Pantech PX-500 EVDO Rev A Card on Linux
Written by Michael on May 31st, 2007
Yes, you can use that Sprint EVDO Rev A Pantech PX-500 card on Ubuntu! Network credentials are stored on the card so all we need to do is make sure we have a couple of kernel modules loaded and write two simple scripts to get it all working. The PX-card has an OHCI compatible USB bridge internally off of which hangs the CDC serial port so it’s pretty easy.
First make sure you’re running a recent kernel by running uname -r and a terminal prompt.
Then, insert the card and let’s make sure you have the necessary kernel modules loaded:
michael@feisty:~$ sudo lsmod | grep cdc
cdc_acm 15904 0
usbcore 134280 7 cdc_acm,ohci_hcd,xpad,usbhid,uhci_hcd,echi_hcd
If your output matches the above, you already have the cdc_acm and ohci_hcd kernel modules loaded automatically.
1) Install the Sprint Connection software on Windows XP or Vista
2) Insert the card, choose yes to update the firmware and activate the card by calling Sprint and providing the necessary information.
3) Reboot into Linux and insert the card into a free PCMCIA slot. This tutorial will be done on Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn with kernel 2.6.20-16-generic. If you use the the 2.6.20 kernel, you won’t have to compile in any additonal modules.
4) We’ve already confirmed that we have the correct kernel modules above so now you’ll need to create two extra files using these steps:
michael@feisty:~$ sudo vi /etc/ppp/peers/Sprint_EVDO
noauth
# Connection Script
connect “/usr/sbin/chat -v -f /etc/ppp/chatscripts/sprint-evdo”
defaultroute
replacedefaultroute
usepeerdns
/dev/ttyACM0
230400
local
novjmichael@feisty:~$ sudo mkdir /etc/ppp/chatscripts
michael@feisty:~$ cd /etc/ppp/chatscripts
michael@fesity:~$ sudo vi sprint-evdo
TIMEOUT 5
ABORT ’\nBUSY\r’
ABORT ’\nERROR\r’
ABORT ’\nNO ANSWER\r’
ABORT ’\nNO CARRIER\r’
ABORT ’\nNO DIALTONE\r’
ABORT ’\nRINGING\r\n\r\nRINGING\r’
” \rAT
TIMEOUT 3
OK ATE0V1&F&D2&C1S0=0
TIMEOUT 3
OK ATS0=0
TIMEOUT 3
OK ATDT#777
TIMEOUT 20
CONNECT ”"
5) run this command to start the connection:
michael@feisty:~$ /usr/sbin/pppd call Sprint_EVDO updetach
And you’re good to go. Interestingly, I saw about 25% faster speeds consistently under Linux and XP compared to Vista. I know the card hasn’t been officially certified under Vista, but it’s not certified on Linux either and 25% is a huge difference. Test your speed over at Speedtest.net
P.S. You might get different results with another distribution (especially Suse) and kernel but if you are still having problems, drop me a line at mikebuckingham at gmail dot com and I’ll try and help.
3
PM
Nice Tutorial! I have seen the increased speed on Ubuntu as well. I actually just used network-admin to configure my card. Just set
phone number: #777
Username: user
Password: pass
Modem port: /dev/ttyACM0
check all the boxes on the Options tab.
Now it just automatically connects for me.
Nice site BTW
6
AM
Thanks for the tip Brett!
30
PM
I am new to linux, running ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn. I have a pantech px-500 card and have tried numerous times to connect with this device. I am running an older x86 desktop and have installed a pci to pcmcia card (usb interface) so my px-500 can run on the desktop. I have tried both methods mentioned here with no luck. using the second method posted by BRETT, /dev/ttyACM0 does not appear on the “modem port” drop down tab menu. Any help would be much appreciated.
thank you,
-Jesse
12
PM
I get an error :
pppd: In file /etc/ppp/peers/Sprint_EVDO: unrecognized option ‘-v’
Chat has the command listed in the docs.
So far no go.
I even went back and cut-n-pasted the coding line by line– JUST to be sure. (On the third attempt, not out of the question I was mis-reading it)
I’m going to go get a cuppa coffee and come back to this later, maybe I’ll see the error. Extra space? extra dash? Dunno, I’ll leave this open and look in a few minutes.
14
PM
I have the same problem!
I get an error :
pppd: In file /etc/ppp/peers/Sprint_EVDO: unrecognized option ‘-v’
Chat has the command listed in the docs.
So far no go.
I even went back and cut-n-pasted the coding line by line– JUST to be sure. (On the third attempt, not out of the question I was mis-reading it)
This is giving me a headache!
1
AM
Does this work with Gusty, for you? What’s different?
Help me convert a user to Kubuntu. I would like to set this up so that when the PX-500 is later inserted, it will work. It worked on XP (dual boot). Or is it duel boot, LOL.
I thought this would be the deal killer. Now I’m not sure.
12
PM
The configuration of PX-500 is easier if you follow the manual from Sprint.
Write in Google:
Sprint Software Downloads – Mobile Broadband Cards – PX-500 by Pantech
Here is the direct link:
http://www.sprint.com/assets/downloads/linux/pdfs/Sprint_Mobile_broadband_Setup_Guide_for_Linux.pdf