfaces}=" 1"
   SYSFS{bConfigurationValue}="1"
   SYSFS{bmAttributes}="c0"
   SYSFS{bMaxPower}="  0mA"
   SYSFS{idVendor}="052b"
   SYSFS{idProduct}="1514"
   SYSFS{bcdDevice}="0100"
   SYSFS{bDeviceClass}="00"
   SYSFS{bDeviceSubClass}="00"
   SYSFS{bDeviceProtocol}="00"
   SYSFS{bNumConfigurations}="1"
   SYSFS{speed}="12"
   SYSFS{manufacturer}="Tekom Technologies, Inc"
   SYSFS{product}="USB 2.0M DSC"

The udevinfo tool provides a lot of information which you can simply copy-paste as udev rules. The reason that I have colour coded the above output is to point out that you generally cannot mix and match information from different parts of the udevinfo output. In the above output, I could not combine information from the different coloured sections - this is because each section of output refers to a different directory in SYSFS. For example, the following rule would not work:

BUS="scsi", SYSFS{manufacturer}="Tekom Technologies, Inc", NAME="%k"

This rule would not work because I am combining information found in the section beginning with BUS="scsi" (green) with information only found in the blue section. The rule would work if I used BUS="usb", sticking only to information found in the blue section above.

You will notice that a lot of information is not relevant for writing basic rules (there is so much of it!), you should generally be looking for information that you recognise and know will not change (e.g. model name).

Note that if you write your own rule to identify a device, the default devfs-style rules will not take effect! It is usually sensible to use NAME="%k" and specify your own extra names in the SYMLINK parameter so that you do not lose the default sensible names.

I will show three examples of this rule writing based on udevinfo output process below. I will then attempt to list some device-dependant tips and tricks for locating the correct info.

A reader wrote to me and informed me that he found KDE's control centre useful for writing rules. Apparently, information about USB devices (and others) can be found in the "Info Centre" section of the KDE Control Centre. This interface shows information such as serial number, vendor ID, etc. If you prefer a GUI-like approach, you might want to investigate this.

The current releases of gnome-volume-manager are unable to treat symlink-nodes as real devices. Conversely as described above, you may wish to specify your own naming in the NAME parameter and specify %k in the SYMLINK parameter.

The behaviour of your own rules masking the defaults can be overcome if you write multiple-SYMLINK style rules.

Using multiple SYMLINK style rules

Another recent feature is the ability to write rules that do not specify a NAME, but instead they simply specify SYMLINK keys. This allows you to avoid the issue where your own rules effectively mask the udev defaults.

Take the rule:

KERNEL="hdc", SYMLINK="dvd"

When udev finds this rule, it will take a mental note of it. Upon finding another rule matching the same device which also includes a NAME parameter, udev will create the node as specified by the NAME parameter, plus symbolic links as specified by the SYMLINK parameters of both rules. To put it into practical terms, when udev is naming nodes for my hdc device, it will use the default rules for block devices as usual, with the addition of my personal symlink "dvd".

Similarly to normal rules, rules of this type will only take effect if udev is able to find them before it finds a rule specifying a NAME parameter.

Controlling ownership and permissions As well as controlling the naming of the device nodes which are created, udev rules also allow you to control ownership and permission attributes on that device node.

The GROUP key allows you to define which unix group should own the device node. Here's an example from the udev defaults, which defines that the video group will own framebuffer (fb) devices:

KERNEL="fb[0-9]*", NAME="fb/%n", SYMLINK="%k", GROUP="video"

The OWNER key, perhaps less useful, allows you to define which unix user should own the device node. Assuming the slightly odd situation where you would want "john" to own your floppy devices, you could use:

KERNEL="fd[0-9]*", OWNER="john"

You'll notice in the above rule that we didn't specify any NAME or SYMLINK keys. This is similar to the multiple symlink style where udev will take a mental note that we want john to own floppy nodes, and will apply that ownership once it finds a rule which defines a NAME for the floppy device nodes.

Building on the style mentioned above, you can do even more flashy things. The udev defaults use the following rule to define that all the sound device nodes shall be owned by the "audio" group:

SUBSYSTEM="sound", GROUP="audio"

This prevents the need to excessively provide a GROUP="audio" key on every following rule which names sound devices.

udev defaults to creating nodes with unix permissions of 0660 (read/write to owner and group), which is configured by the default_mode setting inside /etc/udev/udev.conf. There may be some situations where you do not want to use the default permissions on your device node. Fortunately, you can easily override the permissions in your rules using the MODE assignment key. As an example, the following rule defines that the inotify node shall be readable and writable to everyone:

KERNEL="inotify", NAME="misc/%k", SYMLINK="%k", MODE="0666"

Example: Writing a rule for my USB printer After plugging in my printer, I started looking around some /sys directories for a relevant place to start. I didn't get anywhere, but I noticed that my printer had been given device node /dev/lp0. udevinfo was able to provide me with a useful path:

