Controllerless Networks

I'm trying to setup a RAP-109-US to use an AT&T 340U as its uplink, but am not having much luck. It appears as if it detects the card, but if I boot up the AP without the ethernet uplink or if I remove the ethernet uplink it never uses the USB card. The card is on the iteroperability list, and I'm running 6.4.2.3-4.1.1.2 so the card should be supported. Below is what I see during the IAP's boot process:

Enet:0 port:0 down
athr_gmac_poll_link: unit 0 link change to down
ATH_MAC_TIMER: unit 0: phy 4 not up carrier 1
bonding: bond0: link status definitely down for interface eth0, disabling it
bonding: bond0: now running without any active interface !
drivers/usb/serial/usb-serial.c: USB Serial support registered for generic
drivers/usb/serial/usb-serial.c: USB Serial Driver core
SCSI subsystem initialized
usb_storage: Ignoring new-style parameters in presence of obsolete ones
Initializing USB Mass Storage driver...
USB Mass Storage support registered.
Port Status 1c000004
ath-ehci ath-ehci.0: ATH EHCI
ehci_reset Intialize USB CONTROLLER in host mode: 13
ehci_reset Port Status 1c000000
ath-ehci ath-ehci.0: new USB bus registered, assigned bus number 1
ath-ehci ath-ehci.0: irq 3, io mem 0x1b000000
ehci_reset Intialize USB CONTROLLER in host mode: 13
ehci_reset Port Status 1c000000
ath-ehci ath-ehci.0: USB 2.0 started, EHCI 1.00, driver 10 Dec 2004
USB Device: 0x00000000
USB Product: ATH EHCI
USB Manufacturer: Linux 2.6.16 ehci_hcd
USB SerialNumber: ath-ehci.0
usb usb1: c->desc.bMaxPower 0, udev->busmA 0
usb usb1: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
hub 1-0:1.0: USB hub found
hub 1-0:1.0: 1 port detected

Enet:0 port0 up
athr_gmac_poll_link: unit 0 link change to up
ATH_MAC_TIMER: enet unit:0 is up...
Mii 1000Mbps full duplex
ATH_MAC_TIMER: Done cfg2 0x7235 ifctl 0x0 miictrl
bonding: bond0: link status definitely up for interface eth0.
bonding: bond0: making interface eth0 the new active one.
usb 1-1: new high speed USB device using ath-ehci and address 2
usb 1-1: config 1 has an invalid interface number: 9 but max is 0
usb 1-1: config 1 has no interface number 0
usb 1-1: config 2 has an invalid interface number: 12 but max is 1
usb 1-1: config 2 has an invalid interface number: 13 but max is 1
usb 1-1: config 2 has an invalid interface number: 13 but max is 1
usb 1-1: config 2 has no interface number 0
usb 1-1: config 2 has no interface number 1
USB Device: 0x11990fff
USB Product: AirCard 340U
USB Manufacturer: Sierra Wireless, Incorporated
USB SerialNumber: 013323000912288
usb 1-1: c->desc.bMaxPower 250, udev->busmA 500
usb 1-1: configuration #1 chosen from 2 choices
usb-storage: device ignored
USB Plugged in: Vendor_ID=1199 Product_ID=0fff
modeswitch the usb 1-1: usbfs: process 1280 (usb_modeswitch) did not claim interface 9 before use
Netgear/Sierra modem

* usb_modeswitch: tool for controlling "flip flop" mode USB devices
* Version 1.0.3 (C) Josua Dietze 2009
* Works with libusb 0.1.12 and probably other versions

Looking for default devices ...
Found default devices (1)
Accessing device 002 on bus 001 ...
Using endpoints 0x01 (out) and 0x81 (in)
Inquiring device details; driver will be detached ...
Looking for active driver ...
No driver found. Either detached before or never attached
Could not claim interface (error -2). Skipping device inquiry

Device description data (identification)
-------------------------
Manufacturer: Sierra Wireless, Incorporated
Product: AirCard 340U
Serial No.: 013323000912288
-------------------------
Trying to send Sierra control message
OK, Sierra control message sent
-> Run lsusb to note any changes. Bye.

