Big problem with Option MiniPCIe HSDPA card on RB411U

Bomber67 · Wed Nov 11, 2009 8:54 am

This problem has been addressed in the thread "How to configure the onboard SIM card 3G (RB411U) ?":
http://forum.mikrotik.com/viewtopic.php ... 17#p179417
but I will try to sum up the essentials here in a new thread.

I use an RB411U with an Option Globetrotter GTN-380 MiniPCIe card.
Operator is norwegian Telenor.

The problem appears to be related to the modem trying to dial out.
I can talk with the modem and get status of the PPP client all fine, but as soon as a dialing attempt is made, the modem freezes, and a power-cycling is needed to get it back.

Description:

After resetting to defaults, the card appears like this:

[admin@MikroTik] /port> pr
Flags: I - inactive 
 #   NAME                      CHANNELS   USED-BY                     BAUD-RATE
 0   serial0                   1          Serial Console              auto     
 1   usb2                      3                                      9600     
[admin@MikroTik] /port>

I set the baudrate to 115200:

[admin@MikroTik] /port> set 1 baud-rate=115200

and I am able to talk to it:

[admin@MikroTik] /port> /system serial-terminal usb2 channel=3
[Ctrl-A is the prefix key]


ati
Manufacturer: Option N.V.
Model: GTM380
Revision: 2.8.0Hd (Date: Oct 11 2007, Time: 10:20:29)

OK

The pre-configured PPP client looks like this:

[admin@MikroTik] /interface ppp-client> pr
Flags: X - disabled, R - running 
 0 X  name="ppp-out1" max-mtu=1500 max-mru=1500 mrru=disabled port=usb2 
      data-channel=2 info-channel=2 apn="internet" pin="" user="" password="" 
      profile=default phone="" dial-command="ATDT" modem-init="" 
      null-modem=no dial-on-demand=yes add-default-route=yes use-peer-dns=yes 
      allow=pap,chap,mschap1,mschap2

I enable the PPP client, and according to the MT Wiki I change info and data channel to 3, and I also insert the same init string and dial string I have used on the Huawei E220 against this operator (norwegian Telenor) before:

[admin@MikroTik] > /interface ppp-client
[admin@MikroTik] /interface ppp-client> set 0 data-channel=3 info-channel=3 dial
-command=ATDT phone=*99***1# \
\...   modem-init="AT+CGDCONT=1,\"IP\",\"internet\"" disabled=no                
[admin@MikroTik] /interface ppp-client>

Then the PPP client looks like this:

[admin@MikroTik] /interface ppp-client> pr
Flags: X - disabled, R - running 
 0  R name="ppp-out1" max-mtu=1500 max-mru=1500 mrru=disabled port=usb2 
      data-channel=3 info-channel=3 apn="internet" pin="" user="" password="" 
      profile=default phone="" dial-command="ATDT*99***1#" 
      modem-init="AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","internet"" null-modem=no 
      dial-on-demand=yes add-default-route=yes use-peer-dns=yes 
      allow=pap,chap,mschap1,mschap2

This also gives status information for the PPP client:

[admin@MikroTik] /interface ppp-client> info 0   
            status: "ready"
        pin-status: "READY"
     functionality: "minimum"
         gprs-mode: "A - HSDPA"
      manufacturer: "Option N.V."
             model: "GTM380"
          revision: "2.8.0Hd (Date: Oct 11 2007, Time: 10:20:29)"
     serial-number: "357564010361222,PE297AG0JY"
  current-operator: "N Telenor - TELENOR"
    signal-strengh: -79

The PPP client gets IP address and routes are established:

[admin@MikroTik] > /ip address pr
Flags: X - disabled, I - invalid, D - dynamic 
 #   ADDRESS            NETWORK         BROADCAST       INTERFACE              
 0 D 10.64.64.77/32     10.112.112.125  0.0.0.0         ppp-out1               
[admin@MikroTik] > /ip route pr  
Flags: X - disabled, A - active, D - dynamic, 
C - connect, S - static, r - rip, b - bgp, o - ospf, m - mme, 
B - blackhole, U - unreachable, P - prohibit 
 #      DST-ADDRESS        PREF-SRC        G GATEWAY              DISTANCE IN..
 0 ADS  0.0.0.0/0                          r 10.112.112.125       1        pp..
 1 ADC  10.112.112.125/32  10.64.64.77                            0        pp..
[admin@MikroTik] >

However, No DNS address is configured, and it is not possible to ping gateway or any other public IP address.

