Hey all,

I have a tablet that I’ve been working on and in order to setup OS I need to plugin a usb hub to the usb port, using an adapter to microUSB, ok, and then plugin either a keyboard and mouse or a combo unit (in my case, the wireless receiver device of a mini keyboard/touchpad device), and finally, the flash drive with the OS install on it.

To put it simply, it’s really a pain in the ass anytime I want to do some testing. It works, but it is a clutter and nuisance.

Is there any software that will allow me to plug in a USB cord from my laptop (Linux) and the other end into the USB port of the tablet, and use the laptop to control the tablet?

Thanks.

  • koala@programming.dev
    1·
    6 hours ago

    Hah, no worries. I think it’s just an unusual use case and… well, I recognized it because I’m obsessed with PiKVM lately and those things!

    I’m not superknowledgeable on USB, but Linux has features to do this; they are called “gadgets” in this list:

    https://docs.kernel.org/usb/index.html

    I have used this to turn a RPI Zero into a virtual USB drive with these scripts: https://github.com/alexpdp7/rpi-zero-usb-iso/

    Likely by searching the Internet for USB gadgets you might find good explanations about requirements. I know there are unexpected difficulties- I’m using a Pi Zero instead of a nicer Pi because… nicer Pis can draw too much power over USB and bork what they’re connected to. So be careful.