usb 1-1: USB disconnect, address 2
usb 1-1: new high speed USB device using ath-ehci and address 3
usb 1-1: config 1 has an invalid interface number: 8 but max is 4
usb 1-1: config 1 has an invalid interface number: 9 but max is 4
usb 1-1: config 1 has no interface number 1
usb 1-1: config 1 has no interface number 4
usb 1-1: config 2 has an invalid interface number: 12 but max is 1
usb 1-1: config 2 has an invalid interface number: 13 but max is 1
usb 1-1: config 2 has an invalid interface number: 13 but max is 1
usb 1-1: config 2 has no interface number 0
usb 1-1: config 2 has no interface number 1
USB Device: 0x11999051
USB Product: AirCard 340U
USB Manufacturer: Sierra Wireless, Incorporated
USB SerialNumber: 013323000912288
usb 1-1: c->desc.bMaxPower 250, udev->busmA 500
usb 1-1: c->desc.bMaxPower 250, udev->busmA 500
usb 1-1: configuration #2 chosen from 2 choices
USB is not provisoned mannually, goto automatic provision.
parse pre_devid 0x11990fff isp 0 country 0 apcountrycode US
parse file /aruba/conf/ModemParams.xml, start with 0, productid is 0x11990fff, isp 0, country 0
find devid 0x11990fff
find multiple device id, please input isp or country to identify a unique parameter.
parsing by AP country code
parse file /aruba/conf/ModemParams.xml, start with 0, productid is 0x11990fff, isp 0, country US
does not find deviceid, please input advanced usb-modem parameter.
parsing the conflicting list
convert usb type from sierra-gobi to 51
automatic provision success.
USB is provisioned
usb_storage: Ignoring new-style parameters in presence of obsolete ones
Initializing USB Mass Storage driver...
storage: ignoring vendor id 0x1199 and device id 0x9051
usb-storage: device ignored
usb-storage: device ignored
USB Mass Storage support registered.
drivers/usb/serial/usb-serial.c: USB Serial support registered for GobiSerial
GobiSerial: probe of 1-1:2.12 failed with error -32
GobiSerial: probe of 1-1:2.13 failed with error -32
GobiSerial: 2011-07-29-1026/SWI_2.7
Doing usb_modeswitch -v 1199 -p 0fff -S 1

* usb_modeswitch: tool for controlling "flip flop" mode USB devices
* Version 1.0.3 (C) Josua Dietze 2009
* Works with libusb 0.1.12 and probably other versions

Looking for default devices ...
No default device found. Is it connected? Bye.

Sierra modem. doing a mode switch

* usb_modeswitch: tool for controlling "flip flop" mode USB devices
* Version 1.0.3 (C) Josua Dietze 2009
* Works with libusb 0.1.12 and probably other versions

Looking for default devices ...
No default device found. Is it connected? Bye.

drivers/usb/serial/usb-serial.c: USB Serial deregistering driver GobiSerial
sierra:adding vendor id 0x1199 and device id 0x9051
drivers/usb/serial/usb-serial.c: USB Serial support registered for Sierra USB modem
sierra 1-1:2.12: Sierra USB modem converter detected
usb 1-1: Sierra USB modem converter now attached to ttyUSB0
sierra 1-1:2.13: Sierra USB modem converter detected
usb 1-1: Sierra USB modem converter now attached to ttyUSB1
drivers/usb/serial/sierra.c: USB Driver for Sierra Wireless USB modems: v.1.7.40
USB Plugged in: Vendor_ID=1199 Product_ID=9051
SIOCGIFFLAGS: No such device
Mesh is DISABLED on this device.
drvlog_mod: module license 'Proprietary' taints kernel.
AP xml model 63, num_radios 2 (jiffies 38615)
init_asap_mod: installation:0
radio 0: band 1 ant 0 max_ssid 16
radio 1: band 0 ant 0 max_ssid 16
election init: rand=14 HZ=500
IAP client match init
ethernet_device_event: dev eth0 is up
notify asap_mod 3g present...
Starting watchdog process...

