Re: Calling Verizon from a GOBI [Was: Trying to get a GOBI modem [back] to working]

[Dan Williams <dcbw redhat com>]

On Thu, 2012-11-29 at 16:57 -0500, Adam Tauno Williams wrote:
> On Thu, 2012-11-29 at 16:28 -0500, Adam Tauno Williams wrote:
> > On Thu, 2012-11-29 at 15:12 -0500, Adam Tauno Williams wrote:
> > > Quoting Adam Tauno Williams <awilliam whitemice org>:
> > > > Quoting Dan Williams <dcbw redhat com>:
> > > >> On Thu, 2012-11-29 at 14:12 -0500, Adam Tauno Williams wrote:
> > > >>> On Thu, 2012-11-29 at 13:12 -0500, Adam Tauno Williams wrote:
> > > >>>> openSUSE 12.2 i686
> > > >>>> NetworkManager-0.9.4.0-5.13.1.i586
> > > >>>> ModemManager-0.5.2.0-2.4.1.i586
> > > >>>> 3.4.11-2.16-desktop #1 SMP PREEMPT
> > > >> If it's Verizon, you need to load CDMA/EVDO firmware, not UMTS firmware.
> > > >> Which is why you get the wrong configuration in the dialog that asks for
> > > >> a "Plan Name".  Try directory '1' perhaps; I have these MD5 sums:
> > > >> 06f76ed398458dad7b91c2d99a85a0a7  1/amss.mbn
> > > >> 88a60ed745d75fb1b92c539574ecc972  1/apps.mbn
> > > >> e4d8d4dbd0
> > > > So... with these firmware files the Network Settings still shows the  
> > > > broadband connection.
> > Anyone know the secret sauce to get a 3G GOBI 2000 modem to connect to
> > Verizon's CDMA network.
> > In the past I believe I have used just a dial string of #777 and an APN
> > name of "vzwinternet", but it isn't working.
> > I have one connection on number "*99#" which is what it wants by
> > default.  Also have a profile #777.  Both have an APN of "vzwinternet"
> > and a Type of "any".
> > I can only edit this using the old nm-connection-editor as Network
> > Settings has the Option button from "Mobile broadband" grayed out.
> 
> Hmmm.  Captured a modem-manager log file.  That doesn't look healthy.

The log indicates that the Gobi still has GSM firmware loaded, not
Verizon EVDO firmware.  Once the EVDO firmware gets loaded, you'll want
to go into nm-connection-editor, delete any existing WWAN/3G connection,
and start from scratch.  For EVDO connections, no configuration is
necessary, just pick "New connection..." item from GNOME Shell's menu,
follow the wizard's steps and pick US -> Verizon, then Accept.  No
numbers are required, no APN necessary.

ModemManager figures out the right number to dial (if needed, this is
only required for PPP) in all cases.  Also, APNs are a GSM/UMTS/LTE
thing, and CDMA/EVDO does not use them at all.

But in the end, you still have GSM firmware loaded.  We can see this
because ModemManager sends the "AT+GCAP" request and sees this:

<CR><LF>+GCAP: +CGSM,+DS<CR><LF><CR><LF>OK<CR><LF>

If there was CDMA/EVDO firmware loaded, you'd see "IS856" or "IS707"
instead of CGSM.

Dan