Wireless Data Cards

These instructions will walk you through the process, step-by-step, of configuring the Novatel Merlin 620 EV-DO CDMA Wireless Data Card and other similar models.
Note: This tutorial assumes that you are using Ubuntu with the GNOME Desktop Environment.

Activation

In most cases, activation of your wireless data card is either done by a representative of your wireless provider, or must be done using the included software on a Microsoft® Windows®-based operating system. Refer to the installation instructions included with your hardware for more information.

Once you have completed the activation of your product, you are ready to begin configuring the wireless card for use in Linux.

Getting Started

( This part only works on Feisty Fawn)

We must start the process of configuring your data card by first gathering some very important information that Ubuntu will need in order to utilize the hardware properly. Be sure that, at this point, you have the card removed from the PCMIA slot on your notebook before beginning.
Open a terminal window and execute the following command:

cat /proc/bus/usb/devices > devices

Now insert your data card into the PCMIA slot and wait for a few seconds before continuing.

In the terminal window again, type the following and press ENTER:

diff /proc/bus/usb/devices devices | grep Vendor

You should see some output that looks like the following:

bigbrovar@bigbrovar:~$ diff /proc/bus/usb/devices devices | grep Vendor

< P: Vendor=0000 ProdID=0000 Rev= 2.06

< P: Vendor=0000 ProdID=0000 Rev= 2.06

< P: Vendor=1410 ProdID=1110 Rev= 0.00

bigbrovar@bigbrovar:~$

Inspecting the output, you will find two key pieces of information necessary for configuration of your data card: the Vendor and the ProdID.
Now, in the terminal, execute the following command:

sudo modprobe usbserial vendor=0×1410 product=0×1110 ( Gutsy upwards can start here )

Be sure to use your own Vendor and ProdID variables here.
Your wireless card should now be properly configured, and we can now move on to the next step of the process.

[edit]

Configuration Script

Next, we need to edit the configuration script in order to get the data card communicating with the outside world.
Issue the following command and press ENTER:

sudo gedit /etc/wvdial.conf

Copy and paste the following code into the file, replacing the existing contents:

[Dialer Defaults]

Stupid Mode = on

Modem = /dev/ttyUSB0

Baud = 921600

Init = ATZ

Init2 = ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0

Phone = #777

Username = XXXXXXXXXX@provider.com

Password = XXXXXX

Init1 = ATZ

ISDN = 0

Modem Type = Analog Modem

Auto Reconnect = on

Carrier Check = no

[Dialer shh]

Init3 = ATM0

[Dialer pulse]

Dial Command = ATDP

In the above script, you will need to change a few pieces of information. First, you will need to replace “XXXXXXXXXX@provider.com” with the 10-digit phone number and provider domain assigned to your data card. (For example: 001412064@vzw3g.com). Lastly, change the password to the one supplied to you by your provider. This password is normally referred to as an MTL or PIN number and is typically 6 digits long, but may vary depending on your provider. If you are unsure of what values to enter here, contact your service provider

Testing the Connection

The card has been configured, our script should be in order, and we should now be ready to test our connection to ensure that it is working properly.
In the terminal window, use the following command:

sudo wvdial

If the connection works, you will receive output in the terminal window similar to the following:

Automatically Connecting at Startup

The final step is to get the connection to automatically initialize when the system starts up so that it will be available for use nearly instantaneously.

Navigate to System > Preferences > Sessions in GNOME. Next, click on the tab labeled, “Startup Programs” and then click the “Add” button. In the Startup Command field, enter “wvdial” and then click “OK”.
You should now be fully ready to utilize your data card in Linux without complication.

If you have Problem connecting through this method please give me a call

This has been confirmed to work well with Reltel wireless  ***Novatel Merlin 620 EV-DO CDMA Wireless Data Card ***

Bigbrovar-08022982697 Nigeria Residence only

Alternatively

Next, open your terminal and type the following commands:

sudo tail -f /var/log/messages

This will enable you see what is happening on your system.
Next insert the EVDO card into your laptop. You will see
that the system display information about your card. Note,
You will see two mount points. Don’t worry if you do not
know the mount point to use.

