NetworkManager + modemmanager : won't connect 3g modem

scaryAardvark · 2012-06-23 15:49:53

Hi,

II've followed the steps to get NetworkManager installed and also installed modemmanager.

I can get wired and wireless internet working with only one issue in that if I lose wifi it won't connect, I can handle this and will sort this out later..

However....

I cannot get my 3G broadband dongle (3-mobile) to connect with network manager. I can use wvdial and it works fine however I'd rather use network manager to manage it..

I can set it up in the network manager applet in system settings however it keeps bringing up a dialog stating "No agents were available for this request".

When I connect the dongle I get the following log messages

Jun 23 16:36:59 localhost kernel: [21753.034610] usb 2-1: new high-speed USB device number 9 using ehci_hcd
Jun 23 16:36:59 localhost kernel: [21753.194353] scsi16 : usb-storage 2-1:1.0
Jun 23 16:36:59 localhost kernel: [21753.194806] scsi17 : usb-storage 2-1:1.1
Jun 23 16:37:00 localhost usb_modeswitch: switching device 12d1:1446 on 002/009
Jun 23 16:37:00 localhost kernel: [21754.006761] usb 2-1: USB disconnect, device number 9
Jun 23 16:37:04 localhost kernel: [21757.867905] usb 2-1: new high-speed USB device number 10 using ehci_hcd
Jun 23 16:37:04 localhost kernel: [21758.027718] option 2-1:1.0: GSM modem (1-port) converter detected
Jun 23 16:37:04 localhost kernel: [21758.027980] usb 2-1: GSM modem (1-port) converter now attached to ttyUSB0
Jun 23 16:37:04 localhost kernel: [21758.028221] cdc_wdm 2-1:1.1: Ignoring extra header, type 15, length 13
Jun 23 16:37:04 localhost kernel: [21758.028229] cdc_wdm 2-1:1.1: Ignoring extra header, type 6, length 5
Jun 23 16:37:04 localhost kernel: [21758.028422] cdc_wdm 2-1:1.1: cdc-wdm0: USB WDM device
Jun 23 16:37:04 localhost kernel: [21758.029086] qmi_wwan 2-1:1.2: Use "cdc_wdm" for QMI interface 2-1:1.1
Jun 23 16:37:04 localhost kernel: [21758.030698] qmi_wwan 2-1:1.2: wwan0: register 'qmi_wwan' at usb-0000:00:1d.7-1, QMI speaking wwan device, 02:50:f3:00:00:00
Jun 23 16:37:04 localhost kernel: [21758.030831] option 2-1:1.3: GSM modem (1-port) converter detected
Jun 23 16:37:04 localhost kernel: [21758.031037] usb 2-1: GSM modem (1-port) converter now attached to ttyUSB1
Jun 23 16:37:04 localhost kernel: [21758.031289] option 2-1:1.4: GSM modem (1-port) converter detected
Jun 23 16:37:04 localhost kernel: [21758.031440] usb 2-1: GSM modem (1-port) converter now attached to ttyUSB2
Jun 23 16:37:04 localhost kernel: [21758.031729] scsi18 : usb-storage 2-1:1.5
Jun 23 16:37:04 localhost kernel: [21758.032713] scsi19 : usb-storage 2-1:1.6
Jun 23 16:37:04 localhost modem-manager[587]: <info>  (ttyUSB0) opening serial port...
Jun 23 16:37:04 localhost logger: usb_modeswitch: switched to 12d1:1506 on 002/010
