Overview

This article describes the configuration of a Local Manager with a cellular modem.

Before following the steps in this guide, ensure you have already completed Getting Started with Cellular Modems.

Resource Configuration

Log into the Local Manager and access the modem resource using the modem command. Embedded modems should automatically configure the appropriate carrier settings for most modems. Others must be configured with the config init command before the cellular modem can be used. When prompted for make, use cellular.

[admin@LantronixLM]# modem
embedded

[admin@LantronixLM (modem)]# config init
 This device has already been initialized.
Would you like to reinitialize it? (y/n): y
--- Enter New Values ---
description: []: <good place for assigned IP address or 10 digit phone number> 107.80.100.112  
make: [embedded]: cellular  
serial bit rate [115200]:   
serial data bit [8]:   
serial parity [none]:   
serial stop bit [1]:   
serial flow control [none]:   
Enable Out-of-Band Sharing: (y/n) [n]  
Do you want to commit these changes? (y/n): y  
Testing login will take a few moments...  
Login successful; credentials are valid.  

Configure Carrier (LTE CAT 4 Combo / MNA-1 Modems ONLY)

MCT-MNA1 and MTD-MNA1 modems use a cellular radio with dual firmware, meaning the device can connect to two different carrier networks (not simultaneously). The modem can operate on either Verzion or AT&T/other networks. Modems are factory defaulted for AT&T/other, but may be configured by Lantronix prior to shipment.

This section applies to the following parts only:

• 61-5009-40 - Verizon CAT4 for 500/5000
• 61-5009-43 - AT&T CAT4 for 500/5000
• 88-CAT4VA - Verizon for LM80/LM83X
• 88-CAT4ATTA - AT&T for LM80/LM83X

To check that your modem is configured for the desired network:

Open a terminal session with the modem, and run the following command:

AT#FWSWITCH?

If the response is #FWSWITCH: 0, the modem is configured for AT&T/other network. If the response is #FWSWITCH: 1, the modem is configured for Verizon.

To switch carrier networks:

From AT&T to Verizon:

AT#FWSWITCH=1,1

From Verizon to AT&T:

AT#FWSWITCH=0,1

Testing Connectivity

Use the pull tech command and subsequently the show tech to view current modem state.

[admin@LantronixLM (modem)]# pull tech  
Checking Modem Model  
Checking IMEI / Modem Serial Number  
Checking Modem Firmware Version  
Checking Modem Functionality Mode  
Checking Network Registration Status  
Checking Packet Service Type  
Checking SIM Status  
Checking ICCID / SIM Card Number  
Checking Serving Cell Information  
Checking International Mobile Subscriber Identity  
Checking Mobile Directory Number  
Checking PDP Context  
Checking 3G Status  
Pull tech completed and saved as current. 

[admin@LantronixLM (modem)]# show tech

Modem Model (ATI4):LE910-NAG  
IMEI / Modem Serial Number (AT+CGSN): 358942053034985  
Modem Firmware Version (AT+CGMR):  17.00.503  
Modem Functionality Mode (AT+CFUN?): Mobile full functions with power saving disabled. (1)  
Network Registration Status (AT+CGREG?): Registered, home network. (0,1)  
Packet Service Type (AT#PSNT?): Unsolicited result code disabled. (0)  LTE network. (4)  
SIM Status (AT#QSS?): SIM INSERTED. (0,1)  
ICCID / SIM Card Number (AT#CCID): 89014103761238227  
Network Operator Name (AT#SERVINFO): AT&T  
Signal Strength (AT#SERVINFO):  (-86) dBm.  
Mobile Country Code (AT+CIMI):    310  
Mobile Network Code (AT+CIMI):    410  
Mobile Subscriber Identification Number (AT+CIMI): 906743222  
Mobile Directory Number (AT+CNUM):15125551211  
PDP Context (AT+CGDCONT?):  
    1,"IP","broadband","",0,0  
    2,"IPV4V6","ims","",0,0  
    3,"IPV4V6","sos","",0,0  
3G Status (AT#RFSTS):  
    "310 410",2225,-116,-86,-8,700D,1,,128,19,0,00001D7,"310410906958822","AT&T",3,4  
    Network-LTE (16)  
    Country code and operator code: "310 410" (MCC, MNC)  
    E-UTRA Assigned Radio Channel: DL=2,137.5 MHz, UL=1,737.5 MHz (2225)  
    Reference Signal Received Power: -116  
    Received Signal Strength Indication: -86  
    Reference Signal Received Quality: -8  
    Tracking Area Code: 700D  
    Routing Area Code: 1  
    Tx Power: -  
    Discontinuous reception cycle Length: 128 ms  
    Mobility Management: IDLE (19)  
    Radio Resource Control: INACTIVE (0)  
    Cell ID: 00001D7  
    International Mobile Station ID: "3104109068765432"  
    Operation Name: "AT&T"  
    Service Domain: CS+PS (3)  
    Active Band: AWS-1 (4)

