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Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso?

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  Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? Richard Owlett <rowlett@cloud85.net> - 2021-10-13 17:20 +0200
    Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? Peter Ehlert <pb21a@sdi-baja.com> - 2021-10-13 18:10 +0200
      Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? "Andrew M.A. Cater" <amacater@einval.com> - 2021-10-13 19:10 +0200
        Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? Richard Owlett <rowlett@cloud85.net> - 2021-10-13 19:30 +0200
        Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? Tixy <tixy@yxit.co.uk> - 2021-10-13 19:40 +0200
          Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? Richard Owlett <rowlett@cloud85.net> - 2021-10-13 20:20 +0200
            Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? Reco <recoverym4n@enotuniq.net> - 2021-10-13 20:50 +0200
              Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? David Wright <deblis@lionunicorn.co.uk> - 2021-10-13 21:10 +0200
                Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? Richard Owlett <rowlett@cloud85.net> - 2021-10-13 21:30 +0200
                  Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? David Wright <deblis@lionunicorn.co.uk> - 2021-10-13 21:50 +0200
              Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? Richard Owlett <rowlett@cloud85.net> - 2021-10-13 21:10 +0200
                Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? Brian <ad44@cityscape.co.uk> - 2021-10-13 21:10 +0200
                Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? Tixy <tixy@yxit.co.uk> - 2021-10-13 21:30 +0200
                Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? Reco <recoverym4n@enotuniq.net> - 2021-10-14 00:00 +0200
            Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? Tixy <tixy@yxit.co.uk> - 2021-10-13 21:10 +0200
            Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? Tixy <tixy@yxit.co.uk> - 2021-10-13 21:30 +0200
              Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? rhkramer@gmail.com - 2021-10-14 13:40 +0200
            Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? Andrei POPESCU <andreimpopescu@gmail.com> - 2021-10-14 09:00 +0200
              Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? Richard Owlett <rowlett@cloud85.net> - 2021-10-14 13:40 +0200
                Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? Curt <curty@free.fr> - 2021-10-14 18:40 +0200
                  Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? Richard Owlett <rowlett@cloud85.net> - 2021-10-14 20:20 +0200
                    Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? Brian <ad44@cityscape.co.uk> - 2021-10-14 21:10 +0200
                  Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? David Wright <deblis@lionunicorn.co.uk> - 2021-10-15 04:10 +0200
                Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? Andrei POPESCU <andreimpopescu@gmail.com> - 2021-10-15 09:40 +0200
    Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? Tixy <tixy@yxit.co.uk> - 2021-10-13 22:30 +0200
      [SUCCESS] Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? Richard Owlett <rowlett@cloud85.net> - 2021-10-14 16:20 +0200
        Re: [SUCCESS] Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? "Andrew M.A. Cater" <amacater@einval.com> - 2021-10-14 16:30 +0200
          Re: [SUCCESS] Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? Richard Owlett <rowlett@cloud85.net> - 2021-10-14 16:50 +0200
            Re: [SUCCESS] Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? Richard Owlett <rowlett@cloud85.net> - 2021-10-14 23:00 +0200
              Re: [SUCCESS] Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? "Andrew M.A. Cater" <amacater@einval.com> - 2021-10-14 23:10 +0200
    Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? didier gaumet <didier.gaumet@gmail.com> - 2021-10-14 10:30 +0200
    [RESOLVED] Re: Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso? Richard Owlett <rowlett@cloud85.net> - 2021-10-15 14:20 +0200

Page 1 of 2  [1] 2  Next page →

#241266 — Intrinsic problem with netinst.iso?

It appears to me that netinst.iso assumes that there are *exactly* two 
choices for internet connectivity:
    an ethernet device
           *OR*
           WiFi

However, I use a USB device [ an Alcatel Linkzone from T-Mobile ]
The installer is unable to see the internet.

Based on using that device on all of my Debian machines, I believe the 
problem is how Debian negotiates with a USB device and that the Linkzone 
resembles a disk drive until the negotiations have been completed.

