3G card on RB230

Hardware MikroTik hardware general
1

Hi,

I’m working on a project to upgrade an existing RB230 with R52H (running latest RouterOS) with a 3G/3.5G (HSDPA) card. The USB port is unusable since USB 3G cards normally require 2 ports (1 for data+power, the other for additional power), so

I was considering the PCMCIA/CardBus slot, but unfortunately the local mobile network providers can only provide USB or ExpressCard cards. Also, there are very few 3G cards which use PCMCIA/Cardbus, most of them use ExpressCard.

I looked up some cards and could find these, which appear to be compatible with RouterOS (the software), but not sure about the hardware (CardBus slot on the RouterBOARD RB230):
Novatel Wireless Merlin U740 HSDPA PC Data Card
Sierra Wireless AirCard 875 PC Card
Option GlobeTrotter HSDPA 7.2 Ready (Not yet compatible)
Option GlobeTrotter GT MAX HSUPA (Not listed)

Has anybody used any type of 3G card on the RB230. I’m in EU so the card must be at least 2100Mhz capable.

2

Currently all supported 3G cards are here,
http://wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/Supported_Hardware#3G_cards
I guess someone can share experience about using 3G card in Europe.

3

Sure, that lists what is compatible with ROS, but not what is compatible with RB230.

For example, some ExpressCard cards are supplied with a PCMCIA adapter which mechanically fits into a PCMCIA or CardBus slot, but requires the CardBus controller chip to support the PCMCIAv8 standard, which I’m not sure the RB230 supports.

4

RB 230 supports two independent card sockets
compliant with the PC Card Standard rev.7.1.

5

= does not support ExpressCards with a PCMCIA adapter.

6

Solution: Use a PCMCIA multiport USB 2.0 card and plug the 3G device in the card’s USB ports.