Using a Huawei E620 3G card in linux

manu — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 16:38:06 +0000

I’ve been using an option GPRS card for a while (without any problems) so I was very eager to try the new HSDPA cards in my linux laptop. It works like a charm (I’m so happy )
Well, now the facts, what you need to make the card work?

A working PCMCIA port
To have the card detected as 3 USB Serial ports
PPP Drivers
Wvdial installed and configured

I’ll assume you have the pcmcia subsystem up and working (else google is your friend).

Secondly, you need the usbserial module. If you don’t have it available, you’ll need a kernel recompilation, else just load it with modprobe usbserial. Once loaded, when you plug the card on the PCMCIA slot, you’ll see a bunch of messages in your syslog, look for these three:

[...] Jan 11 19:47:50 acsev-109 pl2303 6-1:1.0: pl2303 converter detected Jan 11 19:47:50 acsev-109 usb 6-1: pl2303 converter now attached to ttyUSB0 Jan 11 19:47:50 acsev-109 pl2303 6-1:1.1: usb_probe_interface Jan 11 19:47:50 acsev-109 pl2303 6-1:1.1: usb_probe_interface - got id Jan 11 19:47:50 acsev-109 pl2303 6-1:1.1: pl2303 converter detected Jan 11 19:47:50 acsev-109 usb 6-1: pl2303 converter now attached to ttyUSB1 Jan 11 19:47:50 acsev-109 pl2303 6-1:1.2: usb_probe_interface Jan 11 19:47:50 acsev-109 pl2303 6-1:1.2: usb_probe_interface - got id Jan 11 19:47:50 acsev-109 pl2303 6-1:1.2: pl2303 converter detected Jan 11 19:47:50 acsev-109 usb 6-1: pl2303 converter now attached to ttyUSB2 Jan 11 19:47:50 acsev-109 usbcore: registered new interface driver pl2303 Jan 11 19:47:50 acsev-109 drivers/usb/serial/pl2303.c: Prolific PL2303 USB to serial adaptor driver Jan 11 19:47:50 acsev-109 drivers/usb/serial/usb-serial.c: USB Serial support registered for GSM modem (1-port) Jan 11 19:47:50 acsev-109 usbcore: registered new interface driver option Jan 11 19:47:50 acsev-109 drivers/usb/serial/option.c: USB Driver for GSM modems: v0.7.1

If you can’t see those three messages, it just won’t work (again, google is your friend)

Install PPP: modprobe ppp.

Install and configure wvdial. Install it your preferred way (apt-get it, install from source, use emerge or rpm or whatever), then edit the file /etc/wvdial.conf. These are the settings needed for Vodafone users in Spain. People from other countries should try Tazz Tux’ files on mybroadband.co.za forums.

[Dialer Defaults]


Phone = *99***1#

Username = username

Password = password

Stupid Mode = 1

Dial Command = ATDT
[Dialer pin]
Init1 = AT+CPIN=XXXX

# You should change the XXXX for your PIN code

[Dialer option]
Modem = /dev/ttyUSB0

Baud = 460800

Init2 = ATZ

Init3 = ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0

ISDN = 0

Modem Type = Analog Modem
[Dialer internet]
Init5 = AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","ac.vodafone.es";

Although there’s a PIN section in the code, I have never been able to use any of my cards with PIN code enabled so I’ll just disable it (I’ve put the SIM card in my phone and told it not to ask for PIN anymore). Then just exec wvdial: wvdial option internet. Enjoy!

Feedback is welcome

¡darandandunguen! » vodafone

Using a Huawei E620 3G card in linux