79 lines
2.4 KiB
Markdown
79 lines
2.4 KiB
Markdown
---
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title: Share an input device with a guest using evdev
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description:
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published: true
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date: 2024-05-15T19:20:21.209Z
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tags:
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editor: markdown
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dateCreated: 2022-08-13T00:26:02.801Z
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---
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# Share an input device
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In this section, we'll explore how to share a locally attached input device with a guest virtual machine.
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## With evdev
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As of libvirt version 7.4.0, the [Linux evdev event interface](https://www.kernel.org/doc/html/latest/input/input.html?highlight=evdev#evdev) can be used to share an input device physically attached to the host with a guest, in a low-latency manner.
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### Preparation
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Before sharing an input device, follow these steps:
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- List available input devices on your host system, excluding those containing `if` in their name, including those containing `event` in their name:
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```
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ls /dev/input/by-id/* | grep event | grep -v if
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```
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This command should output the names of eligible devices.
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Example output:
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```
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/dev/input/by-id/usb-Corsair_CORSAIR_HARPOON_RGB_PRO_Gaming_Mouse_1902B02BAF5E04655DEB612AF5001C05-event-mouse
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/dev/input/by-id/usb-Logitech_G513_RGB_MECHANICAL_GAMING_KEYBOARD_156930783132-event-kbd
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/dev/input/by-id/usb-Logitech_USB_Keyboard-event-kbd
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/dev/input/by-id/usb-Logitech_USB_Optical_Mouse-event-mouse
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```
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- Make sure that the correct one is selected by registering its inputs in your console:
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```
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cat /dev/input/by-id/usb-Logitech_G513_RGB_MECHANICAL_GAMING_KEYBOARD_156930783132-event-kbd
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```
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This step ensures you're working with the desired input device.
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- Test the device by interacting with it on the host system. You should see gibberish characters displayed on your screen:
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```
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<EFBFBD><EFBFBD>c $
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<EFBFBD><EFBFBD>c<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>c<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>c<EFBFBD>$<24><>c<EFBFBD>$<24><>c<63><D78F>c<63><D78F>c
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```
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### Adding the input device to your virtual machine
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- To share the input device with your virtual machine, add the following XML snippet to its domain definition (inside the <device> section):
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```
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<input type='evdev'>
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<source dev='/dev/input/by-id/usb-Logitech_G513_RGB_MECHANICAL_GAMING_KEYBOARD_156930783132-event-kbd' grab='all' repeat='on'/>
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</input>
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```
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### Usage
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Once the virtual machine is started, the input device will be captured by the guest system.
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> Press <kbd>Left Ctrl + Right Ctrl</kbd> simultaneously to switch your devices between the guest and the host.
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{.is-info}
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## Resources
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* https://libvirt.org/formatdomain.html#input-devices
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---
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*[**Go to parent page**](https://wiki.phyllo.me/)* |