Can't get Huawei 4g modem working

elexir

Hi,

I just installed a Huawei E398 modem on my pfsense box but I can't get it working. I'm a bit new on this and would appreciate any help to get it up and running!

I'm currently on version 2.4.5-RELEASE-p1 (amd64).

The modem is listed as working on this page:
this page.

The problem is from what I understand that the modems presents it self as a storage unit instead of a modem.

[2.4.5-RELEASE][root@fw01.xxxx]/root: usbconfig -d 0.2 dump_device_desc
ugen0.2: <Huawei Technologies HUAWEI Mobile> at usbus0, cfg=255 md=HOST spd=HIGH (480Mbps) pwr=ON (500mA)

  bLength = 0x0012
  bDescriptorType = 0x0001
  bcdUSB = 0x0200
  bDeviceClass = 0x0000  <Probed by interface class>
  bDeviceSubClass = 0x0000
  bDeviceProtocol = 0x0000
  bMaxPacketSize0 = 0x0040
  idVendor = 0x12d1
  idProduct = 0x1446
  bcdDevice = 0x0000
  iManufacturer = 0x0003  <Huawei Technologies>
  iProduct = 0x0002  <HUAWEI Mobile>
  iSerialNumber = 0x0000  <no string>
  bNumConfigurations = 0x0001

Tried to eject the media unit as the page with known working modems says but it doesn't work:

[2.4.5-RELEASE][root@fw01.xxxxxxxx]/root: camcontrol eject cd0
camcontrol: cam_lookup_pass: CAMGETPASSTHRU ioctl failed
cam_lookup_pass: No such file or directory
cam_lookup_pass: either the pass driver isn't in your kernel
cam_lookup_pass: or cd0 doesn't exist
[2.4.5-RELEASE][root@fw01.xxxxxxxxxx]/root: camcontrol devlist
<Hoodisk SSD SBFM01.3>             at scbus0 target 0 lun 0 (pass0,ada0)

When I try following this instruction with usb_modeswitch I get the following error:

[2.4.5-RELEASE][root@fw01.xxxxxxxx]/root: usb_modeswitch  -v 12d1 -p 1446 -V 12d1 -P 140c -M "55534243123456780000000000000011060000000000000000000000000000" -s 10
Look for target devices ...
 No devices in target mode or class found
Look for default devices ...
 Found devices in default mode (1)
Access device 002 on bus 000
Get the current device configuration ...
 Determining the active configuration failed (error -5). Abort

Any tips on what I should try next?

stephenw10

Try usbconfig -d 0.2 dump_all_config_desc see if it has more than one config index and what interfaces they present.

Steve

elexir

Thanks for the reply @stephenw10 !

If I understand the output correct, there is only one config index there (Configuration index 0):

[2.4.5-RELEASE][root@fw01.xxxxxxxx]/root: usbconfig -d 0.2 dump_all_config_desc
ugen0.2: <Huawei Technologies HUAWEI Mobile> at usbus0, cfg=255 md=HOST spd=HIGH (480Mbps) pwr=ON (500mA)


 Configuration index 0

    bLength = 0x0009
    bDescriptorType = 0x0002
    wTotalLength = 0x0020
    bNumInterfaces = 0x0001
    bConfigurationValue = 0x0001
    iConfiguration = 0x0001  <Huawei Configuration>
    bmAttributes = 0x00c0
    bMaxPower = 0x00fa

    Interface 0
      bLength = 0x0009
      bDescriptorType = 0x0004
      bInterfaceNumber = 0x0000
      bAlternateSetting = 0x0000
      bNumEndpoints = 0x0002
      bInterfaceClass = 0x0008  <Mass storage>
      bInterfaceSubClass = 0x0006
      bInterfaceProtocol = 0x0050
      iInterface = 0x0000  <no string>

     Endpoint 0
        bLength = 0x0007
        bDescriptorType = 0x0005
        bEndpointAddress = 0x0081  <IN>
        bmAttributes = 0x0002  <BULK>
        wMaxPacketSize = 0x0200
        bInterval = 0x0000
        bRefresh = 0x0000
        bSynchAddress = 0x0000

     Endpoint 1
        bLength = 0x0007
        bDescriptorType = 0x0005
        bEndpointAddress = 0x0001  <OUT>
        bmAttributes = 0x0002  <BULK>
        wMaxPacketSize = 0x0200
        bInterval = 0x0000
        bRefresh = 0x0000
        bSynchAddress = 0x0000

stephenw10

Yes, and with only one interface, the mass storage device. It will need to be switched to modem mode somehow. Sometimes that can be done permanently in Windows using the supplied utility. Sometimes it can be done by changing the firmware. Other time it requires usbmodeswitch with the right incantation.

