Configuring the Huawei E5832 / E5830 (iMo)

In a previous post I was fortunate enough to be handed a prototype release of the E5832 (http://ukblog.im-mobility.com/introducing-huawei-e5832-wireless-modem-pr...) and I looked at the Mobile Partner software that accompanied it.

For the uninitiated, the Huawei E5832 is also known as the iMo, a battery-powered 3G wireless router: their answer to the Novatel MiFi.

Taking a SIM card and providing 3G data service at up to 7.2Mbps, the device is also a WiFi access point, meaning that you can share the 3G connection between multiple WiFi enabled clients and measures only 93mm x 48mm!
Featuring a microSD card slot it can also be used as a USB file store.
When connected to a PC via the supplied USB cable, it can also be used as a USB 3G dongle modem.

For details on how to use the device as a USB modem with MacOS, read this article - http://ukblog.im-mobility.com/installing-huawei-e5832-imo-usb-3g-modem-m...

For details on how to use the device as a USB modem with Windows, read this article - http://ukblog.im-mobility.com/installing-huawei-e5832-imo-usb-3g-modem-w...

Key Features

• Flexible WiFi Hotspot
• WiFi 802.11 b/g
• HSUPA/HSDPA/UMTS 2100/900 MHz
• EDGE/GPRS/GSM 1900/1800/900/850 MHz
• Equalizer and receive diversity (UMTS 2100/900 MHz)
• HSUPA data service of up to 5.76 Mbps
• HSDPA data service of up to 7.2 Mbps
• MicroSD card slot
• Li battery
• LED display
• Plug and play
• SMS service

The only difference between the E5832 and the E5830 is the frequency available for 3G usage: the E5830 is 2100MHz only.

I've now been given another unit which can be configured wirelessly using its built-in web server, particularly useful for non Windows-based platforms including Mac and Linux.

Configuration

Insert the SIM into the unit and power it on by pressing the on/off button the side. Activate the wireless functionality by pressing the WiFi button.

After a few moments the device will be listed in your available wireless networks:

NOTE - the device may also be listed as E583x. If the device prompts you for a key, this can be found on the device itself under the battery.

Connect to the wireless network. By default the iMo is configured with an IP address of 192.168.1.1 and to assign addresses to clients automatically via DHCP. Open a web browser and enter in the address of the iMo, the following will be displayed:

Log in with a password of 'admin', the following will be displayed:

To run through the Quick Setup, click Next:

Enter in a name for the cellular connection. Leave the dial-up number set to *99#.
Set the APN to static and enter in the correct details for your network provider:

Vodafone:
APN - internet
Username - web
Password - web

Orange:
APN - orangeinternet
Username - (leave blank)
Password - (leave blank)

O2:
APN - mobile.o2.co.uk
Username - web
Password - web

T-Mobile:
APN - general.t-mobile.co.uk
Username - (leave blank)
Password - (leave blank)

Three:
APN - three.co.uk
Username - (leave blank)
Password - (leave blank)

Leave all of the other settings at their default values. Click Next:

Specify whether you want the device to connect automatically (ie when powered on), manually (by pressing the connect button on the unit) or on demand (when a connection request is received). Click Next:

Enter in a name for the WiFi SSID (what you want the device to appear as to wireless clients), and specify whether you want the SSID to be broadcast to clients will need to have the network added manually. Click Next:

Specify the encryption you wish to use on the wireless link (if any) and enter in a key or passphrase. Click Next:

Review your configuration settings and click Finish. You will be taken to the Connection Status screen:

The unit is now ready for use. To configure the unit further, click on the Advanced Settings option:

The System menu allows you to change the default admin password, restore the unit back to factory default settings and check firmware version information:

The SIM Settings menu enables you to add or remove PIN code information to your SIM:

The Mobile Network menu enables you to set the device to 3G or GSM only mode, if desired:

Or perform a manual mobile network selection:

The Dial-Up Settings menu enables you to edit the connection properties (automatic, manual or on-demand):

As well as edit the APN settings and connection parameters:

The DHCP Settings menu enables you to edit the properties of the DHCP server and client leases:

The WLAN Settings menu enables you to enable and disable the WiFi feature of the device:

As well as enable and disable SSID broadcast, configure regional information and specify broadcast channels:

and configure security and authentication settings:

The WLAN MAC filter allows you to restrict what wireless clients can connect to the unit:

The Security Settings menu allows you to configure advanced features such as port forwarding, DMZ and port triggering:

Configuring the Huawei E5832S

The Huawei E5832S is the revised version of the E5832 portable wireless hotspot and USB 3G modem which I have detailed previously (http://ukblog.im-mobility.com/configuring-huawei-e5832-e5830-imo). The "S" largely stands for "Screen": the E5832S having an on-board LED screen with detailed status information about the device's power, WiFi and 3G elements, rather than just coloured LED lights as with the standard E5832.

The same key features are available:

• Flexible WiFi Hotspot
• WiFi 802.11 b/g
• HSUPA/HSDPA/UMTS 2100/900 MHz
• EDGE/GPRS/GSM 1900/1800/900/850 MHz
• Equalizer and receive diversity (UMTS 2100/900 MHz)
• HSUPA data service of up to 5.76 Mbps
• HSDPA data service of up to 7.2 Mbps
• MicroSD card slot
• Li battery
• LED display
• Plug and play
• SMS service

A revised plug and play USB interface makes setting up the unit simplicity itself. In this article I shall run through how to set up the unit wirelessly, via WiFi as well as via USB on both MacOS and Windows.

Wireless Configuration

Insert your SIM into the E5832S and optionally an SD card for file storage purposes, and power on the unit.
Once the device has run through its initial boot process, search for available wireless networks from your computer:

The default name of the E5832's wireless network will be written on a sticker inside the unit's battery compartment together with its WPA encryption key. Select the option to connect to the wireless network and enter the password when prompted.

Once connected, open a web browser and connect to the unit's default IP address of http://192.168.1.1, the dashboard will be displayed:

Log into the unit with the default password of "admin":

On the Settings tab, click Next to initiate the configuration wizard:

The 3G connection settings page will be displayed. Enter a name for the connection profile, this can be anything meaningful to you.
Leave the dial up number set at the default *99#
Enter the username and password for your operator's data service, "web" for both will connect to virtually all UK networks.
Set the Authentication to "PAP" and change the APN from "dynamic" to "static". In the APN text field, enter in the appropriate Access Point Name for your operator:

Vodafone - internet
Orange - orangeinternet
O2 - mobile.o2.co.uk
T-Mobile - general.t-mobile.uk
Three - three.co.uk

Click Next:

Specify whether you want the device to connect to the Internet automatically when powered on, or whether you prefer to initiate connections manually. Click Next:

Alter the default name of the unit's wireless network if desired, and specify whether you want the wireless network name to broadcast (if you turn this off wireless clients will need to have the wireless network details entered manually). Click Next:

Configure encryption settings for the wireless network as required. Click Next:

Review your settings and click Finish to apply them. The unit will now reboot itself and you will lose connectivity to the wireless network for a few seconds. Once the unit has rebooted, click Continue to be returned to the main dashboard screen:

The Connection tab displays information about the cellular and WiFi connection status, including the number of currently connected wireless clients (up to a maximum of 5).
If you have more than one cellular profile configured, you can select between them by clicking on the Profile Management link.

