Topic: Connecting USB Modems for SME server

[tony]

I need to connect a modem to my system. Currently I have a PCI modem installed whch is not recognized since it is a soft modem. I have had too many problems with soft modems trying to get them to work in Linux.
 So I will be buying a hardware based modem, but need to know some information on installation before I buy.
 Will USB modems be recognized by SME Server? Are there and additional drivers, patches necessary for the installation?
Any answers, instructions or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Tony

[CharlieBrady]

 Will USB modems be recognized by SME Server?

No.

[tony]

I want to share a internet connection through my SME Server on a home network. I couldnt find any information in the documentation.  I have two options to choose from, the PCI Modem installed in the computer, and a GSM Cell phone connection.
 Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Tony

[del]

Hi Tony,

Taken from a post regarding hylafax:

I now use an internal PCI Multitech V.92 in class 1.0. Very impressive. It auto installs onto /dev/ttyS5 and is catagorized as a G3 fax modem...Very nice. It has yet to fail receiving a fax...

I assume that if it installs for Hylafax it should be OK for dialup connections You can read the complete post here: http://forums.contribs.org/index.php?topic=33057.0
Hope this helps.

Del

[raem]

tony

Your PCI modem is not supported so get an external modem, the type depending on your Internet connection (see below).

Are you talking about a dial up modem (slow phone line) or a ADSL/Cable (broadband) modem ?

For Dial up, you must use an external standalone dial up modem (Linux compatible & not a Winmodem) that has a serial connection ie 9 or 25 pin for com1 or 2 port, & a Ethernet network card (NIC) for your local network connection (in gateway server mode).

ADSL/Cable modems need a Ethernet connection, so you need to have a second network card as well as the external broadband modem (that has a Ethernet socket) & of course a NIC for your local network connection (in gateway server mode). It's simpler/preferable to set your broadband modem up in bridged mode and let sme handle everything in gateway server mode.

[tony]

Thanks for the info Ray;
 The PCI Modem may be workable but with a bunch of tweaks but I am not going that route.
 My SME server is actually a Toshiba 5205 S705 laptop. It had a few inconsistancies with the CDROM and Monitor (they dont work) So I decided to make use of it. (SME was installed on another system, and transferred the HD back to setup the server in the Toshiba)
 It has one Ethernet connection that I send to a router which can be seen by all the computers on the network.
 My internet connection is coming from a Nokia 6233 GPRS, 3G, Bluetooth, IR capable cellphone. (I can hear you guys already, Its the only good connection in my area, dialup is just too slow). Its faster than Dialup, and I have an unlimited bandwith connection with no extra charges for about $35 a month.
 I can connect to the internet with this phone in Debian Etch on my personal laptop, still havent tried it on my Ubuntu desktop computers though.
 This setup is just for a home network and to tinker around a bit, but eventually I would like to make use of the server and its capabilities.

 I will attempt to do something similar on how I got my Debian system to accept the GPRS Phone, unless somebody has other alternatives.
I will keep an eye out for new posts, and I will let everyone know of my trials on this project for those who are interested.
Thanks

[CharlieBrady]

 I will attempt to do something similar on how I got my Debian system to accept the GPRS Phone, unless somebody has other alternatives.

Supporting a USB modem may not be difficult. It may be as simple as configuring for standard dialup, and then doing:

config set DialupModemDevice /dev/usb/ttyACM0
signal-event post-upgrade
signal-event reboot

[tony]

Thanks Charlie Will give it a try.