If the PPP client starts a dialing attempt, either by pinging an IP address:

[admin@MikroTik] > /tool ping xx.xxx.87.254
  current: 0bps
  average: 0bps
-- [Q quit|D dump|C-z pause]

or by disabling "dial-on-demand":

/interface ppp-client
set 0 dial-on-demand=no

then talking with the modem is impossible:

[admin@MikroTik] > /system serial-terminal usb2 channel=3

[Ctrl-A is the prefix key]



[Q - quit connection]      [B - send break]
[A - send Ctrl-A prefix]   [R - autoconfigure rate]

and no information is available for the PPP client:

[admin@MikroTik] /interface ppp-client> info 0   
failure: modem did not respond

When in this state, even a /system reboot isn't enough to get the card back on track, a power-cycling is required.

Can anybody please shed some light on this? I am getting desperate to get it to work.

Mikrotik, what is your config for successful operation with this HSDPA card?

mwozniak · Thu Dec 24, 2009 10:10 pm

Hi Bomber67 - did you ever get anywhere with this problem?
I am up to the exact same point. Tried different SIMs, power
supplies, power inputs, settings, verified SIM with Cell Co,
ROS versions, anything I could think of to no avail... Waiting
for word back from the vendor but not expecting anything
useful. Thinking of installing card in my notebook to see if
the drivers will flash the card to new level and maybe then
it will work??? Appreciate any ideas...
Thanks, mike

Bomber67 · Tue Dec 29, 2009 8:52 am

Hello!

Interesting.
Unfortunately I have no progress on this.
I have asked Mikrotik to look at this (gave them access to the router), and I have asked for contact details for the customer that they made these drivers for, but so far no progress.
I simply cannot believe that this card really is supported, I have 2 identical cards, both behaving the same way.

Until now I have only had the possibility to use 3G USB cards (Huawei E220), but as this is not a bullet-proof solution, I cannot sell it to end customers. When it works it works, but from time to time I have to power-cycle, log into the router and reboot, re-configure ports and so on.

Please let me know if you get it to work!

mwozniak · Sun Jan 10, 2010 11:46 pm

I returned my card to Hong Kong & will try
a new one in a few weeks.

Tue Feb 02, 2010 1:05 pm

bomber - is it possible to use another card? these cards seem to have problems for more than one person.

Bomber67 · Tue Feb 02, 2010 2:15 pm

Of course, everything is possible.
It's just that I chose among the cards that you guys listed as supported, and ordered 2 cards from Hong Kong on Ebay.
Either I'll have to send them back, or they'll be $200 floating around in my shelf...

Which of the MiniPCIe cards you list on http://wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/Supported_Hardware are actually tested and verified by yourself?

Another problem that I have addressed both on the forum and directly against Sergejs/Uldis is the trouble with the USB cards, namely Huawei E220 and Motech CNU-680 (need to powercycle, need for software reboot etc.)

Unfortunately, these issues prevent me from selling MT based 3G apps to customers, because they demand the thing to just work on power-up - each time.

Tue Feb 02, 2010 2:21 pm

we didn't list anything. that list is 100% user made. we don't add anything to this list, except if a person doesn't know how to use wiki, and emails us about testing it.

Bomber67 · Tue Feb 02, 2010 2:33 pm

Ok, sorry.
But where is your official list of supported MiniPCIe cards?
I guess you have to make some modifications to ROS for some of the cards to work?

Which cards have you tested and verified?
What does it take to support the Option GTM380?

Tue Feb 02, 2010 2:55 pm

We don't test 3G cards, we rely on user reports. We have tested only a select few Sierra cards

Bomber67 · Tue Feb 02, 2010 3:16 pm

Any recommendations for Sierra cards?
There are many of them listed, I need one that supports 2.1GHz WCDMA.

Is the 8775 a good one?

Bomber67 · Tue Feb 02, 2010 3:35 pm

Ok, decision is made, just ordered 2x Sierra 8775 on Ebay.
Will revert with results in in a couple of weeks when I have tested them.

Meanwhile, maybe you guys somewhere out there who listed the option GTM-380 on the wiki could chime in reporting how you made it?

