usbmod: what is it for? (net access via USB-modem / UMTS)

JZL240I-U · 02-22-2010, 12:16 PM

I have problems with my net access (connects randomly with success, but is then okay). Recently I noted an error during boot up concerning usbmod. usbmod is not included in SuSE 11.2 but in 11.0. I copied it over to the new system, error is gone but problems stayed. I do not understand what it does. Anybody able to give me some clues?

This is usbmod:

Code:

    #! /bin/bash

if [ "$1" == "remove" ]
then
#     echo "remove pl2303"
      if [ "$(/sbin/lsmod |grep pl2303)" != "" ]
      then 
            /sbin/rmmod pl2303
      fi
elif [ "$1" == "update" ]
then
      if [ "$(/sbin/lsmod |grep option)" != "" ]
      then
            /sbin/rmmod option
      fi
      if [ "$(/sbin/lsmod |grep pl2303)" != "" ]
      then 
            /sbin/rmmod pl2303
      fi
      if [ "$(/sbin/lsmod |grep usbserial)" != "" ]
      then
            /sbin/rmmod usbserial
      fi

      /sbin/modprobe usbserial vendor=0x12d1 product=$2    
else
#     echo "modprobe usb-storage"
      if [ "$(/sbin/lsmod |grep usb-storage)" == "" ]
      then
            /sbin/modprobe usb-storage
      fi
fi

jschiwal · 02-26-2010, 01:43 PM

The two systems use different kernels, and sometimes kernel modules have name changes.

You should post the exact kernel message. If it occurs during boot, look in /var/log/boot.msg. If it occurred later, look at /var/log/messages.

Don't mess with that module. It is for a different kernel. There is no option for it in the .config file.

This isn't a programming question. It might be suited for Linux-Kernel or Linux-Hardware, but I think you may be on a dead end and let's see where the evidence leads.

Please provide more information on what network device you have. Post the output of lsmod (before removing modules). Post the output of "lspci -v" and "lsusb". Some devices have more than one possible kernel module that can be used to control it. Installing support for the other, may require that you blacklist the one your system originally chose.

JZL240I-U · 03-02-2010, 02:34 AM

I'll do that probably next week since I have to leave for a few days and no time right now to collect all the informations, so please hold the line

. And thanks for answering jschiwal.

P.S.: what exactly does the command in your signature do? I can see that you call a man page in postscript format (not in "less" like usually) but what are you "teeing" it for? You could always create a new instance so there is no need to save it to the disk or what am I missing?

P.P.S.: When I print man pages from "less" they loose some formatting (like bold and italic). What would be the command to give the .ps file to a filter (for a non-postscript printer) and then to CUPS to print it like it looks originally?

jschiwal · 03-02-2010, 09:26 AM

The tee command simply creates a copy you can view in okular or a similar program at a later date. A few days ago my sig didn't have it until I used it once. Yes you could create a temporary file and then open the file. For some packages, such as sed & coreutils, I will install the source package and use "./configure && make pdf" to produce a print worthy version of the info documentation.

I find the postscript version of manpages to be much easier to read than in the console. I find I can remember more of the information as well.

JZL240I-U · 04-08-2010, 09:22 AM

I found in /var/log/boot.msg

Code:

