Control of 3G USB modem connection when using a 3G router

[Cruiser]

Greetings all. I have a Huawei E352 3G modem which works fine when connected directly to the PC, and using the MTN dashboard software. I can connect and disconnect at will, so as to control my data usage.

I have recently incorporated a TP-Link MR3220 3G router into the mix, and have plugged my 3G modem into the router's USB port. The connection works fine and I have no internet problems, but now the router controls the 3G connection, and there doesn't seem to be any way to stop and start the connection at will, because the MTN dashboard software is no longer in control. I like to disconnect when not using the internet, just to stop all those pesky apps guzzling my airtime, and to give me a measure of control over my data usage. (of course I could simply unplug the 3G modem when I'm not online, but that is not very convenient)

If anyone else facing the same issue has found an easy solution, it would be great to hear from you.

 

[Magandroid]

Greetings all. I have a Huawei E352 3G modem which works fine when connected directly to the PC, and using the MTN dashboard software. I can connect and disconnect at will, so as to control my data usage.

I have recently incorporated a TP-Link MR3220 3G router into the mix, and have plugged my 3G modem into the router's USB port. The connection works fine and I have no internet problems, but now the router controls the 3G connection, and there doesn't seem to be any way to stop and start the connection at will, because the MTN dashboard software is no longer in control. I like to disconnect when not using the internet, just to stop all those pesky apps guzzling my airtime, and to give me a measure of control over my data usage. (of course I could simply unplug the 3G modem when I'm not online, but that is not very convenient)

If anyone else facing the same issue has found an easy solution, it would be great to hear from you.

Me too. I would also like to know. Thanks

 

[ginggs]

If anyone else facing the same issue has found an easy solution, it would be great to hear from you.

You can have more control over your connection with a MikroTik router.

 

[Cruiser]

You can have more control over your connection with a MikroTik router.

Thanks. The router software does provide three options : "on demand", "auto" or "manual", so it is possible to manually disconnect, but you have to log into the router in order to do that, which is a rather clumsy way of doing things. I was hoping there was a way to somehow use the MTN 3G dashboard to control the connection.

 

[Tim the Techxpert]

Hi There,
If you want to stop your apps doing it then you would need to set the access to manual. Or else look at MikroTik

Regards

Tim

 

[Cruiser]

Hi There,
If you want to stop your apps doing it then you would need to set the access to manual. Or else look at MikroTik

Regards

Tim

Thanks for the input Tim. I can set the router to manual connect, but then I have to log in to the router each time I want to establish a connection - a bit clumsy, I'm sure you will agree. Otherwise I have to figure out exactly which apps are accessing the internet in background, and see if I can set them individually for manual access. Plus I've only just bought the router, so don't really want to go out and buy another one. Perhaps my best option is to just connect the modem to the PC USB port again (I don't need a shared internet connection all that often), and use the MTN dashboard as I was before. It's not all that big a deal, so don't want to make a major issue of it. Was just wondering if there was a quick and easy compromise.
Thanks again anyway.
Mark

 

[Tim the Techxpert]

Hi Cruiser,
Yes you would have to log in through the router. Apps updating is a problem. On my smart devices (android phone and iPad) I have updates all set to manual and I decide which and when to update. It also gives a bit of order to the portable devices as I look at the updates available and if I have not used the app in ages I often then make the decision to delete it. e.g. I wanted to look at note taking (hand written of course) apps on the iPad and loaded 10 or so to try out. They all come up with updates for this and that from time to time and I may then update it if I think it will improve the product or at that point decide to remove the app.
Of course that has nothing to do with solving your router USB issue.

Sorry

Tim

 

[Cruiser]

Hi Cruiser,
Yes you would have to log in through the router. Apps updating is a problem. On my smart devices (android phone and iPad) I have updates all set to manual and I decide which and when to update. It also gives a bit of order to the portable devices as I look at the updates available and if I have not used the app in ages I often then make the decision to delete it. e.g. I wanted to look at note taking (hand written of course) apps on the iPad and loaded 10 or so to try out. They all come up with updates for this and that from time to time and I may then update it if I think it will improve the product or at that point decide to remove the app.
Of course that has nothing to do with solving your router USB issue.

Sorry

Tim

Thanks Tim, and no problem. I'm running Win8 on the pc and it does give you the option of disabling winupdates and driver updates, when using a metered connection, but that of course doesn't stop the various apps from making their connections from time to time. I think I've found a compromise though : by setting the connection to "on demand", and allowing a short inactivity disconnect time, it seems to help a bit. I do miss not having the functionality of the MTN dashboard though, so I may well stop using the router for my internet connection, and transfer the modem back to the pc USB port. I can always move it back when I want to share the connection with other devices. Thanks for the input though.
Mark