LTE mPCIe module hardware solution (cellular failover)

kapara

Have a requirement that I am trying to see how viable it is to integrate this into pfsense rather than buy an external modem.

Purchased a cradlepoint IBR650-LP4 which is a router with built in LTE modem for both ATT/TMOBILE/VERIZON. This can also use local broadband and has a cloud managment interface to manage remotely but does not have additional advantages like NTP Server with GPS nor does it have squid which would be very useful for reducing bandwidth consumption! Also it is priced at about $500.

Rather than buy an external unit (modem) I was interested in purchasing an Sierra Wireless MC7355 mPCIe adapter. Listed on supported on pfsense website.

https://www.amazon.com/Sierra-Wireless-Airprime-100mbps-Unlocked/dp/B00XLAWR3E

Has anyone had solid experience with this? Also the unit has a GPS module built in with option for GPS antennae. I would be curious if it would work with the NTP GPS option built into pfsense.

If anyone could provide their experience or recommend another module.

Also provide any recommended hardware including pfsense built that I could add this to the unit. I noticed pcengines has 3 mPCIe slots and I have one on hand to test with.

Thanks!

kapara

Hoping to find a easy solution. Many posts show problematic setups so if there is something that works best please let me know. These cards are not cheap so I do t want to have to spend more than needed.

Thanks

FranciscoFranco

I think the MC7354 and MC7355 are good modems. I would consider getting one off ebay. Truthfully if you just want to test cell modules for cheap the MC7700 on ATT can be had for dirt($20USD). I use both currently on my FreeBSD laptops. ATT on MC7700 and MC7354 on TMobile firmware. I even keep a few cheap StraightTalk tablet SIMs active for testing.
The prime difference is the LTE Bands supported. MC7700 uses ATT B17 while the MC7710 model supports B2 and B4 for Tmobile. Both GSM only.
While the MC7354/MC7355 can support many bands and can do CDMA or GSM depending on the firmware used. Supports B17,B2,B4 and more.

There is a fair amount of complexity involved on getting a module usable on pfSense and FreeBSD. Sometimes it helps to have a laptop to get it right before trying out the headless APU. It mainly involves setting the USB composition to something FreeBSD understands. Flashing the newest firmware is a good idea as they update protocols. An external USB/mPCIe adapter board with SIM slot works fine for setup too.

kapara

I would be interested in a card that can work on t-Mobile, ATT, and verizon. Is there such a card?

Any suggestions on this type of card? For now I will get the MC770 to get my feet wet. :-)

Also is it possible to use the GPS which is included for NTP?

FranciscoFranco

The MC7354/MC7355 will do all those. You might need to sign up to the Sierra site to get the various firmwares. Have you dealt with Verizon on data services? They are very strict on SIMs and you can't simply interchange SIMs between devices. You can call them and they will activate the SIM on a new device, its just nothing like any other carriers. ATT and Tmobile I can do whatever device I want with the SIM. No activation or website to register the gear at. They validate via the SIM only but Verizon SIM ties to the device somehow. You can buy the Verizon MC7750 pretty cheap because they make it so hard to register it. Verizon does have the fastest service in my area, but I digress.

GPS is available and with AT commands you can either share antenna lead2(nice on laptops) or use the built in GPS antenna connector.
As for timeserver I am not sure it meets those standards. Don't most stratum timeservers use PPS?
I guess it depends on the accuracy you desire.

FranciscoFranco

I never used the Verizon network so I am unsure how it works with pfSense. I used Linux and its modem_manager. I worry they might use QMI only if I remember the MC7750 correctly.

Instead of buying an MC7700 why don't you crack open that Cradlepoint mbr600 and check the modem? I know the mbr1200 uses MC7700. Do some homework or take it apart. Might save you some money.

kapara

Currently using an APu2 from pcengines. Per your recommendation I purchased an unlocked MC7700. tmobile and ATT will work for most of the locations so I will start with those carriers. Possibly even Google fi.

The only part things get blurry with is the processes to get the adapter ready for pfsense. Most of the directions are pretty vague and since I am not familiar with Linux or BSD interaction i am a bit hesitant.

