PALO ALTO, USA: DisplayLink is taking steps to bring its USB display technology, formerly only available on Windows and Mac, to Linux. DisplayLink's chips enable one or more high resolution displays to be connected via the standard, universal USB 2.0 connector.

The library enables the creation of Linux software, X Servers, drivers, and other applications, which will work with the growing universe of products using DisplayLink technology.

The library is provided under the GNU Lesser General Public License v2 (LGPL), enabling software to be ported by the community to cover the widest possible range of processors, platforms, and applications. This ultimately enables companies to create products which will work on the full variety of Linux devices like netbooks, notebooks, mobile Internet devices, mobile phones, embedded displays, embedded devices, digital signage, and more.

"We are enabling those in the Linux community to take DisplayLink USB graphics technology and apply it to new and exciting range of applications," said Jason Slaughter, director of marketing at DisplayLink. "DisplayLink technology can be found in many USB connected monitors, universal docking stations, and projectors, and there are thousands of Linux-based devices that could benefit greatly from the plug and display simplicity of USB graphics."

In order to encourage the development of the best possible support for USB displays in Linux, DisplayLink has partnered with Novell, developer of SUSE Linux. "Novell works with hardware partners, like DisplayLink, to provide support for a wide range of devices in SUSE Linux Enterprise," said Carlos Montero-Luque, vice president of business and product management at Novell. "Support for DisplayLink USB graphics devices will build on the broad hardware support already available in SUSE Linux Enterprise for notebooks, netbooks, and desktops and will give customers greater flexibility in choosing which device they use."

DisplayLink has also partnered with the Linux Driver Project (LDP) in an effort to accelerate the development of Linux drivers for DisplayLink USB devices. "The LDP started out as a single place for hardware manufacturers to contact in order to get drivers written for their devices for free," said Greg Kroah-Hartman, Linux kernel developer and head of the Linux Driver Project, "We are now a group of more than 200 Linux kernel developers committed to improving Linux support for new hardware devices, like DisplayLink USB graphics."

For companies building unique products on top of Linux, technology consulting companies such Endurance Technology in the UK, and InoScope in Poland are also available to provide paid development and support services for DisplayLink devices, also building on the DisplayLink LGPL library.

"By providing the widest possible support for DisplayLink devices under the LGPL license, we combine the ubiquitous connectivity of USB and the kind of universal device coverage only possible with Linux to creating an ideal breeding ground for innovation on DisplayLink's hardware platform," added Slaughter.