Sierra Wireless AirCard USBConnect 881U does not work; once did; sometimes fixed by upgrading firmware

[Hendy Irawan]

Binary package hint: network-manager

I have a Sierra Wireless AirCard USBConnect 881U 3G/HSDPA/UMTS USB modem.

This device works out of the box on Ubuntu Intrepid Ibex 8.10 but I cannot get it to work using Ubuntu 9.04's NetworkManager.

I tried wvdial/wvdialconf but not successful for some reason.

I tried gnome-ppp but gnome-ppp prompts for a password that my ISP (Telkomsel Flash) do not require (and therefore must be left empty).

I am using UMTSMon to connect and it works flawlessly with this modem, save for some quirks (Firefox/Pidgin detecting as offline etc.) because I'm using UMTSMon, not NetworkManager.

Note that I also have Nokia E71 and it works well as 3G modem with NetworkManager.

ProblemType: Bug
Architecture: i386
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 9.04
Package: network-manager 0.7.1~rc4.1.cf199a964-0ubuntu2
PackageArchitecture: all
ProcEnviron:
 PATH=(custom, user)
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
SourcePackage: network-manager
Uname: Linux 2.6.28-11-generic i686

[Hendy Irawan (ceefour)]

NM Probe Log

To get this log I edited /lib/udev/rules.d/77-nm-probe-modem-capabilities.rules and modified a line to be like this:

SUBSYSTEM=="tty", SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="?*", ATTRS{idProduct}=="?*", IMPORT{program}="nm-modem-probe --log /tmp/probe.log --verbose --quiet --vid 0x$attr{idVendor} --pid 0x$attr{idProduct} --usb-interface $env{NM_MODEM_USB_INTERFACE_NUMBER} --driver $env{NM_MODEM_DRIVER} --delay 3000 --export $tempnode", GOTO="nm_modem_probe_end"

[Hendy Irawan (ceefour)]

This is what occurs upon NetworkManager startup:

$ sudo NM_SERIAL_DEBUG=1 /usr/sbin/NetworkManager --no-daemon

NetworkManager: <info> starting...
NetworkManager: <info> Found radio killswitch /org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/pci_8086_4222_rfkill_3945ABG_wlan
NetworkManager: <info> Found radio killswitch /org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/iwl_wlan_switch
NetworkManager: <info> (eth0): new Ethernet device (driver: 'sky2')
NetworkManager: <info> (eth0): exported as /org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/net_00_14_0b_44_35_e8
NetworkManager: <info> (wlan0): driver supports SSID scans (scan_capa 0x01).
NetworkManager: <info> (wlan0): new 802.11 WiFi device (driver: 'iwl3945')
NetworkManager: <info> (wlan0): exported as /org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/net_00_1c_bf_04_ed_12
NetworkManager: <info> Unmanaged Device found; state CONNECTED forced. (see http://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/191889)
NetworkManager: <info> Unmanaged Device found; state CONNECTED forced. (see http://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/191889)
NetworkManager: <info> Unmanaged Device found; state CONNECTED forced. (see http://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/191889)
NetworkManager: <WARN> killswitch_getpower_reply(): Error getting killswitch power: Method "GetPower" with signature "" on interface "org.freedesktop.Hal.Device.KillSwitch" doesn't exist
.
NetworkManager: <info> (eth0): device state change: 1 -> 2
NetworkManager: <info> (eth0): bringing up device.
NetworkManager: <info> (eth0): preparing device.
NetworkManager: <info> (eth0): deactivating device (reason: 2).
NetworkManager: <info> Unmanaged Device found; state CONNECTED forced. (see http://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/191889)
NetworkManager: <info> (wlan0): device state change: 1 -> 2
NetworkManager: <info> (wlan0): bringing up device.
NetworkManager: <info> (wlan0): preparing device.
NetworkManager: <info> (wlan0): deactivating device (reason: 2).
NetworkManager: <info> (ttyUSB0): found serial port (udev: hal:GSM)
NetworkManager: <info> (ttyUSB0): ignoring due to lack of probed mobile broadband capabilties
NetworkManager: <info> (ttyUSB2): found serial port (udev:GSM hal:)
NetworkManager: <info> (ttyUSB2): deferring until all ports found
NetworkManager: <info> (wlan0): device state change: 2 -> 3
NetworkManager: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: starting -> ready
NetworkManager: <info> Re-checking deferred serial ports
NetworkManager: <info> (ttyUSB2): new Modem device (driver: 'sierra')
NetworkManager: <info> (ttyUSB2): exported as /org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_1199_6856_noserial_if0_serial_usb_2_0
NetworkManager: <info> (ttyUSB2): device state change: 1 -> 2
NetworkManager: <info> (ttyUSB2): deactivating device (reason: 2).
NetworkManager: nm_system_device_flush_ip4_routes_with_iface: assertion `iface_idx >= 0' failed
NetworkManager: nm_system_device_flush_ip4_addresses_with_iface: assertion `iface_idx >= 0' failed
NetworkManager: <info> (ttyUSB2): device state change: 2 -> 3