Tue Feb 02, 2010 3:38 pm

yes, this card is reported to work fine in v4.5

mwozniak · Sat Feb 06, 2010 7:33 am

I returned my card to Hong Kong & will try
a new one in a few weeks.

Success!

I'm currently playing "I returned it - no you didn't" with the
eBay seller goezshopping so I purchased an unlocked Option
GTM378 from eBay seller eastar4. No luck with it at first so
I upgraded to ROS 4.5 (no help), talked to Rogers Canada
support for an hour (no help), then started randomly fiddling
with all the settings. Turned out I needed to set the APN
(yes, I'm a 3G noob) and it started working. Verrry slow
ping times, but hey, I'm roaming in the US with it right now
so I'm guessing the packets are traveling pretty far compared
to the two hops from the ether port.

tomosmelos · Tue Feb 09, 2010 11:58 am

Where you input APN settings? In init modem strong or in APN field (winbox) ??

mwozniak · Wed Feb 10, 2010 9:05 am

My SIM is set up with Rogers in Canada so I set the APN
to "internet.com" via Winbox. Your carrier specific APN
can be found here: http://www.taniwha.org.uk/gprs.html

ta2mzl · Fri Feb 26, 2010 11:13 pm

Any recommendations for Sierra cards?
There are many of them listed, I need one that supports 2.1GHz WCDMA.

Is the 8775 a good one?

Hi;

I had same problem with my RB411U + Qualcomm UNDP1 ( other names are HP UN2400 or Gobi1000 ).

I heard from support v4.7'll come next weeks and we will test again.

Anyway, I bought Sierra Wireless MC8790, It can attach 3G Network properly.

Intrepid · Fri May 13, 2011 1:17 pm

@bomber67: According to Telenor Kundeservice, a dialup to their network does not require any other than APN: telenor, and *99#. When telenor is used, the modem int string is installed automatic... If you don't want to be "behind" Telenor's firewall, the APN is: internet.public

But this does'nt work for me, so the next step is to upgrade my firmware...

//Kent

ceonke · Wed Oct 26, 2011 8:20 am

Hey everyone,

Looks like I have similar problem. I just bought GTM378 card and tried to configure with 411 to work, but I cant communicate with my mPCIe:

[admin@MikroTik] > system resource usb print
# DEVICE VENDOR NAME SPEED
0 2:1 RB400 EHCI 480 Mbps
1 1:1 RB400 OHCI 12 Mbps
2 1:2 Option N.V. Globetrotter HSDPA ... 12 Mbps

Card has only 2 channels:

[admin@MikroTik] > port print
Flags: I - inactive
# NAME CHANNELS USED-BY BAUD-RATE
0 serial0 1 Serial Console auto
1 usb2 2 auto

[admin@MikroTik] > system serial-terminal usb2 channel=0

[Ctrl-A is the prefix key]

And there is no communication:

[Q - quit connection]
[A - send Ctrl-A prefix] [R - autoconfigure rate]

trying rate 9600
timeout trying rate

Baud rate was set to auto and static 9600 but no changes. Maybe someone has ideas, cause I getting to point that card is half-past dead.

Any help would be appreciated.

Intrepid · Thu Oct 27, 2011 12:01 pm

Post the output of you're /PPP configuration...

ceonke · Thu Oct 27, 2011 9:16 pm

The problem isnt in PPP, cause RB cant communicate with modem, as shown above, when trying

system serial-terminal usb2 channel=0

there is no info from modem, cursor wount appear, I cant type anything. Tried modem on the laptop - everything is fine. Tried different firmwares, different RB and the same. Guess this is mismatch in hardware and the only option - buy different card, 4 egzmpl sierra.

Fri Oct 28, 2011 5:36 pm

try channel1.
check maybe you can upgrade the cards firmware form the laptop.

Intrepid · Fri Oct 28, 2011 8:42 pm

In PPP you can change the channel, that is what I ment

ceonke · Mon Oct 31, 2011 10:10 am

In PPP you can change the channel, that is what I ment

Tried both channels, any changes. As uldis mentioned, its worth to try upgrade firmware on card. I'll write back if any changes appear

leodio · Fri May 25, 2012 3:36 pm

Hi all,

i have the same problem with "dialing out" and then freeze with GTM380, i tryed with OS version 5.x and 6.x beta. I tryed also with different baud rate port, different IPS and all combo datachannel/infocannel from 0 to 2. The channel 3 doesn't supported (error

How can you write in support list to use channel 3 if is not supported?

