Getting an Rconnect card working in linux

Well I thought this would be pretty difficult but turned out a lot simpler though.

First the specs
I am using a Dell D620 laptop with the Rconnect card in my PCMCI slot. I specifically told the Reliance guys to get me a card that works for Linux and they gave me a Huawei one . The normal ZTE cards they give don't work with linux AFAIK. Nevertheless the drivers you get with the Huawei card are still for Windoze. But don't worry, if you are using the latest kernel it will get detected automatically. For the record, mine is 2.6.9-42.13 thats RHEL 4.

Now su as root. open vi and create this small script file say rconnect in your directory.
[root@nmoidu ~]# cat rconnect
sudo modprobe usbserial vendor=0x12d1 product=0x1001
mknod /dev/ttyUSB0 c 188 0
mknod /dev/ttyUSB1 c 188 1

Then set permissions for this to be executable.

Now for the modem properties and details of the dialup parameters, configure this file as below :

[root@nmoidu sysconfig]# cat /etc/wvdial.conf
[Modem0]
Modem = /dev/ttyUSB0
Baud = 115200
SetVolume = 0
Dial Command = ATDT
Init1 = ATZ
Init3 = ATM0
FlowControl = NOFLOW
[Dialer Rconnect]
Username = 93293292323
Password = 932939392323
Phone = #777
Stupid Mode = 1
Init1 = ATZ
Init2 = ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0
Inherits = Modem0
[root@nmoidu sysconfig]#

Then add this file to setup the network parameters of the Rconnect interface.
[root@nmoidu ~]# cat /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-Rconnect
# Please read /usr/share/doc/initscripts-*/sysconfig.txt
# for the documentation of these parameters.
ONBOOT=no
USERCTL=yes
PEERDNS=yes
TYPE=Modem
DEVICE=ppp0
BOOTPROTO=dialup
AC=off
BSDCOMP=off
VJCCOMP=off
CCP=off
PC=off
VJ=off
LINESPEED=115200
MODEMPORT=/dev/ttyUSB0
PROVIDER=Rconnect
DEFROUTE=yes
PERSIST=no
PAPNAME=93293293293# Change this no...:)
WVDIALSECT=Rconnect
MODEMNAME=Modem0
DEMAND=no
IPV6INIT=no
IDLETIMEOUT=600
[root@nmoidu ~]#

Customize each script and file according to the specifics in your machine like the device name and your phone no. etc. Run a dmesg to see under what device name your card is detected .
Now Run the script rconnect twice. Then do an ifup Rconnect.
Btw you'll have to call up Reliance and ask them to activate the card first and then the first connection will have to be done from a Windoze machine using the Rconnect software. Thats the unavoidable world of Windows . You have to live with it ;) .
Now once you are connected, browse , enjoy........


Alternately you can do it using the GUI too.
Create the rconnect script, run it.
Then open system-config-network . Add a new modem connection. Set the provider name to Reliance. Give no. to be dialled as #777. Enter your mob. no and password . Leave the other parameters as it is.
Follow the wizard and create the the new connection. Activate the new device from the GUI. Thats it.

In case of issues, Pls let me know. Leave a comment or mail me.