Problem with Huawei E3372 / VMware ESXi 6.5 / pfSense

RobertW · Mar 14, 2018, 3:03 PM

My configuration:
Hardware: HP Microserver Gen8
Modem: Huawei E3372h-153 switch to E3372 stick modem-mode
OS Hypervisor: VMware ESXi 6.5 U1 (Build 7388607)
OS VM: FreeBSD 11.1-RELEASE-p6 + PfSense 2.4.2-RELEASE-p1 (instalation from iso appliance)

1. At the beginning I switched Huawei E3372h-153 version to E3372 stick modem according to instructions:
http://blog.asiantuntijakaveri.fi/2015/07/convert-huawei-e3372h-153-from.html

2. With AT commands, I switch mass-storage mode (required for VMWare to see USB device) in modem mode and support PPP - AT^SETPORT="FF; 12,10,16" (for only NDIS should be set AT^SETPORT="FF;12,16")

3. In VMware, I see USB device HUAWEIMOBILE:

[root@HP:~] lsusb
Bus 004 Device 002: ID 12d1:1506 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. Modem/Networkcard
Bus 002 Device 004: ID 0424:4030 Standard Microsystems Corp.
Bus 002 Device 003: ID 0424:2660 Standard Microsystems Corp. Hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 0e0f:8003 VMware, Inc.
Bus 002 Device 002: ID 8087:0024 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 8087:0024 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 0e0f:8001 VMware, Inc.
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 0e0f:8002 VMware, Inc.
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 0e0f:8002 VMware, Inc.