Next open another terminal and type:

sudo wvdialconf

this will automatically probe your card and give
the mount point and speed. Next type

sudo wvdial

Linux will try to connect using the default setting written by the last command.
It show you invalid user name, password and phone number. No problem.
Next, type

sudo pppconfig

this will open a window that you will fill. Don’t forget to delete
pre-filled information and replace them with your own information.
eg replace provider name with your own provider name.

Remember to copy the last line of the wvdialconf command
output. Use the best recommended speed. Ok. Other info are

phone number: #777
userName: card number@provider.com
password: card number

Be sure to confirm from your provider. This information is for reltel users.
Your mount point or port should /dev/ttyUSB0
When you are through with this, save and exit.
And finally connect with this command,

pon provider name

watch the log terminal, you should see the you system, pry and secondary IP addresses displayed.
Note: do not forget to select DHCP from the pppconfig window.

open your web browser and hurry, you are up with your new connection.

To disconnect

poff provider name

Enjoy it. Linux is the freedom of choice.
Need help feel free to post

Dial-up Internet on Linux

To get online in Linux isn’t that hard and since this is Linux there are several ways of achieving this. to do this we can either use the terminal or kpp although there are others like gprsec although this is more oriented towards GPRS.

The terminal would be treated first.

Launch a terminal from Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal

A terminal comes up connet your phone through a usb serial cable and then type sudo wvdialconf and press enter. This command searches your computer for any modem attached to it. If it finds it would tell you modem found. If its a phone it would say new device found /dev/ttyACM0

Then now type in this command also sudo gedit /etc/wvdial.conf Now you’ll have to edit it removing the unnecessary semicolons and then when yours look like mine then press save

[Dialer Defaults]

Init1 = ATZ

Init2 = ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0

Modem Type = USB Modem

Baud = 460800

New PPPD = yes

Modem = /dev/ttyACM0

ISDN = 0

Phone = *99***1#

Password = internet

Username = internet

Then you return to the terminal and type sudo wvdial and press enter and it starts to connect once it does, don’t close that terminal because if you do that you go offline.

Now for the non terminal people, kpp is a very excellent tool, it does the job well.

You’ll have to download kpp, then go to http://packages.ubuntu.com and search for kpp, download and login into ubuntu and double click to install

After installation just press Alt and F2 together, a run dialog comes out like the one below and type kppp and run.

Now click on configure, and choose manual setup

Then input your connection name, i’ve named mine celtel, then click Add to add your dialup no (Vmobile is *99***1#, for starcomms it should be #777)

Then now click OK and OK again you don’t need to worry about IP, DNS etc.

Now click on modem tab and choose new, here’s the tricky part Name your modem since am using Motorola L6 i named my modem L6.

To know what your modem is just open a new terminal and type sudo wvdialconf and it would show the name of your modem.

If you’re using a mobile phone it should be /dev/ttyACM0, then choose that.

Now click on the modem tab and click query modem. This would confirm if that modem you choose exists.

For those who use the terminal and are able to get online already but want to change to kpp just connect through the terminal first, then follow the instructions below

The first thing would be to install kppp from the synaptics. To do this click Applications then choose Add/Remove programs then search for Kppp

Now mark it and choose okay then follow the previous instructions i gave.

If you have problem connecting to the net after following the above please call Afolabi 08025426934 *Nigeria Residence Only

Note Due to the frequent disconnection that has been experienced on starcoms and multilinks … you  can add this string    Init3 = AT+CRM=1;$LGPKT=3 to your wvdial config so it looks like this

[Dialer Defaults]
Init1 = ATZ
Init2 = ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0
Init3 = AT+CRM=1;$LGPKT=3
Modem Type = USB Modem
ISDN = 0
New PPPD = yes
Phone = #777
Modem = /dev/ttyACM0
Username = 7525553@multilinks.com
Password = 482711
Baud = 460800

after you most have followed the guide above … i.e doing wvdialconf and all … run this command

sudo gedit /etc/wvdial.conf

this would open the wvdial.conf in a text editor ..

just add this string

Init3 = AT+CRM=1;$LGPKT=3

to the 3rd line .. so it would look like this

[Dialer Defaults]
Init1 = ATZ
Init2 = ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0
Init3 = AT+CRM=1;$LGPKT=3
Modem Type = USB Modem
ISDN = 0
New PPPD = yes
Phone = #777
Modem = /dev/ttyACM0
Username = 7525553@multilinks.com
Password = 482711
Baud = 460800

once you have done that save and close the text editor