WWAN

Message

symbol · #1 Post by **symbol** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 8:53 am

hello, i'm trying to get wwan active on thinkpad sl500. my experience with networking is zero so i'm pretty lost at this point. what is the embedded wwan called? is it a sierra mc8775? this seems to be a very popular one in thinkpads.
below is the output from lspci... and then lsusb which one is the wan?
lspci
00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Mobile 4 Series Chipset Memory Controller Hub (rev 07)
00:01.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Mobile 4 Series Chipset PCI Express Graphics Port (rev 07)
00:1a.0 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) USB UHCI Controller #4 (rev 03)
00:1a.1 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) USB UHCI Controller #5 (rev 03)
00:1a.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) USB UHCI Controller #6 (rev 03)
00:1a.7 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) USB2 EHCI Controller #2 (rev 03)
00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) HD Audio Controller (rev 03)
00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) PCI Express Port 1 (rev 03)
00:1c.1 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) PCI Express Port 2 (rev 03)
00:1c.2 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) PCI Express Port 3 (rev 03)
00:1c.3 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) PCI Express Port 4 (rev 03)
00:1d.0 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) USB UHCI Controller #1 (rev 03)
00:1d.1 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) USB UHCI Controller #2 (rev 03)
00:1d.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) USB UHCI Controller #3 (rev 03)
00:1d.7 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) USB2 EHCI Controller #1 (rev 03)
00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 Mobile PCI Bridge (rev 93)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation ICH9M LPC Interface Controller (rev 03)
00:1f.2 SATA controller: Intel Corporation ICH9M/M-E SATA AHCI Controller (rev 03)
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: nVidia Corporation GeForce 9300M GS (rev a1)
03:00.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation Device 4237
0c:00.0 Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8111/8168B PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet controller (rev 02)
0d:00.0 FireWire (IEEE 1394): Ricoh Co Ltd R5C832 IEEE 1394 Controller (rev 05)
0d:00.1 SD Host controller: Ricoh Co Ltd R5C822 SD/SDIO/MMC/MS/MSPro Host Adapter (rev 22)
0d:00.2 System peripheral: Ricoh Co Ltd R5C843 MMC Host Controller (rev 12)
0d:00.3 System peripheral: Ricoh Co Ltd R5C592 Memory Stick Bus Host Adapter (rev 12)
0d:00.4 System peripheral: Ricoh Co Ltd xD-Picture Card Controller (rev 12)

lsusb
Bus 002 Device 003: ID 17ef:4808 ChipsBnk
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002
Bus 008 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001
Bus 007 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001
Bus 006 Device 002: ID 0aca:1060 OPEN Networks Ltd OPEN NT1 Plus II
Bus 006 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002
Bus 005 Device 003: ID 147e:1000
Bus 005 Device 002: ID 0a5c:2145 Broadcom Corp.
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001

hopefully someone can set me on the right track.
thanks

#2 Post by **GomJabbar** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 9:10 am

See if the following is of any help.
http://www.sierrawireless.com/faq/ShowFAQ.aspx?ID=602

You don't say which distro and version of Linux you are running. From my experience using my Sierra Wireless 860 AirCard in Mandriva, you first need to determine if the driver module for the card is already loaded.

In Mandriva, there is a scan hardware option in the MCC (Mandriva Linux Control Center). You could scan the hardware with that to see which device (if any the card is on). For instance it could be on /dev/ttyS1, or /dev/ttyUSB0. If you see that, then the driver module should be loaded. You next need to set up the dialer to dial into your provider, selecting the /dev/* you saw the card was using.

EDIT: You posted your output while I was composing this. I don't see your card listed, but my card is not listed in lspci either.

