Need help debugging usb lte modem with PPP

af22

Hello,

I'm trying to setup my pfsense box with a usb lte modem (AT&T Aircard, Netgear Sierra Wireless 340U).

I followed the instructions from the documentation, but was unsuccessful.

https://doc.pfsense.org/index.php/Configuring_3G_modems

I need help on how to debug the problem? What shell commands can I use to investigate?

I have updated the firmware on the Aircard with a linux patch to disable "device identity morphing" used with Windows 8.

Checking the PPP system logs on pfsense always reveals the following 2 errors:

When I try it on /dev/cuau0

MODEM: Fail to open serial port /dev/cuau0 on speed 115200

When I try it on /dev/cuau1

CHAT: The modem is not responding to "AT" at ModemCmd: label
MODEM: chat script failed

I have no idea from the log if cuau0 or caua1 is the one that is working?

Guest

I don't see your 340U modem in the list. I don't know if it will work.
Does u3g0 show any ports?

https://doc.pfsense.org/index.php/Known_Working_3G-4G_Modems

Guest

Looking at the specs, i dont see this working, It uses QMI as the interface.
There may be older versions which were directIP so maybe a firmware exsists.

http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/22869/~/can-i-use-a-netgear-aircard-modem-on-linux-machines-(direct-ip-modems)%3F

af22

Thanks for the reply Phishfry.

You also commented on this post:

https://forum.pfsense.org/index.php?topic=86490.0

Re: netgear aircard 340u (at&t beam)
« Reply #3 on: January 16, 2015, 02:15:00 am »
And looking at Netgear Support Page for that product the Linux Support download has files for both QMI and Serial so you may need to do some mode switching to Serial Mode.

Re: netgear aircard 340u (at&t beam)
« Reply #4 on: January 16, 2015, 02:19:27 am »
I see a "MAC-OS" firmware on the site as well. I am guessing that is the firmware you would need for DirectIP mode as well as support for the Qualcomm chipset in pfSense. I am unsure about that but looks possible with freebsd 10.1 support and maybe the pfSense 2.2 beta.
« Last Edit: January 16, 2015, 02:25:39 am by Phishfry »

I'm not 100% clear on what to try. It sounds like I need to flash the firmware on the AT&T card with one that supports DirectIP mode and it might work with pfSense 2.2?

Guest

I forgot about that thread. Yes all info looks correct. It would need flashing to DirectIP for pfsense. That still don't guarantee it will be supported by the freebsd u3g0 driver. Worth a try as DIP will work in most OS.