evdev

evdev is

• The open source input driver (x11-drivers/xf86-input-evdev ) for many input devices like keyboards, mice, joysticks and more.
• The short name of the Linux kernel's event interface (CONFIG_INPUT_EVDEV), needed for libinput.
• The input_devices_evdev USE flag.

Installation

Kernel

You need USB support, if you have an USB input device. Also you need to activate the following kernel options:

Device Drivers --->
 Input device support --->
 <*> Event interface
 [*] Mice --->
 <*> PS/2 mouse
 -*- Keyboards --->
 <*> AT keyboard

Device Drivers --->
 HID support --->
 <*> HID bus support
 <*> Generic HID driver
 USB HID support --->
 <*> USB HID transport layer

Some USB mice (e.g. Logitech G5 and Razer Naga 2014) additionally need the following option:

Device Drivers --->
 [*] USB support --->
 [*] Improved Transaction Translator scheduling

Driver

INPUT_DEVICES="evdev"

After setting the INPUT_DEVICES variable remember to update the system using the following command so the changes take effect:

Configuration

Keyboard layout

To set the default layout copy the file 10-evdev.conf to /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d and edit the keyboard section, e.g. for a German layout:

Section "InputClass"
 Identifier "evdev keyboard catchall"
 ...
 Driver "evdev"
 Option "xkb_layout" "de"
EndSection

For more info please read the Configuring the keyboard.

See also

• Libinput — an input device driver for Wayland compositors and X.org window system.

• Input devices