USB Modem detected - but not showing under Interfaces?

Zani · Aug 4, 2010, 7:22 PM

I Found the following - but dont know what to do as PfSense is different than FreeGSD8:

USB-based 3G modem driver:

This driver supports 3G (UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA) cards that provide access to 1 or more serial ports through a USB interface. On 1 or more of these interfaces AT commands can be used to talk to the device.

Transfer speeds should be above 30k on a good UMTS connection and a fast server:

% curl -o /dev/null ftp://ftp.nl.freebsd.org/pub/FreeBSD/ls-lR.gz
% Total % Received % Xferd Average Speed Time Time Time Current
Dload Upload Total Spent Left Speed
12 19.9M 12 2486k 0 0 40203 0 0:08:39 0:01:03 0:07:36 43921

Some devices (from Sierra for example) support the ETSI / 3GPP 27.010 Multiplex protocol. A basic implementation which works on an Option Globetrotter GPRS card is available. Contact me for details.
Verified to work

See the man page.
Installation instructions

The driver is available in both FBSD7 and FBSD8. The one in FBSD8 was written by Hans Peter Selasky. Consult freebsd-usb@ for more information and bug reports.

The driver should be usable on FBSD6, without too many changes. You will need to patch ucom.c though with this patch.
Tricks

* To start your connection automatically use something like the following snippet in your devd.conf:

attach 100 {
device-name "ucom[0-9]+";
match "vendor" "0x12d1";
match "product" "0x1003";
action "/usr/sbin/ppp -ddial kpn";
};

* Some people have been able to get their device to successfully switch from driver mode to modem mode using usb_modeswitch. You can compile it on FreeBSD with

cc -L /usr/local/lib -I/usr/local/include -lusb -o usb_modeswitch usb_modeswitch.c

if you have libusb installed. Note that umass must not be present in your kernel nor as a module.
* To see signal strength for example while online:
1. Start ppp (See this page for more info on configuring ppp).
2. Connect to the other port, in my case /dev/cuaU0.2, using cu -l /dev/cuaU0.2 and type in commands like AT+CSQ and ATI1. You should see responses from the USB dongle.

http://people.freebsd.org/~n_hibma/u3g.html

eri-- · Aug 4, 2010, 7:15 PM

We have that driver. Just it never heard of your device.

All drivers have signatures of vendors and type of product and cannot automatically, as of yet, attach to devices you tell too.
So you have to patch the driver and teach it about your vendor and product type and see if it works for your device.
Not a job for novices i would say.

If i had a card to test i would do it by i don't so, you are on your own or ask on freebsd forums.

Zani · Aug 4, 2010, 9:10 PM

Thanks for the info - I did presume that the generic driver that picked up my modem - is the one designed for FreeBSD8 as mentioned above.

So - I need someone competent & willing to guide me trough the process…

Step by step… - or write me a patch.

PS - this modem is widely used by Neotel in South Africa.

wallabybob · Aug 5, 2010, 12:16 AM

It looks to me that the E220 (Vendor/Device ID 0×12d1/0×1003) should be supported by the FreeBSD u3g driver (see src/sys/dev/usb/serial/u3g.c in the source tree). The u3g man page is at http://www.freebsd.org/cgi/man.cgi?query=u3g&apropos=0&sektion=0&manpath=FreeBSD+8.1-RELEASE&format=html

The "Dupont" device (Vendor/Device ID 0×1d09/0×4000) is not listed in the u3g source file. It would be a easy enough matter to add the ID codes but that will gain nothing except trouble if the Dupont doesn't have a programming interface that is "similar enough" to the E220.

I suspect it will be more time effective and cost effective to replace the Dupont device by one of the FreeBSD supported devices.

Zani · Aug 5, 2010, 7:02 AM

Thanks for the answer.

**We live in the sunshine country. Remember us? World cup? ;D
But this need a little background:
Until Neotel came into the picture and laid undersea optic cables from South Africa [last year],
we had a state owned monopoly here that supplied users with internet - and the affordable rates gave us 3 gig per month! >:(
Neotel only uses this device. So - if, by some help we could get it working - it won't be in vain…
There are no alternatives… :-\

In Linux [Smoothwall 2.6 Linux kernel ] a volunteer got it working - I did attach the driver…. and here it is again.
Just rename it to usb.tgz from usb.tgz.txt
Maybe looking at it, somebody can figure out exactly what to do. :)**

In Smoothwall - This is a complete summary of what should be done:
"Neotel USB ADSL Modem"
You dont do the ADSL or IDSN during setup
Setup using GREEN [and whatever] modem is RED
Setup IP adresses & DHCP and so on.