# udevinfo -q path -n /dev/lp0
/class/usb/lp0

Running "udevinfo -a -p /sys/class/usb/lp0" provided me with a heap of info, as usual. I picked out the relevant bits for unique device identification:

looking at the device chain at '/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:02.1/usb3/3-3':

BUS="usb"
SYSFS{manufacturer}="EPSON"
SYSFS{product}="USB Printer"
SYSFS{serial}="L72010011070626380"

My udev rule becomes:

BUS="usb", SYSFS{serial}="L72010011070626380", NAME="%k", SYMLINK="epson_680"

And my printer nodes exist at /dev/lp0 (or /dev/lp1 if another printer was plugged in beforehand) and /dev/epson_680 always points at the device node for that particular printer.

Example: Writing a rule for my USB-Storage digital camera Quick Intro: My camera identifies itself as an external SCSI hard disk (it uses the usb-storage driver which is also used by devices such as USB hard disks and flash-card readers). I can then mount the partition on that disk and copy images over. Not all cameras work like this - many require external software (e.g. gphoto2) to be able to access photos.

This one is a bit tricky. Several nodes are created by default when my camera is connected : /dev/sda and /dev/sda1, and possibly even /dev/sg1. This is an example where specifity is important - if your rule is not specific enough, it could match any of the above 3 nodes.

sda1 is the node that I would like as my /dev/camera, as that is what gets mounted. udevinfo did not point out any useful differences between sda, sda1, and sg1. I decided that a reliable way to differentiate between these 3 nodes would be to look at the KERNEL name.

A key such as KERNEL="sd?1" would match KERNEL names such as "sda1", "sdb1", "sdc1", and equally importantly, it will not match KERNEL names such as sda, sdb, or sg1. The purpose of this key is to ignore the /dev/sda and /dev/sg1 nodes. The device is a digital camera - I would not dream of fdisking it or anything like that, so these 2 nodes are pretty useless to me. The key attempts to capture the /dev/sda1 node, which is mountable and therefore useful!

As this node (sda1) is treated as a block device, looking in /sys/block would be a good place to start.

In my /sys/block, I have a directory named sda. In my /sys/block/sda, I have a directory named sda1. Both of these directories have dev files in, so they are OK to run udevinfo on. Running the following dumps a lot of information about my camera and the USB port it is connected through.

  1. udevinfo -a -p /sys/block/sda/sda1

In the udevinfo output, I also noticed this bit of useful and understandable information:

SYSFS{product}="USB 2.0M DSC"

So that gives me my rule. For completeness, I also include a BUS key (this was also found in the udevinfo output).

BUS="usb", SYSFS{product}="USB 2.0M DSC", KERNEL="sd?1", NAME="%k", SYMLINK="camera"

Now, when my camera is plugged in, it will be named /dev/sda1 (or, if sda1 isnt available, it might be called /dev/sdb1) and will always be correctly linked to from /dev/camera. The /dev/sda (or sdb) node still appears as normal, but the important thing is that my custom persistent "camera" symlink points to the mountable partition.

Additional notes on writing rules for USB storage Carl Streeter, the owner of a large USB hard disk, wrote to me and explained that unlike in my digital camera example, the /dev/sda node is useful to him. He pointed out that he does occasionally need to use tools such as fdisk and hdparm on that node.

Carl's rule is:

BUS="usb", KERNEL="sd*", SYSFS{product}="USB 2.0 Storage Device", NAME="%k", SYMLINK="usbhd%n"

This rule creates symlinks such as:

  • /dev/usbhd - The fdiskable node
  • /dev/usbhd1 - The first partition (mountable)
  • /dev/usbhd2 - The second partition (mountable)

We agreed that depending on the situation and device in question, there are reasons for both wanting and not wanting the non-mountable /dev/sda node. Use whichever setup suits you best.

Another difficult situation is having a multiple-slot USB-storage card reader. These types of device generally do not inform the host when new cards are plugged in or out, so plugging a card into an unused slot while the reader is plugged in will not create the extra device node needed for mounting! This problem also applies to other USB disks - e.g. if you create a new partition, the new partition node will not appear until you re-plug the device.

udev provides a solution here - it is able to create nodes for all partitions of a block device. For every rule that you specify, the block device will have all 16 partition nodes created. To achieve this, you can simply modify the NAME key, as shown below:

BUS="usb", SYSFS{product}="USB 2.0 Storage Device", NAME{all_partitions}="usbhd"

You will now have nodes named: usbhd, usbhd1, usbhd2, usbhd3, ..., usbhd15.

Examples

Writing convenience rules for my CD drives

I have two CD drives in my PC - a DVD reader, and a CD rewriter. My DVD is hdc and my CDRW is hdd. I would not expect this to change, unless I manually changed the cabling of my system.

