Huawei E1550 3G modem

Introduction

This article describes how to configure Huawei E1550 3G modems.

This modem is generic modem device, but there are two kludges:

• you need to switch it into modem mode
• you need to load proper driver (usbserial)

Prepare device

Switch into modem mode

By default kernel recognizes it as usb-storage device (SCSI CD-ROM). It is true, because of this modem contains MicroSD card (up to 4Gb) reader and internal flash.

To turn on modem you should run

$ /lib/udev/usb_modeswitch --vendor 0x12d1 --product 0x1446 --type option-zerocd

command.

See also the usb_modeswitch package, which you may need in future since in udev-157 modem-modeswitch has been renamed and changed as described in the commit. This package does not need any modifications, just install it.

Also you can create udev's config: /etc/udev/rules.d/15-huawei-e1550.rules

/etc/udev/rules.d/15-huawei-e1550.rules

ACTION=="add", SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="12d1", ATTRS{idProduct}=="1446", RUN+="/lib/udev/usb_modeswitch --vendor 0x12d1 --product 0x1446 --type option-zerocd"

After that, modem changes its USB IDs to 12d1:140c and /proc/bus/usb/devices shows new USB endpoints.

Driver loading

usbserial is proper driver for this modem, but probably it does not recognize it, so you should force it, passing USB IDs.

 # modprobe usbserial vendor=0x12d1 product=0x140c

or put options into /etc/modprobe.d/modprobe.conf

/etc/modprobe.d/modprobe.conf

...
options usbserial vendor=0x12d1 product=0x140c
...

(do not forget to rmmod usbserial if it is already loaded before)

Optional: device naming

You can generate symlinks to the ttyUSB* ports for a more human readable configuration with udev rules.

For a Huawei device which identifies with the USB ID 12D1:1001 after modeswitching and has 3 serial ports:

 SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{modalias}=="usb:v12D1p1001*", KERNEL=="ttyUSB*", ATTRS{bInterfaceNumber}=="00", ATTRS{bInterfaceProtocol}=="ff", SYMLINK+="ttyUSB_utps_modem"
 SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{modalias}=="usb:v12D1p1001*", KERNEL=="ttyUSB*", ATTRS{bInterfaceNumber}=="01", ATTRS{bInterfaceProtocol}=="ff", SYMLINK+="ttyUSB_utps_diag"
 SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{modalias}=="usb:v12D1p1001*", KERNEL=="ttyUSB*", ATTRS{bInterfaceNumber}=="02", ATTRS{bInterfaceProtocol}=="ff", SYMLINK+="ttyUSB_utps_pcui"

For a Huawei device which identifies with the USB ID 12D1:1003 after modeswitching and has 2 serial ports:

 SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{modalias}=="usb:v12D1p1003*", KERNEL=="ttyUSB*", ATTRS{bInterfaceNumber}=="00", ATTRS{bInterfaceProtocol}=="ff", SYMLINK+="ttyUSB_utps_modem"
 SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{modalias}=="usb:v12D1p1003*", KERNEL=="ttyUSB*", ATTRS{bInterfaceNumber}=="01", ATTRS{bInterfaceProtocol}=="ff", SYMLINK+="ttyUSB_utps_pcui"

Connecting internet

Now you have new 2 or 3 /dev/ttyUSB* devices.Most likely first of them (ttyUSB0 if you had not such devices before) is PPP compatible modem. Use it as usual with pppd, kppp, gnome-ppp, network-manager, etc.

Note: If you want to use your 3G modem with NetworkManager, you have to install the package modemmanager and then restart the NetworkManager.service. Now you can Enable Mobile Broadband in the networkmanager applet.

Using gammu

Use gammu to access cell phones functionalities.

Edit ~/.gammurc

~/.gammurc

[gammu]
port=/dev/ttyUSB0
connection=at
name=huawei e1550
model=

you can also generate the config using

$ gammu-detect > ~/.gammurc 

Sending SMS:

 # gammu sendsms TEXT +7123456789 -text qwe

find device info:

 # gammu identify

for gui use wammu^AUR or modem-manager-gui.

USSD Requests

Use ussd.php tool.

Success Stories

2010-August-03: I didn't do anything, I just installed usb_modeswitch-1.1.3-2 and my kernel is 2.6.33. In the syslog (/var/log/messages.log) the usb_modeswitch can automatically configure the modem correctly but I still cannot connect to the internet using gnome network manager applet, then I installed the modemmanager package and restart the networkmanager.service. Everything is working properly now.

References

• USB 3G Modem
• Huawei E220