Steve

elexir

@stephenw10 said in Can't get Huawei 4g modem working:

Yes, and with only one interface, the mass storage device. It will need to be switched to modem mode somehow. Sometimes that can be done permanently in Windows using the supplied utility. Sometimes it can be done by changing the firmware. Other time it requires usbmodeswitch with the right incantation.

Steve

Tried with installing the windows utility from the modem, could not find an upgrade option or config option in there. Got the latest version of the windows app from Huawei but couldn't find anything on upgrading/configuring the device there either.

Tested to change mode from Windows by sending AT commands to the modem but it's still listed as a storage unit in pfsense :(

Any suggestions on how I should run usb_modeswitch differently?

stephenw10

Not really. What you were doing there looks good.

Looks similar to this issue:
https://www.draisberghof.de/usb_modeswitch/bb/viewtopic.php?t=2710&start=15

Steve

elexir

Things are now looking much brighter!

I'm now able to get the interface up and get an IP address from the ISP. In case someone else have the same problem in the future, this is what I did.

First I ran the following AT command on the modem:

AT^SETPORT="1,2;1,2,3,7,A2"

After that I did the following in pfsense:

[2.4.5-RELEASE][root@fw01.xxxxx]/root: usbconfig -d 0.2 reset
[2.4.5-RELEASE][root@fw01.xxxxx]/root: usbconfig -d 0.2 dump_all_config_desc
ugen0.2: <Huawei Technologies HUAWEI Mobile> at usbus0, cfg=0 md=HOST spd=HIGH (480Mbps) pwr=ON (500mA)


 Configuration index 0

    bLength = 0x0009
    bDescriptorType = 0x0002
    wTotalLength = 0x00a1
    bNumInterfaces = 0x0006
    bConfigurationValue = 0x0001
    iConfiguration = 0x0001  <Huawei Configuration>
    bmAttributes = 0x00c0
    bMaxPower = 0x00fa

    Interface 0
      bLength = 0x0009
      bDescriptorType = 0x0004
      bInterfaceNumber = 0x0000
      bAlternateSetting = 0x0000
      bNumEndpoints = 0x0003
      bInterfaceClass = 0x00ff  <Vendor specific>
      bInterfaceSubClass = 0x00ff
      bInterfaceProtocol = 0x00ff
      iInterface = 0x0000  <no string>

     Endpoint 0
        bLength = 0x0007
        bDescriptorType = 0x0005
        bEndpointAddress = 0x0081  <IN>
        bmAttributes = 0x0003  <INTERRUPT>
        wMaxPacketSize = 0x0040
        bInterval = 0x0005
        bRefresh = 0x0000
        bSynchAddress = 0x0000

     Endpoint 1
        bLength = 0x0007
        bDescriptorType = 0x0005
        bEndpointAddress = 0x0082  <IN>
        bmAttributes = 0x0002  <BULK>
        wMaxPacketSize = 0x0200
        bInterval = 0x0020
        bRefresh = 0x0000
        bSynchAddress = 0x0000

     Endpoint 2
        bLength = 0x0007
        bDescriptorType = 0x0005
        bEndpointAddress = 0x0001  <OUT>
        bmAttributes = 0x0002  <BULK>
        wMaxPacketSize = 0x0200
        bInterval = 0x0020
        bRefresh = 0x0000
        bSynchAddress = 0x0000


    Interface 1
      bLength = 0x0009
      bDescriptorType = 0x0004
      bInterfaceNumber = 0x0001
      bAlternateSetting = 0x0000
      bNumEndpoints = 0x0003
      bInterfaceClass = 0x00ff  <Vendor specific>
      bInterfaceSubClass = 0x00ff
      bInterfaceProtocol = 0x00ff
      iInterface = 0x0000  <no string>

     Endpoint 0
        bLength = 0x0007
        bDescriptorType = 0x0005
        bEndpointAddress = 0x0083  <IN>
        bmAttributes = 0x0003  <INTERRUPT>
        wMaxPacketSize = 0x0040
        bInterval = 0x0005
        bRefresh = 0x0000
        bSynchAddress = 0x0000

     Endpoint 1
        bLength = 0x0007
        bDescriptorType = 0x0005
        bEndpointAddress = 0x0084  <IN>
        bmAttributes = 0x0002  <BULK>
        wMaxPacketSize = 0x0200
        bInterval = 0x0020
        bRefresh = 0x0000
        bSynchAddress = 0x0000

     Endpoint 2
        bLength = 0x0007
        bDescriptorType = 0x0005
        bEndpointAddress = 0x0002  <OUT>
        bmAttributes = 0x0002  <BULK>
        wMaxPacketSize = 0x0200
        bInterval = 0x0020
        bRefresh = 0x0000
        bSynchAddress = 0x0000


    Interface 2
      bLength = 0x0009
      bDescriptorType = 0x0004
      bInterfaceNumber = 0x0002
      bAlternateSetting = 0x0000
      bNumEndpoints = 0x0002
      bInterfaceClass = 0x00ff  <Vendor specific>
      bInterfaceSubClass = 0x00ff
      bInterfaceProtocol = 0x00ff
      iInterface = 0x0000  <no string>