Jun 23 16:37:05 localhost kernel: [21759.036514] scsi 18:0:0:0: CD-ROM            HUAWEI   Mass Storage     2.31 PQ: 0 ANSI: 2
Jun 23 16:37:05 localhost kernel: [21759.037716] scsi 19:0:0:0: Direct-Access     HUAWEI   TF CARD Storage       PQ: 0 ANSI: 2
Jun 23 16:37:05 localhost kernel: [21759.043859] sr1: scsi-1 drive
Jun 23 16:37:05 localhost kernel: [21759.044390] sd 19:0:0:0: [sdb] Attached SCSI removable disk
Jun 23 16:37:05 localhost kernel: [21759.045281] sr 18:0:0:0: Attached scsi CD-ROM sr1
Jun 23 16:37:06 localhost modem-manager[587]: <info>  (ttyUSB0) closing serial port...
Jun 23 16:37:06 localhost modem-manager[587]: <info>  (ttyUSB0) serial port closed
Jun 23 16:37:06 localhost modem-manager[587]: <info>  (ttyUSB0) opening serial port...
Jun 23 16:37:06 localhost modem-manager[587]: <info>  (Huawei): GSM modem /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.7/usb2/2-1 claimed port ttyUSB0
Jun 23 16:37:07 localhost modem-manager[587]: <info>  (ttyUSB0) closing serial port...
Jun 23 16:37:07 localhost modem-manager[587]: <info>  (ttyUSB0) serial port closed
Jun 23 16:37:07 localhost modem-manager[587]: <info>  (ttyUSB1) opening serial port...
Jun 23 16:37:07 localhost modem-manager[587]: <info>  (ttyUSB2) opening serial port...
Jun 23 16:37:10 localhost modem-manager[587]: <info>  (ttyUSB2) closing serial port...
Jun 23 16:37:10 localhost modem-manager[587]: <info>  (ttyUSB2) serial port closed
Jun 23 16:37:10 localhost modem-manager[587]: <info>  (Huawei): GSM modem /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.7/usb2/2-1 claimed port ttyUSB2
Jun 23 16:37:14 localhost modem-manager[587]: <info>  (ttyUSB1) closing serial port...
Jun 23 16:37:14 localhost modem-manager[587]: <info>  (ttyUSB1) serial port closed
Jun 23 16:37:14 localhost modem-manager[587]: <info>  (Huawei): GSM modem /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.7/usb2/2-1 claimed port ttyUSB1
Jun 23 16:37:14 localhost NetworkManager[481]: <warn> (ttyUSB0): failed to look up interface index
Jun 23 16:37:14 localhost NetworkManager[481]: <info> (ttyUSB0): new GSM/UMTS device (driver: 'option1' ifindex: 0)
Jun 23 16:37:14 localhost NetworkManager[481]: <info> (ttyUSB0): exported as /org/freedesktop/NetworkManager/Devices/5
Jun 23 16:37:14 localhost NetworkManager[481]: <info> (ttyUSB0): now managed
Jun 23 16:37:14 localhost NetworkManager[481]: <info> (ttyUSB0): device state change: unmanaged -> unavailable (reason 'managed') [10 20 2]
Jun 23 16:37:14 localhost NetworkManager[481]: <info> (ttyUSB0): deactivating device (reason 'managed') [2]
Jun 23 16:37:14 localhost NetworkManager[481]: nm_system_iface_flush_routes: assertion `ifindex > 0' failed
Jun 23 16:37:14 localhost NetworkManager[481]: nm_system_iface_flush_addresses: assertion `ifindex > 0' failed
Jun 23 16:37:14 localhost NetworkManager[481]: <info> (ttyUSB0): device state change: unavailable -> disconnected (reason 'none') [20 30 0]