[root@HP:~] lsusb -s 004:002 -vvv

Bus 004 Device 002: ID 12d1:1506 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. Modem/Networkcard
Device Descriptor:
  bLength                18
  bDescriptorType         1
  bcdUSB               2.10
  bDeviceClass            0 (Defined at Interface level)
  bDeviceSubClass         0
  bDeviceProtocol         0
  bMaxPacketSize0        64
  idVendor           0x12d1 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
  idProduct          0x1506 Modem/Networkcard
  bcdDevice            1.02
  iManufacturer           1 HUAWEI_MOBILE
  iProduct                2 HUAWEI_MOBILE
  iSerial                 0
  bNumConfigurations      1
  Configuration Descriptor:
    bLength                 9
    bDescriptorType         2
    wTotalLength          175
    bNumInterfaces          3
    bConfigurationValue     1
    iConfiguration          0
    bmAttributes         0x80
      (Bus Powered)
    MaxPower                2mA
    Interface Descriptor:
      bLength                 9
      bDescriptorType         4
      bInterfaceNumber        0
      bAlternateSetting       0
      bNumEndpoints           2
      bInterfaceClass       255 Vendor Specific Class
      bInterfaceSubClass      3
      bInterfaceProtocol     18
      iInterface              0
      ** UNRECOGNIZED:  05 24 00 10 01
      ** UNRECOGNIZED:  04 24 02 02
      ** UNRECOGNIZED:  05 24 01 00 00
      ** UNRECOGNIZED:  05 24 06 00 00
      Endpoint Descriptor:
        bLength                 7
        bDescriptorType         5
        bEndpointAddress     0x81  EP 1 IN
        bmAttributes            2
          Transfer Type            Bulk
          Synch Type               None
          Usage Type               Data
        wMaxPacketSize     0x0200  1x 512 bytes
        bInterval               0
      Endpoint Descriptor:
        bLength                 7
        bDescriptorType         5
        bEndpointAddress     0x01  EP 1 OUT
        bmAttributes            2
          Transfer Type            Bulk
          Synch Type               None
          Usage Type               Data
        wMaxPacketSize     0x0200  1x 512 bytes
        bInterval               0
    Interface Descriptor:
      bLength                 9
      bDescriptorType         4
      bInterfaceNumber        1
      bAlternateSetting       0
      bNumEndpoints           3
      bInterfaceClass       255 Vendor Specific Class
      bInterfaceSubClass      3
      bInterfaceProtocol     16
      iInterface              0
      ** UNRECOGNIZED:  05 24 00 10 01
      ** UNRECOGNIZED:  04 24 02 02
      ** UNRECOGNIZED:  05 24 01 00 01
      ** UNRECOGNIZED:  05 24 06 00 00
      Endpoint Descriptor:
        bLength                 7
        bDescriptorType         5
        bEndpointAddress     0x83  EP 3 IN
        bmAttributes            3
          Transfer Type            Interrupt
          Synch Type               None
          Usage Type               Data
        wMaxPacketSize     0x000a  1x 10 bytes
        bInterval               9
      Endpoint Descriptor:
        bLength                 7
        bDescriptorType         5
        bEndpointAddress     0x82  EP 2 IN
        bmAttributes            2
          Transfer Type            Bulk
          Synch Type               None
          Usage Type               Data
        wMaxPacketSize     0x0200  1x 512 bytes
        bInterval               0
      Endpoint Descriptor:
        bLength                 7
        bDescriptorType         5
        bEndpointAddress     0x02  EP 2 OUT
        bmAttributes            2
          Transfer Type            Bulk
          Synch Type               None
          Usage Type               Data
        wMaxPacketSize     0x0200  1x 512 bytes
        bInterval               0
    Interface Descriptor:
      bLength                 9
      bDescriptorType         4
      bInterfaceNumber        2
      bAlternateSetting       0
      bNumEndpoints           1
      bInterfaceClass       255 Vendor Specific Class
      bInterfaceSubClass      3
      bInterfaceProtocol     22
      iInterface              7 NCM Network Control Model
      ** UNRECOGNIZED:  05 24 00 10 01
      ** UNRECOGNIZED:  06 24 1a 00 01 1f
      ** UNRECOGNIZED:  0d 24 0f 09 0f 00 00 00 ea 05 03 00 01
      ** UNRECOGNIZED:  05 24 06 02 02
      Endpoint Descriptor:
        bLength                 7
        bDescriptorType         5
        bEndpointAddress     0x85  EP 5 IN
        bmAttributes            3
          Transfer Type            Interrupt
          Synch Type               None
          Usage Type               Data
        wMaxPacketSize     0x0010  1x 16 bytes
        bInterval               5
    Interface Descriptor:
      bLength                 9
      bDescriptorType         4
      bInterfaceNumber        2
      bAlternateSetting       1
      bNumEndpoints           3
      bInterfaceClass       255 Vendor Specific Class
      bInterfaceSubClass      3
      bInterfaceProtocol     22
      iInterface              8 CDC Network Data
      Endpoint Descriptor:
        bLength                 7
        bDescriptorType         5
        bEndpointAddress     0x85  EP 5 IN
        bmAttributes            3
          Transfer Type            Interrupt
          Synch Type               None
          Usage Type               Data
        wMaxPacketSize     0x0010  1x 16 bytes
        bInterval               5
      Endpoint Descriptor:
        bLength                 7
        bDescriptorType         5
        bEndpointAddress     0x84  EP 4 IN
        bmAttributes            2
          Transfer Type            Bulk
          Synch Type               None
          Usage Type               Data
        wMaxPacketSize     0x0200  1x 512 bytes
        bInterval               0
      Endpoint Descriptor:
        bLength                 7
        bDescriptorType         5
        bEndpointAddress     0x03  EP 3 OUT
        bmAttributes            2
          Transfer Type            Bulk
          Synch Type               None
          Usage Type               Data
        wMaxPacketSize     0x0200  1x 512 bytes
        bInterval               0
Binary Object Store Descriptor:
  bLength                 5
  bDescriptorType        15
  wTotalLength           22
  bNumDeviceCaps          2
  USB 2.0 Extension Device Capability:
    bLength                 7
    bDescriptorType        16
    bDevCapabilityType      2
    bmAttributes   0x00000002
      Link Power Management (LPM) Supported
  SuperSpeed USB Device Capability:
    bLength                10
    bDescriptorType        16
    bDevCapabilityType      3
    bmAttributes         0x00
    wSpeedsSupported   0x000f
      Device can operate at Low Speed (1Mbps)
      Device can operate at Full Speed (12Mbps)
      Device can operate at High Speed (480Mbps)
      Device can operate at SuperSpeed (5Gbps)
    bFunctionalitySupport   1
      Lowest fully-functional device speed is Full Speed (12Mbps)
    bU1DevExitLat           1 micro seconds
    bU2DevExitLat         500 micro seconds
Device Status:     0x0001
  Self Powered