My evidence is how GParted responds to a USB flash drive.
If the flash drive is inserted first, it is /dev/sdb .
Else if the Linkzone is inserted first, the flash drive is identified as 
/dev/sdc .

Is there any workaround?
TIA

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#241268

On 10/13/21 8:16 AM, Richard Owlett wrote:
> It appears to me that netinst.iso assumes that there are *exactly* two 
> choices for internet connectivity:
>    an ethernet device
>           *OR*
>           WiFi
>
> However, I use a USB device [ an Alcatel Linkzone from T-Mobile ]
> The installer is unable to see the internet.

are you using the nonfree firmware ISO?

I have had no troubles with multiple installs, but I only use the nonfree


>
> Based on using that device on all of my Debian machines, I believe the 
> problem is how Debian negotiates with a USB device and that the 
> Linkzone resembles a disk drive until the negotiations have been 
> completed.
>
> My evidence is how GParted responds to a USB flash drive.
> If the flash drive is inserted first, it is /dev/sdb .
> Else if the Linkzone is inserted first, the flash drive is identified 
> as /dev/sdc .
>
> Is there any workaround?
> TIA
>
>
>

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#241270

On Wed, Oct 13, 2021 at 08:51:28AM -0700, Peter Ehlert wrote:
> 
> On 10/13/21 8:16 AM, Richard Owlett wrote:
> > It appears to me that netinst.iso assumes that there are *exactly* two
> > choices for internet connectivity:
> >    an ethernet device
> >           *OR*
> >           WiFi
> > 
> > However, I use a USB device [ an Alcatel Linkzone from T-Mobile ]
> > The installer is unable to see the internet.
> 
> are you using the nonfree firmware ISO?
> 
> I have had no troubles with multiple installs, but I only use the nonfree
> 

Firmware iso is what I would suggest.

> 
> > 
> > Based on using that device on all of my Debian machines, I believe the
> > problem is how Debian negotiates with a USB device and that the Linkzone
> > resembles a disk drive until the negotiations have been completed.
> > 
> > My evidence is how GParted responds to a USB flash drive.
> > If the flash drive is inserted first, it is /dev/sdb .
> > Else if the Linkzone is inserted first, the flash drive is identified as
> > /dev/sdc .
> > 
> > Is there any workaround?
> > TIA
> > 
> > 
Is the linkzone recognised at all as a modem?

Do you have wired connectivity available to you - that's also a way
round "stuff" with firmware to at least get a system up and running.

All best,

Andy Cater

> > 
> 

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#241271

On 10/13/2021 12:09 PM, Andrew M.A. Cater wrote:
> On Wed, Oct 13, 2021 at 08:51:28AM -0700, Peter Ehlert wrote:
>>
>> On 10/13/21 8:16 AM, Richard Owlett wrote:
>>> It appears to me that netinst.iso assumes that there are *exactly* two
>>> choices for internet connectivity:
>>>     an ethernet device
>>>            *OR*
>>>            WiFi
>>>
>>> However, I use a USB device [ an Alcatel Linkzone from T-Mobile ]
>>> The installer is unable to see the internet.
>>
>> are you using the nonfree firmware ISO?
>>
>> I have had no troubles with multiple installs, but I only use the nonfree
>>
> 
> Firmware iso is what I would suggest.
> 
>>
>>>
>>> Based on using that device on all of my Debian machines, I believe the
>>> problem is how Debian negotiates with a USB device and that the Linkzone
>>> resembles a disk drive until the negotiations have been completed.
>>>
>>> My evidence is how GParted responds to a USB flash drive.
>>> If the flash drive is inserted first, it is /dev/sdb .
>>> Else if the Linkzone is inserted first, the flash drive is identified as
>>> /dev/sdc .
>>>
>>> Is there any workaround?
>>> TIA
>>>
>>>
> Is the linkzone recognised at all as a modem?

