Asus RT-AC66U_B1 H/W B2 Huawei K4505 & ZTE MF821 NOT working

[davss]

Hi,

I've been pulling my hair on this router as it's not working with a dongle that's even natively supported and included in listed in Merlin USB modem devices! I managed to get Dual WAN working with an Android phone only so far.

I have a locked Vodafone K4505 dongle/modem with a Vodafone PayGo SIM which just topped up. I am able to access the internet when insert the sim into Android phone connected to the router and Dual WAN is working through this phone. As soon as I connect the dongle directly to USB3 with this SIM an set correct settings it's not working as per error at the bottom.

1.
Router: ASUS RT-AC-66U
Model: B1
H/W: B2
Latest Firmware Version:384.5

2.
USB Modem 3G (listed in Merlin devices - DOESN'T WORK)
Huawei Vodafone K4505
Revision: 11.828.03.01.11
VMC Lite: 9.4.5.19931
Locked
Discovered by the router
flashing blue but did green as well

3.
USB Modem 4G (NOT listed in Merlin devices - DOESN'T WORK)
ZTE MF821
Revision: 11.828.03.01.11
VMC Lite: 9.4.5.19931
Unlocked
Discovered by the router

Both modems are connecting (unlocked using different SIMs) when using on Windows 7 Pro x64 through native apps installed from dongles. Used the same APN settings were used on both mobile that connects fine and router.

I have tried setting modem vendor to Auto, reset router to factory settings and configured using Wizard but no joy...

Full LOG file: https://webcoder.eu/asus.txt

Feb 14 00:00:34 iTunes: daemon is stopped
Feb 14 00:00:34 FTP_Server: daemon is stopped
Feb 14 00:00:35 Samba_Server: smb daemon is stopped
Feb 14 00:00:35 kernel: gro disabled
Feb 14 00:00:35 Timemachine: daemon is stopped
Feb 14 00:00:37 kernel: usb 2-1: new high speed USB device using ehci_hcd and address 3
Feb 14 00:00:37 kernel: scsi2 : usb-storage 2-1:1.4
Feb 14 00:00:37 kernel: scsi3 : usb-storage 2-1:1.5
Feb 14 00:00:38 kernel: scsi 2:0:0:0: CD-ROM            Vodafone CD ROM (Huawei)  2.31 PQ: 0 ANSI: 2
Feb 14 00:00:38 kernel: scsi 2:0:0:0: Attached scsi generic sg0 type 5
Feb 14 00:00:38 kernel: scsi 3:0:0:0: Direct-Access     Vodafone Storage (Huawei) 2.31 PQ: 0 ANSI: 2
Feb 14 00:00:38 kernel: sd 3:0:0:0: Attached scsi generic sg1 type 0
Feb 14 00:00:38 kernel: sd 3:0:0:0: [sda] Attached SCSI removable disk
Feb 14 00:00:40 kernel: usbcore: registered new interface driver usbserial
Feb 14 00:00:40 kernel: USB Serial support registered for generic
Feb 14 00:00:40 kernel: usbcore: registered new interface driver usbserial_generic
Feb 14 00:00:40 kernel: usbserial: USB Serial Driver core
Feb 14 00:00:40 kernel: option: `0x12d1 product=0x1464' invalid for parameter `vendor'
Feb 14 00:00:40 kernel: option: `0x12d1 product=0x1464' invalid for parameter `vendor'
Feb 14 00:00:40 syslog: can't load module option (kernel/drivers/usb/option.ko): Invalid argument
Feb 14 00:00:40 syslog: can't load module option (kernel/drivers/usb/option.ko): Invalid argument
Feb 14 00:00:45 kernel: TCP: time wait bucket table overflow

 

[davss]

BTW - I see the same error for both modems... why so many people have to struggle with DWAN...

