Huawei E220 Vodafone Australia

[mike11]

After struggling for a day or so with configuring my Huawei E220 to work with my Fedora 9 install I have finally got it working and thought I'd post some info for others in the hope they might save other people time.

There is another post on this forum from Marie in Denmark - to whom I would like to thank - however if you are trying to connect to Vodafone in Australia using the Huawei E220 please use this post instead. It is actually extremely simple to connect to the internet using Fedora 9 and this Mobile dongle - however there were a number of false leads provided in other posts :rolleyes: The main trick is not to worry about using the System > Network path and instead use the icon to the left of the Date/Time in the top panel to configure using settings for AU - then it works sweet as!

So here we go - step by step:

First - insert the dongle - at any time (doesn't need to be before boot) - and in a few seconds you should see that the USB device has been recognised. ( You can see this in the Applications > System Tools > System Log - you should see something like ttyUSB0 - Huawei E220 initialised )

Once this is done right-click on the network icon - initially a picture of two computers joined by a line to the left of the Date/Time on the top panel - and then left click on 'Edit Connections...' This will open the network connections window.

Click on the 'Mobile Broadband' tab. You should see the default setting for your mobile device - something like Auto GSM Connection - select that and click on Edit.

In the first tab - Mobile Broadband

Number: *99***2#
Username: blank
Password: vodafone
APN: vfinternet.au
Network: blank
Type: Prefer GPRS
Band: blank
PIN: blank
PUK: blank

On the second tab - PPP

Use Authentication - Yes
Use MPPE - No
Allow BSD dc - yes
Allow Deflate dc - yes
Use TCP header comp - yes
Send PPP echo packets -no

Click OK, Close

Finally left click on the Network Connections icon (next to the Date) and select the connection you just set up (Auto GSM is it's default name - I renamed mine to Vodafone AU). All going well it will change to look like a transmission tower and you'll be able to right-click on this and click on Connection Information... to get your IP and DNS info.

Good luck :)

[Twitchp7]

Hi,
I just switched from Ubuntu to Fedora, at work I'm using CentOS so I decided to give Fedora try... cause I really like to work with CentOS!

Now I ave some problems geting my e220 to work, I have done all the steps mentioned in this thread, and i can connect using the e220.
The problem I have is the connection just lasts for a few seconds.

It seems that my modem is geting activated and right after that deactivated over an over again. When I plug the modem in it has its green flashing LED as normal than after a few seconds switching to blue as it should.

Now I can connect and just after a few seconds it turns green again and the connection is lost.
When I do nothing at all just waiting an dlooking at the modem same scenario the LED flashes green switchs to blue than again to green and so on.
I would apreciate any idea that might help me!

Edit:
Maybe I should add that I Hve installed the x64 version

[mike11]

Hi Twitch

Check that the number that you are connecting to is correct for your network.

I've seen the default used by nerdgirl in Denmark, but the number *99***2# is correct for the Vodafone Australia network.

Regards
Mike

P.S. I forgot to mention adding the wireless conxn in the original post. You'll need do that before configuring it.

[devspain]

Now I ave some problems geting my e220 to work, I have done all the steps mentioned in this thread, and i can connect using the e220.
The problem I have is the connection just lasts for a few seconds.

It seems that my modem is geting activated and right after that deactivated over an over again. When I plug the modem in it has its green flashing LED as normal than after a few seconds switching to blue as it should.


I had the same problem and I think (like the previous commenter) that the number you are using is wrong.

Here are the Spanish settings (Vodafone ES and Huawei E220 settings using Fedora 9):

Number: *99#
Username:
Password: vodafone
APN: ac.vodafone.es
Network:
Type: Prefer GPRS
Band:
PIN: (leave empty or give your PIN code)
PUK: (leave empty or give your PUK code)

Use authentication: Yes (with all checked on the list)
Use MPPE: No
Allow BSD compression: Yes
Allow Deflate compression: yes
Use TCP compression: Yes
Send PPP echo: No

These works well for me.

[Asel]

Hi, I want driver for this USB MODEM thank you :)

[devspain]

For Fedora 9, you do not need any driver. Just plug the device into the USB port. _WAIT_ until it has initialized properly (initially green light will blink blue when) and then go to network applet and choose the "GSM network" connection..

It actually works also without password as default settings here in Spain (with Vodafone)... Only problem is that if you have automatic WLAN connections available, they will override the connection and network applet normally hangs there. (To be honest, I think the network applet is one of the most unreliable applications in Linux...)

[Nokia]

It might have been easier using Vodafone Mobile Connect

https://forge.betavine.net/forum/forum.php?forum_id=114

[devspain]

It might have been easier using Vodafone Mobile Connect

https://forge.betavine.net/forum/forum.php?forum_id=114

Why? You do not need it unless you are using some other distribution (=older Fedora, Ubuntu etc.)!

I think it is _much_ easier to use a solution which is built in. No separated installation of proprietary software, no opening a third software until being able to connect etc...

Fedora 9 has all built in and ready to use for you! Just plug'n'play.

[Nokia]

Your solution is for Australia only. Using proprietary (?) software in this case is however recommended. Think about Europe. Do you imagine your settings would work in any country where Vodafone exists ? Just think of the APN. Then consider the the fact that some might want to use 3G only as an option. Last but not least, others might want an approximate info of the traffic and warnings when a certain quota is reached.

[devspain]

Your solution is for Australia only. Using proprietary (?) software in this case is however recommended. Think about Europe. Do you imagine your settings would work in any country where Vodafone exists ? Just think of the APN. Then consider the the fact that some might want to use 3G only as an option. Last but not least, others might want an approximate info of the traffic and warnings when a certain quota is reached.

No! I am in Spain (as I wrote before in my first message) and it works with Vodafone perfectly. I am actually right now using it...

And, by my opinion, proprietary software is NOT recommended until there are NO OTHER WAY out. One should always try open source and built in solutions first!
I understand quite perfectly if (your) need is to see quota warnings or some other information not provided by default application. Fine, you may want to use 3-party software for that purpose but commonly your thinking of using proprietary software is very dangerous and leads to non standard world!

[Nokia]

My mistake. I confused you with the OP.

Sure, every other Joe will call support at Vodafone's asking for connection params just to meet yesterday's hired employee of the month which will give the standard answer: Linux is not supported. Get Windows or buy a Mac. Welcome to the non-standard world.

I rest my case.

[devspain]

Unfortunately that happens (too often) :-(

At least we all try...... We in "devspain" are as strict as possible with standards.. ..but sometimes you have to do what you have to do..