The SMS tab allows you to manage your SMS text messages as well as compose new messages directly from your desktop:

The SD Card tab allows you to manage the files stored on the SD card inserted into the E5832S, downloading and uploading to your desktop via the web browser:

The SD Card Settings view allows you to specify whether the SD card should be accessible via WiFi, or only via USB, and whether access is read-only, or both read and write:

The Settings tab allows you to configure advanced features on the unit. Cellular connection settings can be edited within Profile Management. The operation mode of the 3G unit itself can be set between 3G or 2G-only, and SIM PIN details can also be managed:

The WiFi network operation can be configured to operate on a specific channel or channel set:

and MAC address filtering can be specified, restricting access to the unit to only defined wireless client:

The LAN and DHCP settings can be configured, allowing you to specify which addresses are assigned automatically to wireless clients:

The E5832S' built-in firewall can be enabled and disabled, and specific outbound and inbound rules be defined for URL filtering as well as port forwarding:

Status information about the type of cellular connection the unit is receiving can also be viewed:

And the unit can be restored back to factory defaults, and the default admin password changed, within the System section.

Using the E5832S via USB on MacOS

Connect the E5832S to an available USB port on the Mac. The new hardware will be detected automatically as a removable storage device and an icon added to the desktop:

Select the option to install the WEB Partner Driver:

Click Continue:

Click Continue:

Select the option to Agree to the terms and conditions of the license agreement:

Click Install:

Enter in the details of an administrative user account and click OK. The required driver files will now be copied to the Mac. Once complete, click Close:

If the E5832S is configured to connect to the Internet automatically, your Mac will now be connected via its 3G connection, no further configuration is necessary.
If you prefer to initiate connections manually, launch the WEB Partner application. A web browser window will be opened and the dashboard of the E5832S will be displayed:

Initiate the connection to the 3G network. All of the above configuration pages can also be accessed on the unit via the USB connection by launching the WEB Partner application.

If you experience any connection or installation issues, launch the Network pane in the System Preferences and verify that the Ethernet Adapter is correctly installed and the IP address details configured correctly:

Using the E5832S via USB on Windows

Connect the E5832S to an available USB port on your PC, the new hardware will be detected automatically as a removable storage device:

Run the "Autorun.exe" file to launch the installation wizard:

Click Next:

Read the license agreement and select the option "I Agree" if you accept the terms and conditions:

Specify where you want the program files to be installed and select the option to Install. The required files will now be copied to the PC. When complete, click Finish:

An icon will be added to the desktop by default:

As with the Mac, if the E5832S is configured to connect to the Internet automatically, the Windows PC will now be sharing its connection. If you prefer to initiate connections manually, double click the desktop icon to launch a browser window displaying the E5832S dashboard screen:

Initiate the connection manually.

If you experience any installation or connection details, verify the status of the Huawei network adapter within the Device Manager:

And IP address information within the Control Panel.

For more information about the Huawei E5832S contact Ingram Micro UK Mobility today on +44 870 849 0225

Huawei E5 (E5830 / E5832 / iMo) firmware update available

A firmware update is available for the Huawei E5, aka the iMo, also known as the E5830 / E5832.

The update is a self-contained executable that needs to be run on a Windows host, and is only intended for unlocked units purchased from Brightpoint. Compatibility with network-branded equipment is not guaranteed.

The update can be downloaded from the FTP site here - ftp://ftpaccess:Brightpoint1@ftp.uk.im-mobility.com/Technical%20Support/...

Installing the Huawei E5832 iMo as a USB 3G Modem on MacOS

The E5832 is a very handy little device indeed - one of the first battery-powered 3G wireless routers on the market.

Taking a SIM card and providing 3G data service at up to 7.2Mbps, the device is also a WiFi access point, meaning that you can share the 3G connection between multiple WiFi enabled clients. Whilst these devices have been available for a while now, this device is battery-powered and measures only 93mm x 48mm!
Featuring a microSD card slot it can also be used as a USB file store.
When connected to a PC or Mac via the supplied USB cable, it can also be used as a USB 3G dongle modem.