I'm connected to the internet right now with it as I have been since 
days of Squeeze/Wheezy.



> 
> Do you have wired connectivity available to you - that's also a way
> round "stuff" with firmware to at least get a system up and running.
> 
> All best,
> 
> Andy Cater
> 
>>>
>>
> 
> 
> 

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#241272

On Wed, 2021-10-13 at 17:09 +0000, Andrew M.A. Cater wrote:
> On Wed, Oct 13, 2021 at 08:51:28AM -0700, Peter Ehlert wrote:
> > 
> > On 10/13/21 8:16 AM, Richard Owlett wrote:
> > > It appears to me that netinst.iso assumes that there are *exactly* two
> > > choices for internet connectivity:
> > >    an ethernet device
> > >           *OR*
> > >           WiFi
> > > 
> > > However, I use a USB device [ an Alcatel Linkzone from T-Mobile ]
> > > The installer is unable to see the internet.
> > 
> > are you using the nonfree firmware ISO?
> > 
> > I have had no troubles with multiple installs, but I only use the nonfree
> > 
> 
> Firmware iso is what I would suggest.

I suspect firmware isn't an issue. The device probably works as CDC
Ethernet (don't know if installer kernel has the cdc_ether driver), but
sounds like the device initially presents itself as a USB mass storage
device and needs some way to force it to change modes.

-- 
Tixy

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#241274

On 10/13/2021 12:35 PM, Tixy wrote:
> On Wed, 2021-10-13 at 17:09 +0000, Andrew M.A. Cater wrote:
>> On Wed, Oct 13, 2021 at 08:51:28AM -0700, Peter Ehlert wrote:
>>>
>>> On 10/13/21 8:16 AM, Richard Owlett wrote:
>>>> It appears to me that netinst.iso assumes that there are *exactly* two
>>>> choices for internet connectivity:
>>>>     an ethernet device
>>>>            *OR*
>>>>            WiFi
>>>>
>>>> However, I use a USB device [ an Alcatel Linkzone from T-Mobile ]
>>>> The installer is unable to see the internet.
>>>
>>> are you using the nonfree firmware ISO?
>>>
>>> I have had no troubles with multiple installs, but I only use the nonfree
>>>
>>
>> Firmware iso is what I would suggest.
> 
> I suspect firmware isn't an issue. The device probably works as CDC
> Ethernet (don't know if installer kernel has the cdc_ether driver), but
> sounds like the device initially presents itself as a USB mass storage
> device and needs some way to force it to change modes.
> 

I've never heard of "CDC Ethernet" and what I found with a quickie web 
search wasn't very useful.

What I see when Debian boots does not have any obvious conflict with 
what I see. If the Linkzone is already plugged in when boot begins it 
appears to be caught in a loop. As soon as the Linkzone is unplugged the 
boot completes as expected. Plug it back back in and I have immediate 
internet access.

Where would I descriptive information about "CDC Ethernet"?
I found bits of discussion about it but nothing educational.
TIA

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#241276

	Hi.

On Wed, Oct 13, 2021 at 01:18:07PM -0500, Richard Owlett wrote:
> Where would I descriptive information about "CDC Ethernet"?

The usual place - kernel documentation.
Specifically, it's Documentation/networking/cdc_mbim.rst.gz.

Reco

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#241278

On Wed 13 Oct 2021 at 13:59:34 (-0500), Richard Owlett wrote:
> On 10/13/2021 01:31 PM, Reco wrote:
> > On Wed, Oct 13, 2021 at 01:18:07PM -0500, Richard Owlett wrote:
> > > Where would I descriptive information about "CDC Ethernet"?
> > 
> > The usual place - kernel documentation.
> > Specifically, it's Documentation/networking/cdc_mbim.rst.gz.
> 
> No such file on my system.
> Using DuckDuckGo to search for "cdc_mbim.rst.gz" or "cdc_mbim.rst"
> gives hits for either term :{

Don't trust the extension, and use apt-file:

$ apt-file find Documentation/networking/cdc_mbim
linux-doc-4.19: /usr/share/doc/linux-doc-4.19/Documentation/networking/cdc_mbim.txt.gz
$ 

(buster)

Cheers,
David.

