This page describes howto setup a Debian 4.0 Etch system to use the Huawei E220 USB modem (Vodafone Connect)

• Huawei E220 @ Vodafone UMTS-HSDPA USB-modem
• Huawei E220 @ Wikipedia Huawei E220

The E220 is recognized as a CDROM for older kernels. The kernel-module “usb-storage” will claim the usb-device.

From kernels > 2.6.20, the “usbserial” kernel-module recognizes the usb-device and creates the nessacery devices /dev/ttyUSB0 and /dev/ttyUSB1

For Debian 4.0 Etch, you can install the “ethnhalf” kernel:

echo "deb http://kernel-archive.buildserver.net/debian-kernel/ trunk main" \
  >> /etc/apt/sources.list
apt-get update
apt-get install linux-image-2.6.24-etchnhalf.1-486
reboot

Info:

• alternative kernels in Debian → http://wiki.debian.org/DebianKernel
• etch-and-a-half → http://www.debian.org/releases/etch/debian-installer/etchnhalf

Install minicom:

apt-get install minicom

Prepare this minicom config file:

> cat /etc/minicom/minirc.ttyUSB0

# Machine-generated file - use "minicom -s" to change parameters.
pu port             /dev/ttyUSB0
pu baudrate         230400
pu bits             8
pu parity           N
pu stopbits         1
pu minit            ATZ

Connect using (disconnect using ctrl-A, Q):

> minicom ttyUSB0

Some AT-commands (reference only):

# Show model and EMEI number:
ATI
Manufacturer: huawei
Model: E220
Revision: 11.117.09.04.00
IMEI: 354111128111119
+GCAP: +CGSM,+DS,+ES
OK

# show registers
AT&V

# provide pin-code:
AT+CPIN="0000"
OK

# Get the network signal strength: the first value.
# Typical values from 5 to 22.
# Minimum acceptable for reliable connections is 12.
AT+CSQ
+CSQ: 16,99
OK

# (replace xxxx with your own PIN)
# Turn off the PIN question
AT+CLCK="SC",0,"XXXX"

# To turn the PIN question on again, type
AT+CLCK="SC",1,"XXXX"

# Check if the PIN question is on or off.
# "+CLCK: 0" PIN is off, "+CLCK: 1" the PIN is on.
AT+CLCK="SC",2
+CLCK: 1
OK

Disable PIN procedure in minicom:

# first login with PIN
AT+CPIN="0000"
OK

# disable PIN, providing PIN again:
AT+CLCK="SC",0,"0000"
OK

# check if disabled (0=disabled, 1=enabled)
AT+CLCK="SC",2
+CLCK: 0

Install wvdial:

apt-get install wvdial

Add the ppp0 interface:

> cat /etc/network/interfaces

auto ppp0
iface ppp0 inet wvdial
 provider VodafoneNL
 # NOTE: "provider VodafoneNL" will call 'wvdial VodafoneNL'
 # and this uses the section [Dialer VodafoneNL] in /etc/wvdial.conf 

Add this file, which is used to start the PPP connection: (note: no other pppd/chat file is required)

> cat /etc/wvdial.conf 

[Dialer Defaults]
Phone = 
Username = 
Password = 
New PPPD = yes

[Dialer VodafoneNL]
Modem = /dev/ttyUSB0
Baud = 460800
Init1 = ATZ
Init2 = ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2
Init3 =
Area Code =
Phone = *99#
Username = ppp
Password = ppp
Ask Password = 0
Dial Command = ATDT
Compuserve = 0
Force Address =
Idle Seconds = 0
DialMessage1 =
DialMessage2 =
ISDN = 0
Auto DNS = 1 
Auto Reconnect = 1
Dial Attempts = 0

ifup ppp0
ifdown ppp0

The “auto” keyword in /etc/network/interfaces will do a “ifup” automatically at boottime.

This script will check and restart the ppp0 interface, should the connection be down (e.g. replug of USB-modem)

> cat /usr/local/bin/check_restart_ppp0.sh

#!/bin/bash
# (c)2009 John de Graaff

# add in crontab:
# cat /etc/crontab
# */1 * * * * root /usr/local/bin/check_restart_ppp0.sh

LOGGER=/usr/bin/logger

MSG="$0 (PID:$$) started"
echo $MSG
$LOGGER "$MSG"

PROG="wvdial"

PID=`pidof $PROG`
if test "$PID" != "" ; 
then
	echo "$PROG seems to be running (PID: $PID)..."
	exit 0
fi

MSG="$0 (PID:$$): $PROG not running!! Starting $PROG now ..."
echo $MSG
$LOGGER "$MSG"

CMD="/sbin/ifdown ppp0"
MSG="$0 (PID:$$): executing cmd: $CMD "
echo $MSG
$LOGGER "$MSG"
$CMD

sleep 2

CMD="/sbin/ifup ppp0"
MSG="$0 (PID:$$): executing cmd: $CMD "
echo $MSG
$LOGGER "$MSG"
$CMD

exit 0

Make the script executable:

chmod +x /usr/local/bin/check_restart_ppp0.sh 

Add this line to the crontab:

> cat /etc/crontab 

*/1 * * * * root /usr/local/bin/check_restart_ppp0.sh

Make the cron daemon reload the config file:

> /etc/init.d/cron reload