LQ,

Scenario 1: After taking the following steps I was able to *successfully* connect using the Sierra Wireless USBConnect 881.

- Installed FC-12 and included nothing more than the installation repo.
- Set SELinux to "permissive"
- Connected the device
- Popped open the "network connections" GUI and added a new Mobile Broadband connection. I accepted *all* of the defaults accept the data plan for which i choose (Data Accelerated instead of mediaNet. I also selected "connect automatically".
- The device opened up a connection and voila! away I went.
- NOTE: For the true believers, I had unsuccessfully tried to create a manual connection by creating the /etc/ppp/peers/gsm885 and /etc/ppp/peers/gsm_chat files I used online. I could never get it to connect so I resorted to the GUI.

Data from this successful connection is included below (edited for IA)

> uname -a
>Linux xxxx 2.6.31.5-127.fc12.i686.PAE #1 SMP Sat Nov 7 21:25:57 EST 2009 i686 i686 i386 GNU/Linux

> cat /var/log/messages
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Jul 9 03:05:49 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: new full speed USB device using uhci_hcd and address 2
Jul 9 03:05:49 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: New USB device found, idVendor=1199, idProduct=0fff
Jul 9 03:05:49 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3
Jul 9 03:05:49 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: Product: USB MMC Storage
Jul 9 03:05:49 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: Manufacturer: Sierra Wireless
Jul 9 03:05:49 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: SerialNumber: xxxxx
Jul 9 03:05:49 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
Jul 9 03:05:49 localhost kernel: Initializing USB Mass Storage driver...
Jul 9 03:05:49 localhost kernel: usb-storage: probe of 4-1:1.0 failed with error -5
Jul 9 03:05:49 localhost kernel: usbcore: registered new interface driver usb-storage
Jul 9 03:05:49 localhost kernel: USB Mass Storage support registered.
Jul 9 03:05:49 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: USB disconnect, address 2
Jul 9 03:05:51 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: new full speed USB device using uhci_hcd and address 3
Jul 9 03:05:51 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: New USB device found, idVendor=1199, idProduct=6856
Jul 9 03:05:51 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=xxxx
Jul 9 03:05:51 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: Product: AirCard
Jul 9 03:05:51 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: Manufacturer: Sierra Wireless, Incorporated
Jul 9 03:05:51 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
Jul 9 03:05:51 localhost kernel: usbcore: registered new interface driver usbserial
Jul 9 03:05:51 localhost kernel: USB Serial support registered for generic
Jul 9 03:05:51 localhost kernel: usbcore: registered new interface driver usbserial_generic
Jul 9 03:05:51 localhost kernel: usbserial: USB Serial Driver core
Jul 9 03:05:51 localhost kernel: USB Serial support registered for Sierra USB modem
Jul 9 03:05:51 localhost kernel: sierra 4-1:1.0: Sierra USB modem converter detected
Jul 9 03:05:51 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: Sierra USB modem converter now attached to ttyUSB0
Jul 9 03:05:51 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: Sierra USB modem converter now attached to ttyUSB1
Jul 9 03:05:51 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: Sierra USB modem converter now attached to ttyUSB2
Jul 9 03:05:51 localhost kernel: usbcore: registered new interface driver sierra
Jul 9 03:05:51 localhost kernel: sierra: v.1.3.7:USB Driver for Sierra Wireless USB modems
Jul 9 03:05:51 localhost modem-manager: (ttyUSB2) opening serial device...
Jul 9 03:05:51 localhost modem-manager: (ttyUSB0) opening serial device...
Jul 9 03:05:51 localhost modem-manager: (ttyUSB1) opening serial device...
Jul 9 03:05:54 localhost modem-manager: (ttyUSB2) closing serial device...
Jul 9 03:05:54 localhost modem-manager: (Sierra): GSM modem /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.2/usb4/4-1 claimed port ttyUSB2
Jul 9 03:05:56 localhost modem-manager: (ttyUSB0) closing serial device...
Jul 9 03:05:56 localhost modem-manager: (Sierra): GSM modem /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.2/usb4/4-1 claimed port ttyUSB0
Jul 9 03:05:56 localhost NetworkManager: <info> (ttyUSB2): new GSM device (driver: 'sierra')
Jul 9 03:05:56 localhost NetworkManager: <info> (ttyUSB2): exported as /org/freedesktop/NetworkManager/Devices/2
Jul 9 03:05:56 localhost NetworkManager: <info> (ttyUSB2): now managed
Jul 9 03:05:56 localhost NetworkManager: <info> (ttyUSB2): device state change: 1 -> 2 (reason 2)
Jul 9 03:05:56 localhost NetworkManager: <info> (ttyUSB2): deactivating device (reason: 2).
Jul 9 03:05:56 localhost NetworkManager: flush_routes: assertion `iface_idx >= 0' failed
Jul 9 03:05:56 localhost NetworkManager: flush_addresses: assertion `iface_idx >= 0' failed
Jul 9 03:05:56 localhost NetworkManager: <info> (ttyUSB2): device state change: 2 -> 3 (reason 0)