     Endpoint 0
        bLength = 0x0007
        bDescriptorType = 0x0005
        bEndpointAddress = 0x0085  <IN>
        bmAttributes = 0x0002  <BULK>
        wMaxPacketSize = 0x0200
        bInterval = 0x0020
        bRefresh = 0x0000
        bSynchAddress = 0x0000

     Endpoint 1
        bLength = 0x0007
        bDescriptorType = 0x0005
        bEndpointAddress = 0x0003  <OUT>
        bmAttributes = 0x0002  <BULK>
        wMaxPacketSize = 0x0200
        bInterval = 0x0020
        bRefresh = 0x0000
        bSynchAddress = 0x0000


    Interface 3
      bLength = 0x0009
      bDescriptorType = 0x0004
      bInterfaceNumber = 0x0003
      bAlternateSetting = 0x0000
      bNumEndpoints = 0x0002
      bInterfaceClass = 0x00ff  <Vendor specific>
      bInterfaceSubClass = 0x00ff
      bInterfaceProtocol = 0x00ff
      iInterface = 0x0000  <no string>

     Endpoint 0
        bLength = 0x0007
        bDescriptorType = 0x0005
        bEndpointAddress = 0x0086  <IN>
        bmAttributes = 0x0002  <BULK>
        wMaxPacketSize = 0x0200
        bInterval = 0x0020
        bRefresh = 0x0000
        bSynchAddress = 0x0000

     Endpoint 1
        bLength = 0x0007
        bDescriptorType = 0x0005
        bEndpointAddress = 0x0004  <OUT>
        bmAttributes = 0x0002  <BULK>
        wMaxPacketSize = 0x0200
        bInterval = 0x0020
        bRefresh = 0x0000
        bSynchAddress = 0x0000


    Interface 4
      bLength = 0x0009
      bDescriptorType = 0x0004
      bInterfaceNumber = 0x0004
      bAlternateSetting = 0x0000
      bNumEndpoints = 0x0002
      bInterfaceClass = 0x0008  <Mass storage>
      bInterfaceSubClass = 0x0006
      bInterfaceProtocol = 0x0050
      iInterface = 0x0000  <no string>

     Endpoint 0
        bLength = 0x0007
        bDescriptorType = 0x0005
        bEndpointAddress = 0x0087  <IN>
        bmAttributes = 0x0002  <BULK>
        wMaxPacketSize = 0x0200
        bInterval = 0x0000
        bRefresh = 0x0000
        bSynchAddress = 0x0000

     Endpoint 1
        bLength = 0x0007
        bDescriptorType = 0x0005
        bEndpointAddress = 0x0005  <OUT>
        bmAttributes = 0x0002  <BULK>
        wMaxPacketSize = 0x0200
        bInterval = 0x0000
        bRefresh = 0x0000
        bSynchAddress = 0x0000


    Interface 5
      bLength = 0x0009
      bDescriptorType = 0x0004
      bInterfaceNumber = 0x0005
      bAlternateSetting = 0x0000
      bNumEndpoints = 0x0002
      bInterfaceClass = 0x0008  <Mass storage>
      bInterfaceSubClass = 0x0006
      bInterfaceProtocol = 0x0050
      iInterface = 0x0000  <no string>

     Endpoint 0
        bLength = 0x0007
        bDescriptorType = 0x0005
        bEndpointAddress = 0x0006  <OUT>
        bmAttributes = 0x0002  <BULK>
        wMaxPacketSize = 0x0200
        bInterval = 0x0000
        bRefresh = 0x0000
        bSynchAddress = 0x0000

     Endpoint 1
        bLength = 0x0007
        bDescriptorType = 0x0005
        bEndpointAddress = 0x0088  <IN>
        bmAttributes = 0x0002  <BULK>
        wMaxPacketSize = 0x0200
        bInterval = 0x0000
        bRefresh = 0x0000
        bSynchAddress = 0x0000



[2.4.5-RELEASE][root@fw01.xxxxx]/root: ls /dev/cuaU*
/dev/cuaU0.0      /dev/cuaU0.1      /dev/cuaU0.2      /dev/cuaU0.3
/dev/cuaU0.0.init /dev/cuaU0.1.init /dev/cuaU0.2.init /dev/cuaU0.3.init
/dev/cuaU0.0.lock /dev/cuaU0.1.lock /dev/cuaU0.2.lock /dev/cuaU0.3.lock

@stephenw10 Thanks for the help!

stephenw10

Ah, nice!

So you ran at AT command in Windows/Linux?

Steve

elexir

@stephenw10 said in Can't get Huawei 4g modem working:

Ah, nice!

So you ran at AT command in Windows/Linux?

Steve

I ran the AT command on a Windows box and then moved the modem over to the pfsense box.