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.
Using your bluetooth enabled phone with Sakis3G
| 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. |
Αυτό το άρθρο υπάρχει και στα Ελληνικά.
Sakis3G script is actually able to use any 3G modem, and not just USB ones. Good. Many of our bluetooth enabled cellular phones also offer their modem capabilities over bluetooth. It would be nice providing 3G internet on your laptop on the go, while keeping your phone hidden on your pocket.
Check video below (see it on YouTube) to motivate yourself going through this guide.
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:
Sakis3G: 0.1.3 Released
Version 0.1.3 of Sakis3G script is released prior to what was scheduled as an "emergency update", to 0.1.2, which introduced severe regression issues. While expected version number would be 0.1.2b or something, 0.1.3 was chosen as it also includes many changes not visible to bare eye.
Along with this announcement comes a notice: no new features or functionality will be implemented until 0.1.3 has become stable enough. Upcoming releases will only include fixes, operator/modem additions, timeout tweaks and maybe UI improvement. Therefore, next releases will be following 0.1.3x versioning schema, where "x" will be "a", "b", "c" and so on. Enthusiasm should step aside for a while, until usability grows enough.
Sakis3G: 0.1.2 Released
Version 0.1.2 of Sakis3G script is now released, being larger scale update so far.
At a glance, more important changes are:
- Drastically improved workflow: Overall operation is now faster.
- Several changes so that even more unsupported USB modems work out-of-box.
Sakis3G: 0.1.1 Released
Version 0.1.1 of Sakis3G script is released, in accordance with 1.1.0 update of Usb-ModeSwitch. Script now waits for network logon even when SIM card does not require PIN number. Progress bar indication, if xosd (osd_cat) is installed, is now turned off by default. Added support for Italian, Portugish, Hondurian and more German operators.
Read change log.
Sakis3G: How to install on Debian, when 3G is the only connection method.
Lets suppose you just got your brand new 3G stick and you want to install Sakis3G script and all its dependencies. However, the only available connection method is that 3G stick. Don't panic: All you need is a USB Disk, or CD-RW, or any other disk media (e.g. OBEX enabled bluetooth phone).
Sakis3G: 0.1.0 Released
Version 0.1.0 of Sakis3G script is out. Script now waits for network logon after supplying PIN number, before is proceeds with internet connection. This should eliminate problems with modems that need more time. Adds progress indication if xosd (osd_cat) is installed and support for several German and Austrian operators. Fixes KDE integration issues and a driver reload problem.
Read change log.
Sakis3G: 0.0.9 Released
Version 0.0.9 is now released fixing bugs, issues with non-Debian distributions and introducing experimental support for Huawei E220 family of USB modems. Establish a 3G/GSM connection with your operator within 20 seconds, no installation/compilation required, just download and execute.
- Download
- Supported architects: i386, amd64
- Supported modems
- Supported operators
- Confirmed distributions: Debian GNU/Linux, Ubuntu, openSUSE
- Official page