How comes my modem gets switched when plugged during boot?
This post is inspired by a similar question made by a Linux user. Exact question answered by this post is:
When my USB modem is plugged during boot, it gets switched, although modem-modeswitch, Usb-ModeSwitch and Sakis3G are not installed on my system. How is that possible?
Some modems automatically switch mode (and, most of them, their product ID along the way), on their own (without the need for Usb-ModeSwitch), when they are simply "ejected". Reason we call it "eject" is that they indeed actually "fool" computer/operating system into presenting themselves as USB CD-ROMs (their commercial name now turns relative: "ZeroCD"). When those pseudo-CD-ROM devices receive the "eject-your-media" SCSI command, they instead switch mode, and become usable as modems.
Some others, switch mode (again, on their own), if being plugged on computer for some seconds (e.g. modem might switch on its own after 60 seconds of inactivity have expired). This one case is self-explained and we will not bother more on this post.
Sakis3G on GuruPlug
GuruPlug server seems like a nice one example for illustrating how much useful Sakis3G script can be on places where size-does-matter.
GuruPlug comes pre-installed with Debian GNU/Linux 5.0 (aka. "Lenny") on its 512MB SSD. Within that little space there is no room for a graphical environment nor for usual NetworkManager/modemmanager bundle (after all, there is no display adapter at all). However, it is already pre-installed with anything required for running Sakis3G script: there is no need for installing anything more.
Sakis3G as a udev rule
| Notice: This post provides links and instructions referring to an old version of Sakis3G script. Page is still available only for historical reasons. Please visit www.sakis3g.org for latest Sakis3G script version. |
Question: What is the fastest way to get connected with your 3G network?
Answer: Have Sakis3G script setup as a udev rule! This way Sakis3G script will be executed immediately upon physical connection.
If managed to trigger your interest, check teaser videos below (external link) to further motivate yourself and proceed with this guide: