Removable media support in Linux depends on the type of interface the media uses. Most SCSI-based systems can be used, although the changing of media while a filesystem is loaded is seldom properly supported. Iomega’s Bernoulli systems and LaserSafe Pro magneto-optical cartridge systems can all be used with Linux without special drivers, as long as the cartridges can be formatted under DOS. Some other magneto-optical and removable magnetic media systems will also function properly.

Some removable media, especially those which do not use SCSI but rely on a dedicated hardware card, require special drivers. The very limited support in Linux for these devices is mostly provided by programmers who have written a driver for their own use and then made it public domain. No commercial removable media vendors are offering Linux-specific drivers at the moment, although this situation should change as Linux becomes widespread.