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#241283

On 10/13/2021 02:06 PM, David Wright wrote:
> On Wed 13 Oct 2021 at 13:59:34 (-0500), Richard Owlett wrote:
>> On 10/13/2021 01:31 PM, Reco wrote:
>>> On Wed, Oct 13, 2021 at 01:18:07PM -0500, Richard Owlett wrote:
>>>> Where would I descriptive information about "CDC Ethernet"?
>>>
>>> The usual place - kernel documentation.
>>> Specifically, it's Documentation/networking/cdc_mbim.rst.gz.
>>
>> No such file on my system.
>> Using DuckDuckGo to search for "cdc_mbim.rst.gz" or "cdc_mbim.rst"
>> gives hits for either term :{
> 
> Don't trust the extension, and use apt-file:
> 
> $ apt-file find Documentation/networking/cdc_mbim
> linux-doc-4.19: /usr/share/doc/linux-doc-4.19/Documentation/networking/cdc_mbim.txt.gz
> $
> 
> (buster)
> 
> Cheers,
> David.
> 
> 
> 

I'm in over my head. I get:

richard@defaultinstall:~$
richard@defaultinstall:~$ apt-file find Documentation/networking/cdc_mbim
linux-doc-4.9: 
/usr/share/doc/linux-doc-4.9/Documentation/networking/cdc_mbim.txt.gz
richard@defaultinstall:~$

What is it trying to tell me? The apt-file manpage leaves confused.

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#241285

On Wed 13 Oct 2021 at 14:29:00 (-0500), Richard Owlett wrote:
> On 10/13/2021 02:06 PM, David Wright wrote:
> > On Wed 13 Oct 2021 at 13:59:34 (-0500), Richard Owlett wrote:
> > > On 10/13/2021 01:31 PM, Reco wrote:
> > > > On Wed, Oct 13, 2021 at 01:18:07PM -0500, Richard Owlett wrote:
> > > > > Where would I descriptive information about "CDC Ethernet"?
> > > > 
> > > > The usual place - kernel documentation.
> > > > Specifically, it's Documentation/networking/cdc_mbim.rst.gz.
> > > 
> > > No such file on my system.
> > > Using DuckDuckGo to search for "cdc_mbim.rst.gz" or "cdc_mbim.rst"
> > > gives hits for either term :{
> > 
> > Don't trust the extension, and use apt-file:
> > 
> > $ apt-file find Documentation/networking/cdc_mbim
> > linux-doc-4.19: /usr/share/doc/linux-doc-4.19/Documentation/networking/cdc_mbim.txt.gz
> > $
> > 
> > (buster)
> 
> I'm in over my head. I get:
> 
> richard@defaultinstall:~$
> richard@defaultinstall:~$ apt-file find Documentation/networking/cdc_mbim
> linux-doc-4.9:
> /usr/share/doc/linux-doc-4.9/Documentation/networking/cdc_mbim.txt.gz
> richard@defaultinstall:~$
> 
> What is it trying to tell me? The apt-file manpage leaves confused.

The Debian package linux-doc-4.9 contains the file
/usr/share/doc/linux-doc-4.9/Documentation/networking/cdc_mbim.txt.gz

Cheers,
David.