Use the terminal command to ensure a good connection with the modem. After establishing a console session, AT commands like ATZ or AT+CSQ should return 'OK'.

[admin@LantronixLM (modem)]# terminal
Press ~[ENTER] to exit
Connecting ...
Console session started.
atz
OK
at+csq
+CSQ: 21,0
OK

To determine if the modem is properly connecting to the cellular network, use the AT+CGREG? command. The network registration status is also listed in the show tech output. The command will return one of the following responses:

• 0,0 - The modem is not registered on any network
• 0,1 - The modem is registered on the home network
• 0,2 - The modem is not connected to the network
• 0,3 - The modem is not connected to the network
• 0,5 - The modem is registered on a network and it is roaming

For proper operation, AT+CGREG? should respond with 0,1.

Configure Answer Settings

The config answer command allows you to specify device-specific information such as initialization string, phone number, and SIM card domain. If you will be using SMS-initiated PPP, the number and domain are required.

[admin@LantronixLocalManager (modem)]# config answer
[config answer]# number 5125551212
[config answer]# domain text.provider.net  
[config answer]# exit  

Note that text.provider.net will need to be substituted for the SMS domain used by your provider.

Verify your settings with the show answer command.

[admin@LantronixLocalManager (modem)]# show answer  
disabled  
SLV suspended when PPP on  
answer after 3 rings  
number 5125551212  
domain text.provider.net  

Configure APN

Unless your carrier provisions the modem Over the Air (OTA), the APN on the SIM will need to be set with your provider's custom APN designation. Think of it as a speed dial where the APN is the number and the PPP process dials entry 1. You should get this information from your cell provider account representative. The APN can also be entered in the Control Center in either the modem settings for the hierarchy group or in the individual Local Manager's modem settings page.

Version 6.0

To configure the APN on a modem, use the config apn command.

[admin@LantronixLM (modem)]# config apn
Cellular APN: provider.apn.com

Common APN values:

• AT&T: BROADBAND, i2gold
• T-Mobile: fast.t-mobile.com
• Verizon: vzwinternet

Version 5.5 and lower

To configure the APN(s) on a modem, open a terminal session and use the AT+CGDCONT command.

For Verizon modems (enter all 3):

AT+CGDCONT=1,"IPV4V6","vzwims"
AT+CGDCONT=2,"IPV4V6","vzwadmin"
AT+CGDCONT=3,"IPV4V6","provider.apn.com"

For AT&T modems:

AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","provider.apn.com"

For both types of modems, note that provider.apn.com will need to be replaced with your provider's custom APN designation.

Exit the terminal session then check that the APN has been set using the show apn command.

[admin@LantronixLM (modem)]# show apn  
Cellular APN: provider.apn.com 

Configure Initialization String (if required)

The initialization string can be used to designate the APN of your service provider for use with PPP. However, this method is no longer necessary/recommended as of LMS version 5.4. See the previous Configure APN section if you are running 5.4 or later.

Use the config answer command to add an initialization string.

