#### NOTE
The `unix-char` device type is supported for containers.
It supports hotplugging.
Unix character devices make the specified character device appear as a device in the container (under `/dev`).
You can read from the device and write to it.
## Device options
`unix-char` devices have the following device options:
`gid`
GID of the device owner in the container
[](#device-unix-char-device-conf:gid)
| **Key:** | `gid` |
|--------------|---------|
| **Type:** | integer |
| **Default:** | `0` |
`major`
Device major number
[](#device-unix-char-device-conf:major)
| **Key:** | `major` |
|--------------|----------------|
| **Type:** | integer |
| **Default:** | device on host |
`minor`
Device minor number
[](#device-unix-char-device-conf:minor)
| **Key:** | `minor` |
|--------------|----------------|
| **Type:** | integer |
| **Default:** | device on host |
`mode`
Mode of the device in the container
[](#device-unix-char-device-conf:mode)
| **Key:** | `mode` |
|--------------|----------|
| **Type:** | integer |
| **Default:** | `0660` |
`path`
Path inside the container
[](#device-unix-char-device-conf:path)
| **Key:** | `path` |
|---------------|---------------------------------------|
| **Type:** | string |
| **Required:** | either `source` or `path` must be set |
`required`
Whether this device is required to start the container
[](#device-unix-char-device-conf:required)
| **Key:** | `required` |
|--------------|--------------|
| **Type:** | bool |
| **Default:** | `true` |
See [Hotplugging](#devices-unix-char-hotplugging) for more information.
`source`
Path on the host
[](#device-unix-char-device-conf:source)
| **Key:** | `source` |
|---------------|---------------------------------------|
| **Type:** | string |
| **Required:** | either `source` or `path` must be set |
`uid`
UID of the device owner in the container
[](#device-unix-char-device-conf:uid)
| **Key:** | `uid` |
|--------------|---------|
| **Type:** | integer |
| **Default:** | `0` |
## Configuration examples
Add a `unix-char` device to a container by specifying its source and path:
```none
lxc config device add unix-char source= path=
```
If you want to use the same path on the container as on the host, you can omit the `source` option:
```none
lxc config device add unix-char path=
```
See [Configure devices](https://canonical.com/lxd/docs/latest/howto/instances_configure/index.html.md#instances-configure-devices) for more information.
## Hotplugging
Hotplugging is enabled if you set `required=false` and specify the `source` option for the device.
In this case, the device is automatically passed into the container when it appears on the host, even after the container starts.
If the device disappears from the host system, it is removed from the container as well.