Need generic driver for KR2

NathanP · EVDO User Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 40

Here's a quick summary of my problem.

I have a Kyocera KPC680 through a small wireless company called Nex-Tech Wireless. They are my only option in this area. I also have a Kyocera KPC680. Unfortunately, the KPC680 doesn' work with the KR2. Both Kyocera and Nex-Tech Wireless have told me it is because my KPC680 is using a generic Kyocera KPC680 driver. Apparently most wireless companies (Sprint, Verizon, etc.) have their own drivers put into all these routers. So the only way I can get the KR2 to work is if I can get a "generic" driver on it.

Is it possible for somebody way smarter than me to take the driver that I use to make the KPC680 work on my laptop and convert it to something my KR2 can use?

By the way, I've also tried a CTR350, MBR1000, and a Linksys WRT54G3G. None of them work either.

I have 4 of the KPC680's, and I'd like a router to use with each of them. I'd be willing to pay money for somebody to develop a driver.

When I had the MBR1000, I tried talking to Cradlepoint about the problem, but they wanted nothing to do with it. That's why I've moved to the KR2.

Mackieman · EVDO Junkie Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 491

Device driver software creates the interface between the host device and the endpoint device. For example, it tells a laptop how to interface with the KPC680. That driver can change from one platform to another but the way in which that driver communicates with the device does not change. That communication is defined by the software running on the card itself. Kyocera released one PC and one Mac driver for the KPC680 and, as far as I know, no one else has hacked or otherwise modified that. It would require that the KPC680 software be changed in order to change the driver communication behavior.

In terms of KR2, the router is no respecter of drivers. The router has a driver for KPC680 and any KPC680, no matter the carrier, can be used with it. An issue might arise, however, if that carrier has a network implementation scheme that is different from the other major EVDO operators like Verizon, Alltel, and Sprint. Specifically, it may be that the dialing string used to initiate the PPP EVDO data call is not #777 on the Nex-Tech network. This will cause any router to fail to connect because the dialing strings used by the router are not compatible with the network.

So then, here's what you can do to check and see if the router is recognizing your card but not being able to connect:

1. Log into the KR2 GUI (192.168.0.1 by default).
2. Select the Advanced tab.
3. Select the Failover menu.

On the Failover page, if the card is recognized by the router, it will display the name of the device on the ExpressCard entry. KPC680 should show up as Qualcomm CDMA Technologies MSM. If this is indeed displayed, you can check the system log under the Status tab to see what kind of issue the router is having. Most likely, it will note that it could not establish a WAN connection.

If it does not show anything on the failover page, I would be very interested to understand more specific data about your KPC680 as well as any connection manager software or modem scripts you're using.

NathanP · EVDO User Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 40

The KPC680 is recognized by the KR2 (when I go to the Failover menu). The status "logs" tab has a whole bunch of stuff on it.

So where do I go from here?

By the way, #777 is the number my card dials. What other info might help you help me? Very Happy

Mackieman · EVDO Junkie Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 491

Well, that's good news. That means the router recognizes your card and is attempting to make a connection, so it's not a driver issue. Very Happy

Something else is amiss with the network.

You can save a text copy of the log from the router. Please do so and paste the contents here. That will help determine what is going on. Also, please post details about the connection software you're using while the card is in your laptop.

Torrey · EVDO Junkie Joined: 09 May 2007 Posts: 288 Location: USA

Does your carrier require a user/pass to authenticate?

See: CradlePoint Admin Page > Basic > WAN

NathanP · EVDO User Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 40

I can connect via laptop with or without username/password, and I've tried the router both ways as well.

Torrey · EVDO Junkie Joined: 09 May 2007 Posts: 288 Location: USA

Log files really would help Wink

Also, check the status page to see if your card is even getting an IP address from the carrier...doesn't sound like it is, but worth checking.