For 5.4 and later:

[admin@U500 (modem)]# config answer
[config answer]# init "" ATZ
[config answer]# exit

For 5.3 and prior:

[admin@U500 (modem)]# config answer
[config answer]# init "" ATZ OK AT+CGDCONT=1,\"IP\",\"provider.apn.com\"
[config answer]# exit

Note: The quotes used in the AT+CGDCONT command require the "\" escape character.

Note: CDMA modems do not require the APN designation command "AT+CGDCONT" for proper operation. If you are using a CDMA modem, please use this alternate init string:

[config answer]# init "" ATZ
[config answer]# exit

Verify your settings with the show answer command.

[admin@U500 (modem)]# show answer
disabled
SLV suspended when PPP on
init "" ATZ OK AT+CGDCONT=1,\"IP\",\"provider.apn.com\"
answer after 3 rings
number 5125551212
domain text.provider.net

Please note that provider.apn.com will need to be replaced with your provider's custom APN designation. You will be able to get this information from your cell provider account representative. In addition text.provider.net will need to be substituted for the text message domain used by your provider

Initialization Strings Explained

The initialization strings for cellular modems are more complex than typical V.92 modems. Below is a brief explanation of each element of the cellular-specific init string.

ATZ	Restores the default configuration of the modem.
AT+CGDCONT=1	Defines the use of PDP (packet Data Protocol) context, will be followed by connectivity type and APN.
"IP"	Sets the modem to use IP connectivity.
"provider.apn.com"	The APN designation set up by your provider

Set Modem Frequency (if required)

The modem's default quad-band mode may not work outside of North America. You may need to set the frequency to the appropriate mono-band to use the modem in other locations.

To check the current band: AT+WMBS?

To restore the modem to the default North America settings, use: AT+WMBS=7,1

The syntax of the command is AT+WMBS=(band),(param)

Supported Bands:

0	mono-band 850 MHz
1	mono-band 900 extended MHz (900E)
2	mono-band 1800 MHz
3	mono-band 1900 MHz
4	dual-band 850/1900 MHz
5	dual-band 900E / 1800 MHz
6	dual-band 900E / 1900 MHz
7	quad-band 850/900E/1800/1900 MHz

Parameters:

0	Default. The wireless modem must be reset to start using the specified band.
1	The change is effective immediately. The GSM stack is restarted on the specified band.

Configure PPP (Outband) Settings

Most Outband settings should be automatically configured on Local Manager startup. If not, they can be manually entered.

Out-of-band sharing, or tethering, can be enabled to forward traffic from most Local Manager Ethernet ports when Outband mode is active. Each port must be individually configured to forward traffic, and is ONLY configurable after this setting is enabled.

[admin@LantronixLocalManager (modem)]# config ppp  
--- Existing  Values ---  
Phone Number: *99***1#  
User Name:    
Password: ********   
Use Static IP Address: false   
Change these? (y/n) [n]: y  
--- Enter New Values ---  
Phone Number:[]: *99***1#  
User Name: []: username  
Password []: ********  
Confirm Password: ********  
Use Static IP Address: (y/n) [n]:   
Enable Out-of-Band Sharing: (y/n) [n]  
Do you want to commit these changes? (y/n): y  

Note: For CDMA and EV-DO modems, use #777 as the phone number. Consult your service provider for more information.

Configure SMS monitor for SMS-initiated PPP (outband)

The Lantronix Local Manager can be configured to monitor incoming SMS text messages (sent by the Control Center) to determine if it should establish an Outband connection. This can be accomplished with a modem monitor and a default rule named smsPppOn.

[admin@LantronixLM (modem)]# config monitor sms smsPppOn  
Job was scheduled 0: [Interval: 00:00:30 Mask: * * * * *] rulesMonitor sms none smsPppOn 30  

Testing SMS/Outband from Control Center

To initiate an outband connection from the Control Center, navigate to the local manager detail page and click on Schedule Task. From the drop-down task menu, select SMS Message and click Next. As of LMS 5.5, the only available option is PPP On. Click Next to send the SMS message.

Error Messages

Failed to send SMS message - SMS messages are sent using an e-mail to SMS gateway. To send messages, the Control Center must be properly configured to send e-mail. Check the SMTP settings under Administration -> Server Settings -> Mail Settings.