[Hendy Irawan (ceefour)]

Note that UMTSMon connects fine using /dev/ttyUSB0 (autodetected by UMTSMon)

NetworkManager uses /dev/ttyUSB2 and I don't know how to force it to use /dev/ttyUSB0 ?

[Hendy Irawan (ceefour)]

Output of lshal (cropped to include ones from sierra modem)

[Hendy Irawan (ceefour)]

Some related links:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=7162872
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/NetworkManager/UsbModem

[Hendy Irawan (ceefour)]

Syslog when UMTSMon is used to connect (successfully):

Apr 28 22:43:19 caliva pppd[7349]: pppd 2.4.5 started by root, uid 0
Apr 28 22:43:19 caliva pppd[7349]: Using interface ppp0
Apr 28 22:43:19 caliva pppd[7349]: Connect: ppp0 <--> /dev/ttyUSB0
Apr 28 22:43:19 caliva pppd[7349]: PAP authentication succeeded
Apr 28 22:43:21 caliva pppd[7349]: Could not determine remote IP address: defaulting to 10.64.64.64
Apr 28 22:43:21 caliva pppd[7349]: local IP address 114.121.16.23
Apr 28 22:43:21 caliva pppd[7349]: remote IP address 10.64.64.64
Apr 28 22:43:21 caliva pppd[7349]: primary DNS address 202.3.208.11
Apr 28 22:43:21 caliva pppd[7349]: secondary DNS address 202.3.210.11

[Hendy Irawan (ceefour)]

NetworkManager console on unsuccessful connection attempt

[Hendy Irawan (ceefour)]

Syslog on NetworkManager unsuccessful connection attempt

[Davec (davidconvery)]

I figured it out...There is a firmware update on SIerra's site. I applied that and now it works. Unfortunately, you will need a winders or mac machine to update the fw

http://www.sierrawireless.com/support/show_support_and_downloads.aspx?id=4,45,1,1

http://www.sierrawireless.com/support/show_support_and_downloads.aspx?id=4,45,1,2

Dave

[Hendy Irawan (ceefour)]

Architecture: i386
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 9.04
Package: network-manager 0.7.1~rc4.1.cf199a964-0ubuntu2 [modified: lib/udev/rules.d/77-nm-probe-modem-capabilities.rules]
PackageArchitecture: i386
ProcEnviron:
 SHELL=/bin/bash
 PATH=(custom, user)
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
Uname: Linux 2.6.28-11-generic i686
UserGroups: adm admin cdrom dialout lpadmin plugdev sambashare

[Mikel Ward (mikelward)]

Same problem with Sierra AirCard 875.

Davec, I don't have easy access to a Windows box. Do you know why the firmware update is required? Could this also be solved in udev or Network Manager?

[Mikel Ward (mikelward)]

Looks like a dupe of https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/network-manager/+bug/360905/.

[Andrew Evans (andrewrobertevans)]

Mikel, 360905 is about the card not showing up in NetworkManager.

Here, the card shows up but won't connect, as per the logs above.

[Mikel Ward (mikelward)]

Ah, sorry, I see the difference:
NetworkManager: <info> (ttyUSB2): deferring until all ports found
NetworkManager: <info> (ttyUSB2): new Modem device (driver: 'sierra')

I'm seeing the other problem with my AC875 card.