 

[davss]

admin@RT-AC66U_B1-EFD8:/lib/modules/2.6.36.4brcmarm/kernel/drivers/usb# lsmod 

Module                  Size  Used by    Tainted: P  

usb_wwan                5795  0 

usbserial              23658  1 usb_wwan

usblp                  10321  0 

thfsplus               81793  0 

tntfs                 454497  0 

tfat                  188546  0 

ext2                   52776  0 

ext4                  221674  0 

jbd2                   48993  1 ext4

crc16                   1007  1 ext4

ext3                  106409  0 

jbd                    42367  1 ext3

mbcache                 4599  3 ext2,ext4,ext3

usb_storage            34290  0 

sg                     19855  0 

sd_mod                 21983  0 

scsi_wait_scan           416  0 

scsi_mod              108738  3 usb_storage,sg,sd_mod

ip6t_LOG                4494  2 

ip6table_filter          750  1 

jffs2                  91274  1 

zlib_deflate           19489  1 jffs2

cdc_mbim                3137  0 

qmi_wwan                5816  0 

cdc_wdm                 7252  2 cdc_mbim,qmi_wwan

cdc_ncm                 8762  1 cdc_mbim

rndis_host              5216  0 

cdc_ether               4036  1 rndis_host

asix                   10856  0 

cdc_acm                12614  0 

usbnet                 11900  6 cdc_mbim,qmi_wwan,cdc_ncm,rndis_host,cdc_ether,asix

mii                     3367  2 asix,usbnet

ohci_hcd               17926  0 

ehci_hcd               32382  0 

xhci_hcd               51132  0 

usbcore               102572 17 usb_wwan,usbserial,usblp,usb_storage,cdc_mbim,qmi_wwan,cdc_wdm,cdc_ncm,rndis_host,cdc_ether,asix,cdc_acm,usbnet,ohci_hcd,ehci_hcd,xhci_hcd

nf_nat_pptp             1602  0 

nf_conntrack_pptp       3355  1 nf_nat_pptp

nf_nat_proto_gre         887  1 nf_nat_pptp

nf_conntrack_proto_gre     3296  1 nf_conntrack_pptp

nf_nat_ftp              1144  0 

nf_conntrack_ftp        4909  1 nf_nat_ftp

wl                   4196356  0 

dpsta                   5900  1 wl

et                     64696  0 

igs                    11887  1 wl

emf                    15225  2 wl,igs

ctf                    20875  0


admin@RT-AC66U_B1-EFD8:/lib/modules/2.6.36.4brcmarm/kernel/drivers/usb# ll
drwxr-xr-x    2 admin    root            34 May 13  2018 Beceem_driver/
-rw-rw-r--    1 admin    root         27780 May 13  2018 cdc-acm.ko
-rw-rw-r--    1 admin    root         15988 May 13  2018 cdc-wdm.ko
-rw-rw-r--    1 admin    root         48324 May 13  2018 ehci-hcd.ko
drwxrwxr-x    2 admin    root            32 May 13  2018 mon/
-rw-rw-r--    1 admin    root         29684 May 13  2018 ohci-hcd.ko
-rw-rw-r--    1 admin    root         47176 May 13  2018 option.ko
-rw-rw-r--    1 admin    root         72124 May 13  2018 usb-storage.ko
-rw-rw-r--    1 admin    root         13480 May 13  2018 usb_wwan.ko
-rw-rw-r--    1 admin    root        154332 May 13  2018 usbcore.ko
-rw-rw-r--    1 admin    root         21164 May 13  2018 usblp.ko
-rw-rw-r--    1 admin    root         43584 May 13  2018 usbserial.ko
-rw-rw-r--    1 admin    root         69072 May 13  2018 xhci-hcd.ko
admin@RT-AC66U_B1-EFD8:/lib/modules/2.6.36.4brcmarm/kernel/drivers/usb#

 

[davss]

Got it WORKING!!!!

