AC318U doesn't work (reboots itself) since MM 0.6.2.0
Submitted by Yosayan
Assigned to ModemManager bug user
Description
Hi and welcome, At the beginning, sorry for my english but I believe, that I would be understood ;)
Basic info: -I have a mobile modem: SIERRA WIRELESS AIRCARD AC318U ( idVendor=1199, idProduct=68a3 ). -Connection to the Internet only through the mobile modem AC318U. -All tested Linux are 64 Bit version: LIVE DVD and also Live USB pendrive (persistent Linux: Mint and Xubuntu). -I am newbie ... sometimes advanced but generally newbie ;)
My first linux in 2014/2015 was Linux MINT version 13 "Maya" LTS (based on Ubuntu 12.04 LTS). When I was using Linux MINT v.13 I had no problems connecting to the Internet (through menu NetworkManager: Mobile Broadband/ModemManager). It was always fast and efficient, stable as rock and generally OK. It worked fine. But when I started using Linux MINT ver. 17 "Qiana" (based on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS) there were problems with the internet:
- system started up (modem phisicaly unpluged)
- linux loaded (graphical interface "Cinamon" loaded)
- in Network Manager menu no Mobile Broadband
- now, modem phisicaly plugged into the USB port FIRST CYCLE
- modem detected, Mobile Broadband option is visible in Network Manager menu bar
- initiate connection, connection established, shows message: "Mobile broadband network. You are now registered to a roaming network"
- after 2-3 second next message "Disconnected - you are now offline" (Mobile Broadband not visible in Network Manager menu) SECOND CYCLE
- modem detected, Mobile Broadband option is visible in Network Manager menu bar
- initiate connection, connection established, shows message: "Mobile broadband network. You are now registered to a roaming network"
- after 2-3 second next message "Disconnected - you are now offline" (Mobile Broadband not visible in Network Manager menu) http://pokazywarka.pl/modemmanager_messages/
This cycle is repeated 4-5(or 6) times, even when reinsert (unplugged and plugged) the modem to the USB port. Modem connects and disconnects...Mobile Broadband menu appears and disappears... The situation repeated itself when the system started with a modem inserted into the USB port.
Interesting fact: When I used the modem with the 8GB card (inserted to the microSD slot), it also rhythmically appear and disappear (as a volume pendrive, disk, on linux Cinnamon desktop).
In search of a solution I checked many versions of Linux. At the time, I did not know that the problem is in the new version of the modem manager. The last FUNCTIONING (without any problems) MODEM MANAGER version was numbered 0.5.2.0 All new versions of Modem Manager (tested: 1.0.0 , 1.4.0 , 1.4.12) numbering OVER 0.5.2.0 effectively prevented connection to the Internet !
TESTED VERSIONS OF LINUX:
no problem=>Linux MINT 13 Maya (MM=0.5.2.0) problem=>Linux Mint-17 Qiana , 17.1 Rebecca , 17.2 Rafella , 17.3 Rosa
no problem=>Xubuntu 12.04 (MM=0.5.2.0) problem=>Xubuntu 14.04 , 15.04 , 16.04
no problem=>LPS-1.5.4 and LPS-1.5.7 (MM=0.5.2.0) problem=>LPS-1.6.4 (problem)
no problem=>Fedora 17 (MM=0.5.2.0) and (interesting) FEDORA 18 with ModemManager ver. 0.6.0.0-2.fc18 (kernel: 3.6.10-4.fc18.x86_64) problem=>Fedora 19 , 21 , 21.5
no problem=>Debian 7.0 , 7.11 Wheezy (MM=0.5.2.0) problem=>Debian 8.0 , 8.1 , 8.4 , 8.5 Jessie
The same problem, with the connection to the internet, I had also in those linux: OpenSuSE 13.2 MANJARO 15.2 , 16.06 Tails 2.0 , 2.3 Mandriva
But, ALL TESTED VERSION (no problem/problem) PROPERLY RECOGNIZE (in the same way) MY MODEM SIERRA WIRELESS AIRCARD AC318U !!! (LSUSB): ID 1199:68a3 Sierra Wireless, Inc. MC8700 Modem (DMESG): usb 1-4: New USB device found, idVendor=1199, idProduct=68a3 (DMESG): Product: AC318U (DMESG): Manufacturer: Sierra Wireless, Incorporated
