Re: How to get Bell Canada 3G USB network up?
On 12/06/11 08:24, Christian Jaeger wrote:
> 2011/6/11 Scott Ferguson <prettyfly.productions@gmail.com>:
>> On 12/06/11 04:19, Christian Jaeger wrote:
>> <snipped>
>>> * after the mode switch runs, the modem LED is blinking in blue
>>
>>
>> UMTS
>
> Well, as I said, as long as it's blinking, it isn't connected, at
> least as far as the computer is concerned. Of course the modem itself
> might already connect to the base stations and the color might already
> mean something at that point.
Doesn't necessarily mean an active connection - just that, allegedly,
the service is available.
>
> ...
>>> orange,
>>
>> Yellow OR flashing Red (sorry Orange is not an option!)
>
> I don't think I've ever seen it red (and never flashing, when it was
> connected).
>
> I wouldn't vow having seen orange, especially since the light mixing
> in the LED isn't perfect (so depending on angle the yellow is looking
> somewhat orange anyway) and color changes sometimes happen quickly. I
> thought it was at least 4 colors aside blue, but so maybe it's just
> yellow, purple/violet and green.
Sorry, I'm using the colours claimed by Bell - I've quoted all the
colours it's supposed to display. Changing protocols will give the
appearance of intermediate colours as it flicks between leds.
>
>>> yellow
>>
>> HSDPA (again)
>
> Well the funny thing is that nm always shows UMTS during the first
> seconds then usually HSPA (/HSUPA/HSDPA) afterwards, but the color
> change from the modem happens independently: it usually changes from
> blue to yellow as soon as there is somewhat intense traffic (of
> course, changing to HS*PA from UMTS makes sense for that), which can
> be like 5 seconds after connecting already, and still nm only shows
> the change to HSPA 15 seconds afterwards.
Are you in a marginal signal area?
>
>>> or purple
>>
>> well it's *supposed* to be Violet, and it flashes
>> EDGE
>
> Nah, it doesn't flash when in purple/violet color. Usually that color
> is only somewhat shortlived, though, like a couple seconds between
> yellow and blue(?) phases, but IIRC I've seen it stay for longer
> periods at purple, too, and it never flashed.
You *don't* want EDGE (it's about 3-4 times GPRS == 4 strings, 8 tin cans)
>
>> Wikipedia will give you a nice explanation of the various protocols.
>
> (Yep, I've read about them in the past.)
>
> How do you know about the color codes?
I collect things. Manuals, documentation, tin cans....
>
>> I'd suggest you give the device no choice eg.force it to only connect
>> UMTS using the AT commands.
>
> Good point; nm only allows to downgrade to "2G(GPRS/EDGE)" from the
> GUI (iirc I tried that and it didn't work, I guess my data-only
> contract is 3G only), so I guess I'll have to use another tool like
> minicom to inject the AT commands from a script called by a udev hook.
Gotta watch that - in my country the slower the service the steeper the
charge (inconvience is a luxury)
>
>>
>> <snipped to save electrons, and Ralf's sanity>
>
> (Ralf?)
>
> Hm, so, which AT commands?
>
> I've not been successful searching for 'novatel "at commands"' and similar.
>
>>
>> Is that a Novatel U950??
>> The vendor code should be 0x1410 - what are the product codes please?
>
> Novatel MC998D/U998,
> before usb mode switching: 1410:5010,
> afterwards: 1410:7030
>
>> If so I suspect it's actually a rebadged Ovation MC950D using the
>> Qualcomm MSM7200 chipset.
>> If so the following will probably work for you
>> (should it break you may keep both pieces)
>> ATEI (get OK response)
>> AT$AUTOINSTALL=0
>
> tie:~# screen /dev/ttyUSB1
> AT
> OK
> ATEI
> Manufacturer: Novatel Wireless Incorporated
> Model: Ovation MC998D
Not what I thought ^
I'll have to have dig and see if I have manual for that - from memory
it's less a USBstick and more a USBmouse - bout the size of a pack of cards.
Does AT? give you a list of commands.
> Revision: 1.16.12.01-02 [2010-05-12 16:23:18]
> IMEI: 012067000784103
> +GCAP: +CGSM,+DS,+ES
>
> OK
> AT$AUTOINSTALL=0
> ERROR
>
> Same with screen /dev/ttyUSB3 (whereas screen /dev/ttyUSB{0,2,4}
> wouldn't output anything for "AT").
>
> Christian.
>
cat /dev/ttyUSB0 should give you signal strength and available protocols.
I'll be back later today - I'll have a dig for the command set and check
for firmware updates then, I'm pretty sure SaskTel have the same modem.
Do you have a verbose ppp log somewhere?
Cheers
--
The world is like a ride in an amusement park.
And when you choose to go on it you think it's real because that's how
powerful our minds are.
And the ride goes up and down and round and round.
It has thrills and chills and it's very brightly coloured and it's very
loud and it's fun, for a while.
Some people have been on the ride for a long time and they begin to
question: "Is this real, or is this just a ride?"
And other people have remembered, and they come back to us, they say,
"Hey, don't worry, don't be afraid, ever, because this is just a ride."
And we kill those people. ~ Bill Hicks
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