Here's the output of show cellular status:

Demo-RAP-109# show cellular status

cellular status
---------------
card detect link
---- ------ ----
Present detect-ok Linkdown

USB Modem Information
---------------------
Parameter Value
--------- -----
Manufacturer Sierra
Product AirCard 340U
Serial Number 013323000912288
Driver sierra
Vendor ID 1199
Product ID 9051

All of this output is with the ethernet plugged in. Below is the same output but with it booted without ethernet:

init usb modem ...
CSLIP: code copyright 1989 Regents of the University of California
PPP generic driver version 2.4.2
drivers/usb/serial/usb-serial.c: USB Serial support registered for generic
drivers/usb/serial/usb-serial.c: USB Serial Driver core
SCSI subsystem initialized
usb_storage: Ignoring new-style parameters in presence of obsolete ones
Initializing USB Mass Storage driver...
USB Mass Storage support registered.
Port Status 1c000004
ath-ehci ath-ehci.0: ATH EHCI
ehci_reset Intialize USB CONTROLLER in host mode: 13
ehci_reset Port Status 1c000000
ath-ehci ath-ehci.0: new USB bus registered, assigned bus number 1
ath-ehci ath-ehci.0: irq 3, io mem 0x1b000000
ehci_reset Intialize USB CONTROLLER in host mode: 13
ehci_reset Port Status 1c000000
ath-ehci ath-ehci.0: USB 2.0 started, EHCI 1.00, driver 10 Dec 2004
USB Device: 0x00000000
USB Product: ATH EHCI
USB Manufacturer: Linux 2.6.16 ehci_hcd
USB SerialNumber: ath-ehci.0
usb usb1: c->desc.bMaxPower 0, udev->busmA 0
usb usb1: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
hub 1-0:1.0: USB hub found
hub 1-0:1.0: 1 port detected
usb 1-1: new high speed USB device using ath-ehci and address 2
usb 1-1: config 1 has an invalid interface number: 9 but max is 0
usb 1-1: config 1 has no interface number 0
usb 1-1: config 2 has an invalid interface number: 12 but max is 1
usb 1-1: config 2 has an invalid interface number: 13 but max is 1
usb 1-1: config 2 has an invalid interface number: 13 but max is 1
usb 1-1: config 2 has no interface number 0
usb 1-1: config 2 has no interface number 1
USB Device: 0x11990fff
USB Product: AirCard 340U
USB Manufacturer: Sierra Wireless, Incorporated
USB SerialNumber: 013323000912288
usb 1-1: c->desc.bMaxPower 250, udev->busmA 500
usb 1-1: configuration #1 chosen from 2 choices
usb-storage: device ignored
USB Plugged in: Vendor_ID=1199 Product_ID=0fff
modeswitch the usb 1-1: usbfs: process 1280 (usb_modeswitch) did not claim interface 9 before use
Netgear/Sierra modem

* usb_modeswitch: tool for controlling "flip flop" mode USB devices
* Version 1.0.3 (C) Josua Dietze 2009
* Works with libusb 0.1.12 and probably other versions

Looking for default devices ...
Found default devices (1)
Accessing device 002 on bus 001 ...
Using endpoints 0x01 (out) and 0x81 (in)
Inquiring device details; driver will be detached ...
Looking for active driver ...
No driver found. Either detached before or never attached
Could not claim interface (error -2). Skipping device inquiry

Device description data (identification)
-------------------------
Manufacturer: Sierra Wireless, Incorporated
Product: AirCard 340U
Serial No.: 013323000912288
-------------------------
Trying to send Sierra control message
OK, Sierra control message sent
-> Run lsusb to note any changes. Bye.