...
<notice -- Apr  5 11:50:32.4853000> service smartd startsh: /sbin/usbmod: No such file or directory
<notice -- Apr  5 11:50:34.157517000> service smartd doneStarting smartd done
<notice -- Apr  5 11:50:34.158712000> service splash start<notice -- Apr  5 11:50:34.257644000> service splash done<notice -- Apr  5 11:50:34.258085000> service splash_early start<notice -- Apr  5 11:50:34.329291000> service splash_early doneStarting mail service (Postfix)done
<notice -- Apr  5 11:50:35.764190000> service postfix done<notice -- Apr  5 11:50:35.767512000> service cron startStarting CRON daemon
<notice -- Apr  5 11:50:35.978163000> startproc: execve (/usr/sbin/cron) [ /usr/sbin/cron ], [ DO_FASTBOOT=no CONSOLE=/dev/console SELINUX_INIT=YES ROOTFS_FSTYPE=ext4 SHELL=/bin/sh TERM=linux ROOTFS_FSCK=0 LC_ALL=POSIX INIT_VERSION=sysvinit-2.86 DO_BLOGD=yes REDIRECT=/dev/tty1 COLUMNS=96 PATH=/bin:/sbin:/usr/bin:/usr/sbin vga=0x314 DO_CONFIRM=no RUNLEVEL=5 PWD=/ SPLASHCFG=/etc/bootsplash/themes/openSUSE/config/bootsplash-800x600.cfg DO_QUIET=no lang=de CPUFREQ=no PREVLEVEL=N LINES=33 HOME=/ SHLVL=2 DO_FORCEFSCK=no splash=verbose SPLASH=yes ROOTFS_BLKDEV=/dev/disk/by-id/scsi-SATA_Maxtor_6L250R0_L607SAMG-part11 _=/sbin/startproc DAEMON=/usr/sbin/cron ]
done
<notice -- Apr  5 11:50:36.164872000> service cron done<notice -- Apr  5 11:50:36.165311000> service SuSEfirewall2_setup startStarting Firewall Initialization (phase 2 of 2) SuSEfirewall2: Warning: no interface active
sh: /sbin/usbmod: No such file or directory
<notice -- Apr  5 11:50:37.888845000> service SuSEfirewall2_setup donedone
<notice -- Apr  5 11:50:37.893275000> service stoppreload start<notice -- Apr  5 11:50:38.5683000> service stoppreload donedone
Master Resource Control: runlevel 5 has been reached
...

Then the login screen comes up and later KDE is running. If I return to the console output with <Ctrl><Alt><F1> I see about every 5 seconds a new line printed, saying "/sbin/usbmod: No such file or directory".

There is nothing in /var/log/messages.

I have a Huawei E176 USB-stick (HSPA capable).

This is the outpur from lsmod:

Code:

Module                  Size  Used by
nls_iso8859_1           4000  1      
nls_cp437               5664  1      
vfat                   12320  1      
fat                    59264  1 vfat 
ppp_async              10272  1      
crc_ccitt               1984  1 ppp_async
ppp_generic            28660  5 ppp_async
slhc                    6336  1 ppp_generic
xt_tcpudp               3136  2            
xt_pkttype              1632  3            
ipt_LOG                 6308  6            
xt_limit                2628  6            
edd                    10376  0            
xt_NOTRACK              1632  2            
ipt_REJECT              3168  3            
xt_state                2208  4            
iptable_raw             2848  1            
iptable_filter          3616  1            
nf_conntrack_netbios_ns     2432  0        
nf_conntrack_ipv4      11688  4            
nf_conntrack           83616  4 xt_NOTRACK,xt_state,nf_conntrack_netbios_ns,nf_conntrack_ipv4                                                                                       
nf_defrag_ipv4          2112  1 nf_conntrack_ipv4                                         
ip_tables              13520  2 iptable_raw,iptable_filter                                
ip6_tables             14960  0                                                           
x_tables               19140  9 xt_tcpudp,xt_pkttype,ipt_LOG,xt_limit,xt_NOTRACK,ipt_REJECT,xt_state,ip_tables,ip6_tables                                                           
option                 26788  1                                                           
usb_storage            57664  1                                                           
kobil_sct              11620  0                                                           
fuse                   75964  3                                                           
loop                   17324  0                                                           
dm_mod                 84836  0                                                           
snd_via82xx            28572  2                                                           
gameport               13548  1 snd_via82xx                                               
snd_ac97_codec        119364  1 snd_via82xx                                               
ac97_bus                1920  1 snd_ac97_codec                                            
snd_pcm                97444  2 snd_via82xx,snd_ac97_codec                                
snd_timer              27176  1 snd_pcm                                                   
snd_page_alloc         10248  2 snd_via82xx,snd_pcm                                       
snd_mpu401_uart         8896  1 snd_via82xx                                               
snd_rawmidi            26720  1 snd_mpu401_uart                                           
shpchp                 36372  0                                                           
snd_seq_device          8556  1 snd_rawmidi                                               
ppdev                  10212  0                                                           
usbserial              40872  6 option,kobil_sct                                          
via686a                14380  0                                                           
i2c_viapro              8564  0                                                           
sr_mod                 17316  0                                                           
snd                    75076  11 snd_via82xx,snd_ac97_codec,snd_pcm,snd_timer,snd_mpu401_uart,snd_rawmidi,snd_seq_device                                                            
i2c_core               32628  1 i2c_viapro
pcspkr                  2784  0
soundcore               9120  1 snd
cdrom                  40448  1 sr_mod
floppy                 61540  0
parport_pc             40004  0
via_agp                 8800  1
button                  6544  0
thermal                21020  0
parport                40236  2 ppdev,parport_pc
sg                     32660  0
pci_hotplug            32928  1 shpchp
usbhid                 51968  0
hid                    46848  1 usbhid
uhci_hcd               29552  0
rtc_cmos               15280  0
ehci_hcd               56432  0
rtc_core               22908  1 rtc_cmos
rtc_lib                 3168  1 rtc_core
fan                     5028  0
processor              50352  1
thermal_sys            18120  3 thermal,fan,processor
hwmon                   3676  2 via686a,thermal_sys
ext4                  360324  3
crc16                   1952  1 ext4
jbd2                   96096  1 ext4
ide_pci_generic         4036  0
via82cxxx               7460  0
ide_core              124108  2 ide_pci_generic,via82cxxx
ata_generic             4868  0
pata_via               10120  5
libata                200748  2 ata_generic,pata_via

This is from lspci

Code:


linux-m0v2:/ # lspci -v
00:00.0 Host bridge: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT8371 [KX133] (rev 02)
        Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0                
        Memory at d0000000 (32-bit, prefetchable) [size=64M]       
        Capabilities: [a0] AGP version 2.0                         
        Kernel driver in use: agpgart-via                          

00:01.0 PCI bridge: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT8371 [KX133 AGP] (prog-if 00 [Normal decode])
        Flags: bus master, 66MHz, medium devsel, latency 0                                
        Bus: primary=00, secondary=01, subordinate=01, sec-latency=0                      
        Memory behind bridge: d4000000-d5ffffff                                           
        Prefetchable memory behind bridge: d6000000-d7ffffff                              
        Capabilities: [80] Power Management version 2                                     

00:07.0 ISA bridge: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT82C686 [Apollo Super South] (rev 22)
        Subsystem: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT82C686/A PCI to ISA Bridge           
        Flags: bus master, stepping, medium devsel, latency 0                    
        Kernel driver in use: parport_pc                                         

00:07.1 IDE interface: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT82C586A/B/VT82C686/A/B/VT823x/A/C PIPC Bus Master IDE (rev 10) (prog-if 8a [Master SecP PriP])                                      
        Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 32                                      
        [virtual] Memory at 000001f0 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=8]                  
        [virtual] Memory at 000003f0 (type 3, non-prefetchable) [size=1]                  
        [virtual] Memory at 00000170 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=8]                  
        [virtual] Memory at 00000370 (type 3, non-prefetchable) [size=1]                  
        I/O ports at d000 [size=16]                                                       
        Capabilities: [c0] Power Management version 2                                     
        Kernel driver in use: pata_via                                                    

00:07.2 USB Controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT82xxxxx UHCI USB 1.1 Controller (rev 10) (prog-if 00 [UHCI])                                                                       
        Subsystem: First International Computer, Inc. VA-502 Mainboard                    
        Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 32, IRQ 5                               
        I/O ports at d400 [size=32]                                                       
        Capabilities: [80] Power Management version 2                                     
        Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd                                                    

00:07.4 Host bridge: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT82C686 [Apollo Super ACPI] (rev 30)
        Flags: medium devsel, IRQ 9                                              
        Capabilities: [68] Power Management version 2                            

00:07.5 Multimedia audio controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT82C686 AC97 Audio Controller (rev 20)                                                                                 
        Subsystem: VIA Technologies, Inc. Onboard Audio on EP7KXA                         
        Flags: medium devsel, IRQ 10                                                      
        I/O ports at dc00 [size=256]                                                      
        I/O ports at e000 [size=4]                                                        
        I/O ports at e400 [size=4]                                                        
        Capabilities: [c0] Power Management version 2                                     
        Kernel driver in use: VIA 82xx Audio                                              

