USB To Docker: Connect Devices On Windows Via WSL2

Aug 1, 2025 by ADMIN 51 views

How to Attach a USB Device on Windows Docker Desktop to a Linux Container

Hey guys! Ever found yourself in a situation where you needed to connect a USB device to a Docker container running on Windows? It can be a bit tricky, especially when you're dealing with different operating systems like Windows and Linux. But don't worry, I've got you covered! This guide will walk you through the process of attaching a USB device on a Windows host running Docker Desktop and then passing it to a Linux Docker container. We'll focus on using usbipd-win on Windows 11 with WSL2, ensuring your Ubuntu 24.04 container can access your USB devices, like a J-Link.

Understanding the Challenge

Before we dive into the steps, let's understand the challenge. Docker containers are isolated environments, which means they don't automatically have access to the host machine's hardware, including USB devices. When you're running Docker Desktop on Windows, and your containers are Linux-based, you need a way to bridge this gap. This is where usbipd-win comes into play. It allows you to share USB devices from your Windows host to the WSL2 environment, which Docker Desktop uses.

Key Concepts

Docker Desktop: A platform that allows you to run Docker containers on Windows and macOS.
WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux 2): A feature in Windows that allows you to run a Linux environment directly on Windows.
usbipd-win: A tool that allows you to share USB devices from Windows to WSL2.
J-Link: A popular family of debug probes often used in embedded systems development.

Prerequisites

Before we get started, make sure you have the following prerequisites in place:

Windows 11: This guide is tailored for Windows 11, but it should also work on Windows 10 with WSL2 enabled.
WSL2 Enabled: Ensure that WSL2 is installed and set as the default WSL version. You can check this by running wsl --status in your command prompt.
Docker Desktop: Docker Desktop must be installed and running on your Windows machine.
Ubuntu 24.04 Docker Image: We'll be using an Ubuntu 24.04 Docker image for this guide.
usbipd-win Installed: You need to have usbipd-win installed on your Windows host. If you haven't already, we'll cover the installation steps in the next section.

Step-by-Step Guide

Now, let's get to the nitty-gritty. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to attach a USB device on a Windows host running Docker Desktop and then pass it to a Linux Docker container.

1. Installing `usbipd-win`

If you haven't already installed usbipd-win, here's how to do it:

Download usbipd-win: You can download the latest release from the usbipd-win GitHub repository. Look for the .msi installer.
Run the Installer: Double-click the .msi file and follow the installation prompts. Make sure to install it with administrator privileges.
Install VCRedist: The installer might prompt you to install the Visual C++ Redistributable. If it does, follow the prompts to install it.

2. Attaching the USB Device to WSL2

Next, we need to attach the USB device to WSL2. Here's how:

Open PowerShell as Administrator: Right-click on the PowerShell icon and select "Run as administrator."
List USB Devices: Run the following command to list the USB devices connected to your Windows host:
```
usbipd wsl list
```
This will display a list of USB devices with their bus IDs. Identify the device you want to attach to the container (e.g., your J-Link).
Attach the USB Device: Use the following command to attach the USB device to WSL2, replacing <bus_id> with the actual bus ID of your device:
```
usbipd wsl attach --busid <bus_id>
```
For example:
```
usbipd wsl attach --busid 1-4
```
This command attaches the USB device to the WSL2 environment.

3. Accessing the USB Device in WSL2

Now that the USB device is attached to WSL2, let's make sure it's accessible within your WSL2 environment.

Open a WSL2 Terminal: Open your WSL2 terminal (e.g., Ubuntu).
List USB Devices in WSL2: Run the following command to list the USB devices in WSL2:
```
lsusb
```
You should see your USB device listed in the output. If you don't see it, make sure the device is properly attached and that the necessary drivers are installed in your WSL2 environment.

4. Passing the USB Device to a Docker Container

Now comes the final step: passing the USB device to your Docker container. This involves running your Docker container with the necessary privileges and device mappings.

Run the Docker Container with Device Mapping: Use the docker run command with the --device flag to map the USB device into your container. You'll need to know the device path within your WSL2 environment. Typically, USB devices are located under /dev/. You can find the device path by listing the contents of the /dev/ directory and looking for the appropriate device node.