Note: SMS-initiated PPP is not currently supported for Verizon CDMA modems.

Testing Outband from Local Manager

To initiate an Outband connection from the Local Manager, navigate to the system or modem context and execute outband cycle duration. This will cycle the Outband connection for the default of 1 minute and return inband at the end of the minute.

[admin@LantronixLocalManager (modem)]# outband cycle duration  
Turning on Secondary Network  
PPP ...  
> CONNECT  
PPP Local Address: 107.80.100.112  
Out-of-Band is turned on.  
Waiting 1 minutes  
Waited 1 minutes; Out-of-Band is up  
Done waiting  
Turning off PPP  
Out-of-Band is turned off  
Out-of-Band Cycle: OK  

Using the similar option of heartbeat will additionally validate that Heartbeat successfully communicated over the outband connection.

[admin@LantronixLocalManager (modem)]# outband cycle heartbeat  
Out-of-Band Cycle: OK  

Note: If the Outband connection is not routable to the client workstation over ssh, the connection may hang or drop.

Note: If the appliance fails to establish an Outband connection, try populating the username and password fields in config ppp with arbitrary values. Some providers require a username and password to be sent, even if no authentication is taking place.

Testing Outband from Control Center

To initiate an Outband connection from the Control Center, navigate to the Local Manager detail page and click on Schedule Task. From the drop-down task menu, select PPP and click Next. Select the mode from the following screen:

Click Next to select the scheduled time/date. The default is the current time.

To validate, run show events events from the CLI or click "Events" on the UCC Web interface.

[admin@LantronixLM]# show events  
UCT       Context                Message  
-----     ------------------     ---------------------------------------  
11:58                            PPP is up. (107.80.100.112)   
11:58                            PPP is down.  
11:58                            PPP cycle heartbeat completed.

Troubleshooting

The following terminal commands may be useful in the troubleshooting of cellular modems. For more information about these commands, please consult the Multitech Support Portal.

AT+CCID

Returns the modem's CCID number.

AT+CFUN

Selects the mobile station's level of functionality.

AT+CFUN?    Query current functionality level
AT+CFUN=0   Set minimum functionality; run IMSI DETACH procedure
AT+CFUN=1   Set full functionality; restart GSM stack

AT+CGSN

Returns the modem's IMEI number.

AT+CMGL

Queries the modem for SMS messages.

AT+CMGL=0   Show unread messages
AT+CMGL=4   Show all messages
AT+CMGD=n   Delete message n

AT+CNUM

Returns the modem's phone number. Should match what is configured in config answer.

AT+COPS

Selects a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) acquisition method.

AT+COPS?    Queries for current PLMN
AT+COPS=?   Queries for PLMN list
AT+COPS=0   Set automatic mode (default)
AT+COPS=1   Set manual mode
AT+COPS=2   Deregister
AT+COPS=4   Set manual mode with fallback to automatic mode

AT+CPOF

Stops the GSM software stack as well as the hardware layer or modem activity.

AT+CPOF Stop the GSM stack
AT+CPOF=1   Stop the modem

ATD

Dials a phone number. Useful for testing dial-out capabilities.

ATE1

Turns on local echo.

AT+IPR

Sets the baud rate.

AT+IPR=<baud rate>  Set modem baud rate.

AT#RESET

Resets the modem.

AT#RESET=0  Reset the GSM stack and internal modem
AT#RESET=1  Reset the internal modem only

Configure Signal Strength Monitor (optional)

The Lantronix Local Manager can be configured to monitor the modem's signal strength and display it to the dashboard, as well as send alarms when functionality it denigrated.