It seems to suggest that the modem port is opened by the modem manager then closes the port. I'm also not sure how the modem seems to appear on all 3 USB devices.. (USB0,1 & 2).

Can anyone shed any light on this please.

Kind regards
Mark.

tomegun · 2012-06-23 16:36:12

If my memore serves me right, you need to install the usb_modeswitch package to get some 3g modems to work.

scaryAardvark · 2012-06-23 16:39:21

Yes, I've already installed that and as you can see from the logs it has detected and switched the dongle to modem mode.

Jun 23 16:37:00 localhost usb_modeswitch: switching device 12d1:1446 on 002/009

Last edited by scaryAardvark (2012-06-23 16:40:14)

DarkCerberus · 2012-06-23 16:59:45

Have you searched through the AUR repository for accessing 3G devices here:

https://aur.archlinux.org/packages.php? … _Search=Go

There's also this which might help:

https://aur.archlinux.org/packages.php?ID=54542

scaryAardvark · 2012-06-23 17:02:58

Yes, I've trawled all day trying to find something which may help.

As I've posted. I can get the modem working using wvdial, however it just doesn't want to know in modem-manager / network manager.

It's a little annoying because I'm sure I'm in touching distance but I can't find anything on the net about fixing this particular issue.

M.

Strike0 · 2012-06-23 19:37:10

scaryAardvark wrote:

I can set it up in the network manager applet in system settings however it keeps bringing up a dialog stating "No agents were available for this request".

When does this come up? When you click the connection?
Try setting a password in the respective field for the 3G-connection you setup in NM (e.g. via network-connection-editor).

scaryAardvark · 2012-06-23 19:48:39

No, the log I posted comes up when I connect the 3g Modem.

I have set a password but funnily enough, whenever I go into edit the modem settings, the password is blank.

When I click the connection I get the "No agents were available for this request" dialog.

I'd expect, just like it does with the wifi connection, that the broadband modem simply connects when I plug in the modem but it creates the log output above and then nothing...

Strike0 · 2012-06-23 20:11:57

Try again setting the/any password with

sudo nm-connection-editor

Whats your desktop manager? Gnome?

scaryAardvark · 2012-06-23 20:14:00

I'm running under KDE at the moment.

I don't have "nm-connection-manager" installed and pacman can't seem to find it. Is it a Gnome thing ?

M.

scaryAardvark · 2012-06-23 20:18:49

If i run "nm-tool". it does list the modem as a connection

[root@vaio ~]# nm-tool

NetworkManager Tool

State: connected (global)

- Device: ttyUSB0 --------------------------------------------------------------
  Type:              Mobile Broadband (GSM)
  Driver:            option1
  State:             disconnected
  Default:           no

  Capabilities:

Strike0 · 2012-06-23 20:42:39

scaryAardvark wrote:

I'm running under KDE at the moment.
I don't have "nm-connection-manager" installed and pacman can't seem to find it. Is it a Gnome thing ?

It's the old Gnome2 style nm-settings to setup the connections yes. I googled your error, thats why I thought it might be the blank pw.

DarkCerberus · 2012-06-24 11:28:48

Are you using a broadband or actual modems - if broadband, then it may not neccesarily be 3G enabled which might explain why it can't connect.

scaryAardvark · 2012-06-24 11:46:27

No sure exactly what you mean.
It's a 3-mobile 3G dongle. I can connect using wvdial without a problem but network manager (via modem-manager) just doesn't want to know.

usb_modeswitch works fine and it definitely detects it as a modem (or else wvdial wouldn't work).

M.

Jasa · 2012-06-24 11:56:06

From own testing around with 3g modem that networkmanager was simpliest, but thing is the modem-manager throwing text into first tty and not keeping those clear, also on how even with quick attempt of autoconnect, networkmanager did not connect that of 3g cause the option box for mobile broadband was being cleared after rebooting/shutdown.

If that wvdial application is working and able to provide connection by [Defaults] defined there you could just put some daemon on boot to run it, i'll put here an example of one possible solution modified from already existing ftp daemon script.

/etc/rc.d/wvdiald (add that wvdiald into rc.conf list)

#!/bin/bash

. /etc/rc.conf
. /etc/rc.d/functions

PID=$(pidof -o %PPID /usr/bin/wvdial)
case "$1" in
start)
stat_busy "Starting wvdiald"
[ -z "$PID" ] && /usr/bin/wvdial > /dev/null 2> /dev/null &
if [ $? -gt 0 ]; then
stat_fail
else
add_daemon wvdiald
stat_done
fi
;;
stop)
stat_busy "Stopping wvdiald"
[ ! -z "$PID" ] && kill $PID &> /dev/null
if [ $? -gt 0 ]; then
stat_fail
else
rm_daemon wvdiald
stat_done
fi
;;
restart)
$0 stop
sleep 1
$0 start
;;
*)
echo "usage: $0 {start|stop|restart}"
esac
exit 0

scaryAardvark · 2012-06-24 11:59:07

Thanks Jasa, I'm tending to agree with you that network manager just isn't cut out for 3g modems.