Here's an example docker run command:
```
docker run --rm -it --privileged --device=/dev/bus/usb/<bus> ubuntu:24.04 /bin/bash
```
- --rm: Automatically removes the container when it exits.
- -it: Runs the container in interactive mode.
- --privileged: Gives the container elevated privileges, which are often necessary for accessing hardware devices.
- --device=/dev/bus/usb/<bus>: Maps the USB device into the container. Replace <bus> with the appropriate bus number (e.g., 001/004). You can find this information using lsusb in your WSL2 environment.
- ubuntu:24.04: Specifies the Ubuntu 24.04 Docker image.
- /bin/bash: Starts a Bash shell inside the container.
For example, if your device is on bus 001 and device 004, the command would be:
```
docker run --rm -it --privileged --device=/dev/bus/usb/001/004 ubuntu:24.04 /bin/bash
```
Install Necessary Packages in the Container: Once you're inside the container, you might need to install additional packages to interact with your USB device. For example, if you're using a J-Link, you might need to install the J-Link software.
```
apt-get update && apt-get install -y <package_name>
```

Troubleshooting Tips

If you run into any issues, here are a few troubleshooting tips:

Check usbipd-win Version: Make sure you're using the latest version of usbipd-win. Older versions might have compatibility issues.
WSL2 Kernel: Ensure your WSL2 kernel is up to date. You can update it by running wsl --update in your command prompt.
Permissions: Make sure you have the necessary permissions to access the USB device in both WSL2 and the Docker container. Using the --privileged flag in the docker run command can help with this.
Drivers: Ensure that the necessary drivers for your USB device are installed in both your Windows host and the WSL2 environment. Sometimes, you might need to manually install drivers within the container as well.
Device Path: Double-check the device path in your docker run command. The path might vary depending on your system configuration.

Conclusion

Attaching a USB device on a Windows host running Docker Desktop and passing it to a Linux container can seem daunting, but with the right tools and steps, it's definitely achievable. By using usbipd-win and understanding the device mapping process, you can seamlessly connect your USB devices to your Docker containers. Whether you're working with J-Links, debug probes, or any other USB device, this guide should provide you with the knowledge you need to get the job done. Happy Dockering!

Keywords: Docker, USB, Windows, WSL2, usbipd-win, Linux container, J-Link, device mapping, troubleshooting.

FAQ

What is Docker Desktop?

Docker Desktop is a user-friendly application that simplifies the process of building, shipping, and running applications in containers on Windows and macOS. It provides a seamless experience for developers by abstracting away the complexities of containerization, allowing them to focus on writing code rather than managing infrastructure. Docker Desktop includes the Docker Engine, Docker CLI, Docker Compose, and other essential tools, making it a comprehensive solution for container-based development.

One of the key features of Docker Desktop is its integration with the host operating system. On Windows, it leverages the Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2) to run Linux-based containers. This integration allows developers to use their familiar Windows environment while still benefiting from the advantages of Linux containers, such as portability and consistency. Docker Desktop also provides a graphical user interface (GUI) that makes it easy to manage containers, images, volumes, and networks.

Using Docker Desktop involves several steps, starting with the installation process. Once installed, you can use the Docker CLI or the Docker Desktop GUI to interact with the Docker Engine. You can pull images from Docker Hub, build your own images using Dockerfiles, and run containers based on these images. Docker Desktop also supports Docker Compose, a tool for defining and managing multi-container applications. With Docker Compose, you can define your application's services, networks, and volumes in a single YAML file, making it easy to deploy and manage complex applications.

What is WSL2?

WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux 2) is a feature in Windows that allows developers to run a Linux environment directly on Windows, without the need for a virtual machine or dual-booting. It represents a significant improvement over its predecessor, WSL1, by using a true Linux kernel running inside a lightweight virtual machine. This approach provides better performance, improved system call compatibility, and full support for Docker containers.

WSL2 is designed to bridge the gap between Windows and Linux, enabling developers to use their favorite Linux tools and utilities within a Windows environment. It supports a wide range of Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, and SUSE. You can install these distributions from the Microsoft Store and run them side-by-side with your Windows applications. WSL2 also integrates seamlessly with the Windows file system, allowing you to access your Windows files from within the Linux environment and vice versa.

Using WSL2 involves several steps, starting with enabling the feature in Windows. You can do this by running a few commands in PowerShell with administrator privileges. Once WSL2 is enabled, you can install a Linux distribution from the Microsoft Store and start using it. WSL2 provides a command-line interface (CLI) that allows you to interact with the Linux environment. You can run Linux commands, install software packages, and develop applications using your preferred Linux tools. WSL2 also supports graphical applications, allowing you to run Linux GUI apps on your Windows desktop.

