Mdev

2024-03-27T04:05:13Z

Rwonly: apk doesn't have 'install'

{{DISPLAYTITLE:mdev}}
mdev is the default [[Device_Manager|device manager]] on Alpine Linux. It is provided by busybox as alternative to [https://man.archlinux.org/man/udev.7 systemd's udev].
mdev is '''not''' a drop in replacement for udev. See [[eudev]] for that instead. mdev lacks some features which makes it not recommended for a full blown desktop enviroment.

== Installation ==

The easy way to setup mdev is throught the [[#Setup_Script|setup script]]. For custom installation see the [[#Manually|manually section]]. Note that a manual installation is only recommended for advanced users.

=== Setup Script ===

The {{pkg|alpine-conf}} package privides [https://git.alpinelinux.org/alpine-conf/tree/setup-devd.in setup-devd] to easily install and setup device managers.

Install {{pkg|alpine-conf}} if it is not already installed.
{{cmd|# apk add {{pkg|alpine-conf}}}}
Setup mdev.
{{cmd|# setup-devd mdev}}

=== Manually ===

Mdev is provided by the {{pkg|busybox}} package which is pre installed on any alpine installation. To run mdev the [[OpenRC]] init scripts are required too. If it isn't already installed install it:
{{cmd|# apk add {{pkg|busybox-mdev-openrc}}}}

If you already have a device manager installed you need to stop it before you start mdev.

Enable the mdev service.
{{cmd|# rc-update add mdev sysinit}}
{{cmd|# rc-update add hwdrivers sysinit}}
If you are not running in a chroot you will also want to start mdev.
{{cmd|# rc-service mdev start}}
{{cmd|# rc-service hwdrivers start}}

You might also want to take a look at [[#libudev replacement|libudev replacement]] if programms you want to use depend on udev.

== Remove ==

{{warning|Disabling mdev without setting up a different device manager may cause unexpected issues. If you install a different device manager with the setup script this step is not needed.}}

First stop the service. This step can be skipped when you are running in a chroot.
{{cmd|# rc-service mdev stop}}
Then disable it.
{{cmd|# rc-update delete mdev sysinit}}

You might also want to uninstall the init scripts since they are not used anymore.
{{cmd|# apk del {{pkg|busybox-mdev-openrc}}}}
The mdev binary is part of the {{pkg|busybox}} package and therefor can't be uninstalled.

== libudev replacement ==

{{pkg|libudev-zero}} provides udev apis but is independent from the device manager used. When installed it will make '''some''' udev reliant programms work with mdev. See <code>[https://github.com/illiliti/libudev-zero/#what-doesnt-work What doesn't work]</code>.

== Configuration ==

=== Custom network interfaces ===
See [[Custom network interface names]]

=== USB Printer ===
See [[Printer_Setup#configure_mdev_for_USB_printers|configure mdev for USB printers]]

=== Raspberry Pi Bluetooth Speaker ===
See [[Raspberry_Pi_Bluetooth_Speaker#Bluetooth|Raspberry Pi Bluetooth Speaker]]

== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Device_Manager|Device Managers]]
* [https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/Mdev Gentoo wiki Mdev]
* [https://git.busybox.net/busybox/plain/docs/mdev.txt mdev doc]
* [https://github.com/slashbeast/mdev-like-a-boss mdev like a boss]

[[Category:Device_Manager]]

Alpine Linux - User contributions [en]

Mdev