Do modem setup in ppp on the webbrowser menu
Setup username, password and dial number [#777]
Set modem speed as high as possible.
Set Idle time to 0 to disable.
Under Sevices enable Remote Access
Using WinSCP (Neat program) [setup to port 222 and with SSH on 2ONLY]
edit /etc/rc.d/rc.sysinit and insert the modprobe line
echo "Loading Neotel USB ADSL"
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x1d09 product=0x4000
under the following as noted below:
echo "Loading USB subsystem"
/sbin/modprobe usbcore 2> /dev/null
/sbin/modprobe ohci-hcd 2> /dev/null
/sbin/modprobe uhci-hcd 2> /dev/null
/sbin/modprobe usbhid 2> /dev/null
mount -t usbfs none /proc/bus/usb
echo "Loading Neotel USB ADSL"
/sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x1d09 product=0x4000
Red is the added part - and it must be inserted below the blue part -
Using WinSCP Copy the file usb.tgz driver from your pc to /root on SmoothWall

Attachment:
usb.tgz [10.83 KiB]

Then use PuTTY (Also neat program) as console to copy paste the exact commands to be executed.
[also setup to port 222 and with SSH on 2ONLY]

Right-click copy the code in this post - just right-click in the console - it will be copied by doing this:

Code:
tar -zxvf usb.tgz -C /

Result:

SmoothWall (root) ~ $ tar -zxvf usb.tgz -C /
lib/modules/2.6.16.60/kernel/drivers/usb/serial/
lib/modules/2.6.16.60/kernel/drivers/usb/serial/usbserial.ko
SmoothWall (root) ~ $

and

Code:
depmod -a

Result:

SmoothWall (root) ~ $ depmod -a
SmoothWall (root) ~ $

Reboot.

Test com ports again. No go. :roll:

[ You have to change to different com ports in ppp settings under networking (in your brouser),
SAVE for each change on com ports and then dial in from the menu under Control in the menu]

So, do the following:

Code:
rm -f /dev/ttyS{3,4}
mknod /dev/ttyUSB0 c 188 0
mknod /dev/ttyUSB1 c 188 1
ln -s /dev/ttyUSB0 /dev/ttyS3
ln -s /dev/ttyUSB1 /dev/ttyS4

Result:

SmoothWall (root) ~ $ rm -f /dev/ttyS{3,4}
SmoothWall (root) ~ $ mknod /dev/ttyUSB0 c 188 0
mknod: /dev/ttyUSB0': File exists SmoothWall (root) ~ $ mknod /dev/ttyUSB1 c 188 1 mknod: /dev/ttyUSB1': File exists
SmoothWall (root) ~ $ ln -s /dev/ttyUSB0 /dev/ttyS3
SmoothWall (root) ~ $ ln -s /dev/ttyUSB1 /dev/ttyS4
SmoothWall (root) ~ $

Reboot not needed

Test com ports again.

And LIFTOF! :!:
ON COM4 on my Smoothie
Panel lighting up on modem. Smoothwall beeps.

[the Code:
rm -f /dev/ttyS{3,4}
ln -s /dev/ttyUSB0 /dev/ttyS3
ln -s /dev/ttyUSB1 /dev/ttyS4
only needs to be done once (best to do it when you install the usb module). all this does is map the usb com]
ports to standard ones as the smoothwall interface doen't know about usb com ports.

usb.tgz.txt

Zani · Aug 5, 2010, 7:18 AM

For other linux - the driver is in the kernel:

Instructions:

Steps are as follows (with sample explanation to follow):

modprobe the usbserial driver directly for the device
ppp dialer config

How to do it:
Plug in your modem, and then use the 'lsusb' command.

Code
user@linux:~$> lsusb
Bus 002 Device 002: ID 1d09:4000
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 0000:0000

Here we get the USB vendor and product ID's (the first one, in this case).

Now we load the 'usbserial' driver specifically for this device:

Code
user@linux:~$> sudo modprobe usbserial vendor=0x1d09 product=0x4000

As you can see, we use the first segment of the ID number as the vendor, and the second segment as the product ID, both with 0x prepended.

Now, we check /dev to see that the devices are there:

Code:

user@linux:~$>ls /dev/ttyU*
/dev/ttyUSB0 /dev/ttyUSB1

Next step is to configure the ppp connection. Since this example is done on an Ubuntu installation, we can use the Debian pppconfig utility

Code:
user@linux:~$> sudo pppconfig

In this utility, you enter the your username, password and the telephone number as needed, and then save the connection. Be sure to pick a descriptive name, as it is what you will be using to dial it up. Exit, and then we're ready to dial.

