Configure Tata Photon+ on Ubuntu/Linux Mint

Refer to my blog of Wednesday, February 24, 2010 regarding configuring USB Dongles for Internet (Reliance NetConnect, Photon+ etc) on Linux.


Well, today I was configuring the latest Tata Photon+ (model: EC 1261, Huawei Chip) on Linux Mint 9 which required some additional steps to the ones mentioned in my referred blog. Thought would share it!


Though followed every step as mentioned in my referred blog, the Internet connect was of no success. The dongle just wont be recognized as a modem - but just as a 'USB generic converter'. 

Post addition of 'usbserial' module as mentioned in my blog, the USB dongle was no more recognised as  storage device. Did a bit of Googling and visited various forums - and finally came up with the solution (In Linux, there is always a solution :-) - and learnt something called the 'ZeroCD' feature!!!


Steps as follows:-

1. Did the 'lsusb' to find the vendor and product id after inserting the Tata Photon+ dongle in the system

2. Did the 'sudo modeprobe usbserial vendor=0x12d1 product=0x1446' thing.

3. Removed the dongle and reinserted it.


4. Checked the 'lsmod' command to ensure that usbserial module is available and usb-storage module is not available (else usb-storage makes the dongle to be seen as a storage device), If usb-storage would have been there, would have done a 'rmmod' for it.


5. Cheked 'dmesg' and found that the dongle is being seen on ttyUSB0.


6. On running 'wvdialconf' - it could not find the dongle at ttyUSB0


7. checked 'dmesg' and found that the dongle is being recognised as 'USB Generic Converter' and not as a modem


8. Based on googling/forum inputs, downloaded 'usb-modeswitch-data' and 'usb-modeswitch' debian packages from the Debian repository.

Why use this? Explained in the repository:

mode switching data for usb-modeswitch

Several new USB devices have their proprietary Windows drivers onboard, especially WAN dongles. When plugged in for the first time, they act like a flash storage and start installing the driver from there. If the driver is already installed, the storage device vanishes and a new device, such as an USB modem, shows up. This is called the "ZeroCD" feature.
On Debian, this is not needed, since the driver is included as a Linux kernel module, such as "usbserial". However, the device still shows up as "usb-storage" by default. usb-modeswitch solves that issue by sending the command which actually performs the switching of the device from "usb-storage" to "usbserial".
This package contains the commands data needed for usb-modeswitch.

9. Installed them using 'dpkg' - 'sudo dpkg -i '


10. Re-inserted the dongle - and Viola! - it was recognised as a GSM modem!!

11. did the 'wvdialconf' (can also use 'gnome-ppp' ) and the system was swinging on the Internet!!!

STEPS 8 AND 9 WERE CRITICAL FOR SWITCHING THE USB!!

Linux Tutorials - an awesome list

13 Of the Best Linux Tutorials and OpenCourseWare on the Web

The Web can be an excellent source for Linux tutorials and training, if you know where to look. This article is meant to serve as a guide for new and advanced users who are searching for free Linux tutorials.

#1 IBM's New to Linux

• Linux Introduction

If you are brand new to Linux and have no idea what it is or what you can do with it, IBM's Linux Introduction is worth checking out. This tutorial guides readers through everything they need to know to start working with Linux. The tutorial also provides links to hundreds of other articles, tutorials and training devices.

#2 Professor Norm Matloff's Beginner's Guide to Installing and Using Linux

• Professor Matloff's Beginner's Guide

Dr. Norm Matloff works for the Department of Computer Science at the University of California, Davis. He has created a fantastic guide to installing and using Linux. Designed specifically for beginners, the tutorial provides info on post-installation configuration, Linux usage, Linux applications software, dual boot issues, troubleshooting and much more.

#3 Linux Fundamentals Course

• Linux Fundamentals

This Linux course, designed for new users, offers a brief history of Open Source Software and an introduction to Linux fundamentals. Basic commands are covered, as are other required topics for people who are just getting started with Linux. The Linux Fundamentals Course takes an estimated 18 hours to complete.

#4 Linux Desktop 101 Course

• Linux Desktop Course

This free course from the About.com Guide to Linux is meant to teach beginners how to keep a PC running with a Linux operating system. The course lasts for 14 weeks; each installment is delivered via e-mail.

#5 Linux Network Administration Guide

• Network Administration Course

This Linux guide, which is more course than tutorial, teaches the fundamentals of network administration for Linux users. Linux topics include--but are not limited to--digital encryption, digital signatures, network configuration, network security and remote access. If you are interested in this Linux tutorial, set some time aside. It takes an estimated 30 hours to complete.

#6 The Linux System Administrator's Guide

• Intro to System Administration

This comprehensive tutorial is designed to be an introduction to system administration for new Linux users. Some of the topics covered in this handy guide include system configuration, software installation, user account management and memory management. Users who complete this Linux tutorial will have nearly all the information they need to keep a Linux system running.

#7 Linux Command-Line Tools Guide

• Summary of Useful Command-Line Tools

This guide doesn't list every single Linux-based tool, but it does provide a comprehensive list of the most useful and important command-line tools available on GNU/Linux based operating systems. The Linux Command-Line Tools Guide is geared towards beginners and intermediate users, but it would make an excellent desk reference for advanced users as well.

#8 Advanced Bash-Scripting Guide

• Shell Scripting Techniques

This free Linux tutorial explores the art of shell scripting. It is excellent for people who don't have advanced knowledge of scripting or programming. The tutorial starts out slow and quickly moves into intermediate and advanced shell scripting techniques. Reinforcement exercises are included for the ultimate learning experience.

#9 The National Institute of Standards and Technology's Real-Time Linux Tutorial

• Linux Introduction

The National Institute of Standards and Technology's Real-Time Linux Tutorial offers an intensive introduction to RT Linux. Topics include--but are not limited to--single and variable period tasks, shared memory communication, FIFO communication and interrupt service routines. The tutorial includes a number of easy-to-follow examples and comprehensive instruction on the basics of RT Linux.

#10 Advanced Linux Programming Guide

• Linux Programming Guide

The Advanced Linux Programming Guide teaches users how to write more sophisticated programming. Topics include hardware device interaction, multiprocessing, multi-threading and interprocess communication. This guide emphasizes Linux system capabilities and conventions.

#11 Linux Online's Course for Advanced Users

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This course from Linux Online is a series of how-to's for Linux users who feel they are past the beginner and intermediate stages of training. It covers a wide range of topics, but it puts special emphasis on installation, configuration and maintenance tasks.

#12 Linux Advanced Routing and Traffic Control

• Routing and Traffic Control How To

This tutorial is for advanced users who have some prior knowledge of the Linux system. As the name suggests, the tutorial focuses on routing and traffic control. Primary topics include iproute2, traffic shaping and netfilter.

#13 SUSE Linux Enterprise Server Tutorial

• Upgrading to Certified Linux Professional 10

Novell offers a number of high quality tutorials through the OpenCourseWare program. This one in particular is for Linux professionals who want to gain an understanding of the differences between version 9 and version 10 of the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server. All of the topics in this tutorial relate to topics covered in the Novell Certified Linux Professional (CLP) curriculum and include exercises to reinforce learning.