Linux first to support USB 3

Linux first to support USB 3

Linux will be the first operating system with official support for USB 3, an Intel open-source developer has announced.

Sarah Sharp, who works in Intel's Open Source Technology Centre, says on her blog that support of USB 3 would soon be integrated into the Linux kernel.

"This is a giant project that I've been working on for the past year and a half. It's gratifying to see the code finally released, and exciting to know that hardware is on its way," she writes. "I hope that some USB vendors who have prototypes will test with my driver."

To that end, she offered instructions for those interested in implementing USB 3 support on current Linux builds.

It was at the end of last year that the USB 3 Promoter Group, which counts HP, Intel and Microsoft among its members announced the completion of the USB 3 specification - a technical map for device manufacturers looking to replicate the technology and bring it to market.

USB 3, or SuperSpeed USB, should bring significant power and performance enhancements to the USB standard. Data transfer rates are up to ten times faster than USB 2, with potential potential data transfer rates of up to 4.8Gbits/sec being touted.