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This *is* the group that developed the ModemManager package in use in Ubuntu 10.04, correct? I was a bit confused when I skimmed this forum just now and saw no ModemManager threads.

I am using a very stock Ubuntu 10.04 LTS installation on a towered PC and trying to tether a Nokia E73 for 3G Internet. At least 3 Linux blogs have stated this works, but when I try, dmesg responds like this

usb 2-2.2: new full speed USB device using uhci_hcd and address 6
usb 2-2.2: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
cdc_acm 2-2.2:1.1: ttyACM0: USB ACM device
usb 2-2.2: bad CDC descriptors
usb 2-2.2: bad CDC descriptors
cdc_phonet: probe of 2-2.2:1.12 failed with error -22

back in June, another user reported the very same problem on Ubuntu's Launchpad bug site (many more details): https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/591840 . But he quickly realized his problem stemmed from ModemManager not being installed at all. I opened a ticket of my own a few days ago: https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/127856 but have received very little help. :(

Yesterday, I tried something new. I completely removed ModemManager, rebooted, and tried attaching my E73 again. The dmesg output was exactly the same! This tells me that ModemManager is not installing (or running) properly.

The only obvious differences I see between my computer and the German user's are 1) this tower uses only USB 1.1 (Asus motherboard from 2003), and 2) I also have Gnome PPP installed, to support a dialup modem. Could either of these be causing issues? I did briefly remove the Gnome PPP package, reboot, and try connecting the phone again, but that made no difference.

As so many people are able to make this work with a stock Ubuntu install, I would prefer a fix-in-place solution instead of upgrading to VMC or BCM.

Can anyone help???

Todd

added 2 years ago
thetao 0
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8 Answers:

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Hi Todd, I don't think we can help other than install it and try! Let me explain: VMC is an open source application developed by Vodafone. It evolved slightly last year to work with Ubuntu 10. It did this by using a 'Modem Manager' dbus interface which in part was worked on by us and guys from Network Manager. Previous to this our application used PPPD, wvdial and HAL to work on Linux. We developed our own set of plugins for many modems that were tested to work on the Vodafone Network, and even submitted patches and code upstream. BCM (Betavine Connection Manager) is a newer version built to work on the newer version of Ubuntu 10 and branded 'Betavine' due to it's open source nature and community involvement. It works by again using the Modem Manager interface to talk to Network Manager. So when you install BCM it replaces the default Modem Manager package with our one. Due to the amount and number of Modems we test with, and the number of plugins we have created for manufacturers modems we now have a reputation for probably the most complete software to make USB modems work on Linux! :-/ .... I've just checked and have not specifically written a plugin for Nokia - this does not mean it won't work, if the Nokia modem mimics another 'vanilla' brand then it may well work. You can check out my blog entry to try out the newer version of bcm. I'll try myself shortly on an old Nokia handset myself and let you know what happens. However I don't have the E73 only the 6680 with me at the moment. Sorry I can't be of more help. Kind regards, Nicholas.
added 2 years ago
nherriot 10
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Hi Todd, I've got my old Nokia 6680 alive and on -but after 45 minutes or so of searching for a USB cable attachment I've given up!... I'll search at work for one and try Monday night. I seem to remember testing it out on an Asus EeePC and it worked fine. Anyway I'll get back to you on Monday night. Kind regards, Nicholas.
added 2 years ago
nherriot 10
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Hello Nicholas, Thanks for your prompt attention to my post, and also for replying on a weekend! I wanted to stop you before doing any more work on my behalf, as I have solved the problem. (BTW, there is a ModemManager plugin for Nokia, located in /usr/lib/ModemManager, and I would hope this has been carried forward to VMC and BCM.) I am not much a of Windows person (if I can help it), and so had never actually used the E73 for a successful 3G connection anywhere. Well, I had tried it with Windows Server 2008, but this is mostly incompatible with Nokia's Ovi Suite (which includes the interface for using the tethering feature within Windows). Last night I tried it with Windows XP for the first time. It worked easily. Today I tried it again with Ubuntu...and now it works here as well! My only guess is that Ovi Suite needed to flip a tethering switch somewhere in the phone, or needed to install a driver on the phone. So while Symbian phones tether quite easily to Linux (Network Manager/Modem Manager or better), they appear to still require an initial connection to Ovi Suite. :( The other thing I noticed is that the kernel messages I was worried about [ 95.443722] usb 2-2.2: bad CDC descriptors [ 95.457168] usb 2-2.2: bad CDC descriptors [ 95.468412] cdc_phonet: probe of 2-2.2:1.12 failed with error -22 never went away...but tethering still works splendidly. So who knows what they mean? Again, thanks for your comments and I am off to spread the word, so hopefully no other Linux user has to fight with their Nokia phone for over a week! Thanks, Todd
added 2 years ago
thetao 0
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Hi Todd, I don't know if you are aware but our main page for connecting modems to Linux has a fresh wiki section: If you select the 'Develop your own modem plugins and use our API's ' section you will actually go to our WiKi. I have as not added any information on here on how to develop your own plugin for SMS, USSD, and MMS yet! :-( ..... However there is loads of other information all about connecting and using BCM. I've also just added a section for community members to describe how the got round particular problems with particular handsets on Linux which is here. At the bottom of that page in Section two I've just added sections for different handsets and how to tether them on Linux. There is one for Nokia too. Seems to me like you have a nice place to capture how you fixed or got round that problem with the Nokia E73! :-) .... I'd be very gratefull if you could add your knowledge to our Wiki - even if it's just brief text and links to where you got drivers etc to get the thing to work.... :-) .... I'm going to document other handsets when I get the chance!!! Take care and thank you in advance! :-) ... Nicholas.
added 2 years ago
nherriot 10
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Hi Nicholas, Okay, I shall try to add something tonight. I didn't want to spread disinformation, and so waited until there was time to wipe and set up the E73 from scratch. I can confirm my original comments. Surprisingly, even Nokia's Ovi Suite was unable to tether until I removed the phone, re-ran the wizard, and then restarted various things. I don't know quite what's going on, but there are obviously very Linux-friendly people within Nokia, and am sure that when the time comes, either your team or some other Linux developers will be able to petition them for an explanation. Thanks, Todd
added 2 years ago
thetao 0
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Done. My first time writing a Wiki, so you will probably want to clean it up. Todd
added 2 years ago
thetao 0
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Not sure if this comment will make the thread bubble to the top.. Nicholas, after the redesign of your forums and related web sites, does the E73/Linux information that I submitted still exist somewhere?? I hadn't been keeping a local archive, and now can't find it online. Can you supply a link?

added 2 years ago
thetao 0
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Hi Todd, I think I found it for you:

http://www.betavine.net/datacards/index.php/ConnectingNokiaHandsetstoLinux

Hope it helps,

Andrew

added 2 years ago
andrewbird 331
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