LTE mPCIe module hardware solution (cellular failover)

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.

kapara

That is my issue. No windows 7. I will. Hold out a system with windows 7.

FranciscoFranco

I would try first with Ubuntu and make sure it connects. Like I say the IMEI numbers can get blacklisted. You seem to have an OEM variant looking at the picture(SKU=110-1882). That is why it uses a different IEMI prefix(3594). Plus you can tell by the 2012 firmware date it is an early model. Plus it is marked A0 module. I think 1882 SKU is Panasonic OEM number.

I can tell you the earlier modules sometimes need to be brought up to date in stages. See if you can find something from 2013 for firmware then do the newest..

Have you tried flashing with the newest QMI firmware from Windows. I think it may be in QMI mode as per your pfSense output.
Then you could flash with DIP firmware. You probably also need the Windows QMI drivers to load the card. Also the Sierra watcher is only DIP for QMI it uses a different app called Skylight watcher.

FranciscoFranco

I say its in QMI mode because my dmesg looks like this;


root@E6420:~ # dmesg |grep u3g0
u3g0: <sierra 0="" 3="" wireless,="" incorporated="" mc7700,="" class="" 0,="" rev="" 2.00="" 0.06,="" addr="">on usbus1
u3g0: Found 6 ports.</sierra>

FranciscoFranco

Also the modules PID changes for QMI mode. So if you can pull up a terminal you can switch it to DIP. Then install DIP drivers in Windows and flash it with DIP firmware.

https://gist.github.com/mmv-ru/1a52c10a4d5577a5ed30

kapara

Finally got it to work. I guess not giving up eventually pays off!

Found a post regarding a tool to switch from QMI to DIP

Post:

https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkPad-T400-T500-and-newer-T/T430i-and-MC7700-in-DIP-mode-will-not-boot-System-is-Halted-Was/td-p/3367435

Tool:

http://hptouchpad4g.com/Support/sierra/windows/ModeSwitch/BZ31018_DIP_QMI_ModeSwitch.zip

I probably read over 80 forum postings before I could find this!

After running tool PC required reboot and now device is DIP mode

Output from my Putty attached.

Ok so now the next step. How to get this working with Carrier T-Mobile on the pfsense!

Capture.PNG_thumb

FranciscoFranco

From here it is a matter of choosing what interface you want to call it. Either OPT or WAN for your failover.
So go to PPP and make your connection. Use your APN for T-Mobile and cuaU0.3 to connect, From there check your logs to see it connect or wait for it to acquire a DHCP address. It will show up on the dashboard.

kapara

My APN? What is that and how do I find it?

FranciscoFranco

It comes up under Interfaces>PPP
Use cuaU0.3. My screenshot is an example with no modem.

screenshot2.png_thumb

FranciscoFranco

So you make your cellular interface under Interfaces>PPP connection from the tab and save. Then go to interfaces and add a new interface and use the PPP connection. You might want to research LAGG for the failover part.
Make sure you can connect first. Did you connect with FreeBSD/Ubuntu or Windows just to make sure the modem is OK?

kapara

I did not try in Windows as I do not know exactly how in Windows. Is that with the Watcher?

Also here is the output for pfsense after configuring modem with T-Mobile in PPP. Not working. I have yet to receive my antenna so not sure if that will prevent this from moving forward but I would think it should get some type of signal.

