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1. Introduction

Better red, than dead. - Unknown AuthorEss

IrDA support for Linux started at the end of 1997. For 2.0.x kernels Linux/IrDA support worked in a totally other way and is no longer supported by the Linux/IrDA project. Since 2.1.131 and 2.2.0 Linux/IrDA is part of the kernel. Please note that the status of the project just changed from experimental to stable with 2.2.10 kernels.

Companies and developers which are interested in joining these efforts should contact the at Linux/IrDA Project or me at < wehe@snafu.de >.

Some history about Linux/IrDA. The project started at the end of 1997 with the name Linux/IrDA. Due to some troubles with the name IrDA, which is trademarked by the Infrared Data Association <idx>IrDA</idx>, the name was changed to Linux/IR. At the end of 1998 the the relationship between both became better and the name was changed to Linux/IrDA again. Since February 1999 the project is an official member of IrDA .

This document is based on the "How to use" part of the Linux/IrDA project homepage. I also included material provided by the Linux/IrDA core team, the Linux/IrDA mailing list and other sources.

The document is included in the LINUX DOCUMENTATION PROJECT.

The latest version of this document is available at LiLAC - Linux with Laptop Computers .

Mathieu Arnold <arn_mat@club-internet.fr> provides the IR-HOWTO in French .

The latest kernel I used is 2.2.3 and the latest irda-utils version is 0.8.8 .

I tried to check all information but I don't have all the necessary infrared hardware yet, so if something doesn't work for you, please don't blame me.

Please feel free to contact me for comments or questions about the HOWTO. I know this material is not finished or perfect, but I hope you find it useful anyway. For other questions and current information about Linux/IrDA please ask in the Linux/IrDA mailing list as explained below.

<Werner Heuser>


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