4. In pFsense, I see USB device:

[2.4.2-RELEASE][root@PfSense.localdomain]/root: usbconfig
ugen0.1: <0x15ad UHCI root HUB> at usbus0, cfg=0 md=HOST spd=FULL (12Mbps) pwr=SAVE (0mA)
ugen1.1: <0x15ad EHCI root HUB> at usbus1, cfg=0 md=HOST spd=HIGH (480Mbps) pwr=SAVE (0mA)
ugen0.2: <vmware vmware="" virtual="" usb="" mouse="">at usbus0, cfg=0 md=HOST spd=FULL (12Mbps) pwr=ON (0mA)
ugen0.3: <vendor 0x0e0f="" vmware="" virtual="" usb="" hub="">at usbus0, cfg=0 md=HOST spd=FULL (12Mbps) pwr=SAVE (0mA)
ugen1.2: <huaweimobile huaweimobile="">at usbus1, cfg=0 md=HOST spd=HIGH (480Mbps) pwr=ON (2mA)</huaweimobile></vendor></vmware>

[2.4.2-RELEASE][root@PfSense.localdomain]/root: usbconfig -d ugen1.2 dump_device_desc show_ifdrv
ugen1.2: <huaweimobile huaweimobile="">at usbus1, cfg=0 md=HOST spd=HIGH (480Mbps) pwr=ON (2mA)
ugen1.2.0: u3g0: <huaweimobile 0="" 2="" huaweimobile,="" class="" 0,="" rev="" 2.10="" 1.02,="" addr="">bLength = 0x0012
  bDescriptorType = 0x0001
  bcdUSB = 0x0210
  bDeviceClass = 0x0000  <probed by="" interface="" class="">bDeviceSubClass = 0x0000
  bDeviceProtocol = 0x0000
  bMaxPacketSize0 = 0x0040
  idVendor = 0x12d1
  idProduct = 0x1506
  bcdDevice = 0x0102
  iManufacturer = 0x0001  <huawei_mobile>iProduct = 0x0002  <huawei_mobile>iSerialNumber = 0x0000  <no string="">bNumConfigurations = 0x0001</no></huawei_mobile></huawei_mobile></probed></huaweimobile></huaweimobile>

5. I set up according to the instructions: (https://doc.pfsense.org/index.php/Known_Working_3G-4G_Modems):
Link interface: /dev/cuaU0.1 and Init string: &F&C1&D2E0S0=0

6. But I have a problem with establishing a connection :'(

Mar 14 09:30:47 	ppp 		[opt1_link0] Link: DOWN event
Mar 14 09:30:47 	ppp 		[opt1_link0] LCP: Down event
Mar 14 09:30:47 	ppp 		[opt1_link0] Link: reconnection attempt 116 in 4 seconds
Mar 14 09:30:51 	ppp 		[opt1_link0] Link: reconnection attempt 116
Mar 14 09:31:04 	ppp 		[opt1_link0] CHAT: The modem is not responding to "AT" at ModemCmd: label.
Mar 14 09:31:04 	ppp 		[opt1_link0] MODEM: chat script failed
Mar 14 09:31:04 	ppp 		[opt1_link0] Link: DOWN event
Mar 14 09:31:04 	ppp 		[opt1_link0] LCP: Down event

How to solve this problem ? In the target configuration I would like to set modem as WAN.

Best Regards,
Robert

stephenw10 · Mar 15, 2018, 2:30 AM

It's not responding on cuaU0.1 but the USB serial ports are present which is most of the battle. Did you try cuaU0.0?