Then i tryed with Novatel EU850D all work fine but is VERY SLOW, max 2mbit connection (maybe cause baud rate is locked to 9600?)

I really need to solve problem with GTM380.

Thank you very much

Leo.

Mon May 28, 2012 10:11 am

If no channel combinations work, email support with information for remote access, we can connect and try to see why it doesn't work.

leodio · Mon May 28, 2012 10:32 am

Fantastic, do you use remote access like TeamViewer?

Mon May 28, 2012 10:36 am

Fantastic, do you use remote access like TeamViewer?

No, we need SSH access to your router directly.

leodio · Mon May 28, 2012 10:41 am

Ok give me 20minute then i will leave the board powered on and give you ssh access.

Thank you very much

leodio · Mon May 28, 2012 11:06 am

ip: 151.32.137.171
user: admin
pass: thankyou

Now is with info channel 0 and data channel 0. Sometime if change this you lose modem connection, have to re-set it on 0-0 to have modem connection again

Leo

Mon May 28, 2012 1:50 pm

somehow it doesn't dial out - no response to the dial commands. I suggest to downgrade to v5.16 and test with that version.
Also maybe you could try to find a newer firmware for that modem, maybe there is some problem with the current firmware that you have.

leodio · Mon May 28, 2012 1:57 pm

I tested v5.6 (5.06?) and 5.16 and finally with 6.0 beta2 version. The problem is always the same. I tryed also to upgrade firmware from 2.x (original) to 2.80 (actual) but nothing changed. I have updated also the routerboard firmware. No way to make the GTM380 working. I tested the GTM380 with windows and work fine. For me is a big problem i ordered 130 GTM380 cause i saw it should be compatible. Can i make other test/fix? I don't have other idea, i gone crazy.

Tue May 29, 2012 3:35 pm

For me is a big problem i ordered 130 GTM380 cause i saw it should be compatible.

I'm really sorry that this happened, we don't maintain that list, our users are adding cards to that table. It's possible the other user used a different revision of the same modem, or used some specific AT settings to make it work. We have no way to get this information. If it works in Windows, it will not mean that is works in RouteOS, as RouterOS uses linux drivers. You could look into some Linux forums if people have tried it.

PLen · Wed Jun 06, 2012 1:30 pm

I tested v5.6 (5.06?) and 5.16 and finally with 6.0 beta2 version. The problem is always the same. I tryed also to upgrade firmware from 2.x (original) to 2.80 (actual) but nothing changed. I have updated also the routerboard firmware. No way to make the GTM380 working. I tested the GTM380 with windows and work fine. For me is a big problem i ordered 130 GTM380 cause i saw it should be compatible. Can i make other test/fix? I don't have other idea, i gone crazy.

We use routerOS 5.17

Try set:
data-channel=3
info-channel=3
modem init = ATI

we use polish operator PlusGSM

bysard · Mon Jun 11, 2012 5:28 pm

We also have similar issues with GPRS connections on Mikrotiks. We use Sierra Wireless 8790(7 channels), 8792V(7 channels) and Novatel 850D(2 channels). All these mini-pcie adapters are installed into RB411U or 411UAHR with dedicated GPRS antena. These routers are stationed on more then 100 sites (power plants) across EU. All of them suffer same problems. At some point they just drop link and need to be power cycled (reboot doesn't help - watchdog is useless in this case). This happens randomly. If I connect a serial cable to a router that it's link has dropped and disable the gprs interface, the whole routerboard freezes. At some point we figured out that some capacitors are way below necessery quality level (on boards RB411 and RB411UAHR), so we replaced them with more expensive ones. These routers now wont freeze, but they still need to be power cycled at some point. We also installed a UPS, to no effect, still needs a power cycle. I didn't know what else to do (it should work, but it doesn't!), so I bought 20 test models RB751U. I installed a ZTE 668a USB modem and plugged it into RB751U. Same problem all over again. Could connect but after some time (1 day, 1 month, but never more) but got DC again. This led me to think about the USB power fault in the RB series (4x series don't even have an active USB, RB751U does). I must point out that the same GPRS key works like a charm in an x86 system!