symbol · #3 Post by **symbol** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 9:51 am

thanks for your reply. i'm running gentoo on kernel 2.6.26-r1 using xfce4. and from the endless searching i've done i believe the device is on /dev/USB0. i used wvdialconf and at one stage it found /dev/ttyUSB0 but followed up with "Inappropriate ioctl for device". i'd be interested in having a look at your kernel .config to see what options you have enabled for wwan. thanks for the link i'll follow it and post the results.
thanks

symbol · #4 Post by **symbol** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 10:19 am

just to follow up, i followed the instructions on the link but make brought up;
make
make -C /lib/modules/2.6.26-gentoo-r1/build SUBDIRS=/usr/src/linux-2.6.26-gentoo-r1/sierra.v.1.0.6 modules
make[1]: Entering directory `/usr/src/linux-2.6.26-gentoo-r1'
CC [M] /usr/src/linux-2.6.26-gentoo-r1/sierra.v.1.0.6/sierra.o
/usr/src/linux-2.6.26-gentoo-r1/sierra.v.1.0.6/sierra.c:654: error: unknown field 'num_interrupt_in' specified in initializer
/usr/src/linux-2.6.26-gentoo-r1/sierra.v.1.0.6/sierra.c:654: error: 'NUM_DONT_CARE' undeclared here (not in a function)
/usr/src/linux-2.6.26-gentoo-r1/sierra.v.1.0.6/sierra.c:655: error: unknown field 'num_bulk_in' specified in initializer
/usr/src/linux-2.6.26-gentoo-r1/sierra.v.1.0.6/sierra.c:655: warning: missing braces around initializer
/usr/src/linux-2.6.26-gentoo-r1/sierra.v.1.0.6/sierra.c:655: warning: (near initialization for 'sierra_1port_device.driver_list')
/usr/src/linux-2.6.26-gentoo-r1/sierra.v.1.0.6/sierra.c:655: warning: initialization makes pointer from integer without a cast
/usr/src/linux-2.6.26-gentoo-r1/sierra.v.1.0.6/sierra.c:656: error: unknown field 'num_bulk_out' specified in initializer
/usr/src/linux-2.6.26-gentoo-r1/sierra.v.1.0.6/sierra.c:656: warning: initialization makes pointer from integer without a cast
/usr/src/linux-2.6.26-gentoo-r1/sierra.v.1.0.6/sierra.c:682: error: unknown field 'num_interrupt_in' specified in initializer
/usr/src/linux-2.6.26-gentoo-r1/sierra.v.1.0.6/sierra.c:683: error: unknown field 'num_bulk_in' specified in initializer
/usr/src/linux-2.6.26-gentoo-r1/sierra.v.1.0.6/sierra.c:683: warning: missing braces around initializer
/usr/src/linux-2.6.26-gentoo-r1/sierra.v.1.0.6/sierra.c:683: warning: (near initialization for 'sierra_3port_device.driver_list')
/usr/src/linux-2.6.26-gentoo-r1/sierra.v.1.0.6/sierra.c:683: warning: initialization makes pointer from integer without a cast
/usr/src/linux-2.6.26-gentoo-r1/sierra.v.1.0.6/sierra.c:684: error: unknown field 'num_bulk_out' specified in initializer
/usr/src/linux-2.6.26-gentoo-r1/sierra.v.1.0.6/sierra.c:684: warning: initialization makes pointer from integer without a cast
make[2]: *** [/usr/src/linux-2.6.26-gentoo-r1/sierra.v.1.0.6/sierra.o] Error 1
make[1]: *** [_module_/usr/src/linux-2.6.26-gentoo-r1/sierra.v.1.0.6] Error 2
make[1]: Leaving directory `/usr/src/linux-2.6.26-gentoo-r1'
make: *** [default] Error 2

possibly this error is because the last kernel tested with this driver was 2.6.20 which is a way back from the kernel i'm using and their could be compatability issues. anyway i'll have another go at compiling the driver tomorrow and/or try it with a 2.6.20 vanilla kernel.

i think that link you provided is just what i needed. once i get that driver installed things may improve. thanks

Volker · #5 Post by **Volker** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 5:53 am

[double post due to network error]

Volker · #6 Post by **Volker** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 5:53 am

If you really have built-in wwan you don't need the sierra driver as the minipci wwan cards are just internal usb devices.

Your lsusb output shows no "Sierra wireless" device. Apparently you have a USB flash drive and an ISDN modem plugged in, is that correct? Are you trying to make it more difficult to diagnose by plugging in more USB hardware?

A google search reveals that the wwan module in the SL500 is made by Sony Ericsson. I've never heard of their card...

Some more things to get you started: The wwan card goes under the name Ericsson F3507g. lsusb output should include

Code: Select all

Bus 004 Device 002: ID 0bdb:1900 Ericsson Business Mobile Networks BV

or similar. The fact that its not there means that either it is physically not present, or must be activated (hopefully by an Fn-F<n> key combination, or software only - try using the windows installation).

