Using USB Devices (Overview/Tasks)

This chapter provides an overview of Universal Serial Bus (USB) devices and step-by-step instructions for using USB devices in the Solaris environment.

For information on the procedures associated with using USB devices, see the following:

• Managing USB Devices in the Solaris Environment (Roadmap)

• Using USB Mass Storage Devices (Task Map)

• Hot-Plugging USB Devices (Task Map)

• Using USB Audio Devices (Task Map)

• Hot-Plugging USB Devices With the cfgadm Command (Task Map)

This is a list of the overview information in this chapter.

• What's New in USB Devices?

• Overview of USB Devices

• About USB in the Solaris Environment

• Using USB Mass Storage Devices

• Using USB Audio Devices

• Troubleshooting USB Audio Device Problems

For general information about dynamic reconfiguration and hot-plugging, see Chapter 28, Dynamically Configuring Devices (Tasks).

For information on configuring USB printers, see "What's New in Printing?" in System Administration Guide: Advanced Administration.

What's New in USB Devices?

The following sections describe USB device enhancements in this Solaris release.

USB Dual Framework

The existing USBA framework, found in the Solaris 9 12/03 release, was originally developed for USB 1.1 devices. A new framework, called USBA 1.0, was created to meet more demanding requirements of USB 2.0 devices. The framework operates USB 1.1 devices as well. This Solaris release provides both frameworks, hence the name dual framework. The purpose of the dual framework is to facilitate a smoother transition from the original framework to the newer framework.

• SPARC systems - The original USBA framework operates devices connected to a system's USB 1.1 ports, while the new USBA 1.0 framework operates devices connected to a system's USB 2.0 ports. All Sun motherboard ports are USB 1.1 ports, while most PCI card ports support USB 2.0.

• x86 systems - The original USBA framework operates devices connected to a system's UHCI USB 1.1 ports, whereas the new USBA 1.0 framework operates all other ports, including OHCI USB 1.1 ports.

For specific details on the how the USB dual framework works, go to http://www.sun.com/desktop/whitepapers.html.

USB Framework Compatibility Issues

A driver written for one USB framework will not work on the other USB framework. Most Sun-supplied USB drivers provide versions for both frameworks.

Compatibility problems might occur if you attempt to plug a USB device into a port, directed by a framework that does not recognize a proper driver for that device because the driver is incompatible. When a framework tries to attach a framework-incompatible driver for a device, you will see console messages similar to the following:

The driver for device binding name is not for USBA1.0  

This message will appear, for example, when a device operated by a non-Sun driver, which is compatible with USBA 1.0 framework, is plugged into a port supported by the original USBA 1.0 framework. The USBA 1.0 framework recognizes the device and tries to map the correct driver, but the driver is rejected because it is incompatible with the framework operating the port.

For information on identifying your USB framework configuration, see How to Display USB Device Information (prtconf).

Solaris Support for USB Devices

The following table describes Solaris support for USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 devices:

*Note that this is not the Solaris 8 releases, but the Solaris 8 HW releases, starting with the Solaris 8 HW 5/03 release. The patch number for the USB dual framework found in the Solaris 8 HW 5/03 release is 109896.

The following table provides a summary of USB support on Sun hardware:

For information about PCI cards verified on the Solaris release, go to: http://www.sun.com/io_technologies/USB.html

Sun Microsystems platforms that provide support for USB devices include the following:

• SPARC based systems with OHCI host controllers that support USB 1.1 provide low- and full-speed devices:

  • Sun Blade™ systems that run the Solaris 8 or 9 releases.

  • Netra™ X 1/T1 and some Sun Fire™ systems that run the Solaris 9 release.

• SPARC based systems with OHCI and EHCI host controllers, such as the Sun Blade 1500 or 2500 systems, provide high-speed support for USB 2.0 devices and low- and full-speed support for USB 1.1 devices. Systems include any PCI-based sun4u system that run the Solaris 8 HW 5/03 release or Solaris 9 4/04 release, including the systems listed above when they are equipped with a USB 2.0 PCI card.

• x86 based systems that run the Solaris 8 or 9 x86 Platform Editions with the following controller types:

• OHCI or UHCI host controllers provide USB 1.1 support

• EHCI and OHCI host controllers together provide USB 1.1 and 2.0 support

• Use of USB 2.0 devices on ports that are operated by host controller hardware with EHCI and UHCI on the same chip or PCI card, is not recommended.

For additional USB support information, see Overview of USB Devices.