The NZ Linux Resource

[AuckLUG] Re: Mobile internet on linux laptop

Joel van Velden joel at tpnz.co.nz
Sun Jun 18 14:17:06 NZST 2006



Stuart R Mealor wrote:
> Thanks for input
> I actually emailed Vodafone and they said their cards don't have linux
> drivers.
> I've been through the joy of setting up a DSE PCMCIA modem before now, and had
> problems with the OS detected the card etc.
> I'll wait a couple of days to see if anyone here has anything else to add, and
> then take the plunge... I guess
> Thanks for feedback so far :-)


A google for "vmc 3G linux" returned these guides to install the card 
[1] and [2]

Vodafone saying the card has no linux drivers is actually correct, 
because the card doesn't need any, just normal usbserial drivers, not 
drivers particular to the card model. Which is a very good thing.  No 
re-compiling of kernels necessary.

According to the above guide, the card just appears as a /dev/modem 
device (after setting it up), so while the set up looks confusing you 
only need to do it once, after than just dial "*99#" to /dev/modem and 
you're online.

Otherwise you can always get a nice 3G mobile phone with bluetooth and 
use a bluetooth connection between your laptop and the phone to get the 
laptop online.
This might work better than the VMC card if you have patchy 3G coverage 
as you can locate the mobile phone in a different part of the building 
with good coverage and still use your laptop comfortably. And its a good 
excuse to get the boss to pay for a nice phone :) You also dont get a 
huge ugly bright red card sticking a mile out of your laptop :)

-Joel van Velden

[1] http://portal.wikinerds.org/vodafone-3g-howto-suse-gentoo
[2] 
http://www.pharscape.org/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=28#_Toc83808161



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