Steve

RobertW · Mar 15, 2018, 8:23 AM

@stephenw10:

It's not responding on cuaU0.1 but the USB serial ports are present which is most of the battle. Did you try cuaU0.0?

Steve

Thank you for your answer.
After switching to cuaU0.0. Result of changes in logs:

Mar 15 09:15:43 	ppp 		[opt1_link0] Link: DOWN event
Mar 15 09:15:43 	ppp 		[opt1_link0] LCP: Down event
Mar 15 09:15:43 	ppp 		[opt1_link0] Link: reconnection attempt 30 in 2 seconds
Mar 15 09:15:45 	ppp 		[opt1_link0] Link: reconnection attempt 30
Mar 15 09:15:46 	ppp 		[opt1_link0] CHAT: Detected Custom modem.
Mar 15 09:15:46 	ppp 		[opt1_link0] CHAT: Dialing server at *99***1#...
Mar 15 09:15:46 	ppp 		[opt1_link0] CHAT: ATDT*99***1#
Mar 15 09:15:46 	ppp 		[opt1_link0] CHAT: Invalid dial init string.
Mar 15 09:15:46 	ppp 		[opt1_link0] MODEM: chat script failed
Mar 15 09:15:46 	ppp 		[opt1_link0] Link: DOWN event

stephenw10 · Mar 15, 2018, 2:51 PM

Remove the init string you have. You probably don't need one there.

Steve

RobertW · Mar 15, 2018, 3:48 PM

@stephenw10:

Remove the init string you have. You probably don't need one there.

Steve

unfortunately, it's still wrong:

Mar 15 16:41:29 	ppp 		[opt1_link0] LCP: Down event
Mar 15 16:41:29 	ppp 		[opt1_link0] Link: reconnection attempt 186 in 4 seconds
Mar 15 16:41:33 	ppp 		[opt1_link0] Link: reconnection attempt 186
Mar 15 16:41:34 	ppp 		[opt1_link0] CHAT: +CGDCONT=1,"IP","internet"
Mar 15 16:41:34 	ppp 		[opt1_link0] CHAT: Detected Hayes compatible modem.
Mar 15 16:41:34 	ppp 		[opt1_link0] CHAT: The modem responded with "ERROR" to the command "AT&F&C1&D2E0S0=0M1" at ModemCmd: label.
Mar 15 16:41:34 	ppp 		[opt1_link0] MODEM: chat script failed
Mar 15 16:41:34 	ppp 		[opt1_link0] Link: DOWN event

stephenw10 · Mar 15, 2018, 4:17 PM

Hmm, you seem to be in exactly the same situation as this guy: https://forum.pfsense.org/index.php?topic=145181.0

You just need the right init string. You probably don't need any inti string but mpd is inserting something in there anyway. Maybe try something very simple there like 'I' or just a space.

You can open the connection in a terminal and try some strings.

Steve

RobertW · Mar 15, 2018, 7:46 PM

@stephenw10:

Hmm, you seem to be in exactly the same situation as this guy: https://forum.pfsense.org/index.php?topic=145181.0

You just need the right init string. You probably don't need any inti string but mpd is inserting something in there anyway. Maybe try something very simple there like 'I' or just a space.

You can open the connection in a terminal and try some strings.

Steve

Modem talk on port cuaU0.1 (ATI command result. I have to enter the command twice)

2.4.2-RELEASE][root@PfSense.localdomain]/root: cu -s 115200 -l cuaU0.1
Connected

Manufacturer: huawei
Model: E3372
Revision: 21.200.07.00.805
IMEI: 868757029114655
+GCAP: +CGSM,+DS,+ES

OK

What is the connection procedure? (AT commands)

Best Regards,
Robert

AndrewZ · Mar 15, 2018, 9:06 PM

Try to follow the guidelines I provided here

stephenw10 · Mar 15, 2018, 9:58 PM

Ah, so just use 'Z' as the init string should work from where you are then.

Steve

RobertW · Mar 16, 2018, 5:08 PM

@stephenw10:

Ah, so just use 'Z' as the init string should work from where you are then.

Steve

It works, thank you very much. He helped init string Z in pfSense