[Eric Walstad (ewalstad)]

Confirming Davec's comment
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/network-manager/+bug/368457/comments/9

I upgraded the firmware on my USBConnect 881 and was able to connect to the network using the Jaunty Jackalope Network Manager default settings for the AT&T provider. Here's /var/log/messages logging from plugging in the device to connecting to the network:

{{{
May 18 08:46:32 nusadua kernel: [ 2213.232060] usb 2-1: new full speed USB device using ohci_hcd and address 4
May 18 08:46:32 nusadua kernel: [ 2213.478151] usb 2-1: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
May 18 08:46:32 nusadua kernel: [ 2213.519859] usb-storage: probe of 2-1:1.0 failed with error -5
May 18 08:46:32 nusadua kernel: [ 2213.568099] usb 2-1: USB disconnect, address 4
May 18 08:46:34 nusadua kernel: [ 2215.090250] usb 2-1: new full speed USB device using ohci_hcd and address 5
May 18 08:46:34 nusadua kernel: [ 2215.331312] usb 2-1: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
May 18 08:46:34 nusadua kernel: [ 2215.332648] sierra 2-1:1.0: Sierra USB modem converter detected
May 18 08:46:34 nusadua kernel: [ 2215.334632] usb 2-1: Sierra USB modem converter now attached to ttyUSB0
May 18 08:46:34 nusadua kernel: [ 2215.334721] usb 2-1: Sierra USB modem converter now attached to ttyUSB1
May 18 08:46:34 nusadua kernel: [ 2215.334795] usb 2-1: Sierra USB modem converter now attached to ttyUSB2
May 18 08:47:03 nusadua pppd[5859]: Plugin /usr/lib/pppd/2.4.4/nm-pppd-plugin.so loaded.
May 18 08:47:03 nusadua pppd[5859]: pppd 2.4.5 started by root, uid 0
May 18 08:47:03 nusadua pppd[5859]: Using interface ppp0
May 18 08:47:03 nusadua pppd[5859]: Connect: ppp0 <--> /dev/ttyUSB2
May 18 08:47:03 nusadua pppd[5859]: CHAP authentication succeeded
May 18 08:47:03 nusadua pppd[5859]: CHAP authentication succeeded
May 18 08:47:06 nusadua pppd[5859]: Could not determine remote IP address: defaulting to XXX.XXX.64.64
May 18 08:47:06 nusadua pppd[5859]: local IP address XXX.XXX.118.108
May 18 08:47:06 nusadua pppd[5859]: remote IP address XXX.XXX.64.64
May 18 08:47:06 nusadua pppd[5859]: primary DNS address XXX.XXX.7.170
May 18 08:47:06 nusadua pppd[5859]: secondary DNS address XXX.XXX.7.170
}}}

[Hendy Irawan (ceefour)]

Still unsolved for non-AT&T provider (since this is provider-independent bug). Worth mentioning that the modem worked flawlessly in Ubuntu Intrepid Ibex 8.10.

[Andrew Evans (andrewrobertevans)]

Interestingly I am experiencing the exact same symptoms. I am with Telstra Next G in Australia.

I have tried upgrading the firmware to the latest provider level (AC880U_Telstra_ F1_0_0_19ap.exe vs AC881U_F1_2_3_15ap.exe for AT&T - Note 880U is Australian version of 881U) but with no success.

Also note that umtsmon does not work for me either.

Working perfectly under Windows.

[Hendy Irawan (ceefour)]

@Andrew:

Did you try running UMTSMon as user or as administrator?

I need to "sudo umtsmon" or "gksu umtsmon" to use UMTSMon. Running as user does not work.

[Andrew Evans (andrewrobertevans)]

Using gksudo. Looks like I'm not getting an IP address. Log below.

I don't want to distract from this bug with NetworkManager however.

