Ubuntu – Configuring Tata Photon + USB Modem Huawei EC156

11.10huaweiusb-modemusb-modeswitch

The version that I have now on my machine is Ubuntu 11.10 Desktop dual booted with Windows XP.

The problem that I face is that I have a USB modem of Huawei Model No: EC 156. It's a Tata Photon + modem (for fellow Indian readers). When I plug that device into a USB port, it's supposed to autoplay and take me to the installer which would install the drivers and the dialer (that's what the Customer Care of Tata Photon + has told me). But, it doesn't autoplay or install anything.

But, the network manager detects the device. I tried setting it up from the network manager. The connection is set up but it doesn't connect to the network. There's no error message or anything (it just says than I am not connected to the network).
I read the Ask Ubuntu threads and tried to install the following drivers:

  • usb modeswitch
  • usb modswitch data

But, those two didn't install from the Ubuntu Software Center.

Best Answer

Note:- Data cards are automatically detected in newer version of ubuntu. You just have to wait for detecting it and then you can configure it. Use this method only when your data card is not detected by default.

Plug in your modem. Let it be recognized as a flash drive. Once that is done do

1) Open terminal and type

lsusb.

The output will be something like this:

Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001
Bus 002 Device 002: ID 12d1:140b Huawei USB Device
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001

If you have same ID 12d1:140b Hwawei USB Device> follow the same instruction below

Now the first number here is the vendor id (0x12d1) and the second one (0x0140b) is product id. These numbers will differ depending on the make and model of your modem.

2) now type in terminal

modprobe usbserial vendor=0x12d1 product=0x140b

**optional:{ only if terminal asks for permission or are you root something.. then type

sudo modprobe usbserial vendor=0x12d1 product=0x140b

enter your password ...

}**

Now you need to install a packages and softwares below

(note: if this article is old ,download the latest packages from http://www.draisberghof.de/usb_modeswitch/ )

1) sudo apt-get install libusb-dev

For new versions of usb_modswitch, libusb-1.0 is needed. It can be installed with:

sudo apt-get install libusb-1.0.0-dev

2) Download latest usb_modeswitch & extract from:

http://www.draisberghof.de/usb_modeswitch/

Now to install usb_modeswitch:

cd usb-modeswitch-x.x.x( enter into the usb-modeswitch directory)

sudo make install

3) Download & extract latest usb_modeswitch-data from:

http://www.draisberghof.de/usb_modeswitch/

cd into the extracted folder

cd usb-modeswitch-data-xxxxxxxx

sudo gedit Makefile

add the following two lines after RULESDIR = $(DESTDIR)/lib/udev/rules.d :

UDEVDIR= $(DESTDIR)/lib/udev

UDEVDIR= $(DESTDIR)/etc/udev

now Install usb_modeswitch-data:

sudo make files-install

Once installed:

4) type again in terminal

usb_modeswitch -v 0x12d1 -p 0x140b -H -W

note:-change 0x12d1 and 0x140b if you have different vendor id and product id

5) Now try an ls /dev/ttyU* and you should be able to see at least one device, or may be more

Type in terminal

ls /dev/ttyU*

6) Now its time to configure the settings.Type in terminal

 wvdialconf

and a file would be generated(/etc/wvdial.conf)

sudo gedit /etc/wvdial.conf

Open it and modify the phone number (The default number,username and password is

number #777 username internet password internet)

but if you have changed your username and password ... then type that one.

7) now just type in terminal

wvdial

thats it go to network icon and click over it and select huwaie mobile network..and you will connected in seconds..

This process 100% work if you follow the instruction carefully.

IF you have a problem ..reply

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