Using DisplayLink devices on Linux

Summary

Add support in Linux for USB DisplayLink devices, such as the ASUS MB169B+ monitor or the Dell D6000 dock, which is now being widely deployed in LSA.

Environment

• Ubuntu Linux (supported releases)
• RHEL/CentOS 7 & 8
• Fedora (supported versions, currently 33 and 34)

Directions

Ubuntu

1. Install the DKMS package: sudo apt install dkms
2. Download the driver package from the DisplayLink website.
3. Change to the download directory (typically ~/Downloads): cd ~/Downloads
4. Unzip the archive: unzip DisplayLink\ USB\ Graphics\ Software\ for\ Ubuntu\ *.zip
5. Install it: sudo ./displaylink-driver-version.run

RHEL/CentOS/Fedora

Please note: We have not tested this on every version. It works on Fedora 33 but does not work at all on CentOS Stream 8. 

1. t Install the DKMS package with one of the following commands: sudo yum install dkms or sudo dnf install dkms
2. Download the appropriate driver package from GitHub.
3. Use yum or dnf to install the downloaded rpm package.
4. If necessary, start the service: sudo systemctl start displaylink

Update evdi module

DisplayLink packages typically come with a newer version of evdi that may need to have a kernel module built for the kernel you are using. In that case, these additional steps will be necessary. We are using version 1.7.2 as an example in this case. Because evdi development lags kernel updates, evdi modules may fail to build on newer kernels. In that case, you will need to use an older kernel until an updated evdi is released or to patch evdi yourself. There is often documentation in online discussions about workarounds that can be used.

1. cd /usr/src/evdi-1.7.2
2. sudo dkms install -m evdi -v 1.7.2

External Resources

• https://support.displaylink.com/knowledgebase/articles/615714
• https://support.displaylink.com/knowledgebase/articles/683482-displaylink-support-for-ubuntu-now-available
• https://support.displaylink.com/knowledgebase/articles/683672-my-displaylink-device-does-not-work-on-ubuntu