Key Features

• Flexible WiFi Hotspot
• WiFi 802.11 b/g
• HSUPA/HSDPA/UMTS 2100/900 MHz
• EDGE/GPRS/GSM 1900/1800/900/850 MHz
• Equalizer and receive diversity (UMTS 2100/900 MHz)
• HSUPA data service of up to 5.76 Mbps
• HSDPA data service of up to 7.2 Mbps
• MicroSD card slot
• Li battery
• LED display
• Plug and play
• SMS service

Installation

Insert the Huawei e1750 into an available USB port on your Mac, the new device will be detected as a USB storage device:

Double click the installer file:

Click Continue:

Read the license agreement and click Continue:

Click Agree if you accept the terms and conditions:

Click Install. The required program files will now be copied to the Mac. Once complete click Close:

An icon will have been added to your Applications folder for the Mobile Partner software:

Launch the application:

Open the Tools menu and select Options. Click on Profile Management:

Click on the option to create a New profile. Leave the access number at the default value of *99#.

Enter a suitable name for the new profile, this can be anything meaningful to you simply to identify the profile.

Set the APN field to Static and enter in the appropriate Access Point Name for your network operator:

Vodafone - internet
Orange - orangeinternet
O2 - mobile.o2.co.uk
T-Mobile - general.t-mobile.uk
Three - three.co.uk

NOTE - other APNs are available, contact your network provider for the correct information.

Enter in the appropriate username and password details for your network operator:

Vodafone - 'web' for both
Orange - leave blank
O2 - 'web' for both
T-Mobile - leave blank
Three - leave blank

Again, other details are available depending on your service, consult your network operator for the correct details - but to be honest you can mostly get away with anything, connections are not authenticated by username and password but by your SIM's profile with the billing system.

Once all settings have been entered click Save and then set the profile as the Default.

The profile will then be listed in the main connection screen. To initiate the connection, click the Connect button.

To configure the WiFi and more advanced functionality of the iMo unit, read this article - http://ukblog.im-mobility.com/configuring-huawei-e5832-e5830-imo

Installing the Huawei E5832 iMo as a USB 3G Modem on Windows

Key Features

• HSUPA / HSDPA / UMTS 2100 MHz
• EDGE / GPRS / GSM 1900/1800/900/850 MHz
• Equalizer
• HSUPA data service of up to 5.76Mbps (network-dependent)
• HSDPA data service of up to 7.2Mbps (network-dependent)
• Receive Diversity (Optional)
• SMS Service
• Micro SD Card Slot
• Fully Plug and Play

Installation

Insert the iMo into an available USB port on your PC. Windows will detect the new hardware automatically and install a USB storage device which, depending on your AutoPlay settings, will prompt you to run the Setup application. If it doesn't, open My Computer and double click the icon for the new drive:

Select the option to run "setup.exe". If you have UAC (User Account Control) enabled you will be prompted to confirm the action:

Select Yes, the following window will be displayed:

Click Next:

Read the license agreement and click "I Agree" if you accept the terms and conditions:

Specify where you want the program files to be copied to (leave at the default values unless specifically required):

Specify the name of the folder on the Start Menu you want created, again leave at the default values unless specifically required, you can always rename it later. Click Install. The required program files will then be copied to the PC and Windows will detect further new hardware. This process may take a few minutes. Once complete click Finish:

An icon will be added the Windows Desktop, and to the Start Menu, for Mobile Partner:

Double click the icon to launch the connection manager application, the following window will be displayed:

Open the Tools menu and select Options. Click on Profile Management:

Click on the option to create a New profile. Leave the access number at the default value of *99#.

Enter a suitable name for the new profile, this can be anything meaningful to you simply to identify the profile.

Set the APN field to Static and enter in the appropriate Access Point Name for your network operator:

Vodafone - internet
Orange - orangeinternet
O2 - mobile.o2.co.uk
T-Mobile - general.t-mobile.uk
Three - three.co.uk

NOTE - other APNs are available, contact your network provider for the correct information.