Thanks for the script and I'll use this in the interim whilst still trying to get the networkmanager/modem-manager combo working.

M.

davison · 2012-06-29 10:42:18

I don't think the problem is NetworkManager per se. I have a similar issue with an Huawei E220 under Arch. This is a very common 3G dongle, doesn't need usb_modeswitch and I have had it working with no problems at all on this very laptop in the past under 3 different distros [1]. With all of them, I used NetworkManager and nm-applet.

I think the problem is likely to be configuration and/or some additional udev rule/package install/kernel module (unlikely)/whatever that is simply missing at the moment. It's pretty infuruating though, I've been trying to figure this out on and off for about 4 weeks now!

[1] Ubuntu 10:10 and 11:04, Mint 12 (Debian edition)

Jasa · 2012-06-29 10:49:21

I'd guess it could be auto mount in side of desktop environment what puts device into use by mounting it and other parts of the 3g modem comes unavailable.

There are some AT commands itself to put down specific parts of modem if there is no need for those, making certain that there would be only the wanted usbserial.
And i have not tried those myself too much yet, hasn't been real need. But if some person bothers to try it could make thing easier to others searching possible solutions to issue.

davison · 2012-06-29 14:00:02

I'm using XFCE4 and don't have any automounting configured, so it's not getting in the way here.

markc · 2012-08-31 06:09:59

FWIW I'm having a similar issue with a "BLiNK" 3G dongle in AU with NM and I also get the "No agents were available for this request" error.

However, same dongle same laptop works okay with NetworkManager in Ubuntu 12.10.

Arch Linux

#1 2012-06-23 15:49:53

NetworkManager + modemmanager : won't connect 3g modem

#2 2012-06-23 16:36:12

Re: NetworkManager + modemmanager : won't connect 3g modem

#3 2012-06-23 16:39:21

Re: NetworkManager + modemmanager : won't connect 3g modem

#4 2012-06-23 16:59:45

Re: NetworkManager + modemmanager : won't connect 3g modem

#5 2012-06-23 17:02:58

Re: NetworkManager + modemmanager : won't connect 3g modem

#6 2012-06-23 19:37:10

Re: NetworkManager + modemmanager : won't connect 3g modem

#7 2012-06-23 19:48:39

Re: NetworkManager + modemmanager : won't connect 3g modem

#8 2012-06-23 20:11:57

Re: NetworkManager + modemmanager : won't connect 3g modem

#9 2012-06-23 20:14:00

Re: NetworkManager + modemmanager : won't connect 3g modem

#10 2012-06-23 20:18:49

Re: NetworkManager + modemmanager : won't connect 3g modem

#11 2012-06-23 20:42:39

Re: NetworkManager + modemmanager : won't connect 3g modem

#12 2012-06-24 11:28:48

Re: NetworkManager + modemmanager : won't connect 3g modem

#13 2012-06-24 11:46:27

Re: NetworkManager + modemmanager : won't connect 3g modem

#14 2012-06-24 11:56:06

Re: NetworkManager + modemmanager : won't connect 3g modem

#15 2012-06-24 11:59:07

Re: NetworkManager + modemmanager : won't connect 3g modem

#16 2012-06-29 10:42:18

Re: NetworkManager + modemmanager : won't connect 3g modem

#17 2012-06-29 10:49:21

Re: NetworkManager + modemmanager : won't connect 3g modem

#18 2012-06-29 14:00:02

Re: NetworkManager + modemmanager : won't connect 3g modem

#19 2012-08-31 06:09:59

Re: NetworkManager + modemmanager : won't connect 3g modem

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