FAQ topics include recommended USB patches for the Solaris OS, the USBA 1.0 Framework, libusb support, and more.
Tutorial Details:
What are the recommended USB patches for Solaris versions 8 and 9 ? Is it necessary to upgrade ?
It is highly recommended that users upgrade their OS with the latest USB patches for optimal results. All Solaris USB patches are available at http://sunsolve.sun.com.
For Solaris 8: Patch # 109896-21 or later for Sparc platforms
For Solaris 9: Patch # 115553-14 or later for Sparc platforms and Patch # 115554-17 or later for x86 platforms.
Solaris 10 Express: Latest Solaris Express Beta Release # Beta 7 or later.
Where do I find the Solaris 10 Express build ?
Information about the Solaris Express release can be found at: http://www.sun.com/software/solaris/solaris-express/sol_index.html
Why are some of my USB 2.0 devices not recognised or not properly functional on Solaris 8 or Solaris 9, even after installing all the latest USB patches ?
For the Solaris 8 and Solaris 9 OS releases, the latest updates will install the USBA1.0 kernel interfaces as part of a Dual Framework. The Dual Framework consists of two USB frameworks: the newer USBA 1.0 framework which supports USB 2.0 devices, and the original framework of the OS release. The original framework is included for compatibility purposes only and was mainly designed to be used for keyboard and mice. In the Dual Framework configuration, by default, the original framework supports devices connected to USB 1.x ports and the newer USBA 1.0 framework supports devices connected to USB 2.0 ports.
To change the USB Dual Framework configuration, for example to run all USB ports with the newer USBA 1.0 framework, you will need to run the usbconfig script that is located at : http://www.sun.com/bigadmin/scripts/sunScripts/usbconfig.txt
If you are using a USB 2.0 device, please run usbconfig script and select the option '1' that sets all USB ports to USBA1.0 Framework and then connect the device.
What is USBA 1.0 Framework ?
USBA1.0 Framework is the newer USB software framework that allows users to connect USB 2 .0 devices at their highest speeds. Some new devices will work with this framework only. Details regarding this framework are found in the Dual Framework whitepaper at : www.sun.com/desktop/whitepapers.html.
Is any third party USB 2.0 PCI card needed for USB 2.0 support on older SUN Sparc / x86 machines ?
Yes, PCI Host Controller USB 2.0 cards from third party vendors such as Orange Micro, ADS, Belkin need to be used before connecting USB 2.0 devices. Please check the list of verified and certified USB devices http://www.sun.com/io_technologies/USB.html for other vendor details.
Some new USB to Serial Edgeport device from Digi IO Networks do not work with installed Solaris 8, 9 and Solaris Express release. Are there any patches that can be installed ?
There is a combination of Digi IO Networks devices being used by Solaris users. Most of the older devices and many of the new devices are now supported by Solaris. The latest patches from SUN address the recent Edgeport devices.
Please check the OS version and patch details for Edgeport devices at : http://www.digi.com/pdf/faq_ep_sun.pdf
I have tried to access my storage devices through vold but the device is not recognised. How can I access my device ?
There have been problems reported when a storage device is accessed using vold. Vold is not hotplug aware. In the short term (until the vold problems are resolved), it is better to disable or kill vold and access your storage device through commands like format etc. which will show the hard disks or storage devices that have been recognised by Solaris. Refer to the man page scsa2usb(7D) for details and work-around.
Are there any issues with ehci/uhci drivers I need to be aware of for USB to Serial Edgeport devices ?
On Solaris 8 and 9, sometimes ohci/uhci/ehci drivers are loaded too late. For USB serial devices that may cause a panic. The workaround is : In the file /etc/system, enter the following lines :
forceload drv/ohci
forceload drv/uhci
forceload drv/ehci
(if you have all three controllers)
How can security issues be addressed when data is being transferred to or from a USB mass storage device ?
At this time, there are no secure USB commands to transfer data to or from a USB mass storage device. If you are concerned about USB security, please add the following lines to the file /etc/system
exclude scsa2usb
exclude usba10_scsa2usb #(For Solaris 8 and Solaris 9)
and then reboot your system.
I have a LaCie 1 TeraBit hard disk and it is not recognised by Solaris on my Solaris 9 Sparc machine.
Install the latest patch updates or latest Solaris 10 Express build on your machine. (Refer question 1 for patch details)
If you still have problems add the following line to the file: /kernel/drv/scsa2usb.conf (for Solaris 10) or /kernel/drv/usba10_scsa2usb.conf (for Solaris 8/Solaris9)
attribute-override-list = "vid=* reduced-cmd-support=true";
and then reboot your machine.
If a USB device is supported on Solaris will it work with Sunray as well ?
The Sunray implementation of USB drivers is different from Solaris implementation. Please download the SRSS 3.0 for the latest Sunray support for USB devices.
I could not format my USB 2.0 hard disk using Solaris 9. What could be the problem ?
Please check if vold is enabled. (Refer to question 6 above). Kill vold and then run the format command
format -e (for Solaris 8 or Solaris 9 )
rmformat (on Solaris 10)
to format the hard disk.
I have a disk that has a pcfs format. I cannot mount this disk. I was able to mount non-pcfs disks on the same machine. What is the problem with the pcfs disk ?