This is not just a problem with Option cards, it's a much bigger problem that's affecting a much bigger range of hardware than just this one card.

Also what is the point of implementing power-recycle function if it doesn't work in any of the tested RB models. Is it only for x86 models?

edit:

We tried RoS from 4.1 to 5.17 on boards 411U, 411UAHR, 751U and some x86 machines. GPRS in my experience only works as intended on x86 machines.

br,

bysaRD

Dobby · Mon Jun 11, 2012 11:57 pm

Deleted because not related.

leodio · Tue Jul 31, 2012 8:53 pm

Problem solved with GTM380

By defualt you can use channel 0,1,2 but you MUST use datachannel=3 so:

open terminal

/port set usbX baud-rate=115200

/system serial-terminal port=usbX channel=1

AT_OIFC=3,1,1,0

AT&W

(where X is the correct usb port)

Then reboot all, set datachannel 3 (now you can) and should work

Bye all

sirus86 · Sun Oct 28, 2012 4:27 pm

Baud rate must be automatic, and USB must be to USB5.
Always update the routerboard firmware to the newest!!!
In this method, I used at 411U and 411UAHR this card, with data channel 2 and info channel 1.

For this information, i tested for 1 week this stuff.

januszzz · Thu Dec 06, 2012 10:31 am

leodio,

have you solved all of your GTM380 problems? we're about to order some dozens of these modems. I can also order different ones yet, but still need to be sure how stable they perform.

I didn't check your "fix" yet but could you provide in more brief what exactly it solves?

Thanks.

leodio · Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:49 pm

i solved connection problem with 1 more channel. Before i couldnt connect. But after connection still have classico 411-3g module problem. Freeze ecc...until power off/on MANUALLY the board

bysard · Fri Mar 08, 2013 12:17 pm

The problem seems to be connected with mini-pci/USB drivers for 3g/2g devices in Mikrotik. If you use a serial modem and communicate with it via AT commands, the router doesn't freeze anymore. Mikrotik really has very poorly written drivers.

br,

bysarD

Dobby · Sat Mar 09, 2013 4:38 pm

Deleted because not related.

Dobby · Mon Mar 11, 2013 12:48 am

Deleted because not related.

januszzz · Sun Mar 17, 2013 8:39 pm

It's been 7 months already since I'm testing GTM380 and so far I had no problems, they were working fine. Setting channels was sometimes needed, but mostly everything runs out of the box.

I've conducted the following tests:
* one RB411UAHR was running unattended for 2 months, with some power failures, all reboots survived well and was serving connectivity fine,
* one RB411UAHR was running unattended for 9 weeks, without power failures, availability was 99,1%, rebooted because of software update and the test was to finish,
* one RB411UAHR was running in my car for 1 month, with extraordinary number of power failures (approx two reboots on every engine start, hundreds from watchdog as signal was missing); I've drove about 1300 kilometers and used its wifi for Google navigation.

To sum up, all test were fine.

But unfortunately, today I've catch the error leonido and bysard points out, apparently, they are both correct and still the problem exists and is very severe (vital for installations).

I've lost the connectivity after some 7 days, system didn't reconnect. Information I got when connected through serial console was (like, didn't catch exactly):

Data (?) channel not available!

Watchdog was intentionally disabled, so I've checked some pieces and rebooted the router via /system reboot only to get:

02:00:08 async,ppp,info ppp-out1: initializing...
02:00:08 async,ppp,info ppp-out1: reseting link...
02:00:08 async,ppp,info ppp-out1: reseting link... - could not acquire serial port
02:00:08 async,ppp,info ppp-out1: disconnected
02:00:08 async,ppp,info ppp-out1: initializing...
02:00:08 async,ppp,info ppp-out1: reseting link...
02:00:08 async,ppp,info ppp-out1: reseting link... - could not acquire serial port
02:00:08 async,ppp,info ppp-out1: disconnected

So I rebooted MANUALLY the board and it automagically connected again.

