Updated With Jaunty this is now not necessary and there is an easier way around. First, install udev-extras:
$ sudo aptitude install udev-extras
Depending on if/when my patch* gets accepted you will likely need to add information about the modem to the HAL infomation:
$ sudo cp /usr/share/hal/fdi/information/10freedesktop/10-modem.fdi /etc/hal/fdi/information/ $ gksudo gedit /etc/hal/fdi/information/10-modem.fdi
Add the following:
<!-- ZTE MF627 HSDPA USB dongle -->
<match key="@info.parent:usb.product_id" int="0x0031">
<match key="@info.parent:usb.interface.number" int="3">
<append key="modem.command_sets" type="strlist">GSM-07.07</append>
<append key="modem.command_sets" type="strlist">GSM-07.05</append>
</match>
</match>
and save the file.
Now plug in your modem. It should mount as the ZeroCD device (1). Now right-click the icon on the desktop and eject. Wait a moment, and the light on the modem will go dark, then relight red then green. It should now mount as a modem and be detected by Network Manager (2).
A note should be made about udev-extras, though:> This package contains additional rules and add-ons for udev that are not yet mature enough for the base udev package. Many of these are intended for use with DeviceKit, replacing parts of HAL.YMMV.
1)lsusb:``` ID 19d2:2000 ONDA Communication S.p.A.
2)lsusb:```
ID 19d2:0031 ONDA Communication S.p.A.* https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/hal-info/+bug/407679 ########
I recently bought a 3G mobile broadband modem and then realised I'd bought the wrong model - instead of getting a Huawei E160 or E169 that reportedly work OOTB with Intrepid I got a ZTE MF627 for which no information exists. On the plus side, it has a built-in MicroSD reader...
I initially submitted a bug report here. Since then, however, I have got it working and so here is a how-to. I hope someone else finds this useful. :D
1) Download and install usb_modeswitch
Go here and download the deb file. A direct link is here. Then install it.
This provides a way of switching the USB modem from its initial useless mode to its correct, functional modes. It will need configuring to apply to the modem.
2) Edit /etc/usb_modeswitch.conf to apply to the MF628+
Either comment the first modem configuration out, then find and uncomment the section for the MF628+, or (more easily) replace the content of the file with:
########################################################
# ZTE MF628+ (tested version from Telia / Sweden)
#
# Contributor: Joakim Wennergren
#
# Also applies to MF627 (Tested 3 UK) JF
DefaultVendor= 0x19d2
DefaultProduct= 0x2000
TargetVendor= 0x19d2
TargetProduct= 0x0031
MessageEndpoint=0x01
MessageContent="55534243123456782000000080000c85010101180101010101000000000000"3) Create a udev rule to automatically run usb_modeswitch when the modem is plugged in
Create a new file called 999-zte-rules: gksudo gedit /etc/udev/rules.d/999-zte.rules
Its content should be as follows:
SUBSYSTEM=="usb", SYSFS{idProduct}=="2000", SYSFS{idVendor}=="19d2", RUN+="/usr/sbin/usb_modeswitch"4) Add device information to HAL so network-manager recognises the device as a modem
Finally, in order for Network Manager to recognise the modem information has to be added to HAL.
Create a new file: gksudo gedit /usr/share/hal/fdi/information/20thirdparty/20-zte-mf627.fdi
Its content should be as follows:
<!-- -*- SGML -*- -->
<deviceinfo version="0.2">
<device>
<!-- ZTE MF627 HSDPA USB dongle -->
<match key="@info.parent:usb.vendor_id" int="0x19d2">
<match key="@info.parent:usb.product_id" int="0x0031">
<match key="@info.parent:usb.interface.number" int="3">
<append key="modem.command_sets" type="strlist">GSM-07.07</append>
<append key="modem.command_sets" type="strlist">GSM-07.05</append>
<append key="info.capabilities" type="strlist">modem</append>
</match>
</match>
</match>
</device>
</deviceinfo>5) Plug in the modem Make sure the SIM card is in the modem (and if you're using 3 UK make sure you're in a 3G area. otherwise it won't work) and plug it into your PC.
After a little while (several seconds) the LED should light red as it powers up, then switch to blue when it finds a network. You can check it's working by checking dmesg. Once modeswitch has been triggered and the modem reboots you will be presented with the ZeroCD device (e.g. containing the 3connect software), a USB MicroSD card reader, and if everything has gone correctly, Network Manager will detect a new mobile broadband modem.
Feel free to ignore the ZeroCD device and unmount it from the desktop.
If everything has gone correctly dmesg should read something like:
[52189.029694] usb 5-1: new high speed USB device using ehci_hcd and address 32
[52189.177064] usb 5-1: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
[52189.192061] usb-storage: device ignored
[52194.546308] usb 5-1: USB disconnect, address 32
[52200.032140] usb 5-1: new high speed USB device using ehci_hcd and address 33
[52200.183440] usb 5-1: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
[52200.184979] option 5-1:1.0: GSM modem (1-port) converter detected
[52200.185184] usb 5-1: GSM modem (1-port) converter now attached to ttyUSB0
[52200.185453] option 5-1:1.1: GSM modem (1-port) converter detected
[52200.185592] usb 5-1: GSM modem (1-port) converter now attached to ttyUSB1
[52200.200858] scsi28 : SCSI emulation for USB Mass Storage devices
[52200.204904] usb-storage: device found at 33
[52200.204909] usb-storage: waiting for device to settle before scanning
[52200.205113] option 5-1:1.3: GSM modem (1-port) converter detected
[52200.205304] usb 5-1: GSM modem (1-port) converter now attached to ttyUSB2
[52205.205580] usb-storage: device scan complete
[52205.207696] scsi 28:0:0:0: Direct-Access ZTE MMC Storage 2.31 PQ: 0 ANSI: 2
[52205.210603] scsi 28:0:0:1: CD-ROM ZTE USB SCSI CD-ROM 2.31 PQ: 0 ANSI: 2
[52205.226669] sd 28:0:0:0: [sdb] Attached SCSI removable disk
[52205.228914] sd 28:0:0:0: Attached scsi generic sg2 type 0
[52205.345654] sr1: scsi-1 drive
[52205.345837] sr 28:0:0:1: Attached scsi CD-ROM sr1
[52205.346023] sr 28:0:0:1: Attached scsi generic sg3 type 5
[52218.692468] ISO 9660 Extensions: Microsoft Joliet Level 1
[52218.699732] ISOFS: changing to secondary rootReferences: http://www.draisberghof.de/usb_modeswitch/ http://blog.ufsoft.org/2007/11/30/zte-mf622-usb-modem-under-linux https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/hal/+bug/267727 https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/network-manager/+bug/259028 https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/network-manager/+question/48520 Probably some others I've forgotten.