On x86 machine, run the following commands to access pcfs disk type.
pkill vold
format -e or rmformat ( Refer question 12 above)
mount -F pcfs /dev/dsk/c2t0d0p0:c /mnt
On Sparc machine, run the following commands to access pcfs disk type.
pkill vold
format -e or rmformat ( Refer question 12 above)
mount -F pcfs /dev/dsk/c1t0d0s2:c /mnt
I tried an USB memory stick from a collegue and it worked "as-is" without trouble. Then I tried a different memory stick that I bought and this new one is even not recognized by the kernel.
We have noticed this before. If you do a prtconf -v of the working with the non working devices, compare the following lines
storage, instance #3..
Hardware properties:...
name='usb-product-name' type=string items=1
value='USB 2.0 Storage Device'..
name='usb-revision-id' type=int items=1
value=00000103
name='usb-product-id' type=int items=1
value=00005621
name='usb-vendor-id' type=int items=1
value=00000402
In Solaris 10: Add the following line to /kernel/drv/scsa2usb.conf :
attribute-override-list = "vid=* reduced-cmd-support=true";
and reboot the system. (Refer question 10 above for other details)
Is libusb supported on Solaris ?
Libusb API support is available for both Solaris and Sunray. USB DDK 0.9a includes the libusb support for Solaris 10. You can download the same from http://developers.sun.com/solaris/developer/support/driver/usb.html
When I do a prtconf -D on my system, why so I see 3 controllers (ehci, 2 x ohci) associated with my USB 2.0 PCI card:
pci, instance #0 (driver name: pci_pci)
pci, instance #1 (driver name: pci_pci)
usb, instance #1 (driver name: ohci)
usb, instance #2 (driver name: ohci)
usb, instance #0 (driver name: ehci)
ehci is the usb2.0 controller. If a USB 1.x device is found, it will be rerouted to a companion ohci controller.
My companion controller is uhci and I don't see a uhci driver for uhci on Solaris 8 or Solaris 9 for SPARC.
Please use the latest Solaris 10 Express build for the uhci support
I have a USB serial device from Digi IO Networks. It does not work although I have the latest patches and using a usb2.0 port (or have usbconf set to USBA1.0 everywhere).
We have noticed that there are some Digi IO Networks devices with firmware that is not compatible with the latest Solaris drivers on Solaris 8 or 9. The latest Solaris 10 Express builds have more comprehensive support of Digi IONetworks devices.
How do I determine whether my device runs at usb2.0 speed ?
On Solaris 8 and Solaris 9, check with prtconf -D whether the host controller is usba10_ehci, for example on Solaris 9:
usb, instance #0 (driver name: usba10_ehci)
storage, instance #0 (driver name: usba10_scsa2usb)
disk, instance #0 (driver name: sd)
On Solaris 10, check /var/adm/messages for messages similar to:
Dec 13 17:05:57 mysystem usba: [ID 912658 kern.info] USB 2.0 device
(usb50d,249) operating at hi speed (USB 2.x) on USB 2.0 external hub:
storage@4, scsa2usb0 at bus address 4
The prtconf output shows my device is connected to the ehci controller and I am using a hub. But the device is still slow and getting speeds of 800KB/sec. I am using a hub.
Check the hub details and ensure that the hub is not a 1.x hub.
I wish to write libusb applications. Where/how do I begin ?
Please check /usr/sfw/share/doc/libusb/libusb.txt to get started on libusb applications.
I get "Connection failure" warnings when I connect my device and it does not work.
Run prtconf -D on the command prompt and check if the device enumerated. Possible workarounds are connecting through a usb2.0 or usb1.x hub. It may be possible the device is not USB spec compliant. Please email us at usb-help@sun.com with details.
When I don't use my device for an hour or so, and try to use it, it stops working
Power Management may have powered it down. Edit /etc/power.conf,disable autopm, and run pmconfig or reboot.
How to check if my USB device was recognized by the OS ?
Run
cfgadm or cfgadm -vl (Solaris 9 and Solaris 10 only)
prtconf -D
I am running Solaris 10 Express builds how do I check if my disk is available ?
Run
rmformat -l (Solaris 10 only)
I tried rmformat to check my CD RW drive connection but it does not show all devices if vold is running. Why is this happening?
Check if there is media in your device (for DVD RW or CD RW drives). vold will not show devices if there is no media so rmformat can't show them either.
I am using a third party mouse with scroll wheel and 7 buttons. Also my keyboard has advanced features like smart card support. Why doesn't Solaris recognize it as console device ?
The current Solaris HID driver only support simple keyboard and mice (with wheels and up to 5 buttons). The hid driver does not fully implement the HID 1.1 spec but only a subset.
I am using a VIA based USB2.0 controller. I have faced problems when I connect my CDRW drive and other devices.
With the VIA based USB 2.0 controller, on Solaris 8 and Solaris 9, hangs have been reported. On Solaris 10 ehci will be disabled unless you explicitly enable it. Refer to ehci(7D) man page.
I want to use ugen but I can't get it to bind.
Using prtconf -v, check the compatible names for the node that you want to bind to. Then check /etc/driver_aliases and make sure that the correct compatible name is in /etc/driver_aliases. Note that quotes are needed. Also check /etc/name_to_major whether an add_drv ugen is needed (For Solaris 8, Solaris 9, use usba10_ugen)
Is there Smart Card support in Solaris ?
At this time, Solaris does not have built-in Smart card support. There is work in progress on this feature. Please email us at usb-help@sun.com for the latest details.
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