I use Windows but can deploy a virtual linux machine. Also purchased a USB to PCIe with SIM to test with.

Not sure if you are available but if the process is pretty routing I could pay you to do a remote walk-through so I could record the process for future deployments.

Just purchased the cradlepoint. at $499.99 I am hesitant to mess with it. Also I had to put into production today so it will be a while before I can get it back.

I really like the idea of using pfsense because of the option to use squid (Transparent Proxy) and NTP Server (Cradlepoint does not have this though their central management solution is amazing!

FranciscoFranco

MC7700 is pretty straight forward and I will help with any problem. Look for the newest firmware and flash it. You need windows for the flasher. The DIP mode firmware is what you want.
https://source.sierrawireless.com/resources/airprime/software/mc7700-att-approved-firmware-swi9200x_03,-d-,05,-d-,29,-d-,03_dip/

After applying this you can use it with pfSense. cuaU0.3 is the port for ppp.

kapara

Great thank you!

received usb mpcie adapter. waiting for MC7700 from china :-( long boat ride!

kapara

Got the card. But dont know where to find the flasher software to use on windows. I do a random search and come up with many options.

q54e3w

sierra wireless' website has firmware.

kapara

Downloaded the firmware

https://source.sierrawireless.com/resources/airprime/software/mc7700-att-approved-firmware-swi9200x_03,-d-,05,-d-,29,-d-,03_dip/

Downloaded the watcher

https://source.sierrawireless.com/resources/airprime/development_kits/airprime-mc-series-connection-manager-dip-build-3830/

Downloaded Drivers

https://source.sierrawireless.com/resources/airprime/software/airprime-mc-series-windows-drivers-dip-build-3795/

Initialization failure

Card shows up during boot of pfsense and also shows as WWAN modem in windows. Just not sure how to apply the DIP firmware.

ugen1.3: <sierra wireless,="" incorporated="">at usbus1
ada0 at ahcich0 bus 0 scbus0 target 0 lun 0
ada0: <ts32gmsa370 n1126kb="">ACS-2 ATA SATA 3.x device
ada0: Serial Number D544021971
ada0: 600.000MB/s transfers (SATA 3.x, UDMA6, PIO 1024bytes)
ada0: Command Queueing enabled
ada0: 30533MB (62533296 512 byte sectors)
ada0: Previously was known as ad4

Sierra.PNG_thumb

Sierra2.PNG_thumb </ts32gmsa370></sierra>

kapara

Do I need windows 7? I am using windows 10.

q54e3w

im not at home right now so can't check but I used windows 10 and was able to just select the card and update the firmware.
If its not a sierra wireless device, you will likely need to convert the device to a sierra OEM model Id before you can flash it. The huwaii modem tool is needed for this.

kapara

See attached photos

IMG_1376.jpg_thumb

Capture3.PNG_thumb

FranciscoFranco

What I would do at this point is slip it in a FreeBSD box or pfSense and use the terminal program to determine the current firmware and mode. Here is where I would start.


root@E6420:~ # cu -l /dev/cuaU0.3
Connected
at
OK
atz
OK
ati
Manufacturer: Sierra Wireless, Incorporated
Model: MC7700
Revision: SWI9200X_03.05.29.03ap r6485 CNSHZ-ED-XP0031 2014/12/02 17:53:15
IMEI: 012626000778678
IMEI SV: 23
FSN: CDC0183099710
3GPP Release 8
+GCAP: +CGSM,+DS,+ES

OK
at!udinfo?
VID: 0x1199
PID: 0x68A3
Interface: DIP
Manufacturer: Sierra Wireless, Incorporated
Product: MC7700

OK

So from ATI and AT!UDINFO? you can glean the firmware and Interface. From there you will plot a strategy.
You may need to use Win7 and the QMI drivers to flash it. Then switch it to DIP. Depends on the above terminal info. Post yours please.

kapara

Do I need to execute another command to get to the # prompt?

[2.3.3-RELEASE][root@pfSense.localdomain]/root: cu -l /dev/cuaU0.3
/dev/cuaU0.3: No such file or directory
link down

FranciscoFranco

Do you have any recent Ubuntu or Mint memsticks around. I would check that next to see what it is doing. ModemManager can deal with most any device. The best way to do this is use Ubuntu/Mint with persistant storage from unetbootin for image burning to USB stick.
That way you can install some tools you might need. ModemManager GUI is the first piece of software I would install there. You might also need putty or your preferred Linux terminal program to talk to the modem.

