Docker - a way to give access to a host USB or serial device?

Question

Last time I checked, Docker didn't have any means to give container access to host serial or USB port. Is there a trick which allows doing that?

Answer 1

There are a couple of options. You can use the --device flag that use can use to access USB devices without --privileged mode:

docker run -t -i --device=/dev/ttyUSB0 ubuntu bash

Alternatively, assuming your USB device is available with drivers working, etc. on the host in /dev/bus/usb, you can mount this in the container using privileged mode and the volumes option. For example:

docker run -t -i --privileged -v /dev/bus/usb:/dev/bus/usb ubuntu bash

Note that as the name implies, --privileged is insecure and should be handled with care.