Connecting to MTML’s AZU internet on Ubuntu 8.04
by Kailash
I recently subscribed to MTML’s AZU EV-DO internet package and opted for the USB EV-DO modem (model: AnyData ADU-310C). I was handed a small black box which contained the modem, a one page installation procedure and a mini CD. The CD contained a manual in pdf format, drivers for windows/MAC and a dialing utility.
I did install the same on Windows Vista and the procedure was straight forward, in essence install the driver, reboot, install the dialing utility, configure (username and password) and dial.
I normally connect to the internet on Ubuntu instead of windows. No drivers or instructions were provided for GNU\Linux. I decided to give it a shot.
My kernel version is as follows
kailash@matozoid:~$ uname -a Linux matozoid 2.6.24-21-generic #1 SMP Tue Oct 21 23:43:45 UTC 2008 i686 GNU/Linux kailash@matozoid:~$
I plugged in the modem in a usb slot and called dmesg to ensure that it was detected by the Kernel.
kailash@matozoid:~$ dmesg | tail .... [ 927.208146] usb 1-2: new full speed USB device using ohci_hcd and address 4 [ 927.308058] usb 1-2: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice [ 927.304196] option 1-2:1.0: GSM modem (1-port) converter detected [ 927.304360] usb 1-2: GSM modem (1-port) converter now attached to ttyUSB0 [ 927.305347] option 1-2:1.1: GSM modem (1-port) converter detected [ 927.305489] usb 1-2: GSM modem (1-port) converter now attached to ttyUSB1 kailash@matozoid:~$
The modem was detected out of the box and was attached to /dev/ttyUSB0.
The next step was to configure wvdial, my favorite dialing utility on linux, with my username, password and dialing number. I first opened wvdial’s configuration file /etc/wvdial.conf.
kailash@matozoid:~$ sudo gedit /etc/wvdial.conf [sudo] password for kailash:
and edited the file as follows:
[Dialer Defaults] Stupid Mode = on Modem = /dev/ttyUSB0 Baud = 9216000 Init = ATZ Phone = #777 Username = 952XXXX@evdo Password = 952XXXX New PPPD = yes
The username and password is the MDN number printed on the modem’s packaging.
The final step was to dial. (I used sudo here since I am too lazy to give my user dialing permissions)
kailash@matozoid:~$ sudo wvdial --> WvDial: Internet dialer version 1.60 --> Cannot get information for serial port. --> Initializing modem. --> Sending: ATZ OK --> Modem initialized. --> Sending: ATDT#777 --> Waiting for carrier. ATDT#777 CONNECT --> Carrier detected. Starting PPP immediately. --> Starting pppd at Thu Nov 27 09:32:56 2008 --> Pid of pppd: 16877 --> Using interface ppp0 --> local IP address 41.222.96.208 --> remote IP address 2.2.2.2 --> primary DNS address 41.223.76.1 --> secondary DNS address 203.94.227.70
The LED on the modem changed from green (Idle state) to blue (Busy state/Data mode).
I launched firefox. Yay! There I was on the web. No hassle, no reboot actually.. Long live GNU\Linux! Its easier than on windows
Note: I still need to find a way to show the signal strength though. Any ideas? Gnome ppp or Kppp?