Can't use Internet via Bluetooth PAN on Windows Mobile

[Gavin Hamill]

Binary package hint: gnome-bluetooth

Karmic alpha 4

I have a windows mobile 6.1 PDA/phone, and whilst pairing / browsing / sending files works smoothly, I am unable to use the 'Internet Sharing' feature which exposes a PAN service (works perfectly on Windows + Mac without prior configuration).

I was expecting this:

 http://blogs.gnome.org/dcbw/2009/07/10/unwire-with-networkmanager/

But nothing - no device appeared in the drop-down menu, and trying to configure 'Mobile Broadband' was extremely confusing.. select country / carrier and then be presented with completely irrelevant options about 'phone number' / ppp options.

Can someone explain why this didn't work?

The improvements with pulseaudio / A2DP headsets are /superb/ - PAN support would round off Bluetooth support for me!

[Gavin Hamill (gdh)]

Just for reference, I'm able to make PAN work just by doing this:

# sudo apt-get install bluez-compat
# sudo pand --list -c AD:DR:ES:SO:FP:DA --role=NAP -n -persist
# sudo dhclient bnep0

.. going the extra mile for full clicky integration is surely possible and worthwhile!

[Martin Emrich (emme)]

@Gavin: This procedure won't wok with NetworkManager. Here, NM overwrote /etc/resolv.conf and will tell many applications (e.g. Firefox) via dbus that the system is currently in "Offline Mode".

I am also looking forward to a GUI solution in karmic, as Blueman (which worked fine in jaunty) does currently not work for PAN in karmic.

[Gavin Hamill (gdh)]

You're absolutely right; I had to fight NM a bit - more proof that what should be obvious and simple is clumsy and very 'traditional Linux' :(

It's interesting to know that Firefox uses dbus for the online/offline indicator - I wondered how that worked :)

Anyway, time is pushing on - any chance this will be in for Karmic's release?

[Martin Emrich (emme)]

According to this: http://blogs.gnome.org/dcbw/2009/07/10/unwire-with-networkmanager/, the functionality is in NM git master. The question is if it will be part of NM 0.8, which seems to be the karmic release target. As the karmic feature freeze is in effect, all we can do is wait :)

I'll try to add n-m to the affected packages, maybe a maintainer can give us more definitive information.

[Martin Emrich (emme)]

After today's update of network-manager, the PAN connection works as described in the link above. In fact, I am writing this on my Netbook, connected via bluetooth to my WM6 phone, connected to my mobile broadband. Absolutely awesome!

[Gavin Hamill (gdh)]

That's uncanny - on the train this morning I made a mental note to chase this bug and look what happens :) I'm very pleased to see it's made it into karmic and look forward to the next alpha ISO :)

[Jae Stutzman (jaebird)]

I'm still having this problem. I never get the little check mark option at the end of the wizard like: http://blogs.gnome.org/dcbw/2009/07/10/unwire-with-networkmanager/

Anyway to debug this to find out what is going on?

[Alexander Sack (asac)]

We have all the latest stuff now in karmic as we are approaching karmic. Would be great if someone who knows that his phone has PAN support, verify that all is fine now.

[Rob Sharp (qnm)]

@asac - Gnome-Bluetooth PAN with Network Manager tested and confirmed working with Nokia 6500c.

[Rob Sharp (qnm)]

However, I don't get the checkbox with my Nokia N85 (Symbian).

[Martin Emrich (emme)]

Yes, still works using my Windows Mobile 6 phone via "Internet Connection Sharing" (which is PAN).

[Miron Cuperman (devrandom)]

Checkbox does not appear with Android bluetooth tether application.

[Miron Cuperman (devrandom)]

Hm... looks like gnome-bluetooth was not upgrade when I went from Jaunty to Karmic beta. After upgrading tethering works fine with an HTC android phone with root Tether app.

[Jari Salo (jari-salo)]

I'm still not getting the check mark after I have run the bluetooth setup. My phone is Nokia E51. Running Karmic Beta with the latest updates.

ii network-manager 0.8~a~git.20091005t1 network management framework daemon
ii gnome-bluetooth 2.28.1-0ubuntu1 GNOME Bluetooth tools

[Martin Emrich (emme)]

@Jari: Are you sure that your phone provides PAN support? AFAIK the nokia phones with Symbian use the DUN profile, and provide a virtual modem via bluetooth.

[Jari Salo (jari-salo)]

Martin: You are actually quite right. Symbian doesn't have PAN support at the moment. So you can disregard my previous comment as it doesn't concern this bug.

[Florian Wallner (fwallner)]

I do still have this problem. The phone I want to use is a Samsung SGH U-800
which, according to the manufacturer provides PAN support. I am unable to set
up a connection using gnome-bluetooth on karmic RC. It is however possible to
set up an internet connection over bluetooth using Bluetooth Manager
just fine.