Routers for USB HSDPA modems

@bHOLDher: Here are the comments from sbrown regarding the use of a hub ...
Next, I put the 4 port hub in my monitor between the dongle and the gu. It's been running for an hour w/o a problem. The free memory is stable at 1960k. It explains why the gpv2 doesn't have the problem.

Both the hub I used as well as the one in the gpv2 has a "transaction translator" that converts the 12meg transaction to a 480meg transaction. Thus, with the hub, the serial dongle is handled by the ehci, not the ohci driver. This is confirmed by the debug output when using either hub. So, the problem seems specific to the ohci part of the core.
Click to expand...

This seems to suggest that the 520gU connected to a suitable hub should perform exactly like a 500gPv2. The transaction translator inside the hub forces the use of the ehci drivers rather than the ohci drivers which are causing all of the problems.

Unfortunately that Belkin hub is quite expensive in SA and you would need to test it first. Incredible Connection at Sandton City did have one in their bargain bin two weeks ago for ~R200. They do also have others on the shelf. Personally I would retry the Koppel firmware using whatever externally powered hubs that you can borrow and wait to see whether or not anybody is able to fix the ohci drivers.
 
No Ways! - It Works!

I tried a USB hub before, but obviously I did not try hard enough! Sadly I did not do the effort to dig up a power supply to power the hub.

IT WORKS! :D

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My testing:
Its running solid now for +- 30 mins (Obviously I will continue testing!)
I downloaded a 1 meg file directly to the router. After this worked,
I opened youtube on my PC, hehe, and it handled that just fine too!
Quick Download speed test on my PC: 80Kbytes/s on HSDPA, not complaining.
-----

OK, so, what I did:
I bought a ASUS WL-520gU for +-R450.
Bought a (just any ol') YoData 4 port powered USB hub for +-R120
Bought a generic power supply for the USB hub +- R80

Downloaded the newest Koppel firmware from http://koppel.cz/cdmawifi/english/ which was version 1.70a for the WL500gPv2 (WL500gpv2-1.9.2.7-10-USB-1.70a.trx)

Then I used the ASUS firmware restore utility provided on CD with the router to upload the firmware to the router. (hold the router's reset button in until the power LED starts blinking, then upload)

With the new Koppel firmware I modified the following settings:
USB Connection - Connection Mode:
Disable USB 2.0 controller = Yes
selected "Dial-Up" as the connection mode.

USB Connection - Dial-up Config:
Dial Number: *99#
USB device Vendor ID (0xabcd): 0x12d1
USB device Product ID (0xefgh): 0x1003
USB device packet size (0 for default): 2048

(The USB Vendor and Product ID is for a Huawei E220 modem. A different type modem will need other IDs)

Then I connected USB hub to the power supply, connected the E220 modem to the USB hub, connected the USB hub to the Router, and

After applying the settings on the router, it connected first time (after about a minute).

========
Shawn & Yotch, thanks for putting me on back on the hub idea!

(Be warned, the ASUS routers seem to be pretty much break-proof while uploading new firmware, but I guess something can still go wrong, possibly making the router useless.)
 
@bHOLDher: Excellent news. I am very pleased as I was starting to think that the 520gU might never work reliably. It would not have worked without the external supply as I think the E220 requires close to the 500mA limit.

Maybe you should post your results in the 520gU Koppel and Whirlpool threads once you are sure that everything is stable. I think that there will be a lot of interest in your setup as this router is so affordable and cheap 4-port hubs can be obtained for less than R100.

I assume that you are using the YEC183 which I would imagine is a generic GL850A based hub?
http://www.pricecheck.co.za/products/2021458/YODATA+4+PORT+USB+HUB+V2.0+DAISY+CHAINABLE/
http://www.jump.co.za/product/yodata-mini-4-port-travel-usb-hub-new-11733890.htm
http://www.pricecheck.co.za/products/2021383/YODATA+4+PORT+USB+HUB+V1.1/

How about these cheap hubs which include power supplies?
http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/9387396/4_Port_USB_HUB_TWISTER.html
http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/9314979/7_Port_PC_MOD_USB_HUB.html
 
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Hmmm, it *does* still hang after a while, but maybe there is a way to make it reboot automatically before it hangs? I will continue investigating.
 
Maybe this script might help if you haven't seen it already ...
http://koppel.cz/conferences/viewtopic.php?t=2026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Try to cool the router, hub and E220 using an external fan/s just to be 100% sure that you are not experiencing some type of overheating problem. The CPU in the 520gU seems to get very hot during use since it has a large heatsink while on the 500gPv2 this does not appear to be the case. The hub itself will presumably also be getting quite warm after several hours of use as well as the E220 - particularly if the signal is poor. You could also try to use a double connector USB cable (Y-cable) to split the supply to the E220 over two of the hub ports. Broadcom CPUs tend to get quite hot ...
http://robertpeloschek.blogspot.com/2006/02/howto-stop-your-wireless-router-from.html

Some non-destructive cooling ideas ...
http://pcdiscounters.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=136
http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/9359975/Triple_Fan_Notebook_Cooling_Pad_with_USB_connection.html
http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/9317...ebook_Cooling_Cooler_Pad_LED_Light_OT_11.html
 
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Hello guys!
Maybe this things would help you...cause in my country a company Zapp sells the asus router 520gcu with a cdma modem and here are the firmwares and the step by step installation provided by them.

instructions - http://www.zappmobile.ro/data/store/manuals-ro/WL-500g/Ghid_de_instalare-WLAN-500g_router.doc

wl500g - http://www.zappmobile.ro/data/store/manuals-ro/WL-500g/Ghid_de_instalare-WLAN-500g_router.doc
wl-500gx - http://www.zappmobile.ro/data/store/kits/WL-500gx/WL500gx-aon-ns-2.1.trx



i hope this works ...
 
