Notes on installation of USB ADSL modems under Ubuntu.

Intro

USB is far from the ideal medium for network access, if you can get your hands on an ethernet modem you may save yourself some trouble. If you have a modem that can connect both via USB and ethernet you should use the ethernet connection. The number of disadvantages and problems using USB modems compared using ethernet based solutions have led some to state that USB could stand for Un Suitable for Broadband.

Why USB modems are not ideal

For general understanding, we will first try to explain why most USB ADSL modems don't work in a new installation of Ubuntu.

a. Ubuntu, and probably all other Linux operating systems assume that the network connection runs over an ethernet card in the computer. This is based on very old, tried and tested technology, which tends to be very stable. Most home computers and business PC's have an ethernet card, which provides easy, reliable connection to the network.

b. When you choose an interner provider, normally you also get the hardware to set up the internet connection. Half the time you will get an ethernet modem, and maybe even an ethernet card, in the other cases (often the more economic contracts) you get an USB ADSL modem.

c. All hardware that you connect with your PC through USB needs hardware-specific software. Most (frequent) drivers that are free and not licensed are in the standard Ubuntu installation. E.g. the Alcatel speedtouch USB modem driver is preinstalled. However, the driver for many USB DSL modems are not installed. For example if a modem contains a 'conexant' chip, whose driver is 'commercial' and licensed it is not installed in Ubuntu.

To get the USB modem working, two things need to be achieved:

1. Linux must be extended with software to control the modem, you need to get so-called drivers.
2. The ethernet 'talk' of Linux needs to be bridged to the modem and its connection to the network

Installing your USB ADSL modem

Consult the page that concerns your specific type of modem :

• [:UsbAdslModem/SpeedTouchHowto] - Speedtouch

• [:UsbAdslModem/e-techV2] - e-tech V2
• [:UsbAdslModem/ueagle-atm] - Sagem Fast 800, Comtrend ct 350 etc. All modems that use the eagle-usb I, II or III

• [:UsbAdslModem/EciAdsl] - ECI HiFocus and Globespan based modems etc.

See also

More support for installing a USB modem can be found at:

• [http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=189972#post189972]

• [http://forum.eagle-usb.org/]

• [http://eciadsl.flashtux.org/]