Sierra 320U / Telstra Aircard 320U 4G USB modem

GeoffC

We have a new Netgate 4200 running v24.11-RELEASE
This is to replace an existing, but no longer supported firewall / router (Cyberoam) - so trying to replicate the setup.
We have been using a Sierra 320u (Telstra Aircard branded) USB 4G modem for network fail-over, and as it is on the Known Working 3G-4G Modems list, I thought that part would be OK.

I have two of the USB dongles - the one that is / has been, in production Cyberoam along with a backup.
When I could not get it to work, I ugraded firmware in the backup to most recent version.

Both the dongles operate in Windows environment.

/dev/cuaU0.2 is the only one that responds to AT commands, but the device creates 0.0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.4 and each gives the reponse

CHAT: The modem is not responding to "AT" at MomCmd: labeell.

in the logs (the logs for 0.2 are below).

usbconfig dump_device_desc

 ugen1.3: <Sierra Wireless, Incorporated AirCard 320U> at usbus1, cfg=0 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 = 0x0f3d
  idProduct = 0x68aa
  bcdDevice = 0x0006
  iManufacturer = 0x0003  <Sierra Wireless, Incorporated>
  iProduct = 0x0002  <AirCard 320U>
  iSerialNumber = 0x0004  <357272045xxxxxx>
  bNumConfigurations = 0x0001

ATI

Manufacturer: Sierra Wireless, Incorporated
Model: AirCard 320U
Revision: X1_4_5_0AP R5267 CNSZXD00000140 2012/07/02 13:48:56
IMEI: 357272045xxxxxx
IMEI SV: 3
FSN: CC41833xxxxxx
3GPP Release 8
+GCAP: +CGSM

AT+cpin?

=+CPIN: READY

Status Log (ppp)

Label 'MomIdentGeneriicc' not found
[opt3_link0] CHAT: line 358: label "MomIdentGeneriicc" not found
[opt3_link0] MODEM: chat script failed
[opt3_link0] Link: DOWN event
[opt3_link0] LCP: Down event

Simialr results for both modems, similar results between pfSense 24.03 & 24.11

Any simple answer or known working configuration for this modem?

stephenw10

@GeoffC said in Sierra 320U / Telstra Aircard 320U 4G USB modem:

label "MomIdentGeneriicc" not found

Seeing those duplicated characters like that usually implies an incorrect init string. I'm pretty sure there's a bug there but I've never been able to pin it down.

Try using: &F&C1&D2E0S0=0${temp}

GeoffC

@stephenw10

I did see that Init string mentioned in one of your posts here, along with other sites for Opensense with other modems and had tried it.

I did try it again, and somehow with all the changes I have been making, somehow reset the appliance to an old backup during a reboot, so had to re add the Interface again, and it might be the sequence of editing and enabling that I finally got:

Multi-link PPP daemon for FreeBSD
process 70118 started, version 5.9
web: web is not running
[opt3] Bundle: Interface ng0 created
[opt3_link0] Link: OPEN event
[opt3_link0] LCP: Open event
[opt3_link0] LCP: state change Initial --> Starting
[opt3_link0] LCP: LayerStart
[opt3_link0] CHAT: +CGDCONT=1,"IP","telstra.internet"
[opt3_link0] CHAT: Detected Custom modem.
[opt3_link0] CHAT: Dialing server at *99#...
[opt3_link0] CHAT: ATDT*99#
[opt3_link0] CHAT: Invalid dial init string.
[opt3_link0] MODEM: chat script failed
[opt3_link0] Link: DOWN event
[opt3_link0] LCP: Down event

so a different error.
Again tried many things and hours today, I end up at:

CHAT: The modem is not responding to "AT" at MomCmd: labeell.

I could still talk to the device via SSH at the same address.
Power cycles and remove and re-insert modem made no difference.
Tried a reboot (this time keeping the same version and configuratiion that I had, I got back to:

CHAT: Invalid dial init string.
MODEM: chat script failed

so maybe reboots are required when making configuration changes???

GeoffC

I can't see my reply from this morning, but many hours later, I have had it working and is currently working.
The Init string must be

E0

&C may not be supported and might be the reason the suggested srting fails.

There also may be a need to have the most recent firmware in the 320U.
There also appears to be some technique on how changes are made.
I think I have found that when it's not working, even though all the configuration is correct (after a remove and re-install), you need to go to Interfaces, Assignments, PPPs, edit the Interface and then save it with no changes, in order to bring the interface up.

stephenw10

Ah, nice. Yes some modems only support some variables there.