NathanP · EVDO User Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 40

My router isn't getting an IP address from my card. I can easily check that in the Status tab. Here's the log file when I disconnect my DSL, plug in the KPC680, and let it go through a cycle of trying to connect then failing. It's in reverse order:

[INFO] Fri Feb 06 16:08:08 2004 WAN interface is down
[INFO] Fri Feb 06 16:07:33 2004 Log viewed by IP address 192.168.0.198
[INFO] Fri Feb 06 16:07:19 2004 Allowed configuration authentication by IP address 192.168.0.198
[INFO] Fri Feb 06 16:07:07 2004 WAN interface is down
[INFO] Fri Feb 06 16:07:07 2004 LCP sets remote auth: 00000000
[INFO] Fri Feb 06 16:07:07 2004 LCP sets remote options: ACCM: FFFFFFFF, ACFC: 0, PFC: 1, MRU: 1500
[INFO] Fri Feb 06 16:07:07 2004 LCP sets local options: ACCM: 00000000, ACFC: 0, PFC: 0, MRU: 1500
[INFO] Fri Feb 06 16:06:36 2004 LCP sets remote auth: C023
[INFO] Fri Feb 06 16:06:36 2004 LCP sets remote options: ACCM: 00000000, ACFC: 1, PFC: 1, MRU: 1500
[INFO] Fri Feb 06 16:06:36 2004 LCP sets local options: ACCM: 00000000, ACFC: 1, PFC: 1, MRU: 1500
[INFO] Fri Feb 06 16:06:04 2004 WAN interface is down
[INFO] Fri Feb 06 16:05:51 2004 Stopping WAN Services
[INFO] Fri Feb 06 16:05:51 2004 WAN interface is down
[INFO] Fri Feb 06 16:05:51 2004 WAN interface cable has been disconnected

Mackieman · EVDO Junkie Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 491

Based on the log, it looks like your card is configured for an authentication protocol that KR2 is not trying to use. I don't know the specifics of setup for the Nex-Tech Wireless network but it looks like they are possibly requiring MS-CHAP instead of PAP/CHAP but I'm not 100% sure.

Essentially, when LCP sets the remote auth type to C023, that is PAP. PAP is the most basic of authentication schemes and sends the username/password in plain text, so it isn't very secure and isn't widely implemented. The router is requesting PAP and the network rejects it, causing the connection to fail. I'm wondering at this point if CHAP was tried first and rejected as well or if there is something else going on. If it is specifically MS-CHAP, the router may not be passing a parameter that the network wants. If it can't get past PAP/CHAP, it will never get to AAA to authenticate with the network. It's difficult to tell without seeing the detailed connection parameters in the software of your KPC680 and/or understanding their network authentication schema.

I think it might just be a funky way they have set up their network given that multiple routers have not worked for you but I have no way to be sure.

VZWdata · EVDO User Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Posts: 42

If it works in your PC it should work in the router..Try unplugging the card..Restet the modem to factory..With aircard unplugged. Unplug the router push in the reset button on router and plug in at same time while holding reset button wait for lights to flash and router to reset..

Now unplug router again and plug aircard into it then plug router in again.. Wait for it to reboot and tell me what the status lights are telling you..

I had to do this a couple of tmes with my VZW rev a 5750 pcmcia card.

On another note where do you live that you dont have VZW or sprint access..

NathanP · EVDO User Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 40

That didn't work either. The EVDO light flashes, as if trying to connect, then it goes to yellow/orange, instead of green.

I live in NW Kansas, near the Colorado border. I think the closest Sprint or VZW dealers are 2 hours away.

MasterMason · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 19

My recommendation is to contact Nex_tech and find out if they can recommend a router. Wouldn't want you to be unhappy like in your last forum.

Wink

NathanP · EVDO User Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 40

Nex-Tech said they haven't found a router that works, but I also get the feeling they aren't terribly smart when it comes to all this stuff. Basically, this forum is my last hope.

Mackieman · EVDO Junkie Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 491

NathanP · EVDO User Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 40

Latest Update

Nex-Tech Wireless got their own KR2, and they are able to connect using a KPC680 and the KR2. This is very strange to me. I sent my KPC680 back to them, and they are also able to connect with it.

I've reset my router to factory defaults many times (theirs is set to factory default), and I can't figure out why they can connect, but I can't.

Nex-Tech is going to erase everything on my card, and reinstall it and send it back to me to try again.

I have 4 of these cards, and none of them work in my KR2. I've also tried them all in an MBR1000, CTR350, and a Linksys. I can't get them to work in any of those routers.

Any thoughts?