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#241279

On 10/13/2021 01:31 PM, Reco wrote:
> 	Hi.
> 
> On Wed, Oct 13, 2021 at 01:18:07PM -0500, Richard Owlett wrote:
>> Where would I descriptive information about "CDC Ethernet"?
> 
> The usual place - kernel documentation.
> Specifically, it's Documentation/networking/cdc_mbim.rst.gz.
> 
> Reco

No such file on my system.
Using DuckDuckGo to search for "cdc_mbim.rst.gz" or "cdc_mbim.rst" gives 
hits for either term :{

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#241280

On Wed 13 Oct 2021 at 13:59:34 -0500, Richard Owlett wrote:

> On 10/13/2021 01:31 PM, Reco wrote:
> > 	Hi.
> > 
> > On Wed, Oct 13, 2021 at 01:18:07PM -0500, Richard Owlett wrote:
> > > Where would I descriptive information about "CDC Ethernet"?
> > 
> > The usual place - kernel documentation.
> > Specifically, it's Documentation/networking/cdc_mbim.rst.gz.
> > 
> > Reco
> 
> No such file on my system.
> Using DuckDuckGo to search for "cdc_mbim.rst.gz" or "cdc_mbim.rst" gives
> hits for either term :{

Try "cdc_mbim".

-- 
Brian.
> 
> 
> 

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#241284

On Wed, 2021-10-13 at 13:59 -0500, Richard Owlett wrote:
> On 10/13/2021 01:31 PM, Reco wrote:
> >         Hi.
> > 
> > On Wed, Oct 13, 2021 at 01:18:07PM -0500, Richard Owlett wrote:
> > > Where would I descriptive information about "CDC Ethernet"?
> > 
> > The usual place - kernel documentation.
> > Specifically, it's Documentation/networking/cdc_mbim.rst.gz.
> > 
> > Reco
> 
> No such file on my system.
> Using DuckDuckGo to search for "cdc_mbim.rst.gz" or "cdc_mbim.rst"
> gives 
> hits for either term :{

Google does. It's part of the documentation in the Linux source code
for the "Driver for CDC MBIM Mobile Broadband modems".

Perhaps that is what your Linkzone implements and no Ethernet as I
speculated? You can check by looking at the kernel logs when you plug
the device in on a computer.

-- 
Tixy

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#241287

On Wed, Oct 13, 2021 at 01:59:34PM -0500, Richard Owlett wrote:
> On 10/13/2021 01:31 PM, Reco wrote:
> > On Wed, Oct 13, 2021 at 01:18:07PM -0500, Richard Owlett wrote:
> > > Where would I descriptive information about "CDC Ethernet"?
> > 
> > The usual place - kernel documentation.
> > Specifically, it's Documentation/networking/cdc_mbim.rst.gz.
> 
> No such file on my system.

apt install linux-doc

</problem>

Reco

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#241281

On Wed, 2021-10-13 at 13:18 -0500, Richard Owlett wrote:
On 10/13/2021 12:35 PM, Tixy wrote:
> On Wed, 2021-10-13 at 17:09 +0000, Andrew M.A. Cater wrote:
> > On Wed, Oct 13, 2021 at 08:51:28AM -0700, Peter Ehlert wrote:
> > > 
> > > On 10/13/21 8:16 AM, Richard Owlett wrote:
> > > > It appears to me that netinst.iso assumes that there are
> > > > *exactly* two
> > > > choices for internet connectivity:
> > > >     an ethernet device
> > > >            *OR*
> > > >            WiFi
> > > > 
> > > > However, I use a USB device [ an Alcatel Linkzone from T-Mobile
> > > > ]
> > > > The installer is unable to see the internet.
> > > 
> > > are you using the nonfree firmware ISO?
> > > 
> > > I have had no troubles with multiple installs, but I only use the
> > > nonfree
> > > 
> > 
> > Firmware iso is what I would suggest.
> 
> I suspect firmware isn't an issue. The device probably works as CDC
> Ethernet (don't know if installer kernel has the cdc_ether driver),
> but
> sounds like the device initially presents itself as a USB mass
> storage
> device and needs some way to force it to change modes.
> 

I've never heard of "CDC Ethernet" and what I found with a quickie web 
search wasn't very useful.