Jun 13 02:09:57	ppp		[opt1_link0] Link: reconnection attempt 54
Jun 13 02:09:57	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: +CGDCONT=1,"IP","fast.t-mobile.com"
Jun 13 02:09:57	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: Detected Hayes compatible modem.
Jun 13 02:09:57	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: Dialing server at *99#...
Jun 13 02:09:57	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: ATDT*99#
Jun 13 02:09:57	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: Invalid dial init string.
Jun 13 02:09:57	ppp		[opt1_link0] MODEM: chat script failed
Jun 13 02:09:57	ppp		[opt1_link0] Link: DOWN event
Jun 13 02:09:57	ppp		[opt1_link0] LCP: Down event
Jun 13 02:09:57	ppp		[opt1_link0] Link: reconnection attempt 55 in 3 seconds
Jun 13 02:10:00	ppp		[opt1_link0] Link: reconnection attempt 55
Jun 13 02:10:00	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: +CGDCONT=1,"IP","fast.t-mobile.com"
Jun 13 02:10:00	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: Detected Hayes compatible modem.
Jun 13 02:10:00	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: Dialing server at *99#...
Jun 13 02:10:00	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: ATDT*99#
Jun 13 02:10:00	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: Invalid dial init string.
Jun 13 02:10:00	ppp		[opt1_link0] MODEM: chat script failed
Jun 13 02:10:00	ppp		[opt1_link0] Link: DOWN event
Jun 13 02:10:00	ppp		[opt1_link0] LCP: Down event
Jun 13 02:10:00	ppp		[opt1_link0] Link: reconnection attempt 56 in 1 seconds
Jun 13 02:10:01	ppp		[opt1_link0] Link: reconnection attempt 56
Jun 13 02:10:03	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: +CGDCONT=1,"IP","fast.t-mobile.com"
Jun 13 02:10:03	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: Detected Hayes compatible modem.
Jun 13 02:10:03	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: Dialing server at *99#...
Jun 13 02:10:03	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: ATDT*99#
Jun 13 02:10:03	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: Invalid dial init string.
Jun 13 02:10:03	ppp		[opt1_link0] MODEM: chat script failed
Jun 13 02:10:03	ppp		[opt1_link0] Link: DOWN event
Jun 13 02:10:03	ppp		[opt1_link0] LCP: Down event
Jun 13 02:10:03	ppp		[opt1_link0] Link: reconnection attempt 57 in 4 seconds
Jun 13 02:10:07	ppp		[opt1_link0] Link: reconnection attempt 57
Jun 13 02:10:07	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: +CGDCONT=1,"IP","fast.t-mobile.com"
Jun 13 02:10:08	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: Detected Hayes compatible modem.
Jun 13 02:10:08	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: Dialing server at *99#...
Jun 13 02:10:08	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: ATDT*99#
Jun 13 02:10:08	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: Invalid dial init string.
Jun 13 02:10:08	ppp		[opt1_link0] MODEM: chat script failed
Jun 13 02:10:08	ppp		[opt1_link0] Link: DOWN event
Jun 13 02:10:08	ppp		[opt1_link0] LCP: Down event
Jun 13 02:10:08	ppp		[opt1_link0] Link: reconnection attempt 58 in 2 seconds
Jun 13 02:10:10	ppp		[opt1_link0] Link: reconnection attempt 58
Jun 13 02:10:11	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: +CGDCONT=1,"IP","fast.t-mobile.com"
Jun 13 02:10:11	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: Detected Hayes compatible modem.
Jun 13 02:10:11	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: Dialing server at *99#...
Jun 13 02:10:11	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: ATDT*99#
Jun 13 02:10:11	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: Invalid dial init string.
Jun 13 02:10:11	ppp		[opt1_link0] MODEM: chat script failed
Jun 13 02:10:11	ppp		[opt1_link0] Link: DOWN event
Jun 13 02:10:11	ppp		[opt1_link0] LCP: Down event
Jun 13 02:10:11	ppp		[opt1_link0] Link: reconnection attempt 59 in 1 seconds

kapara

I am a dummy

I forgot to ad the SIM back to the pcengines board.

Still not connecting but getting different response.