00:08.0 USB Controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT82xxxxx UHCI USB 1.1 Controller (rev 62) (prog-if 00 [UHCI])
        Subsystem: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT82xxxxx UHCI USB 1.1 Controller
        Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 32, IRQ 11
        I/O ports at e800 [size=32]
        Capabilities: [80] Power Management version 2
        Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd

00:08.1 USB Controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT82xxxxx UHCI USB 1.1 Controller (rev 62) (prog-if 00 [UHCI])
        Subsystem: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT82xxxxx UHCI USB 1.1 Controller
        Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 32, IRQ 12
        I/O ports at ec00 [size=32]
        Capabilities: [80] Power Management version 2
        Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd

00:08.2 USB Controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. USB 2.0 (rev 65) (prog-if 20 [EHCI])
        Subsystem: VIA Technologies, Inc. USB 2.0
        Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 32, IRQ 10
        Memory at d8000000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=256]
        Capabilities: [80] Power Management version 2
        Kernel driver in use: ehci_hcd

01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: nVidia Corporation NV5M64 [RIVA TNT2 Model 64/Model 64 Pro] (rev 15) (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])
        Subsystem: Elsa AG Erazor III LT
        Flags: bus master, 66MHz, medium devsel, latency 32, IRQ 11
        Memory at d4000000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=16M]
        Memory at d6000000 (32-bit, prefetchable) [size=32M]
        [virtual] Expansion ROM at d5000000 [disabled] [size=64K]
        Capabilities: [60] Power Management version 1
        Capabilities: [44] AGP version 2.0

And this from lsusb:

Code:


linux-m0v2:/ # lsusb
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 12f7:0285 Memorex Products, Inc.
Bus 001 Device 006: ID 12d1:1001 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. E620 USB Modem
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 002 Device 002: ID 0d46:2012 Kobil Systems GmbH KAAN Standard Plus (Smartcard reader)
Bus 002 Device 003: ID 062a:0000 Creative Labs Optical mouse
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub

JZL240I-U · 04-12-2010, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JZL240I-U

...P.P.S.: When I print man pages from "less" they loose some formatting (like bold and italic). What would be the command to give the .ps file to a filter (for a non-postscript printer) and then to CUPS to print it like it looks originally?

Not necessary, one can print it directly from okular (I just have to find the place where to change the page size from legal to DIN A4 but that is a minor concern). That command is an absolute beauty, thanks jschiwal.

For anybody else trying it

man -Tps <topic> | okular -

the "-" at the end is absolutely necessary, else okular stays empty.

Back to the original issue: This might have something to do with problems of updating the kernel, since I had three times error messages there and had to create some links in /lib/modules by hand to keep problems at bay. Links to the pertinent threads:

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...43#post3932543
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...76#post3952876
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...52#post3976252

I'll keep you posted as soon as I have advances there.

JZL240I-U · 05-21-2010, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JZL240I-U

...This might have something to do with problems of updating the kernel...

No, that was the wrong assumption. The kernel problems arose from an error on my part, i.e. how I organized my /boot partition(s).

I know in the meantime that the /sbin/usbmod script is called by a job called /sbin/HWActivator. It is part of a package of Huawei which switches my wireless USB-stick from memory to modem state. That much is clear now but I won't mark this thread as [SOLVED] as I still do not understand what /sbin/usbmod does or rather how it works. In particular how it assigns its option "$1" a value.

Any takers from here on?

mkp123 · 09-07-2010, 04:55 AM

The usbmod is available in the computer for using the internet through the USB modem. Net access could be affected if there is an error in the usbmod. The Called.com connection is established with low success rates. The problem is that the SuSE 11.2 does not have the usbmod. If it is manually added to the 11.0 version, then also this problem exists. Both the systems have different kernels. So the kernel message should be checked first.

JZL240I-U · 09-07-2010, 05:42 AM

Usbmod comes with the software on the stick's memory. I'm using 11.2 now, so I could simply try to deactivate HWActivator

and see what happens. Thanks for your post, but my original question is still not answered: what does /sbin/usbmod do or rather how does it work and in particular how is the value assigned to the option "$1". Anybody savvy with scripts here?