Telstra Next-G Wireless Broadband

[Simon Ives]

On Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:23:25 +1030
LinuxDan <linuxdan at adam.com.au> wrote:

> Simon,
> 
> I'm not sure about the specifics, but it's a usb wireless modem  (little
> white number ;) ) and according to the spiel on the back, its Model:
> MF626 PP Wireless Modem...judging by another card in the pack, its made
> by a company called ZTE.
> Hope this helps....
> 
> cheers!
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Simon Ives <simon.ives.au at gmail.com>
> To: LinuxDan <linuxdan at adam.com.au>
> Cc: ubuntu-au at lists.ubuntu.com
> Subject: Re: Telstra Next-G Wireless Broadband
> Date: Wed, 1 Apr 2009 14:47:50 +1000
> 
> 
> On Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:08:27 +1030
> LinuxDan <linuxdan at adam.com.au> wrote:
> 
> > Hi all,
> > 
> > Have been receiving the mail on this list for a while now but have yet
> > to send one out...so first off, thanks for all of the indirect help
> > you've given me through this list.
> > 
> > I'm writing to ask for some instructions on how I can set up  Telstra's
> > Next G Wireless Broadband with Ubuntu 8.10. I've recently put a workmate
> > onto Ubuntu and he went out and bought one of these packs and I've got
> > no idea how to get it running.
> > 
> > Any help you could give would be greatly appreciated....
> > 
> > Regards,
> > 
> > Dan
> > 
> 
> What modem/router are you trying to configure?
> 
> 

That particular USB modem *does* work under Ubuntu, but it needs some tweaking.  The issue is that the modem also contains a MicroSD slot which allows it to act as both a modem *and* a USB storage device.  The problem with getting it to run under Ubuntu is that Ubuntu recognises it as a mass storage device so won't connect to it as a modem.

You'll have to setup the correct kernel module for the USB device numbers (vendor=0x19d2 product=0x0031 -  not vendor=0x19d2 product=0x2000 which is the number for the USB storage).  You'll also have to switch the USB mode (from 2000 to 0031 as above), possibly using USB Mode Switch (http://www.draisberghof.de/usb_modeswitch/).  I played around with one of these for a few days but ended up going with the wireless router/modem (home network gateway 7.1) for ease of use.  The USB worked but I had to create a shell script to mode switch every time the device was plugged in and this was something that my wife and daughter were unhappy with.  If your friend doesn't require the USB modem then I'd suggest switching to the wireless modem/router.
-- 
SIMON IVES
Consulting, advocacy & innovation
for non-profit and non-government
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