Dialing on Ubuntu:

Code:
user@linux:~$> sudo pon neotel

Where "neotel" is the connection name you picked in setup.

And that's it. At this point if nothing went wrong, you'll have a fully working ppp0 connection up.

Code:

ifconfig | grep ppp0

Zani · Aug 5, 2010, 9:51 AM

Windows 7 driver files - rename txt to zip

The sys driver file mentions Techfaith Wireless
TechFaith USB Modem/Serial Device

Model Flying EAQ looks like model - 800 mHz is correct

http://www.techfaithwireless.com/english/products/products_handsets_CDMA.htm
Compare to
http://www.duponttelecom.co.za/
the NeoConnect Prime model

More info below in mac driver post:

[Driver Install.zip.txt](/public/imported_attachments/1/Driver Install.zip.txt)
DriverCfg.txt
DriverConf.zip.txt
DriverWin7.zip.txt

Zani · Aug 6, 2010, 2:09 PM

And the Mac driver called Axesstel_MAC_Driver - maybe another useful clue -
the site:
http://www.axesstel.com

our phone uses CDMA2000 1x-EvDO - the most widely deployed of the global 3G standard:
Du Pont Telecom
ModelBC2703 CDMA EVDO Deskphone V/D
Partno: TR2633313

Package - neoconnect Prime [the Ethernet model does not give unlimited data ]

http://www.duponttelecom.co.za/
http://dupont-solutions.com/index.html
http://www.teles.de/en/about-us/news/2008/25/

Axesstel_MAC_Driver_Last.zip.txt

Zani · Aug 5, 2010, 8:22 AM

OK, now we have a Windows, Mac & Linux driver to figure something out….

wallabybob · Aug 5, 2010, 12:19 PM

There is something wrong with your usb.tgz.txt:

$ tar -zxvf usb.tgz 

gzip: stdin: invalid compressed data–format violated
tar: Child returned status 1
tar: Exiting with failure status due to previous errors
$

wallabybob · Aug 5, 2010, 12:47 PM

@Zani:

Windows 7 driver files - rename txt to zip

The sys driver file mentions Techfaith Wireless
TechFaith USB Modem/Serial Device

Model Flying EAQ looks like model - 800 mHz is correct

http://www.techfaithwireless.com/english/products/products_handsets_CDMA.htm
Compare to
http://www.duponttelecom.co.za/
the NeoConnect Prime model

Why not use the LAN interface in the phone? (The documentation at techfaithwireless doesn't make it clear whether the phone has BOTH USB and LAN or the choice of USB OR LAN. I couldn't find any mention on the web page or the tariff document of being required to use the USB port.)

dimi3 · Aug 5, 2010, 5:59 PM

hi, not to open another topic, I have the same problem with Vodafone (Huawei) K3765. the modem is detected but not shown under interfaces, here is the output:

ugen1.2: <huawei mobile="" huawei="" technology="">at usbus1, cfg=0 md=HOST spd=HIGH (480Mbps) pwr=ON

bLength = 0x0012
bDescriptorType = 0x0001
bcdUSB = 0x0200
bDeviceClass = 0x0000
bDeviceSubClass = 0x0000
bDeviceProtocol = 0x0000
bMaxPacketSize0 = 0x0040
idVendor = 0x12d1
idProduct = 0x1520
bcdDevice = 0x0000
iManufacturer = 0x0003 <huawei technology="">iProduct = 0x0002 <huawei mobile="">What this mean? That the modem is supported by the freeBSD or not? With Huawei E220 its working nice but I would like to have 7.2Mbit modem atached.

Thank you,</huawei></huawei></huawei>

Zani · Aug 5, 2010, 6:55 PM

Firstly the Linux driver for smoothwall. I tested it back and forth and attach it again :-\ There are 3 copies now… it contains folders.
Secondly the modem is USB only
I would have liked another option with ethernet.
Wallabybob, if you could open the linux driver , can it be used?

Let us try to get a way to make drivers. 8)

Yes - I have been reading about reverse engineering the windows USB drivers for Linux.
U start the USB device in Windows, with its correct drivers, and snoop what they do and how they are functioning.
SniffUSB 2.0 then creates the log files.
[Emacs is then used to read the info]
One would use the log files generated to create a simple libusb skeleton driver through a perl parser.
Windows have 3 drivers for it: The modem driver, a composite usb driver, and a diagnostic driver. All their log files is included.

I don't know how to use the last yet.
I created the modems log files. Took me quite a while. I have a second set if there are a need.
Attached are my log files, again remove.txt. to get the zipped file. ;)

And yes, let us document the process so that PfSense USB drivers get well populated.

So let us document each step and at success, post a new How to USB Drivers post - summing up each step.