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@x_phire: Many thanks for that useful information - this will be excellent news if the 'Imagine' firmware runs reliably on the WL-520gU. I was under the impression that Zapp was using the Koppel firmware at one stage but this seems to no longer be the case? Do you have any idea of the differences between the 520gU and the 520gCU - there doesn't seem to be much information available about the 520gCU apart from one Russian website. Here is a detailed review of the 520gU for comparison purposes - http://techgage.com/print/asus_wl-520gu_wireless_router

One of our local operators is currently rolling out a CDMA/EVDO network. It would appear that Zapp is now installing a UMTS/HSDPA network at 2100MHz in addition to the CDMA/EVDO one at 450MHz. Does this mean that the CDMA network will ultimately be replaced? What are the typical down/up data speeds on the current CDMA network?
 
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Draytek 2820 from Syrinx is a HSxPA USB 3G + ADSL + Leased Line Modem. Supports the newest 3G Adaptors (like Novatel 7.2Mb/s capable). Does the PPPoE, IPSec, VPN Server, Port NAT etc.
 
Syrinx Communications said:
Draytek 2820 from Syrinx is a HSxPA USB 3G + ADSL + Leased Line Modem. Supports the newest 3G Adaptors (like Novatel 7.2Mb/s capable). Does the PPPoE, IPSec, VPN Server, Port NAT etc.
Click to expand...

If you followed the thread, then you would have got the idea that this is very much about using a cheap router with homebrew firmware. The Draytek, while lovely, is anything but cheap.

Besides the only reason you are suggesting the Draytek is because you sell it ;)
 
Thanks very much for the information. I am also looking to buy a UMR. I will go and speak to my local retailer - Incredible Connection tomorrow, and order one.
 
The UMR has a WAN port, which you can configure to be either your primary or fail-over line. Whatever you select, you can do the opposite with your USB modem. QoS doesn't really work out over mobile broadband as the operator has to also be able to identify and prioritize the traffic you're running. In most cases, they are already doing so by slowing down unwanted traffic. As for VPN, the UMR supports pass-through. I believe the retail price is around 1499 ZAR.

The thing about the UMR in particular is that it handles a very wide variety of USB modems, is very easy to setup for mobile broadband (as it was designed specifically for that), and can handle SMS messages as well (check out the list of supported modems and features on http://www.dovado.com/modems). It also has a feature called the Connection Tracker, which constantly checks the internet connection for any permanent drops, and react accordingly.

We also do a good job in supporting this product in all the markets we deliver to, so South Africa is not an exception by any means. You can take a look at some of the other examples from other countries on http://www.dovado.com.

If there are any questions, you can ask them here: http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=142466

Thanks,

Team DOVADO
 
ICASA Approved: I recommend Draytek Vigor 2820. Has ADSL port, also Ethernet WAN port for connection to leased line & then has 3G USB port. The port supports Novatel MC950D & Huawei E172. . It also does failover from ADSL to 3G (& vice versa). This supports IPSec & VPN Server - very useful for tunnelling requirements. We use them in our corporate network solutions.
 
Syrinx Communications said:
ICASA Approved: I recommend Draytek Vigor 2820. Has ADSL port, also Ethernet WAN port for connection to leased line & then has 3G USB port. The port supports Novatel MC950D & Huawei E172. . It also does failover from ADSL to 3G (& vice versa). This supports IPSec & VPN Server - very useful for tunnelling requirements. We use them in our corporate network solutions.
Click to expand...

Where does one buy the Draytek? :)

From Syrinx, by any chance? ;)
 
Hi Morkhans. Yes, Agreed, Syrinx sell the Draytek only as part of its Corporate APN solutions. U can get the Draytek directly from www.Draytek.co.za (Network Platforms is the distributor - I am sure they are cheaper).
 
Good Afternoon,

Today I purchased the Dovado 3g router from incredible connection, Fourways JHB today (R1,899 - and its VERY un-user friendly), I have been battling for hours to set it up.

Firstly, my service provider is Vodacom SA.

In the modem settings tab, I've set the APN to 'internet' as per my service providers recommendation.

I've entered my 3g modems sim card pin in the pin code block.

But, it still cannot connect to the internet (it works fine when connecting straight to my pc, but not via the router)....

I suspect Im doing something wrong here? Im not entering any PPP settings (as I done use this) or should I?

Please could someone help out on this one, as I've tried EVERYTHING else!

Thanks

Brendan
 
I use my Billion very successfully with my E200 when needed. Most of the time the Billion is connected to Telkom's ADSL until I run out of cap (which doesn't happen THAT often). I then plug in the E220, go the config page on the Billion and tell it to use the E220 instead. Within a minute I'm connected again.
 
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