usb 1-1: USB disconnect, address 2
usb 1-1: new high speed USB device using ath-ehci and address 3
usb 1-1: config 1 has an invalid interface number: 8 but max is 4
usb 1-1: config 1 has an invalid interface number: 9 but max is 4
usb 1-1: config 1 has no interface number 1
usb 1-1: config 1 has no interface number 4
usb 1-1: config 2 has an invalid interface number: 12 but max is 1
usb 1-1: config 2 has an invalid interface number: 13 but max is 1
usb 1-1: config 2 has an invalid interface number: 13 but max is 1
usb 1-1: config 2 has no interface number 0
usb 1-1: config 2 has no interface number 1
USB Device: 0x11999051
USB Product: AirCard 340U
USB Manufacturer: Sierra Wireless, Incorporated
USB SerialNumber: 013323000912288
usb 1-1: c->desc.bMaxPower 250, udev->busmA 500
usb 1-1: c->desc.bMaxPower 250, udev->busmA 500
usb 1-1: configuration #2 chosen from 2 choices
USB is not provisoned mannually, goto automatic provision.
parse pre_devid 0x11990fff isp 0 country 0 apcountrycode US
parse file /aruba/conf/ModemParams.xml, start with 0, productid is 0x11990fff, isp 0, country 0
find devid 0x11990fff
find multiple device id, please input isp or country to identify a unique parameter.
parsing by AP country code
parse file /aruba/conf/ModemParams.xml, start with 0, productid is 0x11990fff, isp 0, country US
does not find deviceid, please input advanced usb-modem parameter.
parsing the conflicting list
convert usb type from sierra-gobi to 51
automatic provision success.
USB is provisioned
usb_storage: Ignoring new-style parameters in presence of obsolete ones
Initializing USB Mass Storage driver...
storage: ignoring vendor id 0x1199 and device id 0x9051
usb-storage: device ignored
usb-storage: device ignored
USB Mass Storage support registered.
drivers/usb/serial/usb-serial.c: USB Serial support registered for GobiSerial
GobiSerial: probe of 1-1:2.12 failed with error -32
GobiSerial: probe of 1-1:2.13 failed with error -32
GobiSerial: 2011-07-29-1026/SWI_2.7
Doing usb_modeswitch -v 1199 -p 0fff -S 1

* usb_modeswitch: tool for controlling "flip flop" mode USB devices
* Version 1.0.3 (C) Josua Dietze 2009
* Works with libusb 0.1.12 and probably other versions

Looking for default devices ...
No default device found. Is it connected? Bye.

Sierra modem. doing a mode switch

* usb_modeswitch: tool for controlling "flip flop" mode USB devices
* Version 1.0.3 (C) Josua Dietze 2009
* Works with libusb 0.1.12 and probably other versions

Looking for default devices ...
No default device found. Is it connected? Bye.

drivers/usb/serial/usb-serial.c: USB Serial deregistering driver GobiSerial
sierra:adding vendor id 0x1199 and device id 0x9051
drivers/usb/serial/usb-serial.c: USB Serial support registered for Sierra USB modem
sierra 1-1:2.12: Sierra USB modem converter detected
usb 1-1: Sierra USB modem converter now attached to ttyUSB0
sierra 1-1:2.13: Sierra USB modem converter detected
usb 1-1: Sierra USB modem converter now attached to ttyUSB1
drivers/usb/serial/sierra.c: USB Driver for Sierra Wireless USB modems: v.1.7.40
USB Plugged in: Vendor_ID=1199 Product_ID=9051
SIOCGIFFLAGS: No such device

Demo-RAP-109# show cellular status

cellular status
---------------
card detect link
---- ------ ----
Present detect-ok Linkdown

USB Modem Information
---------------------
Parameter Value
--------- -----
Manufacturer Sierra
Product AirCard 340U
Serial Number 013323000912288
Driver sierra
Vendor ID 1199
Product ID 9051

Went ahead and put in a TAC case to get a quick look at this. Will post resolution once we find it.

I've got the answer. The issue basically requires an update to the 340U via a utility that can be run in Windows 7 from Netgear. You can contact TAC and they can most likely get you the installer. Once this is run against the 340U it will function as expected when plugged into a supported instant device. This is bug ID 102807 in the release notes.

I went through this exact thing last month. After updating the modem it came online. I am curently experiencing really slow connections with it though. What has been your experience?  What parameters did you use in the provisioning profile for the modem?

I didn't notice anything particularly slow when I was doing testing, however I did not use any special provisioning settings once I got it updated. Since I'm using it with InstantOS I just let it auto-detect afterwards.

Did you test the air card on a laptop to see if you got the same results? How many users were associated to the AP that was using it? I usually see ~15/15 with AT&T on LTE.

Support is actually who input the USB Device identifier and USB Device Type. I think it was before we ran the update to the Netgear firmware.  I havent tried yet I am hoping leaving it plug and play will work and get better results.

Using the aircard in a laptop yields around 30mbs download speed on speedtest. Going through the AP gets me between 1 and 2mbs. Which is too slow for our testing. I was worried about changing these back to default because the RAPs dont have access to LAN at all due to company policy. This is a testing setup and 1mb is too slow for what we are doing. So now that I know someone has it working without those parameters I am going to try it.

What types of speeds are you getting?