[usb - Copy.tgz.txt](/public/imported_attachments/1/usb - Copy.tgz.txt)
DupontLogs.zip.txt

wallabybob · Aug 5, 2010, 10:32 PM

@dimi3:

I have the same problem with Vodafone (Huawei) K3765. the modem is detected but not shown under interfaces

The u3g driver does not have that Huawei device in its table of known devices. The fact that FreeBSD calls it ugen1.2 indicates the kernel doesn't have a driver that specifically knows about that device so the USB "generic" device driver has attached to it.

Perhaps this device is "similar enough" to the other Huawei devices already supported by the u3g driver, perhaps its substantially different.

I suggest you discuss this with the authors of the FreeBSD u3g driver: Andrea Guzzo aguzzo@anywi.comand Nick Hibma n_hibma@freebsd.org @dimi3:

With Huawei E220 its working nice but I would like to have 7.2Mbit modem atached.

It could take a while to get this issue sorted out. The Huawei E1762 and E169 both appear to be supported in FreeBSD 8.1 (see http://azrixx.blogspot.com/2010/05/simple-way-to-use-huawei-e1762-maxis.html and http://www.listware.net/201007/freebsd-mobile/36378-australian-3g-pppconf.html FreeBSD) and both appear to support the 7.2Mbps mode (see http://www.3gmodem.com.hk/Huawei/E169.html and http://www.3gmodem.com.hk/Huawei/E1762.html) although it has been reported that the E1762 is "faster" than the E169 (see http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies-archive.cfm/1288764.html)./n_hibma@freebsd.org /aguzzo@anywi.com

wallabybob · Aug 5, 2010, 10:53 PM

@Zani:

Firstly the Linux driver for smoothwall. I tested it back and forth and attach it again :-\

I originally downloaded it to a Linux system. I have now downloaded the copy to a windows system and WinZip reports "Trailing garbage in GZIP file" and refuses to show me anything in the archive. In both cases I downloaded with Firefox. What are you doing differently to what I've done?

What you have outlined is certainly possible but can take considerably longer to actually do than it does to describe it.

Zani · Aug 6, 2010, 2:01 PM

It does seem to be changed when I download the drivers from the post like you did.
That means I have to think of something else…. >:(

Anyone that want to look at any of the zipped files, send me a private message.
Email is the answer….. I SHALL SEND THEM TO YOU :'(

Zani · Aug 6, 2010, 5:55 PM

Here are the Window USBSniff log files for reverse engineering, - they are .txt - but maybe rename to .log for use in Emacs to create a driver from them ….

The USB modem driver logs

[MODEM - INIT.log.txt](/public/imported_attachments/1/MODEM - INIT.log.txt)
[MODEM DIAL MANAGER STARTED.log.txt](/public/imported_attachments/1/MODEM DIAL MANAGER STARTED.log.txt)
[MODEM DIALED.log.txt](/public/imported_attachments/1/MODEM DIALED.log.txt)
[MODEM DISCONNECTED.log.txt](/public/imported_attachments/1/MODEM DISCONNECTED.log.txt)
[MODEM STOPPED.log.txt](/public/imported_attachments/1/MODEM STOPPED.log.txt)

Zani · Aug 6, 2010, 7:54 AM

Driver 2 Composite USB Driver:

[COMPOSITE USB - INIT.log.txt](/public/imported_attachments/1/COMPOSITE USB - INIT.log.txt)
[COMPOSITE USB DIAL MANAGER STARTED.log.txt](/public/imported_attachments/1/COMPOSITE USB DIAL MANAGER STARTED.log.txt)
[COMPOSITE USB DIALED.log.txt](/public/imported_attachments/1/COMPOSITE USB DIALED.log.txt)

Zani · Aug 6, 2010, 7:55 AM

Composite diver remaining logs:

[COMPOSITE USB DISCONNECTED.log.txt](/public/imported_attachments/1/COMPOSITE USB DISCONNECTED.log.txt)
[COMPOSITE USB STOPPED.log.txt](/public/imported_attachments/1/COMPOSITE USB STOPPED.log.txt)

Zani · Aug 6, 2010, 7:57 AM

Driver 3 - Diagnostic driver:

[DIAGNOSTICS on modem - INIT.log.txt](/public/imported_attachments/1/DIAGNOSTICS on modem - INIT.log.txt)
[DIAGNOSTICS on modem DIAL MANAGER STARTED.log.txt](/public/imported_attachments/1/DIAGNOSTICS on modem DIAL MANAGER STARTED.log.txt)
[DIAGNOSTICS on modem DIALED.log.txt](/public/imported_attachments/1/DIAGNOSTICS on modem DIALED.log.txt)