What I see when Debian boots does not have any obvious conflict with 
what I see. If the Linkzone is already plugged in when boot begins it 
appears to be caught in a loop. As soon as the Linkzone is unplugged
the 
boot completes as expected. Plug it back back in and I have immediate 
internet access.

Where would I descriptive information about "CDC Ethernet"?
I found bits of discussion about it but nothing educational.

I don't know anything to be useful, sorry. It's just part of the USB
protocols for devices that want to look like ethernet and the Linux
kernel has drivers for that.

When I plug my Android phone into a PC via USB, I get to select on the
phone what it should use USB for. If I select 'USB tethering' then the
'dmesg' output on the PC shows

  usbcore: registered new interface driver cdc_ether
  rndis_host 2-2:1.0 usb0: register 'rndis_host' at usb-0000:00:14.0-2, RNDIS device, 6a:28:cd:07:4f:f1
  usbcore: registered new interface driver rndis_host

Then running 'ip link' from a command-line shows I've gained and
ethernet device called 'usb0' which I can select in Network Manager if
I choose.

I suspect your Linkzone device is effectively an Android phone without
a screen.  But this doesn't help you, because you can't tell your
device what USB protocol to select, unless the App for controlling the
device that Alcatel's web site mentions lets you do that. There again,
if you had an phone to run the app you wouldn't need the Linkzone, you
could just use your phone for mobile internet access.

Perhaps more relevantly, a previous phone of mine would always show up
first as a USB mass storage device, and the contents looked like some
Windows software (presumable so a Windows could automatically install
something). If I remember correctly. I would have to unmount that
before I could connect to it properly for file transfer via MTP or as a
USB network device.

-- 
Tixy

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#241282

Resending with quoting fixed...

On Wed, 2021-10-13 at 13:18 -0500, Richard Owlett wrote:
> On 10/13/2021 12:35 PM, Tixy wrote:
> > On Wed, 2021-10-13 at 17:09 +0000, Andrew M.A. Cater wrote:
> > > On Wed, Oct 13, 2021 at 08:51:28AM -0700, Peter Ehlert wrote:
> > > > 
> > > > On 10/13/21 8:16 AM, Richard Owlett wrote:
> > > > > It appears to me that netinst.iso assumes that there are
> > > > > *exactly* two
> > > > > choices for internet connectivity:
> > > > >     an ethernet device
> > > > >            *OR*
> > > > >            WiFi
> > > > > 
> > > > > However, I use a USB device [ an Alcatel Linkzone from T-
> > > > > Mobile ]
> > > > > The installer is unable to see the internet.
> > > > 
> > > > are you using the nonfree firmware ISO?
> > > > 
> > > > I have had no troubles with multiple installs, but I only use
> > > > the nonfree
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > Firmware iso is what I would suggest.
> > 
> > I suspect firmware isn't an issue. The device probably works as CDC
> > Ethernet (don't know if installer kernel has the cdc_ether driver),
> > but
> > sounds like the device initially presents itself as a USB mass
> > storage
> > device and needs some way to force it to change modes.
> > 
> 
> I've never heard of "CDC Ethernet" and what I found with a quickie
> web 
> search wasn't very useful.
> 
> What I see when Debian boots does not have any obvious conflict with 
> what I see. If the Linkzone is already plugged in when boot begins it
> appears to be caught in a loop. As soon as the Linkzone is unplugged
> the 
> boot completes as expected. Plug it back back in and I have immediate
> internet access.
> 
> Where would I descriptive information about "CDC Ethernet"?
> I found bits of discussion about it but nothing educational.
> TIA
> 

I don't know anything to be useful, sorry. It's just part of the USB
protocols for devices that want to look like ethernet and the Linux
kernel has drivers for that.

When I plug my Android phone into a PC via USB, I get to select on the
phone what it should use USB for. If I select 'USB tethering' then the
'dmesg' output on the PC shows

  usbcore: registered new interface driver cdc_ether
  rndis_host 2-2:1.0 usb0: register 'rndis_host' at usb-0000:00:14.0-2, RNDIS device, 6a:28:cd:07:4f:f1
  usbcore: registered new interface driver rndis_host

Then running 'ip link' from a command-line shows I've gained and
ethernet device called 'usb0' which I can select in Network Manager if
I choose.

