USB3 modem and LTE interface

Hardware MikroTik hardware general
1

Hi there,

I have this RM500Q M.2 modem installed on an USB3 to M.2 adapter which is not recognized by RouterOS.
7.1beta2 recognizes it correctly under /resources/usb but no lte interface appears; any 6.x version including latest beta shows it as “xHCI Host Controller” which is obviously wrong.
The modem has multiple modes of operation, it is currently configured for directIP.
But there seem to be some confusion about what mode is supported in both 6.x and 7.x? The modem can do QMI, MBIM and ECM (direct IP).
I want to use it via the lte inteface, as this is a 5G modem and PPP is not an option.

The modem , installed in the same enclosure, is correctly seen by windows machine and my ZBT router.

Any hint is really appreciated!

Thanks
Rick

2

Ha good luck with taht

3

It does work with 7.1 beta2, if modem is in MBIM mode. LTE interface appears and automatically connects.

[admin@rb3011] /interface/lte> monitor 0
             status: connected
              model: RM500QGL_VH
           revision: RM500QGLABR11A01M4G_BETA_20200
   current-operator: WINDTRE
     current-cellid: 29186835
             enb-id: 114011
          sector-id: 19
         phy-cellid: 400
  access-technology: LTE
     session-uptime: 1m53s
               imei: *******
               imsi: *******
               uicc: ********
       primary-band: B1@10Mhz earfcn: 150 phy-cellid: 400
               rssi: -79dBm
               rsrp: -108dBm
               rsrq: -13dB
               sinr: 0dB
4

RouterOS 6 works with ECM and ADB means, lte1 in ECM and usb1+pppout1 for ADB.
RouterOS 7 works with the same and MBIM who is as lte1.

I use many Quactel modules and they all works in MBIM mode with ros7.1beta2 - mostly all works perfect but read this two post:

Know problems:

Both work’s properly in ros7beta5

5

It connects just fine, but it cannot reach the Internet.
Routing is correct:

[admin@rb3011] /interface/lte> /ip route print                                        
Flags: D - DYNAMIC; A - ACTIVE; C - CONNECT, m - MODEM
Columns: DST-ADDRESS, GATEWAY, DISTANCE
       DST-ADDRESS      GATEWA  D
  DAm  0.0.0.0/0        lte1    2
  DAC  10.12.142.68     lte1    0
  DAC  192.168.1.0/24   ether1  0
  DAC  192.168.88.0/24  bridge  0

I do have the nat rule for masquerading, and it shows it’s used. Tried with ping 8.8.8.8. from router itself.
Any idea?

Thanks
Rick

6

First is first..

ip dns print
put [resolve mikrotik.com ]
ping mikrotik.com count=10
tool traceroute mikrotik.com use-dns=no
7

Sorry, but not having Internet connectivity, all these tests do not make sense, since DNS names can’t be resolved.
I tried ping and traceroute to 8.8.8.8 and both fail, traceroute fails at 1st hop:

[admin@rb3011] /interface/lte> /tool traceroute 8.8.8.8 use-dns=no
Columns: LOSS, SENT, LAST
  #  LOSS  S  LAST   
  1  100%  2  timeout
  2  100%  2  timeout
  3  100%  2  timeout
  4  100%  2  timeout
  5  100%  2  timeout
8

Please not use queue if you cannot edit it properly.

You say befor few times that your lte1 is connected, you see IP from ISP, you have default route.
You should receive DNS from your ISP too or you maybe disable it, that’s why the first commands exist.

First your MikroTik must have internet connectivity, next are your computers.

For me that lte module connect but not give you internet bcs limits of ISP… maybe paymants ?

This enable sms reading

/tool sms set port=lte1 receive-enabled=yes

Read SMS by

> tool/sms/inbox/print 
Columns: PHONE, TIMESTAMP, MESSAGE
  #  PHONE        TIMESTAMP                    MESSAGE                                                                                                                                        
  0  CP-INFO      Sep/07/2020 11:40:16 GMT -0  W dniu 2020-09-03 wystawiono fakture na kwote 80.44 zl z VAT, platna do 2020-09-17. Prosimy o terminowa wplate. Szczegoly w przeslanym e-mailu.

Some ISP when you pay can block a connectivity and show you theyr a Hotspot message like “check tik that you will pay in 24h and we unlock you internet traffic” but to receive this message you MUST USE ISP DNS !.

Then again:

ip dns print
put [resolve mikrotik.com ]

If all this stuff not give us any clue then maybe we can consifer someting wrong with your lte module and go deep into at-chat but this should be as next step.

Does quouting quotes of quotes in consecutive post make any sense?
9

Not using any computer, testing from router, like I said

SIM card is valid and works fine in my ZBT router…
Perhaps APN problem? I recall having an issue with Chateau when first installed, the APN inserted in webfig was not considered
and had to add it using AT commands. I’ll have a look into this possibility.

10

ros7 APN.png
many persons must disable that “Use Network APN” to activate that in APN field.

You can enable logs and watch that entry who have apn inside.

/system logging add topics=lte
11

Will try disabling that. Another issue I’m facing is that when I disable the LTE interface from webfig, sometimes (not always) it will refuse to re-enable it, saying that “radio is off” and the only way I have found to revive it is rebooting the router…

12

… and that was it!!!

Thank you for your help!

Rick

13

Sorry but I not use WebFig… only WinBox or terminal

14

it’s the same interface, web is easier especially because I don’t have or like Windows :slight_smile:

Thanks again
Rick

15

harder for me :slight_smile:

16

Dear All,

I would like to put RM500Q-AE into a Chateau LTE12 router. I am happy to read here that this modem worked in other routerboard hardware already.

Could you please which version is suitable in your case?
Version RM500QAEAA: Interface USB only
Version RM500QAEPA: Interfaces PCI mit USB als debug

Thank you in advance!

17

Chateau not have a SLOT for lte module !
You not change a lte moduje with him.

See:
MikroTik-Caterau-20.jpg
More photos on https://mikrotikon.pl/mikrotik-chateau-pierwsze-urzadzenie-z-lte12-i-routeros-v7/

18

Thank you!