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    APU1D with LTE Huawei ME909u-521

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    • ?
      Guest
      last edited by

      Quote:
      _With the PDP settings "IP" I was able to connect to the internet, via the USB adaptor and Windows7.

      • but the PF sense still refuses.

      I've tried changing the profile setting PDP to "PPP", with the result that neither Windows or PF sense can make connection._

      I am unsure what that is at all. I am guessing in the Windows Watcher? I don't remember changing anything more than profiles and networks settings and the nice diagnostic dumps. Also I go to Windows Device Manager and "query modem" and check output.

      One line in your PPP log that i am unfamilar with is the "link0" part of the OPT2 interface. Notice mine has nothing like that but [WAN]. Is this an alias or just renamed?

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      • ?
        Guest
        last edited by

        Be advised PPP under console has Echo Off

        Sorry. I was wrong about this. It is only when you run TERM under PPP that you need echo off. You get feedback right away from PPP and may not need to dive into TERM. There is a modem script that runs instead of ppp.conf just so you know. It sets the device as well.

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        • ?
          Guest
          last edited by

          Another annoying factoid: I don't know for sure yours has a DeviceID that is supported. Like the TechNotation writeup. Use his method and check. Maybe because the MC7710 is not widely in use. Just things to check.

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          • ?
            Guest
            last edited by

            So it looks like you may be in this boat. The APU1C had issues with MC7700….

            https://forum.pfsense.org/index.php?topic=77120.0

            Although he never gives the Model Number??

            MC7700 I have had Working On pfSense 2.2 beta platforms

            Advantech Ark1388V
            Nexcom VTC6110
            Aopen DE5100
            Commell LS-574
            Habey BIS-6624
            Vyatta 600 aka Lanner FW7535

            I am also worried about APU1D and MC7700 comparability. I am guessing pcEngines don't have a supported 3G/4G module page?

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            • stephenw10S
              stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
              last edited by

              From the same user this post seems to confirm the mc7710 can be used:
              http://www.pcengines.info/forums/?page=post&id=45E53356-D6EB-4F7B-88DF-1CBF38C8375E&fid=DF5ACB70-99C4-4C61-AFA6-4C0E0DB05B2A

              Steve

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              • M
                mike234
                last edited by

                Hi Steve,

                Thanks for your info

                yeah, I don't really see why this aint working.

                I've got all 6 ports available alright in the PPP setup screen, which means the hardware (and ports) are recognized probably (as far as I can see)

                I'm struggling with it right this very minute - hoping to see the light somehow…

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                • stephenw10S
                  stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                  last edited by

                  If you read the thread Phishfry linked to above the user there states that the card doesn't respond to ppp in the usual way but it's still usable with some tweaking. Does it appear as a new network interface?

                  Steve

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                  • M
                    mike234
                    last edited by

                    I've been trying to figure out, if something could be wrong with the profile or overall settings in the MC7710

                    when I insert the MC7710 into the USB2miniPCIe adaptor, and boot up Windows7, I'm able to log on the Internet using the Sierra Watcher-program without any problem.

                    Just 2 minutes ago, I tried to insert the USB2miniPCIe adaptor into my Ubuntu 14.04, and right away I was asked if I wanted to configure a new mobile network.
                    I went along, and all Ubuntu really wanted to know was, who my operator / ISP was, and then I was done.  Ubuntu connected to the Internet through the MC7710, no problem.

                    This must mean, that the MC7710 works fine, even without the Sierra Watcher to help it along.

                    With the 6 ports on the MC7710 being visible in the PF Sense, I think the motherboard seems to communicate correctly with the MC7710, so far so good…

                    What really puzzles me here is the fact, that the PPP log says "Modem didn't respond to "AT" command"  -- 
                    Since the ports are visible (all six) in PF sense, could this be a problem with the speedsettings of the interface (usb?)  ?

                    If so, where in PF sense are these settings accessable ?

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                    • M
                      mike234
                      last edited by

                      @stephenw10:

                      If you read the thread Phishfry linked to above the user there states that the card doesn't respond to ppp in the usual way but it's still usable with some tweaking. Does it appear as a new network interface?

                      Steve

                      Hi Steve,

                      Nope, no new network interface available, just the 6 ports in the PPP section.

                      (With the Huawei909 on the other hand, a new network interface becomes avalable, but no ports in the PPP section)

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • stephenw10S
                        stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                        last edited by

                        Check the pfSense logs. System and ppp.
                        Boot Ubuntu and check the logs there to see how it's talking to the modem, which port it's using.