I suspect your Linkzone device is effectively an Android phone without
a screen.  But this doesn't help you, because you can't tell your
device what USB protocol to select, unless the App for controlling the
device that Alcatel's web site mentions lets you do that. There again,
if you had an phone to run the app you wouldn't need the Linkzone, you
could just use your phone for mobile internet access.

Perhaps more relevantly, a previous phone of mine would always show up
first as a USB mass storage device, and the contents looked like some
Windows software (presumable so a Windows could automatically install
something). If I remember correctly. I would have to unmount that
before I could connect to it properly for file transfer via MTP or as a
USB network device.

-- 
Tixy

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#241293

On Wednesday, October 13, 2021 03:27:02 PM Tixy wrote:
> Resending with quoting fixed...

I didn't complain, but thank you, that makes it much easier to read / follow!

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#241288

[Multipart message — attachments visible in raw view] — view raw

On Mi, 13 oct 21, 13:18:07, Richard Owlett wrote:
> 
> What I see when Debian boots does not have any obvious conflict with what I
> see. If the Linkzone is already plugged in when boot begins it appears to be
> caught in a loop. As soon as the Linkzone is unplugged the boot completes as
> expected. Plug it back back in and I have immediate internet access.

This is to be expected if the device presents itself as a storage device 
and your computer is configured to try booting from USB first.

On the final install the switching between storage and modem mode is 
done by the usb-modeswitch package. For many devices this is just a 
simple 'eject' command, others may need something more convoluted.

In any case, you might be able to replicate the switch during the 
install, assuming d-i doesn't already do this.

Kind regards,
Andrei
-- 
http://wiki.debian.org/FAQsFromDebianUser

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#241294

On 10/14/2021 01:54 AM, Andrei POPESCU wrote:
> On Mi, 13 oct 21, 13:18:07, Richard Owlett wrote:
>>
>> What I see when Debian boots does not have any obvious conflict with what I
>> see. If the Linkzone is already plugged in when boot begins it appears to be
>> caught in a loop. As soon as the Linkzone is unplugged the boot completes as
>> expected. Plug it back back in and I have immediate internet access.
> 
> This is to be expected if the device presents itself as a storage device
> and your computer is configured to try booting from USB first.

Clarifying observed sequence of states/events:
1. Computer power off.
2. Alcatel Linkzone powered up and connected to cellular network.
3. Independent of whether or not the Linkzone is plugged into the
    computer, turning on computer power results in Grub menu appearing.
4. With the Linkzone plugged in, select a Grub menu entry.
5. "reset high-speed usb device number 3 using ehci-pci" is displayed
    in an infinite loop until Linkzone is unplugged.
6. Debian then comes up normally.
7. Internet available as soon as Linkzone is connected.


> 
> On the final install the switching between storage and modem mode is
> done by the usb-modeswitch package. For many devices this is just a
> simple 'eject' command, others may need something more convoluted.

Does that consistent with what I just described?

> 
> In any case, you might be able to replicate the switch during the
> install, assuming d-i doesn't already do this.

How?
*or*
Is there another question to be asked?

> 
> Kind regards,
> Andrei
> 

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#241306

On 2021-10-14, Richard Owlett <rowlett@cloud85.net> wrote:
>
> Clarifying observed sequence of states/events:
> 1. Computer power off.
> 2. Alcatel Linkzone powered up and connected to cellular network.

I'm under the impression the Linkzone is intended principally to be used
as a wifi hotpot. Have you tried connecting to the thing wirelessly
rather than tethering your computer to the device via USB? I'm
relatively certain this method must violate some constraint enumerated
earlier (there always seems to be one), but you can't have everything. 

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