Jun 13 02:45:43	ppp		[opt1_link0] Link: reconnection attempt 8
Jun 13 02:45:45	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: +CGDCONT=1,"IP","fast.t-mobile.com"
Jun 13 02:45:45	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: Detected Hayes compatible modem.
Jun 13 02:45:45	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: Dialing server at *99#...
Jun 13 02:45:45	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: ATDT*99#
Jun 13 02:45:45	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: The remote modem did not answer.
Jun 13 02:45:45	ppp		[opt1_link0] MODEM: chat script failed
Jun 13 02:45:45	ppp		[opt1_link0] Link: DOWN event
Jun 13 02:45:45	ppp		[opt1_link0] LCP: Down event
Jun 13 02:45:45	ppp		[opt1_link0] Link: reconnection attempt 9 in 3 seconds
Jun 13 02:45:48	ppp		[opt1_link0] Link: reconnection attempt 9
Jun 13 02:45:48	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: +CGDCONT=1,"IP","fast.t-mobile.com"
Jun 13 02:45:48	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: Detected Hayes compatible modem.
Jun 13 02:45:48	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: Dialing server at *99#...
Jun 13 02:45:48	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: ATDT*99#
Jun 13 02:45:48	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: The remote modem did not answer.
Jun 13 02:45:48	ppp		[opt1_link0] MODEM: chat script failed
Jun 13 02:45:48	ppp		[opt1_link0] Link: DOWN event
Jun 13 02:45:48	ppp		[opt1_link0] LCP: Down event
Jun 13 02:45:48	ppp		[opt1_link0] Link: reconnection attempt 10 in 4 seconds
Jun 13 02:45:52	ppp		[opt1_link0] Link: reconnection attempt 10
Jun 13 02:45:52	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: +CGDCONT=1,"IP","fast.t-mobile.com"
Jun 13 02:45:52	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: Detected Hayes compatible modem.
Jun 13 02:45:52	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: Dialing server at *99#...
Jun 13 02:45:52	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: ATDT*99#
Jun 13 02:45:52	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: The remote modem did not answer.
Jun 13 02:45:52	ppp		[opt1_link0] MODEM: chat script failed
Jun 13 02:45:52	ppp		[opt1_link0] Link: DOWN event
Jun 13 02:45:52	ppp		[opt1_link0] LCP: Down event
Jun 13 02:45:52	ppp		[opt1_link0] Link: reconnection attempt 11 in 4 seconds
Jun 13 02:45:56	ppp		[opt1_link0] Link: reconnection attempt 11
Jun 13 02:45:56	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: +CGDCONT=1,"IP","fast.t-mobile.com"
Jun 13 02:45:56	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: Detected Hayes compatible modem.
Jun 13 02:45:56	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: Dialing server at *99#...
Jun 13 02:45:56	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: ATDT*99#
Jun 13 02:45:56	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: The remote modem did not answer.
Jun 13 02:45:56	ppp		[opt1_link0] MODEM: chat script failed
Jun 13 02:45:56	ppp		[opt1_link0] Link: DOWN event
Jun 13 02:45:56	ppp		[opt1_link0] LCP: Down event
Jun 13 02:45:56	ppp		[opt1_link0] Link: reconnection attempt 12 in 2 seconds
Jun 13 02:45:58	ppp		[opt1_link0] Link: reconnection attempt 12
Jun 13 02:45:59	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: +CGDCONT=1,"IP","fast.t-mobile.com"
Jun 13 02:45:59	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: Detected Hayes compatible modem.
Jun 13 02:45:59	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: Dialing server at *99#...
Jun 13 02:45:59	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: ATDT*99#
Jun 13 02:45:59	ppp		[opt1_link0] CHAT: The remote modem did not answer.
Jun 13 02:45:59	ppp		[opt1_link0] MODEM: chat script failed
Jun 13 02:45:59	ppp		[opt1_link0] Link: DOWN event
Jun 13 02:45:59	ppp		[opt1_link0] LCP: Down event
Jun 13 02:45:59	ppp		[opt1_link0] Link: reconnection attempt 13 in 3 seconds

FranciscoFranco

No Antenna-no work. I think your in good shape.