How to get Digicel Modem to work with Ubuntu 8.10

[fire21]

Yes I am using a laptop. Digicel modem DC87-0 ZTE Modem

[lovepython]

as suggested previously in terminal run lsusb and then run it again after plugging in the modem and see which new device is recognized and post that info

[fire21]

I have not install the modem yet...Just wanted some info before I install linux.

[jamrock]

I have not install the modem yet...Just wanted some info before I install linux.

You should be able to try some solutions without installing Ubuntu. You can try booting up the laptop with the Ubuntu cd in the drive. This will run Ubuntu in the computer's memory.


The ZTE usb modems seem to be unusual devices. They are described as switching devices. They seem to have more than one function. The manufacturer does not seem to have published Linux drivers for them. As a result there is no straight forward way to use them on Linux.

ZTE usb modems seem to be fairly popular. I have seen two approaches on the Ubuntu forums. One seems easy and the other seems hard.

Some people say that the usb card first appears as a disk. If they right click on it and choose eject, it appears as a modem.

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.p...ght=DC87-0+ZTE

Others use a utility called usb_modeswitch. This is a command line utility so it may seem difficult to use.

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.p...ght=DC87-0+ZTE

Here is an interesting article http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.p...ght=DC87-0+ZTE


You can go to http://ubuntuforums.org/ and search for DC87-0 ZTE.

We had a similar difficulty with Broadcom wireless drivers for laptops a few years ago. We had to do some command line stuff to get them to work. Then someone wrote some drivers and the difficulty disappeared.

[fire21]

Originally Posted by jamrock

You should be able to try some solutions without installing Ubuntu. You can try booting up the laptop with the Ubuntu cd in the drive. This will run Ubuntu in the computer's memory.


The ZTE usb modems seem to be unusual devices. They are described as switching devices. They seem to have more than one function. The manufacturer does not seem to have published Linux drivers for them. As a result there is no straight forward way to use them on Linux.

ZTE usb modems seem to be fairly popular. I have seen two approaches on the Ubuntu forums. One seems easy and the other seems hard.

Some people say that the usb card first appears as a disk. If they right click on it and choose eject, it appears as a modem.

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.p...ght=DC87-0+ZTE

Others use a utility called usb_modeswitch. This is a command line utility so it may seem difficult to use.

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.p...ght=DC87-0+ZTE

Here is an interesting article http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.p...ght=DC87-0+ZTE


You can go to http://ubuntuforums.org/ and search for DC87-0 ZTE.

We had a similar difficulty with Broadcom wireless drivers for laptops a few years ago. We had to do some command line stuff to get them to work. Then someone wrote some drivers and the difficulty disappeared.

Ok thanks much...will post results as soon as I test it out

[jamrock]

Originally Posted by fire21

Hi everyone. Is there a way I can get the Digicel Modem to work with ubuntu? I bought this last week and I can't get to work with linux. Please guys as this is the way I connect to the internet at home.
When I insert the thumbdrive modem it comes up as a cd (as it has the software on it), but it does not and cannot be mounted. I need help as I am now on xp

I have been doing some testing with a Nokia C-10 from Claro. With the Claro modem it mounts as a cd when you attach the modem. When you eject it, Ubuntu sees it as a modem.

It is listed as /dev/ttyACM0 and /dev/ttyACM1.

Try the following:

Attach the modem

When it comes up as a cdrom look at the files. On the C-10 there are some installation files and a readme. Copy these to another location and take a look at the readme.

Eject the cdrom drive and see if the modem is blinking

Go to the terminal and look at the contents of /dev

ls /dev/tty*

Set up the connection. Here is a quote from the c-10 readme file.

Assuming that there was no previous CDC-ACM device active on your system, there will be two serial devices named /dev/ttyACM0 and /dev/ttyACM1 when the Nokia CA-10 internet stick is active .
You can use /dev/ttyACM0 as a serial modem device for your internet connection and /dev/ttyACM1 for AT commands.

Under Ubuntu 8.04 running Gnome Desktop manager, go to System->Control Center->Network to setup your internet connection.
Select point to point connection with a GPRS/UMTS connection on /dev/ttyACM1.
Be sure to fill the Access Point Number field with the one provided by your carrier.

For other distributions or desktop environments, please refer to their documentation on how to setup internet connections with a GPRS/UMTS modem.

Let me know what happens.

[jamrock]

I am posting this on my Ubuntu laptop using a Claro cs-10 modem.

It appears as if Ubuntu was recognizing the modem once I ejected the cd image.

I just needed to set up the Ubuntu network manager to use it.

Systems > Preferences > Network Connections

When the Network Connections window opens, choose Mobile Broadband.

Add a new connection. These are pre-defined as Digicel and Cable and Wireless. Accept one. You can edit it later.

Make sure the username and password fields are empty.

Add internet.ideasclaro.com.jm as the APN. I have *99# as the number. Not sure if this is necessary or not.

In summary:

Attach the modem. It shows up as a cd on the desktop

Eject the cd rom

Check to see if the modem has been setup up as /dev/ttyACM0 and /dev/ttyACM1. Go to a terminal and type ls /dev/tty*

Setup the new moble broadband connection under Network Connections.

Make sure to enter the APN.

That's it.

Note that if Ubuntu does not recognize the modem, the cdrom has some instalaltion files you can try.