There is a bug namely incorrect path set in a script loading modules which is looking for option.ko module in /lib/modules/kernel/usb/ which doesn't exist. The problem is that the root filing system is Read-only (more info on JFFS https://github.com/RMerl/asuswrt-merlin/wiki/User-scripts) and thus won't allow you to copy across modules, create a symlink or edit config to point to correct location.

STEPS to get it working:

1. Log into router's admin panel using admin user then go to Administration > System and set:

'Enable JFFS custom scripts and configs' => 'Yes'
'Enable SSH' => 'LAN only'

2. Save these options and router will restart briefly services. Then

3. Using ssh login (native on Mac/Linux or any ssh client on PC) to your router:

(Mac/Linux - replace your IP address after @ if necessary)

$ ssh admin@192.168.1.1

4. When logged in check your modules path by typing (without the $ sign):

$ls /lib/modules

then pressing TAB key should show available folders in the tree. You will need to locate option.ko file in usb folder - example:

$ll /lib/modules/2.6.36.4brcmarm/kernel/drivers/usb/option.ko

5. Once you know the corect path to folder that contains option.ko file copy the path somewhere (CTRL+C) and create a new file:

$vi /jffs/scripts/services-start

press letter i and paste (CTRL+V) or retype the below amending the path accordingly e.g. '2.6.36.4brcmarm' bit in particular that's on my RT-AC66U:

### FILE CONTENTS START - skip this line

#!/bin/sh
cd /lib/modules/2.6.36.4brcmarm/kernel/drivers/usb/
/sbin/modprobe option.ko

### FILE CONTENTS END - skip this line

hit ESC key then type :wq and press enter to exit vi file editor with save

6. Change permissions to make the file executable:

$chmod a+rx /jffs/scripts/services-start

7. You can run the script manually:

$/jffs/scripts/services-start

8, or reboot the router. When it boots up, if you have Dual WAN enabled with USB enabled as primary or backup then it'll automatically switch over to it. Be patient as it takes some time.

You can view modem communication using command 'tail -f /tmp/usb.log' or 'cat /tmp/usb.log'.

I topped up my EE account and the connection has been on for over 24h now so looking pretty stable. You may experience problems with low network coverage so to save your time buy different sim card providers, test on a phone first to see whether they connect to the internet and there is decent 3-5 bars so you don't waste your time troubleshooting problems caused by it. Also, make sure you have enough credit.

BTW - the ZTE MF821 still doesn't work and only Huawei K4505 is connecting solid after the above fix.

 

[RMerlin]

There is a bug namely incorrect path set in a script loading modules which is looking for option.ko module in /lib/modules/kernel/usb/ which doesn't exist.

What script? I don't see any script loading that module here.

Path is irrelevant here, modprobe will look through the regular module location, you don't need to provide any path.

admin@Stargate88:/tmp/home/root# modprobe option
admin@Stargate88:/tmp/home/root# lsmod | grep option
option                 15454  0 
usb_wwan                5795  1 option
usbserial              23658  2 option,usb_wwan
usbcore               103736 18 option,usb_wwan,usbserial,usblp,usb_storage,cdc_mbim,qmi_wwan,cdc_wdm,cdc_ncm,rndis_host,cdc_ether,asix,cdc_acm,usbnet,ohci_hcd,ehci_hcd,xhci_hcd
admin@Stargate88:/tmp/home/root#

 

[davss]

What script? I don't see any script loading that module here.

