How to Set Up Sprint Mobile Broadband on Ubuntu Linux     BACK


Linux Version: Ubuntu "Gutsy Gibbon" (v7.10)

Broadband Card: Sierra Wireless AirCard 595U

Step 1 – Add a Desktop application

  • Click on Applications on task bar

  • Click on Add / Remove ...



Step 2 – Select and install the GNOME PPP dialer application

  • Select Internet from the choices on the left and/or type "ppp" in the Search field at the top

  • Place a checkmark next to the GNOME PPP internet connection tool

  • Click on Apply Changes

  • You will need to supply the root password (same used when you use the "sudo" command)



Step 3 – Run and configure the GNOME PPP internet connection tool

  • Click on Applications from the task bar

  • Select Internet

  • Select GNOME PPP

  • Click the Setup button



Step 4 – Setup Modem

  • Be sure the Modem tab is selected

  • Enter /dev/ttyUSB0 for Device

  • Don't bother with Detect – it most likely will not detect the modem

  • Enter USB Modem for Type

  • Enter 921600 for Speed

  • Click Tone for Phone Line

  • Select Off for Volume

  • Leave other options at default

  • NOTE: don't CLOSE yet!!!



Step 5 – Setup Networking

  • Be sure the Networking tab is selected

  • Choose Dynamic IP Address under IP

  • Choose Automatic DNS under DNS

  • NOTE: don't CLOSE yet!!!



Step 6 – Setup Options

  • Be sure Options tab is selected

  • Select either of the Desktop Integration options as you wish

  • Under Connection be sure these options are selected:

  • Check carrier line
  • Check default route
  • Ignore terminal strings (stupid mode)

  • Leave other options at default

  • NOW you can click Close



Step 7 – Main GNOME PPP Settings

  • Username and Password are ignored: you've got a dedicated line so they don't matter. You can enter user and password for these values ... or whatever else you wish

  • Click on Remember password so you don't have to keep entering a value every time you use the tool

  • Enter #777 for Phone number

  • NOTE: almost done ... not quite ready to connect yet ... keep this screen ready for later



Step 8 – Edit /etc/rc.local

  • You must make sure that your specific brand of modem is recognized. To accomplish this these two commands are needed:

    sudo     modprobe -r usbserial
    sudo modprobe usbserial vendor=0x???? product=0x????

    Where you need to substitute "????" with the proper id numbers. Use     vendor=0x1199 and product=0x120 for the card mentioned in the beginning of this document

  • Don't worry about the "FATAL: Module usbserial is in use" message



Additional Vendor Product Codes:

Broadband Modem Model Vendor ID Product ID Form Factor
Novatel Merlin S6200x14100x1110PC Card
Novatel Merlin S7200x14100x1130PC Card
Novatel Ovation U7200x14100x2110USB Modem
Novatel Merlin EX7200x14100x1120Express Card
Novatel U7270x14100x4100USB Modem
Pantech PX-5000x106c0x3702PC Card
Sierra AC5800x11990x0112PC Card
Sierra AC5950x11990x0019PC Card
Sierra AC595U0x11990x120USB Modem
Sierra AC597E0x11990x0021Express Card

Step 9 – wvdial.conf file

  • It's not a bad idea to have wvdial as a command line alternative dialer

  • Issue the command sudo wvdialconf to detect the modem and create the file

  • You can then modify the /etc/wvdial.conf file to match the settings mentioned above so that you can use the wvdial command line dialer

  • When you run the wvdial command (mentioned below) it reads this file first



Step 10 – wvdial Test

  • To test your command line dialing capabilities, from a terminal shell type wvdial

  • You should see something like the screenshot to the right

  • NOTE: to access the Internet you'll need to leave this terminal shell up and running. Just minimize it and go about your work. If you like a neat and tidy desktop, then you're now ready to connect with the GNOME PPP connection tool

  • NOTE: to use the GNOME PPP connection tool, you'll need to exit out of the wvdial connection. Press Ctrl – C or just close the window (otherwise the GNOME tool won't work as the modem will be already in use!)



Step 11 – Connect with the GNOME PPP connection tool

  • Click on the Connect button

  • You see "connecting" and then "Dialing #777"

  • You're now ready to get busy on the Internet!



Step 12 – Verifying your connection

  • Click on the Log button

  • You'll see a screen similar to the wvdial screen (see screenshot to the right)

  • Don't worry about "... may be flaky" messages – they are designed for conventional modems are reflect aspects of the protocol not used with mobile broadband

  • Key things to watch for are to make sure all the following items have values assigned to them:

  • local ip address

  • remote ip address

  • primary DNS address

  • secondary DNS address



Additional Resources

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