Introducing USB4STREAM Protocol for Linux – Opening Up Some Nifty Uses for USB4
5 hours ago
- #Linux Kernel
- #USB4
- #Thunderbolt
- Intel is introducing the USB4STREAM protocol for Linux, expected in the Linux 7.2 kernel, enabling raw packet transfers between hosts via USB4/Thunderbolt cables without using the network stack.
- The protocol uses a 'thunderbolt_stream' driver that exposes /dev/tbstreamX devices, allowing data transfer through standard file operations like dd or cat.
- Use cases include system backups, sharing peripherals like web cameras, and transferring files or data directly between systems, with configuration via ConfigFS and support for multiple bi-directional streams.
- Intel Thunderbolt maintainer Mika Westerberg developed the support, with patches currently in the 'next' branch, aiming for inclusion in the Linux 7.2 merge window in mid-June.
- Documentation is provided to guide users on configuring and using USB4STREAM, including examples for backup and camera sharing, with automatic HopID allocation and stream removal after use.