What is `usbipd-win`?

usbipd-win is a crucial tool that facilitates the sharing of USB devices from a Windows host to the Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2) environment. It essentially acts as a bridge, allowing USB devices connected to your Windows machine to be recognized and utilized within the Linux environment running on WSL2. This is particularly useful in scenarios where you need to access hardware devices, such as debug probes, USB dongles, or specialized peripherals, from within a Linux-based development environment on Windows.

The primary function of usbipd-win is to implement the USB/IP (USB over IP) protocol on Windows. This protocol enables the virtualization of USB devices, allowing them to be accessed over a network or, in this case, within the WSL2 environment. By installing usbipd-win on your Windows host and configuring it correctly, you can seamlessly connect USB devices to your WSL2 instances, making them available for use by Linux applications and tools.

Using usbipd-win involves several steps, including installing the tool on your Windows host, attaching the desired USB device to WSL2, and ensuring that the necessary drivers and configurations are in place within the Linux environment. Once set up, usbipd-win provides a reliable and efficient way to bridge the gap between Windows and Linux when it comes to USB device access, making it an invaluable tool for developers and users who work with both operating systems.

How do I list USB devices in WSL2?

To list USB devices in WSL2, you can use the lsusb command. This command is part of the usbutils package, which is commonly installed by default in many Linux distributions, including those available for WSL2. If you find that lsusb is not available in your WSL2 environment, you can easily install it using your distribution's package manager. For example, on Ubuntu or Debian, you can run sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install usbutils to install the usbutils package, which includes the lsusb command.

Once you have the lsusb command available, you can simply open your WSL2 terminal and type lsusb followed by pressing Enter. This will display a list of all USB devices currently recognized by your WSL2 environment, including their bus IDs and device descriptions. The output typically includes information about the device manufacturer, product name, and other relevant details, making it easy to identify the specific USB device you are looking for.

The lsusb command is an essential tool for troubleshooting USB device connectivity issues in WSL2. By listing the available devices, you can verify whether a particular USB device has been successfully attached to WSL2 and whether it is being recognized by the system. If a device is not listed, it may indicate a problem with the device's connection, driver installation, or the usbipd-win configuration. In such cases, you can use the information provided by lsusb to diagnose the issue and take appropriate steps to resolve it.

How do I pass a USB device to a Docker container?

Passing a USB device to a Docker container involves several steps, starting with identifying the device's path within the host system. Once you have the device path, you can use the --device flag when running the Docker container to map the USB device into the container's file system. This allows the container to access and interact with the USB device as if it were directly connected to the container's environment. However, it's essential to ensure that the container has the necessary privileges and drivers to interact with the device correctly.

To pass a USB device to a Docker container, you typically need to use the docker run command with the --device flag. This flag allows you to specify the device path on the host system and map it to a corresponding path within the container. The device path usually follows the format /dev/<device_name>, where <device_name> is the name of the device file in the /dev directory. For USB devices, the path is often in the form of /dev/bus/usb/<bus_number>/<device_number>, where <bus_number> and <device_number> are the bus and device numbers assigned to the USB device.

When using the --device flag, you can also specify permissions for the device within the container. By default, the container will have read and write access to the device. However, you can restrict access by specifying a different permission string, such as r for read-only access or w for write-only access. Additionally, you may need to run the container with the --privileged flag to grant it elevated privileges, which are often necessary for accessing hardware devices like USB devices. Once the container is running, you can use standard Linux tools and utilities to interact with the USB device within the container's environment.

What does the `--privileged` flag do in Docker?

The --privileged flag in Docker is a powerful option that grants a container almost all the capabilities of the host machine. When a container is run with the --privileged flag, it bypasses many of the security restrictions that are normally in place, allowing it to perform actions that would otherwise be prohibited. This can be useful in certain situations, such as when a container needs to access hardware devices or modify the host system's configuration. However, it also significantly increases the risk of security vulnerabilities and should be used with caution.

When a container is run with --privileged, it essentially has the same access to the host system as if it were running directly on the host. This means that it can access all devices, modify kernel modules, and perform other privileged operations. This level of access can be necessary for certain types of applications, such as those that require direct access to hardware devices or those that need to run system-level utilities. However, it also means that any security vulnerabilities within the container can potentially be exploited to compromise the entire host system.

Using the --privileged flag should be avoided whenever possible, as it significantly reduces the isolation between the container and the host. In most cases, there are alternative ways to achieve the desired functionality without granting the container full privileges. For example, you can use the --device flag to grant access to specific devices or the --cap-add and --cap-drop flags to selectively add or remove capabilities. By using these more targeted approaches, you can minimize the security risks associated with running containers in privileged mode.