Vodafone Spain USB modems and Asus Eee pc or other Linux laptops

[Mark]

A few links and bits of information that might help anyone with an Asus Eee PC
ASUS | Eee PC to get a Vodafone Spain USB data modem working with Linux.

There are drivers for the vodafone USB modem that work with it and Linux.

There is a thread on the vodafone UK forum here:
Usb Stick And Asus Eeepc - Vodafone eForum

more:
EeeUser ASUS Eee PC Forum / eeePC with Vodafone HSPA Usb Stick

2/3 of the way down this page - look for mention of ''Huawei E220, E272 and E172 USB 3G modems''
eeePC tips and tricks

You would need to know the settings for Vodafone spain to create a connection, as will not plug and play like a Windows PC will.

I have them on my PC so will look for them and edit this post.

vodafone spain website for people that dont know where to find it:
Vodafone: Acceso a Internet para Particulares

Mark.

[whaleywanderer]

Originally Posted by Mark

You must have an Eeepc

Mark.

Yes Mark you guessed right, I do have the wonderful Asus Eeepc. Thanks for all this info, I didn't realise there were so many websites dedicated to the Eee. Still a little worried though that if I buy a modem in Spain I will not be able to get it set up and running on my Eee. Do you think that the shop would do it for me (hoping they speak English). I'm pretty good at following instructions but stumped if anything goes wrong.

[Mark]

The only way you will know if it works with Linux is to try

There are various forums where members have it working, so if you can get the settings correct all will be OK.

If you buy one and cant get it working in Linux and give up with it, you will have no problem selling it on without loosing anything, everyone wants one

If you get stuck and need help I am sure someone will help.

Mark.

[whaleywanderer]

Thanks for all your help and advice Mark, I am heading out again tomorrow so will pop into the Vodaphone shop in Pollensa.

[whaleywanderer]

Just an update - Didn't get chance to go into the Vodaphone shop, but even if I had, I think I would have found the setting up of the modem on my Linux system a bit too complicated for me (drivers etc). Obviously with a windows system it would just be a matter of plug and play. I stuck to the wifi and am finding more and more places now offering free access. I took your advice though Mark and didn't use it for anything where security would have been an issue.

[Mark]

There might be a chance that the vodafone shop may be able to help you.
One of the staff speaks excellent English ( almost sounds Yorkshire ) and is very helpful. They must have many customers bringing all kinds of laptops.

There is another way to get your Linux Laptop working so you can have your own internet access without a contract or phone line, ideal for apartment or villa owners etc.

Install your own wifi using a 3G router 3G data modem

3G Router | 3G Wireless Router - 3G WiFi Router - 3G HSDPA

This is the one that works with USB data modems.
Billion BiPAC 7402GXL | E220 E160 E169G MF622 - 7402GXL

Billion 3G Router FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

You then have your own wifi, so you can set up the most secure passwords and WPA or WPA2 security or just plug the laptop directly into the router with a network cable, so its just the same as at home but using vodafone 3G as 'broadband' connection.

(You would have to remember to disconnect the USB modem when not using it or power the router down or you would use the pay as you go data allowance, as vodafone counts 'sessions' ( time) as well as data used.

useful site about security:
WPA Security Tips

good site to generate secure passwords is https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm copy and paste to a text document, too difficult to type

A 3G router is also ideal for Windows laptops or anything with a wifi or network connection.


Mark.

[whaleywanderer]

Wow Mark you really are a techie! It sounds a wonderful way of getting your own wifi and I really wish I could follow it all but my old brain just wont take it all in and make sense of it.

Never used 3G or internet on my mobile so not very clued up although I usually manage to figure out what I need to do on a pc.

Thanks for all the links but for the time being I will stick to the wifi, it gives me some exercise walking down to the Daina every night!!