pppd options in effect:
debug debug debug # (from command line)
updetach # (from command line)
idle 7200 # (from command line)
dump # (from command line)
noauth # (from /etc/ppp/options)
user a # (from command line)
password ?????? # (from command line)
/dev/ttyUSB0 # (from command line)
460800 # (from command line)
lock # (from command line)
crtscts # (from command line)
modem # (from command line)
asyncmap 0 # (from command line)
lcp-echo-failure 4 # (from /etc/ppp/options)
lcp-echo-interval 30 # (from /etc/ppp/options)
hide-password # (from /etc/ppp/options)
novj # (from command line)
defaultroute # (from command line)
replacedefaultroute # (from command line)
proxyarp # (from /etc/ppp/options)
usepeerdns # (from command line)
noccp # (from command line)
nobsdcomp # (from command line)
noipx # (from command line)
using channel 10
Using interface ppp0
Connect: ppp0 <--> /dev/ttyUSB0
sent [LCP ConfReq id=0x1 <asyncmap 0x0> <magic 0x417c59b4> <pcomp> <accomp>]
rcvd [LCP ConfReq id=0x1a <asyncmap 0x0> <auth chap MD5> <magic 0xdd256dff>
<pcomp> <accomp>]
sent [LCP ConfAck id=0x1a <asyncmap 0x0> <auth chap MD5> <magic 0xdd256dff>
<pcomp> <accomp>]
rcvd [LCP ConfAck id=0x1 <asyncmap 0x0> <magic 0x417c59b4> <pcomp> <accomp>]
sent [LCP EchoReq id=0x0 magic=0x417c59b4]
rcvd [LCP DiscReq id=0x1b magic=0xdd256dff]
rcvd [CHAP Challenge id=0x1 <5c978897bc668988aa06b8f46a00be5d>, name =
"UMTS_CHAP_SRVR"]
sent [CHAP Response id=0x1 <6be379e30cd06934ffe1dfcdc29e3183>, name = "a"]
rcvd [LCP EchoRep id=0x0 magic=0xdd256dff 41 7c 59 b4]
rcvd [CHAP Success id=0x1 ""]
CHAP authentication succeeded
CHAP authentication succeeded
sent [IPCP ConfReq id=0x1 <addr 0.0.0.0> <ms-dns1 0.0.0.0> <ms-dns2
0.0.0.0>]
rcvd [IPCP ConfNak id=0x1 <ms-dns1 10.11.12.13> <ms-dns2 10.11.12.14>]
sent [IPCP ConfReq id=0x2 <addr 0.0.0.0> <ms-dns1 10.11.12.13> <ms-dns2
10.11.12.14>]
Modem hangup
Connection terminated.

Andrew

2009/5/20 Hendy Irawan <email address hidden>

> @Andrew:
>
> Did you try running UMTSMon as user or as administrator?
>
> I need to "sudo umtsmon" or "gksu umtsmon" to use UMTSMon. Running as
> user does not work.
>
> --
> Sierra Wireless AirCard USBConnect 881U does not work in Jaunty 9.04
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/368457
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>
> Status in “network-manager” source package in Ubuntu: New
>
> Bug description:
> Binary package hint: network-manager
>
> I have a Sierra Wireless AirCard USBConnect 881U 3G/HSDPA/UMTS USB modem.
>
> This device works out of the box on Ubuntu Intrepid Ibex 8.10 but I cannot
> get it to work using Ubuntu 9.04's NetworkManager.
>
> I tried wvdial/wvdialconf but not successful for some reason.
>
> I tried gnome-ppp but gnome-ppp prompts for a password that my ISP
> (Telkomsel Flash) do not require (and therefore must be left empty).
>
> I am using...

[bazookatooth (wesley-hall)]

Who is actually working this issue in ubuntu? It worked before. Now it doesn't. I don't want a workaround, I want it fixed.

-----Original Message-----
From: <email address hidden> on behalf of Andrew Evans
Sent: Wed 5/20/2009 6:01 AM
To: Hall, Wesley
Subject: Re: [Bug 368457] Re: Sierra Wireless AirCard USBConnect 881U does notwork in Jaunty 9.04

Using gksudo. Looks like I'm not getting an IP address. Log below.

I don't want to distract from this bug with NetworkManager however.

pppd options in effect:
debug debug debug # (from command line)
updetach # (from command line)
idle 7200 # (from command line)
dump # (from command line)
noauth # (from /etc/ppp/options)
user a # (from command line)
password ?????? # (from command line)
/dev/ttyUSB0 # (from command line)
460800 # (from command line)
lock # (from command line)
crtscts # (from command line)
modem # (from command line)
asyncmap 0 # (from command line)
lcp-echo-failure 4 # (from /etc/ppp/options)
lcp-echo-interval 30 # (from /etc/ppp/options)
hide-password # (from /etc/ppp/options)
novj # (from command line)
defaultroute # (from command line)
replacedefaultroute # (from command line)
proxyarp # (from /etc/ppp/options)
usepeerdns # (from command line)
noccp # (from command line)
nobsdcomp # (from command line)
noipx # (from command line)
using channel 10
Using interface ppp0
Connect: ppp0 <--> /dev/ttyUSB0
sent [LCP ConfReq id=0x1 <asyncmap 0x0> <magic 0x417c59b4> <pcomp> <accomp>]
rcvd [LCP ConfReq id=0x1a <asyncmap 0x0> <auth chap MD5> <magic 0xdd256dff>
<pcomp> <accomp>]
sent [LCP ConfAck id=0x1a <asyncmap 0x0> <auth chap MD5> <magic 0xdd256dff>
<pcomp> <accomp>]
rcvd [LCP ConfAck id=0x1 <asyncmap 0x0> <magic 0x417c59b4> <pcomp> <accomp>]
sent [LCP EchoReq id=0x0 magic=0x417c59b4]
rcvd [LCP DiscReq id=0x1b magic=0xdd256dff]
rcvd [CHAP Challenge id=0x1 <5c978897bc668988aa06b8f46a00be5d>, name =
"UMTS_CHAP_SRVR"]
sent [CHAP Response id=0x1 <6be379e30cd06934ffe1dfcdc29e3183>, name = "a"]
rcvd [LCP EchoRep id=0x0 magic=0xdd256dff 41 7c 59 b4]
rcvd [CHAP Success id=0x1 ""]
CHAP authentication succeeded
CHAP authentication succeeded
sent [IPCP ConfReq id=0x1 <addr 0.0.0.0> <ms-dns1 0.0.0.0> <ms-dns2
0.0.0.0>]
rcvd [IPCP ConfNak id=0x1 <ms-dns1 10.11.12.13> <ms-dns2 10.11.12.14>]
sent [IPCP ConfReq id=0x2 <addr 0.0.0.0> <ms-dns1 10.11.12.13> <ms-dns2
10.11.12.14>]
Modem hangup
Connection terminated.