Jul 9 03:05:56 localhost NetworkManager: <info> Activation (ttyUSB2) starting connection 'AT&T Data Connect (Accelerated) 1'
Jul 9 03:05:56 localhost NetworkManager: <info> (ttyUSB2): device state change: 3 -> 4 (reason 0)
Jul 9 03:05:56 localhost NetworkManager: <info> Activation (ttyUSB2) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) scheduled...
Jul 9 03:05:56 localhost NetworkManager: <info> Activation (ttyUSB2) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) started...
Jul 9 03:05:56 localhost NetworkManager: <info> (ttyUSB2): device state change: 4 -> 6 (reason 0)
Jul 9 03:05:56 localhost NetworkManager: <info> Activation (ttyUSB2) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) complete.
Jul 9 03:05:56 localhost NetworkManager: <info> Activation (ttyUSB2) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) scheduled...
Jul 9 03:05:56 localhost NetworkManager: <info> Activation (ttyUSB2) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) started...
Jul 9 03:05:56 localhost NetworkManager: <info> (ttyUSB2): device state change: 6 -> 4 (reason 0)
Jul 9 03:05:56 localhost NetworkManager: <info> Activation (ttyUSB2) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) complete.
Jul 9 03:05:56 localhost modem-manager: (ttyUSB2) opening serial device...
Jul 9 03:06:04 localhost modem-manager: (ttyUSB1) closing serial device...
Jul 9 03:06:06 localhost NetworkManager: <info> Activation (ttyUSB2) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) scheduled...
Jul 9 03:06:06 localhost NetworkManager: <info> Activation (ttyUSB2) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) starting...
Jul 9 03:06:06 localhost NetworkManager: <info> (ttyUSB2): device state change: 4 -> 5 (reason 0)
Jul 9 03:06:06 localhost NetworkManager: <info> Activation (ttyUSB2) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) successful.
Jul 9 03:06:06 localhost NetworkManager: <info> Activation (ttyUSB2) Stage 3 of 5 (IP Configure Start) scheduled.
Jul 9 03:06:06 localhost NetworkManager: <info> Activation (ttyUSB2) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) complete.
Jul 9 03:06:06 localhost NetworkManager: <info> Activation (ttyUSB2) Stage 3 of 5 (IP Configure Start) started...
Jul 9 03:06:06 localhost NetworkManager: <info> (ttyUSB2): device state change: 5 -> 7 (reason 0)
Jul 9 03:06:06 localhost NetworkManager: <info> Starting pppd connection
Jul 9 03:06:06 localhost NetworkManager: <info> Activation (ttyUSB2) Stage 4 of 5 (IP6 Configure Get) scheduled...
Jul 9 03:06:06 localhost NetworkManager: <info> Activation (ttyUSB2) Stage 3 of 5 (IP Configure Start) complete.
Jul 9 03:06:06 localhost NetworkManager: <info> Activation (ttyUSB2) Stage 4 of 5 (IP6 Configure Get) started...
Jul 9 03:06:06 localhost NetworkManager: <info> Activation (ttyUSB2) Stage 4 of 5 (IP6 Configure Get) complete.
Jul 9 03:06:06 localhost pppd[1764]: Plugin /usr/lib/pppd/2.4.4/nm-pppd-plugin.so loaded.
Jul 9 03:06:06 localhost kernel: PPP generic driver version 2.4.2
Jul 9 03:06:06 localhost pppd[1764]: pppd 2.2.4 started by root, uid 0
Jul 9 03:06:06 localhost pppd[1764]: Using interface ppp0
Jul 9 03:06:06 localhost pppd[1764]: Connect: ppp0 <--> /dev/ttyUSB2
Jul 9 03:06:06 localhost pppd[1764]: CHAP authentication succeeded
Jul 9 03:06:06 localhost pppd[1764]: CHAP authentication succeeded
Jul 9 03:06:06 localhost kernel: PPP Deflate Compression module registered
Jul 9 03:06:11 localhost pppd[1764]: Could not determine remote IP address: defaulting to 10.64.64.64
Jul 9 03:06:11 localhost pppd[1764]: local IP address xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx
Jul 9 03:06:11 localhost pppd[1764]: remote IP address xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx
Jul 9 03:06:11 localhost pppd[1764]: primary DNS address xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx
Jul 9 03:06:11 localhost pppd[1764]: secondary DNS address xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx
Jul 9 03:06:11 localhost NetworkManager: <info> PPP manager(IP Config Get) reply received.
Jul 9 03:06:11 localhost NetworkManager: <info> Activation (ttyUSB2) Stage 4 of 5 (IP4 Configure Get) scheduled...
Jul 9 03:06:11 localhost NetworkManager: <info> Activation (ttyUSB2) Stage 4 of 5 (IP4 Configure Get) started...
Jul 9 03:06:11 localhost NetworkManager: <info> Activation (ttyUSB2) Stage 5 of 5 (IP Configure Commit) scheduled...
Jul 9 03:06:11 localhost NetworkManager: <info> Activation (ttyUSB2) Stage 4 of 5 (IP4 Configure Get) complete.
Jul 9 03:06:11 localhost NetworkManager: <info> Activation (ttyUSB2) Stage 5 of 5 (IP Configure Commit) started...
Jul 9 03:06:12 localhost NetworkManager: <info> (ttyUSB2): device state change: 7 -> 8 (reason 0)
Jul 9 03:06:12 localhost NetworkManager: <info> Policy set 'AT&T Data Connect (Accelerated) 1' (ppp0) as default for routing and DNS.
Jul 9 03:06:12 localhost NetworkManager: <info> Activation (ttyUSB2) successful, device activated.
Jul 9 03:06:12 localhost NetworkManager: <info> Activation (ttyUSB2) Stage 5 of 5 (IP Configure Commit) complete.
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Scenario 2:

