Sinister usb-modeswitch behavior

[Abnilson Rafael]

I reported similar bug in last year, but since I didn't have enough information it got closed. But now I more than sure about this issue.

I've tried many USB Dongles, but they are plugged and unplugged multiple times automatically, for several minutes, before in some cases they are recognized as mobile broadband (But I don't have anything to do with this). The last one I bought barely work on Ubuntu when I have usb-modeswitch installed ( I was forced to uninstall to use WiFi mode properly). More info can be found here: https://askubuntu.com/questions/1334099/mobile-broadband-is-unavailable

Detailed device specification here: https://www.draisberghof.de/usb_modeswitch/bb/viewtopic.php?t=2970

There are many people complaining same issue, so now there's no point saying my PC is faulty...

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 21.04
Package: usb-modeswitch (not installed)
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 5.11.0-16.17-generic 5.11.12
Uname: Linux 5.11.0-16-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.20.11-0ubuntu65
Architecture: amd64
CasperMD5CheckResult: pass
CurrentDesktop: ubuntu:GNOME
Date: Tue Apr 27 20:23:32 2021
InstallationDate: Installed on 2021-04-26 (0 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 21.04 "Hirsute Hippo" - Release amd64 (20210420)
ProcEnviron:
 TERM=xterm-256color
 PATH=(custom, no user)
 XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=<set>
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
SourcePackage: usb-modeswitch
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
modified.conffile..etc.init.usb-modeswitch-upstart.conf: [deleted]

[Josua Dietze (digidietze)]

You are not clearly saying what the actual issue is.

Is the modem resetting on its own?

If so, what happens when you disable usb_modeswitch globally? Does the behaviour change in any way?

[Abnilson Rafael (burstxd)]

The modem plugs and unplugs itself automatically (Same thing with others USB Dongles) and with my new USB Dongle I can't connect in final. I receive: "Mobile Broadband Unavailable". My USB Dongle has two modes: Cellular Data (Mobile broadband) and WiFi.

So there are technically two issues: Mobile Broadband Unavailable and automatic plug and unplug for several minutes.

[Abnilson Rafael (burstxd)]

When I uninstalled usb-modeswitch, finally I was able to connect using WiFi. And there's no automatic plug and unplug from what I can see.

[Abnilson Rafael (burstxd)]

So, in way yeah, it solved the issue... But in undesirable way, I guess...

[Josua Dietze (digidietze)]

You don't need to uninstall usb_modeswitch to disable it. There is an option in /etc/usb_modeswitch.conf to do that.

To actually identify the problem, you would have to reinstall it and generate a log. This is also enabled by an option in /etc/usb_modeswitch.conf.

[Abnilson Rafael (burstxd)]

I reinstalled and disabled usb-modeswitch. Since the package supposed to do it's work, wasn't doing right, another problem awoken. My USB Dongle strangely, keeps alternating from 4G to 3G.

Neither my USB port or USB Dongle has nothing to do with it.

Practically that messes up with overall speed... Well, the pulse light has color for each type for network condition. And I can't use my device to it's full potential...

[Abnilson Rafael (burstxd)]

It seems only the switching (on WiFi mode) from 4G to 3G and network cut is device's faulty (I'll complain about it on vendor). Only mobile broadband works well, but I can't use mobile broadband on Ubuntu.