                        Steve

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                        • M
                          mike234
                          last edited by

                          Steve, I'm not sure which log to check in Ubuntu, best I could think of was kern.log

                          It says : sierra_net 1-1.1:1.7 wwan0: register 'sierra_net' at usb-0000:00:1a.0-1.1, Sierra Wireless USB-to-WWAN Modem, 42:44:82:a1:01:07

                          Is this the info I need ?

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                          • stephenw10S
                            stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                            last edited by

                            Is there a PPP log that says which port it's using? I was hoping to get some more than that.

                            Steve

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                            • M
                              mike234
                              last edited by

                              I can't seem to find any PPP log, sorry

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                              • stephenw10S
                                stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                                last edited by

                                What about in the syslog?

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                                • ?
                                  Guest
                                  last edited by

                                  On a quick lunchbreak but here is some advice
                                  Quit trying ubuntu. They have mode switcher built in and who know what could be going on.
                                  Flash it to your newest DIP firmware in Windows(I didnt realize earlier T-Mobile was in the EU as well)Use the one you quoted.
                                  Redo your pfsense rig and setup again. Fresh start please.
                                  Get everything configured as i have advised. cuaU0.4(consider my setup in the wireless forum section with your PPP/modem as your WAN - I know for certain that works. I have not tested it with any other interfaces)
                                  On your APU:
                                  Drop to to Shell or #8 In the pfSense menu.
                                  Type PPP at the shell prompt. Then enter.
                                  Write down text on your screen and post here.
                                  TYPE "QUIT" to exit from PPP
                                  Type "EXIT" to exit shell and return to pfsense

                                  My working MC7700 PPP status text from shell:
                                  Working in Interactive Mode
                                  Using Interface tun0
                                  ppp ON pfARK

                                  Yours will tell us more.
                                  Thanks

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                                  • ?
                                    Guest
                                    last edited by

                                    One more quick thing. Reboot before shell commands. That should help make sure all your changes are set. Also you can interface the PPP console before you assign to an interface. Make the PPP settings. Set the port and reboot. Then you can go to PPP and it gives you some small tidbits of info- I honestly can't remember. But was suprised i could access the modem before assigned to an interface.
                                    There is a file created when you assign it the PPP connection to an interface -deep down in the filesystem.
                                    Mine is like: mpd5_wan.conf in the /var/etc/ folder
                                    This is where at least some of the PPP settings now reside. At the bottom of the file.

                                    And about profiles on modem: They are no big deal -might have been too much info.

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                                    • ?
                                      Guest
                                      last edited by

                                      If you would like, I can send you a known working MC7700 to try. I have extras. If it works for you we could swap as i would like to test the MC7710. Send me a PM if interested. Best as last resort in a week or so if no progress. May take that long to get there!!

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                                      • M
                                        mike234
                                        last edited by

                                        Hi Guys !

                                        Phishfry, thank alot for all your help  –  I'll be trying those steps you suggested right away.

                                        I've been strugling with this thing alot this morning, in an attempt to reinstall the  PFsense (thereby going from from 2.1.5 to 2.2.)
                                        I expected this to be an easy task, but things weren't really going my way.
                                        For one, Ubuntu apparently have some issues making bootable USB keys after the recent Ubuntu update, something that seems to affect the partitioning-part in a bad way.
                                        Furthermore, I wasn't aware that the baudrate on the RS232 changed from version 2.1.5 to 2.2, which had me belive I still had an USB boot problem there for a while.

                                        Anyway, the APU is now back up and running,  this time version 2.2 64 bit.

                                        Btw - would there be any point in trying out a 32 bit install ?  I guess my Modem-communication issues are not due to some 64 bit /driver issue, right ?

                                        I'll get right on the firmwareupdate for the MC7710 !

                                        Have a nice Sunday !

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                                        • M
                                          mike234
                                          last edited by

                                          It's up and running !

                                          The firmware update worked wonders!

                                          Now I need to do some testing, but it seems that the only thing that could possibly turn out be a problem now, is LTE compatibilty.
                                          According to the datasheets, it -should- be compatible, but time will tell though.

                                          As for now, it connects to 3G without problems,  and thats a huge improvement  !

                                          Being new to this LTE business, let me just see if I got this right :

                                          The LTE / 4G network is accessed the same way as 3G, with PPP and all that ?
                                          In other words, I'm not supposed to change anything in the PF Sense for the MC7710 to be able to use LTE - if the PF settings is good with 3G, then LTE will work too, providing the modem is compatible + signal is present + ISP is allowing me to connect, right ?

                                          Thanks a million for all your help along this journey !  HIGHLY APPRECIATED !!!

                                          :D :D :D :D :D

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                                          • stephenw10S
                                            stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                                            last edited by

                                            Nice one!  :)

                                            You should always run 64bit if you can.
                                            https://forum.pfsense.org/index.php?topic=84679.0

                                            Steve

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