Still, some people (myself included) like to have nodes such as /dev/dvd and /dev/cdrw for convenience. Since we know the "hdX" values for these drives, writing rules is simple. The examples below should be self explanatory.

BUS="ide", KERNEL="hdc", NAME="%k", SYMLINK="dvd cdroms/cdrom%n"
BUS="ide", KERNEL="hdd", NAME="%k", SYMLINK="cdrw cdroms/cdrom%n"

You may have noticed that the default 50-udev.rules file contains a rule which runs a script to produces names for block devices. Do not be confused by this - as usual, because your own rules are located in a file which is processed before the default rules, the defaults will not be used when naming the hardware you have written rules for.

Writing a rule for your USB Visor Palm Pilot

These devices work as USB-serial devices, so by default, you only get the ttyUSB1 node. The user-space palm utilities rely on /dev/pilot, so you need to use a rule to create this. The following rule will do the job:

BUS="usb", SYSFS{product}="Palm Handheld", KERNEL="ttyUSB*", SYMLINK="pilot"

This was adapted from Carsten Clasohm's blog entry, which includes a useful discussion of the situation. You may also wish to add ownership and permission keys to the rule to suit your setup.

Writing a rule to name my network interface

An interesting new feature in recent udev versions is the ability to rename your network interfaces, like the nameif utility does. Network interfaces do not show up in /dev, but they are generally referenced by names (e.g. with ifconfig). Despite the differences, the rule writing process is almost identical.

As usual, udevinfo comes to our aid in rule-writing. In my example, I wish to rename my "eth0" network device (the following output is snipped):

# udevinfo -a -p /sys/class/net/eth0/
  looking at class device '/sys/class/net/eth0':
    SYSFS{address}="00:52:8b:d5:04:48"

Every network adapter has its own unique MAC-address, so I chose to use this when writing my rule. This will not change, unless you change your network card. There is one caveat here: make sure you use the MAC address you obtain from udevinfo (as above), because it is case sensitive. Be careful when using utilities such as ifconfig as they will capitalize the letters.

An example rule is shown below:

KERNEL="eth*", SYSFS{address}="00:52:8b:d5:04:48", NAME="lan"

You will need to reload the net driver for this rule to take effect. You can either unload and reload the module, or simply reboot the system. You will also need to reconfigure your system to use "lan" rather than "eth0". I had some troubles getting this going (the interface wasn't being renamed) until I had completely dropped all references to eth0. After that, you should be able to use "lan" instead of "eth0" in any calls to ifconfig or similar utilities.

Tips for finding the appropriate places in SYSFS

I'm looking for some more device specific tips here. Please contact me with any you can provide.

  • If the device you are looking to write rules for has created a device node under /dev, then you are in luck! Run the following command to get an appropriate /sys path: udevinfo -q path -n /dev/yournode
  • Always use udevinfo to assist the rule-writing process. Always use udevinfo to look under /sys/block or /sys/class (it will not start reading a chain from anywhere else).
  • If you get totally stuck, use the following command to find all "dev" files under /sys (udevinfo can work on directories containing this file): find /sys -iname dev
  • If your device is a flash-card reader, usb flash-drive, or digital camera that acts as usb-storage, that is created as /dev/sdX, then start looking in /sys/block/sdX.
  • If applicable, make sure you identify the difference between sdX and sdX1 in the above situation. This can be done with the key KERNEL="sd?1" to match sdX1, or KERNEL="sd?" to match sdX.
  • For USB printers that are created as /dev/lpX, then you should start looking in /sys/class/usb/lpX.
  • The usb scanner driver has recently been removed from the kernel and re-implemented in userspace (as part of the SANE package). You do not (and can not) write rules for this hardware as it does not rely on specific kernel drivers.
  • Remember that unfortunately, the kernel does not export information for all devices into sysfs, meaning that you simply can't write rules for some devices yet. On 20/02/04, the udev author stated that there are 162 drivers left to convert to sysfs.

Debugging your rules

If you have written rules and remembered to run udevstart but they do not appear to be taking effect, there are a couple of ways you can debug them.

The file /etc/udev/udev.conf contains a udev_log option. Setting this option to yes will cause udev to log some useful information about which rules are being applied to which nodes into the system logger. The logs will be included in /var/log/messages for most users.

Additionally, if you know the path in sysfs for the node you want to create, you can use udevtest to see a rundown on what udev would do with the node. For example:

# udevtest /sys/class/sound/dsp/
version 056
looking at '/class/sound/dsp/'
opened class_dev->name='dsp'
configured rule in '/etc/udev/rules.d/50-udev.rules[132]' applied, added symlink '%k'
configured rule in '/etc/udev/rules.d/50-udev.rules[132]' applied, 'dsp' becomes 'sound/%k'
creating device node '/dev/sound/dsp', major = '14', minor = '3', mode = '0660', uid = '0', gid = '18'

udevtest is only a debugging/testing tool - it does not actually create the device node, even though it says it doing so!