To implement, copy and paste the below ruleset in its entirety into the system resource on the CLI and hit enter:

conf rule no CellularSignalQuality0
conf rule CellularSignalQuality0
description Cellular Signal QualityAt0
action alarm -a "Cellular Signal Quality below minimum"
action writeStatus Cell % is 0
conditions
modem.response matches "CSQ:\s0,"
exit
exit

conf rule no CellularSignalQuality1
conf rule CellularSignalQuality1
description Cellular Signal QualityAt1
action alarm -a "Cellular Signal Quality below minimum"
action writeStatus Cell % is 1
conditions
modem.response matches "CSQ\s1,"
exit
exit

conf rule no CellularSignalQuality2
conf rule CellularSignalQuality2
description Cellular Signal QualityAt2
action alarm -a "Cellular Signal Quality below minimum"
action writeStatus Cell % is 2
conditions
modem.response matches "CSQ:\s2,"
exit
exit

conf rule no CellularSignalQuality3
conf rule CellularSignalQuality3
description Cellular Signal QualityAt3
action alarm -a "Cellular Signal Quality below minimum"
action writeStatus Cell % is 3
conditions
modem.response matches "CSQ:\s3,"
exit
exit

conf rule no CellularSignalQuality4
conf rule CellularSignalQuality4
description Cellular Signal QualityAt4
action alarm -a "Cellular Signal Quality below minimum"
action writeStatus Cell % is 4
conditions
modem.response matches "CSQ:\s4,"
exit
exit

conf rule no CellularSignalQuality5
conf rule CellularSignalQuality5
description Cellular Signal QualityAt5
action alarm -a "Cellular Signal Quality below minimum"
action writeStatus Cell % is 5
conditions
modem.response matches "CSQ:\s5,"
exit
exit

conf rule no CellularSignalQuality6
conf rule CellularSignalQuality6
description Cellular Signal QualityAt6
action writeStatus Cell % is 6
conditions
modem.response matches "CSQ:\s6,"
exit
exit


conf rule no CellularSignalQuality7
conf rule CellularSignalQuality7
description Cellular Signal QualityAt7
action writeStatus Cell % is 7
conditions
modem.response matches "CSQ:\s7,"
exit
exit

conf rule no CellularSignalQuality8
conf rule CellularSignalQuality8
description Cellular Signal QualityAt8
action writeStatus Cell % is 8
conditions
modem.response matches "CSQ:\s8,"
exit
exit

conf rule no CellularSignalQuality9
conf rule CellularSignalQuality9
description Cellular Signal QualityAt9
action writeStatus Cell % is 9
conditions
modem.response matches "CSQ:\s9,"
exit
exit

conf rule no CellularSignalQuality10
conf rule CellularSignalQuality10
description Cellular Signal QualityAt10
action writeStatus Cell % is 10
conditions
modem.response matches "CSQ:\s10,"
exit
exit

conf rule no CellularSignalQuality11
conf rule CellularSignalQuality11
description Cellular Signal QualityAt11
action writeStatus Cell % is 11
conditions
modem.response matches "CSQ:\s11,"
exit
exit

conf rule no CellularSignalQuality12
conf rule CellularSignalQuality12
description Cellular Signal QualityAt12
action writeStatus Cell % is 12
conditions
modem.response matches "CSQ:\s12,"
exit
exit

conf rule no CellularSignalQuality13
conf rule CellularSignalQuality13
description Cellular Signal QualityAt13
action writeStatus Cell % is 13
conditions
modem.response matches "CSQ:\s13,"
exit
exit

conf rule no CellularSignalQuality14
conf rule CellularSignalQuality14
description Cellular Signal QualityAt14
action writeStatus Cell % is 14
conditions
modem.response matches "CSQ:\s14,"
exit
exit

conf rule no CellularSignalQuality15
conf rule CellularSignalQuality15
description Cellular Signal QualityAt15
action writeStatus Cell % is 15
conditions
modem.response matches "CSQ:\s15,"
exit
exit

conf rule no CellularSignalQuality16
conf rule CellularSignalQuality16
description Cellular Signal QualityAt16
action writeStatus Cell % is 16
conditions
modem.response matches "CSQ:\s16,"
exit
exit

conf rule no CellularSignalQuality17
conf rule CellularSignalQuality17
description Cellular Signal QualityAt17
action writeStatus Cell % is 17
conditions
modem.response matches "CSQ:\s17,"
exit
exit