Apparently nobody has yet successfully used that card under linux (but then, it is really new). Good luck!

symbol · #7 Post by **symbol** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 7:55 am

hello, just to clarify... yes i do have a usb modem plugged in it's my only way to connect until i get this wwan device going. that is my only usb plugged in... i do not have a flash drive plugged in. broadcom and chipbnk are built in usb devices. i did read somwhere that the fn keys can activate wwan so that's one avenue i'm following. certainly did not know the minipci wwan was sony ericsson and am surprised to hear it is. lenovo have sorta crunched ibm's continuity. however this gives me another avenue to follow, thanks. it is apparently an embedded device so i'd be surprised if it was missing. absolutely no kernel support for these devices yet but it will happen... patching the kernel in the short term is probably a way. whatever the way is, i'll eventually find it. my isp ceases isdn in december so i've go a few months to find an answer to circumvent returning to 2.7k a second dial up

thanks for your input.

#8 Post by **GomJabbar** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 11:13 am

I have read that some USB modems are detected as USB storage devices. You have to blacklist the USB storage device for it to work as a modem. Sorry I don't have more details at the moment.

symbol · #9 Post by **symbol** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 2:29 am

hello, i installed xp on virtualbox to check things out. under xp's device manager everything... except wwan showed up! i'm beginning to think as volker inferred that the device is not present. i have read a few threads elsewhere where lenovo have omitted to put a few things in... including in one case this very minipci wwan! i'll post results when lenovo deigns to get back to me. their after sales service really is appalling.

Volker · #10 Post by **Volker** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 5:55 am

Windows inside an emulator won't be enough, if there is some software-switch to turn on the wireless then lenovo's driver will need direct hardware access.

This is similar to the bluetooth in my T61. Only in this case, thanks to ibm-acpi, it can be switched on and off from linux. (echo enable > /proc/acpi/ibm/bluetooth). Depending on the status, it shows up in lsusb or not.

The good news is that you probably have to do it only once, at least the bluetooth status is remembered over reboots.

Oh and if you have a hardware wireless switch (T61/X61 have it, don't know about sl500) then it needs to be in the "on" position, obviously.

symbol · #11 Post by **symbol** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 7:02 pm

hello, i'm delighted to tell you that the wwan shows up from lsusb as a USB storage device! you were on the money GomJabbar! i still haven't got it going but to be able to see it is fab, and will allow me to a least start from the beginning. how? i built a new kernel enabling what i could as modules instead of built in to the kernel rebooted and there it was. seems like the device need to be built as a module. yay! and here it is!
idVendor 0x04b4 Cypress Semiconductor Corp.
idProduct 0x6830 USB-2.0 IDE Adapter
bcdDevice 0.01
iManufacturer 56 Cypress Semiconductor
iProduct 78 USB2.0 Storage Device
iSerial 100 DEF101E2F7E6
bNumConfigurations 1
Configuration Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 2
wTotalLength 32
bNumInterfaces 1
bConfigurationValue 1
iConfiguration 0
bmAttributes 0xc0
Self Powered
MaxPower 0mA
Interface Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 4
bInterfaceNumber 0
bAlternateSetting 0
bNumEndpoints 2
bInterfaceClass 8 Mass Storage
bInterfaceSubClass 6 SCSI
bInterfaceProtocol 80 Bulk (Zip)
iInterface 0

Volker... dunno why it didn't show in virtualbox-2.2 because bluetooth, and every other usb device showed up as well as etho. but i was glad to be able to purge xp from my laptop. when i get the beast going i'll let all know how. thanks

#12 Post by **GomJabbar** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 7:22 pm

Here are a couple of things you can try.

Conflicting drivers

This is identified by a rapidly flashing purple light in your modem. You must disable and blacklist the usb_storage module, because it interferes with the built in modem.

Disable usb_storage module
rmmod usb_storage
cat /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist | grep "blacklist usb_storage" || echo "blacklist usb_storage" >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist
pccardctl eject
pccardctl insert

http://snippets.aktagon.com/snippets/95 ... 7-2-ready-

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

WWAN

WWAN

Who is online