Monday, April 12, 2010

Reliance NetConnect Broadband on Debian Lenny

Instructions for meant for people in India. Apart from the vendor information, other things should work for just anyone and anywhere.

Useful Links:

  1. Link1. The usb_modeswitch can be downloaded from this link.
  2. Link2
  3. Link3.

Basic steps are as follows:
  1. Install usb_modeswitch package. You need to have tcl and libusb (along with the headers) installed on your system. Go through the README that comes with the usb_modeswitch package.
  2. Plugin your reliance netconnect device and run "lsusb" to find it vendor and product id.

    $ lsusb
    Bus 006 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
    Bus 003 Device 002: ID 064e:a101 Suyin Corp. Acer CrystalEye Webcam
    Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
    Bus 007 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
    Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
    Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
    Bus 005 Device 006: ID 12d1:140b Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. EC1260 Wireless Data Modem HSD USB Card
    Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
    Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub

  3. Copy following lines to /etc/usb_modeswitch.conf

    # Huawei EC1260
    DefaultVendor= 0x12d1
    DefaultProduct=0x140b
    TargetClass=0xff
    CheckSuccess=20
    HuaweiMode=1

    I don't know much about the last 3 items. I copied the contents from a file named "12d1:1414" inside the folder /etc/usb_modeswitch.d/. Now run following command:

    $ sudo usb_modeswitch -c /etc/usb_modeswitch.conf

  4. Install the packages "wvdial" and "gnome-ppp" using synaptic manager (apt-get). You can download the packages manually as stated in the second link above. However, you may face dependency issue.

  5. $ sudo modprobe usbserial vendor=0x12d1 product=0x140b
  6. $ sudo wvdialconf

  7. Now edit the file /etc/wvdial.conf and add additional lines if you have to. Some of these lines are generated automatically by wvdialconf and hence you should not delete any of these. You should add your phone number, username and password and last few lines if necessary.

    [Dialer Defaults]
    Init1 = ATZ
    Init2 = ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0
    Modem Type = Analog Modem
    Phone = #777
    ISDN = 0
    New PPPD = yes
    Modem = /dev/ttyUSB0
    Username = 93xxxxxxxx
    Password = 93xxxxxxxx
    Baud = 9600
    Stupid Mode = 1


  8. Now you should be ready to test your network connection. On a console, run the following command:
    $ sudo wvdial

    --> WvDial: Internet dialer version 1.60
    --> Warning: section [Dialer netconnect] does not exist in wvdial.conf.
    --> Warning: inherited section [Modem0] does not exist in wvdial.conf
    --> Cannot get information for serial port.
    --> Initializing modem.
    --> Sending: ATZ
    ATZ
    OK
    --> Sending: ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0
    ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0
    OK
    --> Modem initialized.
    --> Sending: ATDT#777
    --> Waiting for carrier.
    ATDT#777
    CONNECT
    --> Carrier detected.  Starting PPP immediately.
    --> Starting pppd at Mon Apr 12 18:32:25 2010
    --> Pid of pppd: 17509
    --> Using interface ppp0
    --> pppd: ��[06][08]P�[06][08]
    --> pppd: ��[06][08]P�[06][08]
    --> pppd: ��[06][08]P�[06][08]
    --> pppd: ��[06][08]P�[06][08]
    --> local  IP address 115.184.110.26
    --> pppd: ��[06][08]P�[06][08]
    --> remote IP address 220.224.141.145
    --> pppd: ��[06][08]P�[06][08]
    --> primary   DNS address 202.138.103.100
    --> pppd: ��[06][08]P�[06][08]
    --> secondary DNS address 202.138.96.2
    --> pppd: ��[06][08]P�[06][08]

  9. Keep it running on the console. You configure your network manager (system->admin->network)  to use "PPP" connection as a default mode for connecting the internet. You may think of disabling other connections. For PPP connection, under general tab, check the box "Enable this connection" and select "serial modem" as the connection type. You can also fill in the phone number along with username and password. Under modem tab, it uses /dev/modem as the port (I don't know if it is correct). Under options, I have checked the box "set modem as default route to internet".