conf rule no CellularSignalQuality18
conf rule CellularSignalQuality18
description Cellular Signal QualityAt18
action writeStatus Cell % is 18
conditions
modem.response matches "CSQ:\s18,"
exit
exit

conf rule no CellularSignalQuality19
conf rule CellularSignalQuality19
description Cellular Signal QualityAt19
action writeStatus Cell % is 19
conditions
modem.response matches "CSQ:\s19,"
exit
exit

conf rule no CellularSignalQuality20
conf rule CellularSignalQuality20
description Cellular Signal QualityAt20
action writeStatus Cell % is 20
conditions
modem.response matches "CSQ:\s20,"
exit
exit

conf rule no CellularSignalQuality21
conf rule CellularSignalQuality21
description Cellular Signal QualityAt21
action writeStatus Cell % is 21
conditions
modem.response matches "CSQ:\s21,"
exit
exit

conf rule no CellularSignalQuality22
conf rule CellularSignalQuality22
description Cellular Signal QualityAt22
action writeStatus Cell % is 22
conditions
modem.response matches "CSQ:\s22,"
exit
exit

conf rule no CellularSignalQuality23
conf rule CellularSignalQuality23
description Cellular Signal QualityAt23
action writeStatus Cell % is 23
conditions
modem.response matches "CSQ:\s23,"
exit
exit

conf rule no CellularSignalQuality24
conf rule CellularSignalQuality24
description Cellular Signal QualityAt24
action writeStatus Cell % is 24
conditions
modem.response matches "CSQ:\s24,"
exit
exit

conf rule no CellularSignalQuality25
conf rule CellularSignalQuality25
description Cellular Signal QualityAt25
action writeStatus Cell % is 25
conditions
modem.response matches "CSQ:\s25,"
exit
exit

conf rule no CellularSignalQualityAbove25
conf rule CellularSignalQualityAbove25
description Cellular Signal QualityAt25
action alarm -a "Cellular modem RSSI Above 25"
action writeStatus Cell % is > 25
conditions
modem.response matches "CSQ:\s(?:(?:[2][5-9])|(?:[3-9][0-9])),"
exit
exit

conf rule no CellularErrorMessage
conf rule CellularErrorMessage
description Cellular Error Message
action powerCycle
action alarm -a "Cellular modem returning errors"
conditions
modem.response matches "ERROR":2i AND
NOT has-run powerCycle :5m
exit
exit

config rule CellularNonResponsive
action alarm -a "the modem has become unusable for 5 minutes, powercycling"
action event GENERIC -a "the modem has become unusable for 5 minutes,  powercycling"
action powerCycle
action writeStatus no response powercycling
conditions
modem.response equals FAILED_TO_GET_RESPONSE :10i AND
NOT has-run powerCycle :5m
exit
exit

conf ruleset no CellularNative
conf ruleset CellularNative
description Cellular Rules for Multitech GPRS Cell Modems
rules
CellularNonResponsive, CellularErrorMessage, CellularSignalQuality25, CellularSignalQuality24, CellularSignalQuality23, CellularSignalQuality22, CellularSignalQuality21, CellularSignalQuality20, CellularSignalQuality19, CellularSignalQuality18, CellularSignalQuality17, CellularSignalQuality16, CellularSignalQuality15, CellularSignalQuality14, CellularSignalQuality13, CellularSignalQuality12, CellularSignalQuality11, CellularSignalQuality10, CellularSignalQuality9, CellularSignalQuality8, CellularSignalQuality7, CellularSignalQuality6, CellularSignalQuality5, CellularSignalQuality4, CellularSignalQuality3, CellularSignalQuality2, CellularSignalQuality1, CellularSignalQuality0, CellularSignalQualityAbove25
exit
exit

Enable CellularNative ruleset

To use the CellularNative ruleset to monitor signal strength after the rules have been configured, run config monitor modem CellularNative from the modem resource. The default frequency is 30 minutes.

[[admin@LantronixLM (modem)]# config monitor modem CellularNative  
Job was scheduled 0: [Interval: 00:00:30 Mask: * * * * *] rulesMonitor modem 30