Huawei E220

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Huawei E220 HSDPA USB modem

The Huawei E220 is a Huawei HSDPA access device ( 'modem' ) manufactured by Huawei and notable for using the USB interface (USB modem).

Technically it is a modem, USB and (due to the CDFS format) virtual CD-ROM device.

Launched on 21 June 2006[1], the device is used for wireless Internet access using 3.5G, 3G, or 2G mobile telephony networks. It supports UMTS (including HSDPA), EDGE, GPRS and GSM.

E220 works well with Linux, as support for it was added in Linux kernel 2.6.20, but there are workarounds for distributions with older kernels[2][3][4] (eg for Debian etch's 2.6.18). The card is also supported by Vodafone Mobile Connect Card driver for Linux, and it is possible to monitor the signal strength through other Linux applications.[5]

Most 3G network operators bundle the device with a contract, with some operators simlocking[6] the device . Unlocked and unbranded modems can also be bought from independent suppliers.

A colloquial name for the modem is 'soap on a rope'.

Contents

[edit] Features

The device contains not only the cellular antenna but also about 22MB (10 MB on older versions) of storage memory accessible to the operating system as a USB mass storage device[7] formatted with CDFS, thus emulating a CD-ROM drive. In this memory, E220 devices supplied by mobile operators may contain 3G dialer software written by the operator, while Huawei-branded devices contain Huawei's original firmware. Huawei's firmware and updates for it are also available for flashing from Huawei's website[8], or the firmware for 7.2 Mbit/s from Mobile Broadband Rocks (in reality 'flashing' this device means writing a firmware image to its internal flash memory). Flashing the firmware of this device doesn't change the memory used for their operator's software, therefore connection settings (such as APN) will be retained. The software loaded on the device may start automatically through Windows's autostart facility, which can be bypassed by pressing the Shift key while inserting the USB cable of E220. Currently newest known firmware for E220 can be found from Telia Sweden (the page is in Swedish, but look for word firmware for the download).

[edit] Hardware

E220 connects to the computer with a standard Mini USB cable. The device comes with two cables, one short and one long. The long one has two USB A interfaces, one used for data and power and the other optionally only for assistance power in case the computer is not able to provide the full 500 mA (milliamperes) required for the device to work from one USB interface only. If your connection gets disrupted often or isn't really stable, consider using the two plug usb cable and supplying secondary power.

The E220 antenna is internal; the USB cable does not act as an antenna. There is a way to connect an external antenna [9] even though there is no antenna connector. Together with a high gain antenna like an LPDA or an OMNI booster antenna and an adapter, signal strength can be considerably improved. There is also a way to open the modem, remove the small internal antenna, and solder a umts-antenna cable onto the board. You will invalidate the guarantee, but it can be a cheap and functional way to connect an external antenna. [10]

[edit] Software

Vodafone 3G USB modem

Huawei E220 includes its own Windows software in its internal memory, self-installs through the Windows's auto-start feature and can be flashed (overwritten) by the end user. The standard software by Huawei is called Mobile Partner and is indicated by the code UTPS, as it is found on the manufacturer's download site.

Some network operators selling E220, however, replace Huawei's software with their own, which often is software-locked (albeit not SIM-locked) to work only with the operator's own network. End users can use either third-party software such as MWconn (freeware) or alternative operating systems (eg Debian GNU/Linux) to circumvent this and use their E220 with any SIM, or flash their device with Huawei's original software.[dubious – discuss]

The following operator(s) are known to replace Huawei's software with their own:

[edit] Operating systems

[edit] Compatibility Issues

A number of software compatibility issues are known to exist with the E220 USB modem. This is mainly related to CD Writing software, software that creates virtual CD-ROM drives [13] and with Microsoft ActiveSync. Also early versions of the firmware and vodafone connect software are incompatible with Microsoft Windows Vista. This has been remedied in later updates.

