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