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Linux IR HOWTO

Werner Heuser,

v2.11, 9 March 2000


An introduction to Linux and infrared devices and how to use the software provided by the Linux/IrDA project. This package uses IrDA(TM) compliant standards. IrDA(TM) is an industrial standard for infrared wireless communication, and most laptops made after January 1996 are equipped with an IrDA(TM) compliant infrared transceiver. Infrared ports let you communicate with printers, modems, fax machines, LANs, and other laptops. Speed ranges from 2400bps to 4Mbps. The Linux/IrDA stack supports IrLAP, IrLMP, IrIAS, IrIAP, IrLPT, IrCOMM, IrOBEX, and IrLAN. Several of the protocols are implemented as both clients and servers. There is also support for multiple IrLAP connections, via several IrDA(TM) devices at once. The Linux/IrDA project started at the end of 1997 and its status is still experimental, so please don't expect every feature working straight. AFAIK Linux/IrDA is the _only_ open source IrDA implementation currently available. Remote Control (RC) via infrared is not the aim of the project, though partly treated in this HOWTO.

1. About the Document and the Author

2. About the Linux/IrDA Project

3. Prerequisites

4. Kernel

5. Linux/IrDA-Utils

6. Configuration

7. Specific Connections and IrDA - Protocols

8. Hardware Supported by Linux/IrDA

9. Graphical User Interface (GUI)

10. Power Saving

11. Beyond IrDA

12. Troubleshooting, Mailing List

13. IrDA Network Neighborhood

14. Linux/IrDA and APM

15. Java - IrDA Interface

16. IrDA and USB

17. IrDA Protocols

18. Known Bugs

19. FAQ

20. Infrared Remote Control

21. Infrared and Eye Safety

22. Credits

23. Revision History

24. Copyright and Disclaimer

25. Appendix A - Configuration Script

26. Appendix B - Serial Infrared Port Sniffers

27. Appendix C - User space application for Psion 5 Palmtop Computers: psion.c


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