[edit] Availability

E220 is available in the following countries:

[edit] Huawei E220 Internet connection sharing using WiFi router

Further information: Cellular router and Internet connection sharing

DOVADO USB Mobile Broadband Router (UMR) is a low-cost router supporting over thirty different modems from Huawei and other major brands. As a unique addition, the UMR can also handle SMS messages along with automatic failover to/from the WAN and USB ports. On the local side, there are 4 LAN ports and b/g WiFi. The UMR also provides users with the ability to remotely control the device by sending an SMS from a mobile phone, so it can execute certain tasks such as checking the signal/connection status, restart, connect/disconnect Internet, send internet traffic reports and perform home automation tasks for powering on/off appliances throughout the home.

The OSBRiDGE 3GN is a MiMO Router based on Huawei E220 modem, designed to provide secure and reliable internet access anywhere through cellular 2G/3G backhaul technologies such as GSM and UMTS.

The MobileHotspot A200 [4] is capable of providing WiFi with hotspot authentication and billing.The A200 supports a range of USB 3G Modems including the E220 and WiFi on both 2.4/5 GHz.The A200 is an ideal solution for trains, buses and luxury taxis.

The VigSys VD30 Wireless Docking Gateway is designed to convert the modem into a full featured WIFI Router allowing sharing of the high speed wireless broadband access amongst small group of users. The VD30 supports both wireless WIFI 802.11b/g and Ethernet 10/100 Mbit/s connections and comes in 5 colours.

The D-Link DIR-451 supports sharing an E220 Internet connection over wireless 802.11g and/or wired Ethernet via a built-in 4 port switch.

The CradlePoint PHS-300 is a portable battery-powered wifi router with hotspot features. Cradlepoint claims the Huawei E220 will work with the Huawei E220 (and in fact it does), but Cradlepoint does not officially support it. Note that the PHS-300 is an American product that is not officially supported for use with devices or networks outside the United States, and the E220 is not sold or supported by any Internet service provider inside the United States. However, the PHS-300 will function with the Huawei E220 on non-US based networks, as well as AT&T inside the US (unofficially).

The SHIRO HW550 Wireless-N Router plus HSPA Support for 3G Mobile Broadband is an IEEE802.11n wireless broadband Router with HSDPA/HSUPA 3.5G support. With a 3G HSDPA USB modem simply plug in the Router, an Internet connection can be accessed and shared virtually anytime anywhere within a wireless broadband network.

HW550-3G also integrates router function so that Internet can be accessed through WIFI connection simultaneously. HW550-3G 4-port wireless-N router function provides an excellent solution for sharing a wireless Internet connection and files such as High Definition (HD) video, music, photos and documents with the wireless speed up to 300 Mbit/s.

It supports a range of USB 3G Modems including Huawei220 USB modem.

This section requires expansion.

[edit] Similar modems

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Huawei Terminal
  2. ^ (Polish) HUAWEI E220 HSDPA USB 3G MODEM in Linux
  3. ^ Huawei E220 working on Linux!!! : Java Addict
  4. ^ Index of /pub/linux/kernel/people/gregkh/usb/2.6/2.6.20-rc1
  5. ^ Huawei E620 - pppd dies after disconnecting monitor on /dev/ttyUSB2 [Archive] - ADSL & Broadband Forums - Internet, Gaming, Hardware, Software
  6. ^ Vodafone Huawei E220 USB Modem - first impressions - Page 4 - ADSL & Broadband Forums - Internet, Gaming, Hardware, Software
  7. ^ Using Huawei E220 with Debian/Linux
  8. ^ Huawei Terminal
  9. ^ http://www.poyntingdirect.co.za/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=ADPT-024 and http://www.poynting-europe.com/
  10. ^ http://gniza.org/e220/DSCF0931.JPG
  11. ^ help.ubuntu.com Huawei E220
  12. ^ Huawei E220
  13. ^ Compatibility Issues with Huawei E220 USB Modem - ADSL & Broadband Forums - Internet, Gaming, Hardware, Software

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huawei_E220"
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