Partial log of the operation included. I was too stressed to make it more clear as I bet on this feature and my professional career is on stock... I also have around 90 of GTM378 ready to be rolled out so I'm really

MikroTik, what is your opinion? can we have this sorted out?

bysard · Wed Mar 20, 2013 5:27 pm

The only 2 workaorunds I've come up with are:

1. Don't use USB or mini-pciE modems with routerboards (attach a serial modem and communicate via AT commands) = been using these for a year now without a problem! (e.g. http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/61799 ... modem.html)

2. Use USB or mini-pciE, but also implement a timer before a router and set it to reboot e.g. @ 00:00. The problem here is if the connection hangs right after HW reset, you wont get any data for the next 24 hours. I suggest option 1.

If someone else has any other idead, that were tested on the field, please share your findings.

br,

bysaRD

januszzz · Wed Mar 20, 2013 6:59 pm

For changing modem is too late we've already deployed 40 of them. Now they seem to run ok yet it remains to be seen within certain period.

Im rather mad about this. Why the f... you Mikrotik sell devices for 3g, "perfect three g device" if they're so wrong... I really would like to find more opinions. There should be something like consistent judgement system for users: works or not.

I will keep post about my stability here. By some good karma Ive ordered also rb750up for those sites so as a last resort we'll implement daily hard reboot via poe.

bysard · Thu Mar 21, 2013 8:22 am

Haha, ".. you Mikrotik sell devices for 3g, "perfect three g device" if" I wrote exactly the same thing to MT. We changed the modems after we have implemented more then 130 perfect 3g devices. We calculated the cost was still lower then driving to every location atleast once a month. Whats is even more strange is that MT isn't able to reproduce the problem.

Ivoshiee · Thu Mar 21, 2013 7:01 pm

Luckily I do not have hundreds of MT devices with mini pci-e 3G modems, but I've seen these issues and more. For that given problem I've implemented a Watchdog to ping 8.8.8.8 and reboot when not reached, but for me the more grave issue is the dropping of the ppp-client configuration (http://forum.mikrotik.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=68951). The ROS v5.24 or v6rc11 is supposed to fix that, but they stated that for much earlier versions as well. I'll try to upgrade all my devices to those latest supposedly fixed versions, but I am not so optimistic.

bysard · Sat Mar 23, 2013 9:06 am

Watchdog doesn't help as the router needs to power cycle the mini-pcie modem in order for it to reconnect to the 3g network.

bysard · Sun Mar 31, 2013 9:24 am

I have also found this:

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread. ... dems/page4

I didn't yet tested with 2 temp interfaces....

keithw · Fri Apr 05, 2013 10:25 am

... so at this point in time, are there ANY STABLE pci-e 3G modems that work with the RB411 series?

bysard · Wed Apr 10, 2013 9:30 am

I tried these:

Sierra wireless MC8790
Sierra wireless MC8792V
Novatel 850D

All have same problem.... they hang and need to power cycle in order to connect again. I have also confirmed this with the mobile provider. They said the connection is always broken because our router (RB411/U/UAHR) is disconnecting the line.

januszzz · Thu May 16, 2013 3:11 pm

By some good karma Ive ordered also rb750up for those sites so as a last resort we'll implement daily hard reboot via poe.

OK, my story is somewhat positive.

During last 3 months we've deployed ~75 pieces of RB411UAHR with GTM378. Where the signal is good, there are no problems with them.

What doesn't work:
* watchdog. It appears to be too restrictive and reboots the router constantly on low quality links.
* moreover, we've observed that router loses its PPP configuration in 5.23 and even in 5.24, but only when watchdog is on. It wasn't confirmed in 5.24, it was too scary for us too keep the watchdog.
* modem itself

confirmed again, they don't get up after some freaky signal deviations.

So I said before we also have RB750UP in place, so we implemented script on it to restart the external device on condition. So effectively, it is external hardware watchdog. Script looks like this:

/system script 
add name=ResetExternalDeviceViaPoEOnOutage policy=ftp,reboot,read,write,policy,test,winbox,password,sniff,sensitive,api source=":if ([/ping 8.8.8.8 interval=2 count=10]\
    >0)  do={[/log info \"WATCHDOG: Host 8.8.8.8 is responding, sleeping.\"]} else={[/log info \"WATCHDOG: Host 8.8.8.8 didn't respond, restarting device on\
    \_ether5.\";\
    \n /interface ethernet poe set ether5 poe-out=off ;\
    \ndelay 10;\
    \n/interface ethernet poe set ether5 poe-out=auto-on ;\
    \n/log info \"WATCHDOG: Device on ether5 restarted via PoE.\"\
    \n]}\
    \n"