Enter in the appropriate username and password details for your network operator:

Vodafone - 'web' for both
Orange - leave blank
O2 - 'web' for both
T-Mobile - leave blank
Three - leave blank

Again, other details are available depending on your service, consult your network operator for the correct details - but to be honest you can mostly get away with anything, connections are not authenticated by username and password but by your SIM's profile with the billing system.

Once all settings have been entered click Save and then set the profile as the Default.

The profile will then be listed in the main connection screen:

To initiate the connection, click the Connect button:

To configure the WiFi and more advanced functionality of the iMo unit, read this article - http://ukblog.im-mobility.com/configuring-huawei-e5832-e5830-imo

Introducing the Huawei E5832 wireless modem (Prototype)

Although perhaps not a memorable product name, the E5832 is a very handy little device indeed - one of the first battery-powered 3G wireless routers on the market.

Taking a SIM card and providing 3G data service at up to 7.2Mbps, the device is also a WiFi access point, meaning that you can share the 3G connection between multiple WiFi enabled clients. Whilst these devices have been available for a while now, this device is battery-powered and measures only 93mm x 48mm!
Featuring a microSD card slot it can also be used as a USB file store.
When connected to a PC via the supplied USB cable, it can also be used as a USB 3G dongle modem.

Key Features

• Flexible WiFi Hotspot
• WiFi 802.11 b/g
• HSUPA/HSDPA/UMTS 2100/900 MHz
• EDGE/GPRS/GSM 1900/1800/900/850 MHz
• Equalizer and receive diversity (UMTS 2100/900 MHz)
• HSUPA data service of up to 5.76 Mbps
• HSDPA data service of up to 7.2 Mbps
• MicroSD card slot
• Li battery
• LED display
• Plug and play
• SMS service

System Requirements

• Windows XP SP2, Windows Vista
• MacOS X 10.4 and 10.5
• Display resolution 800x600 or above
• Standard USB interface

Installation

The E5832 can only be installed and configured via USB on a Windows PC. Although the device can be accessed via WiFi from a Mac once the device has been configured, it must be configured initially from a PC.

When the device is connected to the PC, it is detected as a USB storage device and the software installation wizard will launch automatically:

Once installed, an icon is added to the desktop and the Start menu for the WiFi Mobile Partner. When running the software for the first time you will be prompted to configure the wireless settings on the device:

Select Yes to continue:

Enter your desired SSID for the wireless network as well as the appropriate APN, username and password for your mobile operator:

Vodafone:

Username - web
Password - web
APN - internet

Orange:

Username - leave blank
Password - leave blank
APN - orangeinternet

O2:

Username - web
Password - web
APN - mobile.o2.co.uk

T-Mobile:

Username - leave blank
Password - leave blank
APN - general.t-mobile.uk

Three:

Username - leave blank
Password - leave blank
APN - three.co.uk

Click Save to apply the configuration.

The device will now connect to the 3G network automatically and will be accessible as a wireless network from your Windows PC or Mac, or any 802.11b/g-capable client.

To adjust the settings further, click on the Advanced Management button. Advanced wireless settings can be defined including security and channel details:

As with the larger 3G routers, the Huawei E5832 supports port forwarding, firewall and DMZ functionality:

DHCP lease details can also be configured for the wireless network:

Should you need to change the 3G connection settings, open the Tools menu and select Options, and then Profile Management:

When connected to a PC via USB, the Mobile Partner software can also be used to manage SMS messages and SIM contacts:

ADDENDUM

Please note the screenshots in this article were taken using a prototype sample of the unit and are now deprecated.

For information on installing the device as a USB modem on MacOS, read this article - http://ukblog.im-mobility.com/installing-huawei-e5832-imo-usb-3g-modem-m...

For information on installing the device as a USB modem on Windows, read this article - http://ukblog.im-mobility.com/installing-huawei-e5832-imo-usb-3g-modem-w...

For information on configuring the WiFi and advanced functionality of the unit, read this article - http://ukblog.im-mobility.com/configuring-huawei-e5832-e5830-imo