This device is particularly interesting because has two operating modes. The first one and the most common is as a router and access point for a mixed network (wi-fi+ethernet). But If you have the bad luck that you don’t find power source for the device or simply you only have a charged laptop. You can use it as a modem too with a simple USB 2.0 cable.

So what we need?. Lets see . . .

This mini-tutorial was tested in three different distros:

• Ubuntu 10.04
• Gentoo with kernel 2.6.34
• Debian Sid with kernel 2.6.34 (this was tested by aranax)

What we need in Ubuntu?

This modem work’s out of the box detected as a modem and also as a massive storage device. Just plug it and if you have troubles with the wi-fi disable the wi-fi card. If you have troubles and the system only recognize it as a storage device, install usb_modeswitch and the configuration is automatic.

$ sudo apt-get install usb_modeswitch

What we need in Debian/Gentoo/Another not ubuntu distro?
The difference between Ubuntu and many other distros respecting 3g modems resides in the Network Manager package. Ubuntu has a modified version with support for PPP devices dialing. But the another distros c0uld use a more primitive package like wvdial. And this is how I configured it:

Step 0: Verify your kernel support (only for personalized kernels).

If you have a personalized kernel (very common in Gentoo boxes) you have to enable the PPP dialing support and USB serial GSM modem drivers. This isn’t necessary in a generic kernel.

Device Drivers ->
    USB support  --->
        <M> OHCI HCD support (If not use Intel or VIA chipset)
        <M> UHCI HCD (most Intel and VIA) support (If use Intel or VIA chipset)
        <M> USB Serial Converter support  --->
            [*] USB Generic Serial Driver
            <M> USB driver for GSM and CDMA modems
    Network device support  --->
        <*> PPP (point-to-point protocol) support
        <*> PPP support for async serial ports

Step 1: Install wvdial

We need this package to use the modem. So install it

In Debian:

# apt-get install wvdial

In Gentoo:

# emerge wvdial

Step 2: Create the initial configuration:

Once we have wvdial. We need to plug in the modem in any usb port. You could use dmessg to view if the modem is recognized it. Next we need to auto configure it with:

# wvdialconf /etc/wvdial.conf

Now we need to add our carrier data. This example is designed for Tigo Guatemala. Edit the few lines of the file and you will finish with a configuration file like this:

[Dialer Defaults]
Init1 = ATZ
Init2 = ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0
Init3 = AT+CGDCONT=1,”IP”,”broadband.tigo.gt”
Modem Type = Analog Modem
Baud = 9600
New PPPD = yes
Modem = /dev/ttyUSB0
ISDN = 0
Password = internet
UserName = tigo
Phone = *99#
Stupid Mode = yes

Step 3: Use it:
Now the modem it’s ready to work so edit the /etc/resolv.conf file with your favorite DNS servers. This is for opendns:

# echo “208.67.222.222″>>/etc/resolv.conf
#echo “208.67.220.220″>>/etc/resolv.conf

And execute wvdial. If you wish to close the terminal put a & at the end of the command to fork it to backgroud

#wvdial

Now you are surfing the web. With the modem and without plug-it in a power source.

posted by tuxtor
Tags: E968, Huawei, linux
Filed under: Freedom tutorials