/system scheduler
add comment="Restart device via PoE if a host doesn’t respond " disabled=no interval=1h name=CheckExternalDevice on-event=ResetExternalDeviceViaPoEOnOutage policy=\
    ftp,reboot,read,write,policy,test,winbox,password,sniff,sensitive,api start-date=jan/01/1970 start-time=18:00:00

I'll keep posting if there are some news about it. All is fine so far, crossing fingers... Peace!

bysard · Sun May 19, 2013 8:52 am

Januszzz, thank you for your info and a nice technical solution. But sorry I don't see how this can be a positive story. Maybe because you have found a working workaround only. Otherwise you have confirmed everything it was already written on this and other threads. Routers must be supervised by other device not the implemented watchdog - it doesn't do its job. When the signal is lower, sometimes it hangs the modem (trying to reconnect - needs to be power cycled). You need an external device to fix this. So in my case where I have more then 200 locations across EU I would need also 200 750UP routers

. Also my implementations have been "working" since 2010 and the real trouble begins after 6-8 months, when the gprs antennas get ionized. Modems will hung up non-stop. Not even mechanical timer can help in a way we want it to, because the router sometimes hangs just right after it was power cycled by mechnanical timer. Nice yeah?

januszzz · Sun May 19, 2013 11:16 pm

But sorry I don't see how this can be a positive story.

Never described my story as "positive" , I would rather summarize it as "f@#$%ing stressing". I also underline, that the solution is not optimal and the router itself should just work.

Of course, I've confirmed the bugs before and will not probably decide of such configuration with mikrotik in the future. But this installation will work probably until the EOL of devices, as currently there is no cheap way to change it.

So in my case where I have more then 200 locations across EU I would need also 200 750UP routers

Still better than waiting for a crash on the other side of EU. And, in my particular case, we've had planned 750UP on premises already as we've needed ports (remember, good karma). I just hope the 750s will work without a trouble...

Also my implementations have been "working" since 2010 and the real trouble begins after 6-8 months, when the gprs antennas get ionized. Modems will hung up non-stop. Not even mechanical timer can help in a way we want it to, because the router sometimes hangs just right after it was power cycled by mechnanical timer. Nice yeah?

I find it irrelevant for the problem, as this would decrease signal level on every device. It would require comparison how other devices work in the same place and time.

Anyway, above script would work efficiently in your case - it checks if the device needs reboot every once in a while (adjustable) and performs the reboot only if it detects (adjustable) it is necessarry.

Meanwhile, what are the alternatives MikroTik should recognize as competitors and we can use, within similar costs range?

bysard · Mon May 20, 2013 7:55 pm

Well the main point is still that reboot doesn't solve the problem, so the scripts wont fix this unless with the use of external device. And then I would prefer a simple timer with battery for 2-3€ rather then a 750UP router. Also because the original dedicated device doesn't do its job and its made by the same manufacturer (Mikrotik). Why paying them extra? Its like rewarding them for selling unreliable - by their advertising words - "Perfect 3G device" (Which by the way on the long run works much more stable at 2G

).

p.s.

And yes, you said your story was somehow positive

.

deforciant · Wed Jun 19, 2013 5:10 pm

Hello,
Firstly, I would like to thank all people for their contributions and sharing information about issues with 411UAHR. I have deployed 20 of 411UAHR with MC8780. I have also added scripts to ping 8.8.8.8 and reboot on conn failures but fortunately there were none. Devices are working very stable with these sierra wireless 3G cards. On the other hand, they lack bandwidth so I will be looking for more capable cards. Maybe someone could recommend stable 3G card with ~10 mbps down, ~5 mbps up?

bysard · Thu Jun 20, 2013 4:46 pm

Hello,
Firstly, I would like to thank all people for their contributions and sharing information about issues with 411UAHR. I have deployed 20 of 411UAHR with MC8780. I have also added scripts to ping 8.8.8.8 and reboot on conn failures but fortunately there were none. Devices are working very stable with these sierra wireless 3G cards. On the other hand, they lack bandwidth so I will be looking for more capable cards. Maybe someone could recommend stable 3G card with ~10 mbps down, ~5 mbps up?

How long do you have devices in operation? What is firmware version on MC8790?

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