understanding the input layer

[Andreas S. <an...@sc...>]

is there a way to see which devices are registered nodes in the
input layer? 

i have mice connected to my box, they are shown in
/proc/bus/usb/devices, but they do not seem to be connected to
the device special files in /dev/input and /dev/usb. none of
these devices works. 

the magic happens in input.c, i guess, but how can i see IF it
happens in the first place? Which device drivers are necessary to
use the usb devices? the USB maintainer tells me that hid is
capable to do it all, but he says that his responsibility ends
there and the input layer is non of his buissness. (c:

what device drivers do i need on the input layer, and do i need
one for kbd and one for mice?

I work with the backport by  Aivils Stoss to 2.4.19