I the had the bright idea of running a yum update after declaring victory. More than 600 packages were installed. Needless to say, I could no longer connect after the update. Thank you captain obvious.

Data from this unsuccessful connection is included below (edited for IA)

> uname -a
> # I failed to capture this data before reverting the system but suffice it to say it moved me to the latest kernel.

> cat /var/messages
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Jul 10 18:03:31 localhost NetworkManager[1305]: <info> Activation (ttyUSB2) starting connection 'AT&T Data Connect (Accelerated)'
Jul 10 18:03:31 localhost NetworkManager[1305]: <info> (ttyUSB2): device state change: 3 -> 4 (reason 0)
Jul 10 18:03:31 localhost NetworkManager[1305]: <info> Activation (ttyUSB2) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) scheduled...
Jul 10 18:03:31 localhost NetworkManager[1305]: <info> Activation (ttyUSB2) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) started...
Jul 10 18:03:31 localhost NetworkManager[1305]: <info> Activation (ttyUSB2) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) complete.
Jul 10 18:03:31 localhost modem-manager: (ttyUSB2) opening serial device...
Jul 10 18:03:31 localhost modem-manager: Modem /org/freedesktop/ModemManager/Modems/2: state changed (disabled -> enabling)
Jul 10 18:03:39 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: USB disconnect, address 7
Jul 10 18:03:39 localhost kernel: sierra ttyUSB0: Sierra USB modem converter now disconnected from ttyUSB0
Jul 10 18:03:39 localhost kernel: sierra ttyUSB1: Sierra USB modem converter now disconnected from ttyUSB1
Jul 10 18:03:39 localhost kernel: sierra ttyUSB2: Sierra USB modem converter now disconnected from ttyUSB2
Jul 10 18:03:39 localhost kernel: sierra 4-1:1.0: device disconnected
Jul 10 18:03:39 localhost modem-manager: (ttyUSB2) closing serial device...
Jul 10 18:03:39 localhost modem-manager: Modem /org/freedesktop/ModemManager/Modems/2: state changed (enabling -> disabled)
Jul 10 18:03:39 localhost NetworkManager[1305]: <info> (ttyUSB2): now unmanaged
Jul 10 18:03:39 localhost NetworkManager[1305]: <info> (ttyUSB2): device state change: 4 -> 1 (reason 36)
Jul 10 18:03:39 localhost NetworkManager[1305]: <info> (ttyUSB2): deactivating device (reason: 36).
Jul 10 18:03:39 localhost NetworkManager[1305]: <info> (ttyUSB2): cleaning up...
Jul 10 18:03:39 localhost NetworkManager[1305]: <info> (ttyUSB2): taking down device.
Jul 10 18:03:44 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: new full speed USB device using uhci_hcd and address 8
Jul 10 18:03:44 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: New USB device found, idVendor=1199, idProduct=0fff
Jul 10 18:03:44 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=x
Jul 10 18:03:44 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: Product: USB MMC Storage
Jul 10 18:03:44 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: Manufacturer: Sierra Wireless
Jul 10 18:03:44 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: SerialNumber: xxxxx
Jul 10 18:03:44 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
Jul 10 18:03:44 localhost kernel: usb-storage: probe of 4-1:1.0 failed with error -5
Jul 10 18:03:44 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: USB disconnect, address 8
Jul 10 18:03:45 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: new full speed USB device using uhci_hcd and address 9
Jul 10 18:03:46 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: New USB device found, idVendor=1199, idProduct=6856
Jul 10 18:03:46 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=0
Jul 10 18:03:46 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: Product: AirCard
Jul 10 18:03:46 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: Manufacturer: Sierra Wireless, Incorporated
Jul 10 18:03:46 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
Jul 10 18:03:46 localhost kernel: sierra 4-1:1.0: Sierra USB modem converter detected