And at the time I suspected that the problem is in the Network Manager, but I was wrong. I searched the internet but don't found how to solve the problem :( I capitulated and I stopped using the Network Manager + Modem Manager). I started using Wvdial (also tried Minicom or PuTTy). Wvdial worked (and still works) stable as a rock, quickly and without problems in ALL versons of Linux. However, the problem pestering me.... In the meantime, I was looking for a solution, because e.g. the other linux that interested me [ LPS (https://www.spi.dod.mil) ] is a closed system, without root privileges and the possibility of installing additional software, for example wvdial, so it is useless :(
FINDING ERROR and (nearly) SOLUTION (but limited)
Recently, I came across this post "user 116024" (problem and reply-solution):
"Sierra Wireless 313u 3G broadband modem will not work since upgrade to 14.04" http://askubuntu.com/questions/491841/sierra-wireless-313u-3g-broadband-modem-will-not-work-since-upgrade-to-14-04 or short link http://tinyurl.com/zvojku5
My reaction: "It is my problem, and even a modem of the same company!" I'm currently working with Linux MINT 17.3 Rosa (based on Ubuntu 14.04.3) and I did what "user 116024" recommends. I replaced the original Modem Manager version 1.0.0 to old ver. 0.5.2.0 http://packages.ubuntu.com/precise/net/modemmanager
[My comparison between the two versions of MINT 17.3 (MM 0.5.2.0 and MM 1.0.0) as an attachment "MINT_17.3_ MM_comparison"
BINGO ! It works perfectly (also in Xubuntu 14.04). Came back the functionality of a modem through Network Manager (Modem Manager) ! ATTENTION ! was replaced ONLY ONE package, ONLY ONE file, Modem Manager and everything is back to normal !
But it does NOT WORK in Xubuntu 16.04 , Debian 8.4 , Debian 8.5 , no Mobile Broadband option in network menu bar (it shows for one second and disappear). After deleting the Modem Manager v1.4.12 or v1.4.0 and run Gdebi, has removed one more file and has installed nine files but finally Gdebi says: .............. Setting up modemmanager (0.5.2.0-0ubuntu2) ... Job for modemmanager.service failed. Errors were encountered while processing: modemmanager ............. I think, the problem grows.... new versions of MM, new libraries, new relationships between them, more files to delete-replace .... The normal functioning and use of the Sierra 318U broadband modem was NOT RESTORED (Xubuntu 16.04 , Debian 8.4 and 8.5).
As attachments logs (lsusb, dmesg, sysog etc.) from linux: Xubuntu 14.04, Xubuntu 12.04 (it works OK, I add it logs for comparison), Xubuntu 16.04 and Debian 8.5 (Xubuntu 14.04 and 16.04 generated ERROR RAPORT, I attach it as screenshots). Also DEBUG lLOGS from Xubuntu 14.04 , 16.04 and Debian 8.5 I think it will be very helpful in solving this problem, to fix it.
I think that many people (Sierra modems users like me) have such a problem but they decided to use: Wvdial, Sakis3G, PuTTY or Minicom. But I am waiting and I believe You find a solution to the problem I wish you success in that. Regards
Yosayan
PS.1. I tried to install the latest MM ver.1.5.992 but there were problems when compiling it (Live DVD linux and loss of data after a reboot). I will try... but I think, the error repeats.
PS.2. I want to buy a different type of Sierra modem (4G/LT model), but I'm afraid that described problem, applies to all of Sierra/Netgear models :( http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/22869 (list on the right)
I take into account the following Netgear/Sierra Wireless Aircard modems: =>AC 320U LTE vendor=0f3d (0x0f3d) product=68aa (0x68aa)
=>AC 340U LTE vendor=1199 (0x1199) product=9051 (0x9051)
=>AC 330U LTE vendor=1199 (0x1199) product=68a3 (0x68a3)
Version: 1.0