Andrew

2009/5/20 Hendy Irawan <email address hidden>

> @Andrew:
>
> Did you try running UMTSMon as user or as administrator?
>
> I need to "sudo umtsmon" or "gksu umtsmon" to use UMTSMon. Running as
> user does not work.
>
> --
> Sierra Wireless AirCard USBConnect 881U does not work in Jaunty 9.04
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/368457
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>
> Status in "network-manager" source package in Ubuntu: New
>
> Bug description:
> Binary package hint: network-manager
>
> I have a Sierra Wireless AirCard USBConnect 881U 3G/HSDPA/UMTS USB modem.
>
...

[Thy Quest (frog4hire-deactivatedaccount)]

My Sierra Wireless Aircard 881 used to work "out of the Box" with Intrepid. Under 9.04, I insert the card, wich gets recognized. I select AT&T as the provider. Then, I go to the Gnome Network Manager Applet and attempt to connect, it gives the message "GSM Network Disconnected".

[Thy Quest (frog4hire-deactivatedaccount)]

Correction: Fixed!!! Indeed, you must update the firmware for the Aircard. I was able to update the firmware using Windows XP running in VirtualBox.

[Andrew Evans (andrewrobertevans)]

So whatever is in the AT&T Firmware is solving the problem and doesn't appear to be in the firmware of other providers (such as Telstra in my case).

bazookatooth raises a good point.

Who is actually working this issue from the Ubuntu team? This is important functionality for mobile people.

[rstoya05-lx (rstoya05-lx)]

I have the Sierra Wireless Aircard 875. I was able to update the firmware of the card through VirtualBox. However that did not help me. I agree that as this worked flawlessly in 8.10, the reason why it doesn't work in 9.04 should be looked into.

This is what I see in /var/log/syslog when I plug it in:

usb 6-1: new full speed USB device using ohci_hcd and address 2
usb 6-1: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
usbcore: registered new interface driver usbserial
USB Serial support registered for generic
usbcore: registered new interface driver usbserial_generic
usbserial: USB Serial Driver core
USB Serial support registered for Sierra USB modem
sierra 6-1:1.0: Sierra USB modem converter detected
usb 6-1: Sierra USB modem converter now attached to ttyUSB0
usb 6-1: Sierra USB modem converter now attached to ttyUSB1
usb 6-1: Sierra USB modem converter now attached to ttyUSB2
usbcore: registered new interface driver sierra
sierra: v.1.3.2:USB Driver for Sierra Wireless USB modems
(ttyUSB2): ignoring due to lack of mobile broadband capabilties
SCPlugin-Ifupdown: device added (udi: /org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_1199_6820_noserial_if0_serial_usb_0, iface: (null)): iface not found
(ttyUSB0): found serial port (udev: hal:GSM)
(ttyUSB0): ignoring due to lack of probed mobile broadband capabilties
(ttyUSB1): ignoring due to lack of mobile broadband capabilties

[Thomas Hood (jdthood)]

Hi all. Has this problem been fixed in Ubuntu 12.04?

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

[Expired for network-manager (Ubuntu) because there has been no activity for 60 days.]