Using Micromax MMX352G GPRS/HSPA USB Modem on Ubuntu 12.04 LTS

So, after the Huawei EC156 and the Prithvi U100, I now find my self again fiddling with a new USB Modem. This one is an universal one, that does not come locked onto a carrier. This is the Micromax 352G. The benefits of this sort of a modem is that you are not bound to Reliance or to MTS or to Tata Photon or whatever. Just insert your favourite GSM/3G sim card, activate your required data plan and swoosh! Your are connected.

The micromax 352G Modem is a nice one, and it has got a nice GUI based software to make it work on Mac or Windows. But bazzinga!!, Linux users are dumped again. Why ? Because they guessed that if you are cheeky enough to run linux, you'll be witty enough to figure out how to use it on your own.

Anyways here's how I got mine installed.

First install usb-modeswitch

sudo apt-get install usb-modeswitch
sudo apt-get install usb-modeswitch-data

Next let's find out what the default and target product id's are.
watch lsusb


and then connect your modem.
You'll see default id is 1c9e:f000 and target id is 1c9e:9605.

Now we need to configure it.
Let's create the target configuration id.

sudo gedit /etc/usb_modeswitch.d/1c9e\:9605


Copy and paste the following data into that file


######################################################## 
# Micromax MMX 352G USB 3G Modem 
 DefaultVendor= 0x1c9e 
DefaultProduct=0x9605 
 TargetVendor= 0x1c9e 
TargetProduct= 0x9605 
CheckSuccess=20 MessageContent="55534243123456780000000000000606f50402527000000000000000000000"

Next we have two optional steps. Do them only if you need to (which I think you won't)

One is to set the rules for modeswitch
    sudo gedit /lib/udev/rules.d/*usb_modeswitch.rules

and insert this line there

#Micromax MMX352G USB 3G MODEM 
ATTRS{idVendor}=="1c9e", ATTRS{idProduct}=="9605", RUN+="usb_modeswitch '%b/%k'"  

also the usbserial module loading

    sudo gedit /etc/modules

and add the following line to the bottom

#MICROMAX 352G 3G USB MODEM
usbserial vendor=0x1c9e product=0x9605

Now reboot your computer, connect the modem and after sometime under the network connections button on the notification bar you,ll get "New Connection" link. Click it and set up the new connection as per settings of your internet provider.

Using BSNL EVDO Card (Prithvi UE100) on Ubuntu Linux 12.04 LTS

So the last time around I faced some trouble installing the Huwaei EC156 Tata Photon + USB Data Card on Ubuntu and provided you guys with an example.

Now I am for a short stay in a part of Kolkata where Photon speeds are painfully slow and hence I am forced to use the BSNL EVDO/1X Card, the hardware for which is provided by Prithvi Communications by the name of UE100.

Linux does not recognise this and you are in for a soup if you don't know what to do :p

Ok here goes the short and smart tutorial.

First connect the device to your laptop/PC.
Run the command

ls /dev/tty*

There should be a device ls /dev/ttyACM0 (or a name similar to that)
To verify, remove the device and run ls /dev/tty* again to check that device has vanished :)

Now you need a nifty program called 'wvdial'
install it using

sudo apt-get install wvdial

After wvdial has been installed we need to provide a configuration file for wvdial. Create one using

sudo gedit /etc/wvdial.conf

Enter the following data into the file

[Dialer Defaults]
Init1 = ATZ
Init2 = ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0
Modem Type = Analog Modem
Baud = 460800
Modem = /dev/ttyACM0
ISDN = 0
Phone = #777
Password = 91xxxxxxxx
Username = 91xxxxxxxx
Stupid Mode = 1

Where your username and password are the mobile numbers (replace xxxxxxxxxx with your device mobile number)

If you don't  know username and password you can use this ... (psst... do not tell anyone about this ;) :P )

[Dialer Defaults]
Init1 = ATZ
Init2 = ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0
Modem Type = Analog Modem
Baud = 460800
Modem = /dev/ttyACM0
ISDN = 0
Phone = #777
Password = 165
Username = 165
Stupid Mode = 1

Now run this command (2-3 minutes after you have plugged in the device) to ensure this is working

sudo wvdial

It should show some DNS servers, (your notification area won't show any connected network) . Open browser and see if pages load. If it does, and I believe it will, then it's good to go.
Now if you are a geek you can just enter sudo wvdial every time to connect, but for people you prefer the comfort of mouse clicks you have some more jobs left to do.

sudo gedit /usr/bin/bsnl

enter this data into that file

gksudo wvdial

Now we need to set execution permissions to the file

sudo chmod 777 /usr/bin/bsnl

Now we will create a desktop shortcut.

gedit ~/Desktop/BSNL.desktop

and enter this data into the file

 [Desktop Entry]
Name=BSNL EVDO Connection
Exec=bsnl
Type=Application
StartupNotify=false
Icon=package_network

and make it executable

chmod 777 ~/Desktop/BSNL.desktop

Now everytime you plug in the device, wait for 1-2 minutes, then double click the brand new icon on your desktop, and woot!! you are online :)

cheers