Jul 10 18:03:46 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: Sierra USB modem converter now attached to ttyUSB0
Jul 10 18:03:46 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: Sierra USB modem converter now attached to ttyUSB1
Jul 10 18:03:46 localhost kernel: usb 4-1: Sierra USB modem converter now attached to ttyUSB2
Jul 10 18:03:46 localhost modem-manager: (ttyUSB1) opening serial device...
Jul 10 18:03:46 localhost modem-manager: (ttyUSB0) opening serial device...
Jul 10 18:03:46 localhost modem-manager: (ttyUSB2) opening serial device...
Jul 10 18:03:49 localhost modem-manager: (ttyUSB2) closing serial device...
Jul 10 18:03:49 localhost modem-manager: (ttyUSB2) opening serial device...
Jul 10 18:03:49 localhost modem-manager: (Sierra): GSM modem /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.2/usb4/4-1 claimed port ttyUSB2
Jul 10 18:03:50 localhost modem-manager: (ttyUSB2) closing serial device...
Jul 10 18:03:51 localhost modem-manager: (ttyUSB0) closing serial device...
Jul 10 18:03:51 localhost modem-manager: (Sierra): GSM modem /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.2/usb4/4-1 claimed port ttyUSB0
Jul 10 18:03:58 localhost modem-manager: (ttyUSB1) closing serial device...
Jul 10 18:03:59 localhost modem-manager: (ttyUSB1) opening serial device...
Jul 10 18:04:05 localhost modem-manager: (ttyUSB1) closing serial device...
Jul 10 18:04:05 localhost NetworkManager[1305]: <warn> (ttyUSB2): failed to look up interface index
Jul 10 18:04:05 localhost NetworkManager[1305]: <info> (ttyUSB2): new GSM device (driver: 'sierra' ifindex: -1)
Jul 10 18:04:05 localhost NetworkManager[1305]: <info> (ttyUSB2): exported as /org/freedesktop/NetworkManager/Devices/5
Jul 10 18:04:05 localhost NetworkManager[1305]: <info> (ttyUSB2): now managed
Jul 10 18:04:05 localhost NetworkManager[1305]: <info> (ttyUSB2): device state change: 1 -> 2 (reason 2)
Jul 10 18:04:05 localhost NetworkManager[1305]: <info> (ttyUSB2): deactivating device (reason: 2).
Jul 10 18:04:05 localhost NetworkManager[1305]: <info> (ttyUSB2): device state change: 2 -> 3 (reason 0)
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>dmesg (this showed me that the OS at least detected it on boot up)
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usb 5-1: new full speed USB device using uhci_hcd and address 72
usb 5-1: New USB device found, idVendor=1199, idProduct=0fff
usb 5-1: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3
usb 5-1: Product: USB MMC Storage
usb 5-1: Manufacturer: Sierra Wireless
usb 5-1: SerialNumber: xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
usb 5-1: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
usb-storage: probe of 5-1:1.0 failed with error -5
usb 5-1: USB disconnect, address 72
usb 5-1: new full speed USB device using uhci_hcd and address 73
usb 5-1: New USB device found, idVendor=1199, idProduct=6856
usb 5-1: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=x
usb 5-1: Product: AirCard
usb 5-1: Manufacturer: Sierra Wireless, Incorporated
usb 5-1: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
sierra 5-1:1.0: Sierra USB modem converter detected
usb 5-1: Sierra USB modem converter now attached to ttyUSB0
usb 5-1: Sierra USB modem converter now attached to ttyUSB1
usb 5-1: Sierra USB modem converter now attached to ttyUSB2
usb 5-1: USB disconnect, address 73
sierra ttyUSB0: Sierra USB modem converter now disconnected from ttyUSB0
sierra ttyUSB1: Sierra USB modem converter now disconnected from ttyUSB1
sierra ttyUSB2: Sierra USB modem converter now disconnected from ttyUSB2
sierra 5-1:1.0: device disconnected
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I attempted the following to resolve my issue:
- Double checked to make sure that SELinux was in permissive mode.
- Activated both "ppp" modules in SELinux
- Rebooted and chose to "relabel" my hard drive per the new setting
- Removed the modem-manager module from SELinux
- Added the sierra.ko, symbolserial.ko, and usbserial.ko modules using the insmod command
- Verified that the new modules appeared in >lsmod output

I've hit a wall. Any hints or ideas?