My work has tasked me with finding a linux-compatible replacement modem for an Acer Aspire One ZG8 AO531h netbook.

We have several of these. While I have found that it may be possible to get the modem inside working, one of the units has a failed modem unit and they want a linux-compatible out-of-the-box replacement.

Any ideas would help me immensely. Google searches not turning much up here.

thanks

Because i cannot understand your question. You want a 3G wifi router to connect it to your job in the telephone line or you want the 3G modem usb stick that uses mobile operator?

I'm looking for a 3G modem stick to connect to the at&t wireless internet. It has an internal wireless modem.

Here in Canada (at least my part of Canada) we have the option of the 'Turbo-Stick' made by Novatel. Not sure if you can buy these things in a store, but a good place to start would be to see what your wireless account provider (Bell/AT&T) can offer you (check their make/model of stick), and then see about Linux compatibility. No guarantees, but based on some very brief Googling, the Turbo-Stick can be made to work with Linux.

If their offering is not suitable, at least tell us what it is, and maybe someone can suggest something else.

Failing that, check the LQ HCL here: http://www.linuxquestions.org/hcl/

I have difficulty believing that Google isn't turning up very much - it seemed to have a pretty good result when I looked, but maybe it depends where you're located..

Good luck!

Are you looking for something like this? Does AT&T sell it?

http://www.siftwire.com/att-usbconne...spa-modem.html

*MOST* modern USB modems will work in Linux because they speak CDC-ACM (you can find that driver in the kernel tree); some others need special drivers, which can be found there as well. There are also plenty of drivers for PC-Card/Cardbus/PCMCIA devices as well.

One possible caveat is some devices used to need to be "activated" with m$ before they could be used with Linux or Mac; I don't know if this is still true today.

Most all devices by Sierra Wireless (www.sierrawireless.com), Novatel (www.novatelwireless.com), Franklin (www.franklinwireless.com), and Pantech appear to work especially if recent (last 5 years?).

Also, an OS-agnostic alternative is to use one of the "3G routers" out there: these have a PC-Card and/or USB input for one of these modems, and, usually, both wireless and wired ethernet interfaces for the other end. If using multiple machines in the same area, you should seriously consider this, provided you can keep your data usage down (due to the caps).

One last idea: if your company is bound and determined to keep AT&T, then go to the store and try out the sticks! You'll get subsidy-locked sticks (no T-Mobile, Rogers, etc), but you'll know they work.

Mike