Path is irrelevant here, modprobe will look through the regular module location, you don't need to provide any path.

admin@Stargate88:/tmp/home/root# modprobe option
admin@Stargate88:/tmp/home/root# lsmod | grep option
option                 15454  0
usb_wwan                5795  1 option
usbserial              23658  2 option,usb_wwan
usbcore               103736 18 option,usb_wwan,usbserial,usblp,usb_storage,cdc_mbim,qmi_wwan,cdc_wdm,cdc_ncm,rndis_host,cdc_ether,asix,cdc_acm,usbnet,ohci_hcd,ehci_hcd,xhci_hcd
admin@Stargate88:/tmp/home/root#

Here:

Feb 14 00:00:40 kernel: usbcore: registered new interface driver usbserial_generic
Feb 14 00:00:40 kernel: usbserial: USB Serial Driver core
Feb 14 00:00:40 kernel: option: `0x12d1 product=0x1464' invalid for parameter `vendor'
Feb 14 00:00:40 kernel: option: `0x12d1 product=0x1464' invalid for parameter `vendor'
Feb 14 00:00:40 syslog: can't load module option (kernel/drivers/usb/option.ko): Invalid argument
Feb 14 00:00:40 syslog: can't load module option (kernel/drivers/usb/option.ko): Invalid argument

You might be right and it could be some invalid parameters in module load script (not sure where it's auto-loading modules) that cause the issue because it's clearly not loaded during boot or when you plug in USB modem. It starts to work fine as soon as you manually load the option.ko. I'll leave it to fix for those who are more familiar with router firmware - I am not. Thanks for pointing this out - the workaround might be more flexible without providing exact path to the module and use system defined instead (if working so test first).

Cheers, David

 

[RMerlin]

I have fixes lined up for the 384.6 release.

https://github.com/RMerl/asuswrt-merlin.ng/commit/1b57fcdfd66284d0616a33fbd842ca0c9067bd52
https://github.com/RMerl/asuswrt-merlin.ng/commit/e2600a9bf7884657dc995e88e1776674eb070e8e

 

[NoSync]

Here:

Feb 14 00:00:40 kernel: usbcore: registered new interface driver usbserial_generic
Feb 14 00:00:40 kernel: usbserial: USB Serial Driver core
Feb 14 00:00:40 kernel: option: `0x12d1 product=0x1464' invalid for parameter `vendor'
Feb 14 00:00:40 kernel: option: `0x12d1 product=0x1464' invalid for parameter `vendor'
Feb 14 00:00:40 syslog: can't load module option (kernel/drivers/usb/option.ko): Invalid argument
Feb 14 00:00:40 syslog: can't load module option (kernel/drivers/usb/option.ko): Invalid argument

You might be right and it could be some invalid parameters in module load script (not sure where it's auto-loading modules) that cause the issue because it's clearly not loaded during boot or when you plug in USB modem. It starts to work fine as soon as you manually load the option.ko. I'll leave it to fix for those who are more familiar with router firmware - I am not. Thanks for pointing this out - the workaround might be more flexible without providing exact path to the module and use system defined instead (if working so test first).

Cheers, David

This is how I had fixed it on my RT-AC68U: https://www.snbforums.com/index.php...384.3-and-Sierra-Wireless-AirCard-320U.44718/

I’ve since switched to an RT-AC86U and, probably because of the new kernel, everything works fine out of the box.

 

[davss]

I thought I'd post it so others know - many thanks RMerlin!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: SmallNetBuilder Forums <admin@snbforums.com>
Date: 25 June 2018 at 18:30
Subject: Asus RT-AC66U_B1 H/W B2 Huawei K4505 & ZTE MF821 NOT working - New reply to watched thread
To: davss <web@davss.com>


SmallNetBuilder Forums
davss, RMerlin replied to a thread you are watching at SmallNetBuilder Forums.

Asus RT-AC66U_B1 H/W B2 Huawei K4505 & ZTE MF821 NOT working
RMerlin
I have fixes lined up for the 384.6 release.

https://github.com/RMerl/asuswrt-merlin.ng/commit/1b57fcdfd66284d0616a33fbd842ca0c9067bd52
https://github.com/RMerl/asuswrt-merlin.ng/commit/e2600a9bf7884657dc995e88e1776674eb070e8e

 

[RMerlin]

I thought I'd post it so others know - many thanks RMerlin!

That's what I wrote in post #7.