I would make sure there is a SIM installed as well. Try connecting via NetworkManager by making a Mobile Broadband connection profile with your APN. The reason we are doing this is the IMEI number might be flagged if the last owner is in arrears. That and your module is using a different IMEI prefix than is usually used on MC7700. Notice mine starts with 0126. That is pretty standard from what I see online.

kapara

Got this from the diagnostics in windows.

ATQ0V1E0 - OK
AT+GMM - MC7700
AT+FCLASS=? - +FCLASS: (0-1)
AT#CLS=? - COMMAND NOT SUPPORTED
AT+GCI? - COMMAND NOT SUPPORTED
AT+GCI=? - COMMAND NOT SUPPORTED
ATI1 - Manufacturer: Sierra Wireless, Incorporated
Model: MC7700
Revision: SWI9200X_03.05.14.00AP R5164 CARMD-EN-10527 2012/05/29 19:13:25
IMEI: 359469040373130
IMEI SV: 11
FSN: CDC3434279310
3GPP Release 8
+GCAP: +CGSM,+DS,+ES
ATI2 - Manufacturer: Sierra Wireless, Incorporated
Model: MC7700
Revision: SWI9200X_03.05.14.00AP R5164 CARMD-EN-10527 2012/05/29 19:13:25
IMEI: 359469040373130
IMEI SV: 11
FSN: CDC3434279310
3GPP Release 8
+GCAP: +CGSM,+DS,+ES
ATI3 - Manufacturer: Sierra Wireless, Incorporated
Model: MC7700
Revision: SWI9200X_03.05.14.00AP R5164 CARMD-EN-10527 2012/05/29 19:13:25
IMEI: 359469040373130
IMEI SV: 11
FSN: CDC3434279310
3GPP Release 8
+GCAP: +CGSM,+DS,+ES
ATI4 - Manufacturer: Sierra Wireless, Incorporated
Model: MC7700
Revision: SWI9200X_03.05.14.00AP R5164 CARMD-EN-10527 2012/05/29 19:13:25
IMEI: 359469040373130
IMEI SV: 11
FSN: CDC3434279310
3GPP Release 8
+GCAP: +CGSM,+DS,+ES
ATI5 - Manufacturer: Sierra Wireless, Incorporated
Model: MC7700
Revision: SWI9200X_03.05.14.00AP R5164 CARMD-EN-10527 2012/05/29 19:13:25
IMEI: 359469040373130
IMEI SV: 11
FSN: CDC3434279310
3GPP Release 8
+GCAP: +CGSM,+DS,+ES
ATI6 - Manufacturer: Sierra Wireless, Incorporated
Model: MC7700
Revision: SWI9200X_03.05.14.00AP R5164 CARMD-EN-10527 2012/05/29 19:13:25
IMEI: 359469040373130
IMEI SV: 11
FSN: CDC3434279310
3GPP Release 8
+GCAP: +CGSM,+DS,+ES
ATI7 - Manufacturer: Sierra Wireless, Incorporated
Model: MC7700
Revision: SWI9200X_03.05.14.00AP R5164 CARMD-EN-10527 2012/05/29 19:13:25
IMEI: 359469040373130
IMEI SV: 11
FSN: CDC3434279310
3GPP Release 8
+GCAP: +CGSM,+DS,+ES

FranciscoFranco

I would use putty and see if you can talk AT to the modem there in Windows. Look in your device manager to find the correct AT terminal COM port. You want to run the at!udinfo? command to see the Interface Mode.

The thing is Windows above Version 8 now uses MBIM only mode which is non-standard and offers no AT command facility. Windows also slips in special MBIM only firmware updates to the Sierra modems via Windows Updates. You defiantly don't want a MBIM-only module. I wouldn't have a ethernet wire anywhere near Windows. Download the firmware, flash it and escape.

There is a Sierra Windows utility for switching between DIP and QMI mode as well. No flashing required.