Hello all you great people.
I was wondering if anyone else has been attempting to use Telstra's NextG AirCard 312U with Ubuntu 10.10 (or any other distros).
I'm finding it's easy to setup and connect but after about an hour or so data flow stops (ie it appears connected but you don't actually have any internet access and browsers just hang when you try to connect etc).
Disconnect and re-connect doesn't work. You have have to physically remove the card and let Linux re-find it and then connect again... and so it starts all over again. Very annoying and doesn't happen with XP/7.
Does anyone know what might be causing these (I think they're called "lock-ups")?
I have compiled the latest Linux Sierra drivers for the kernel and updated the firmware but it hasn't changed anything.
ndiswrapper? Suggestions?
Other experiences maybe?
Cheers,
CDS
Any hint in /var/log/kern.log or /var/log/daemon.log?
Hi Snowman,
I hadn't thought to check it. What would I look for?
Disconnect and re-connect doesn't work. You have have to physically remove the card and let Linux re-find it and then connect again...
I have encountered this in the past. Rather than do that just restart the network manager. i.e. untick and re-enable through the network manager icon.
or
sudo /etc/init.d/networking restart
Also check what firmware you are running on the 312U – yes it matters.
The other thing to check is signal, if you don't have enough it will run hot and that could be your trouble. The long and short of it is that it's not a Linux (kernel, module) issue – look elsewhere.
I haven't moved to the latest Sierra firmware yet, still on the older Sierra version ATM, but I know the Telstra N1_1_1_7 release caused some problems. If you haven't changed it, that is most likely the one you will have.
Suck it and see, there is nothing to loose as you can go back and forward with the firmwares without issue. Except the pain of finding a windows box to flash from.
Hi Madgtr,
Yeah, I'm conscious of the firmware situation. Well to the point that I know that upgrading is usually best.
This is the version the card uses:
N2_0_4_1AP R932 CARMD-EN-10526 2011/02/17 21:35:52
The signal is not issue on two fronts. Firstly, I'm close to the CBD and the signal has always been strong (not that low signal strength is something TLS should rely on to get them out of technical operation responsibility with respect to hardware quality). Secondly, (yes I know this is odd) I run a small usb fan over the modem ever since seeing a post that suggested that heat might be a problem. I don't think those arguments hold water anyway – I can't imagine TLS procured the devices for a regionally dispersed population not knowing the risk you describe. But then maybe I'm naive.
I have no problem getting a Windows XP partition firing to change the firmware if you can recommend one. Any advice on 'nix kernels would be helpful too.
Thanks again
CDS
Ahh... there's a *Telstra* firmware as well. That did it. It's cracking along.
Thanks Madgrt.
I haven't moved to the latest Sierra firmware yet, still on the older Sierra version ATM, but I know the Telstra N1_1_1_7 release caused some problems. If you haven't changed it, that is most likely the one you will have.