Sierra Wireless AirCard 750 Drivers for Mac OS X

This page describes how to hack drivers for the Sierra AirCard 750 PCMCIA wireless modem on T-Mobile for use with Mac OS X (both 10.2 Jaguar and 10.3 Panther). This is a Do-It-Yourself project. The software is under Apple's Open Source Darwin license.

Use at your own risk!

This technique has been reported to cause kernel panics in some cases. It works well for me, but your mileage may vary.

If you are not the risk-taking type, you may want to check out Drivers by other third-parties instead.

Discussion List:
Please click to join the email discussion list for technical support of this driver or read the archived discussions

News/History

June 29 2004: Major Update!
Thanks to Wouter Teepe, we have a brand new driver that is much more cleanly designed. It includes an installer and comes nicely packaged in a DMG. Click here to download. Barring major problems, Wouter's driver will be used from now on, and the one that I put together will be available for historical interest only.
June 9 2004: Drivers for 10.3.4: Apple made some changes that require new drivers for Mac OS X 10.3.4.
June 4 2004: Discussion List: has been created for discussion of this driver.
June 1 2004: Drivers for 10.3.4: Reportedly, 10.3.4 breaks the drivers again. As soon as I can, I will post updated drivers.
Mar 21 2004: Drivers for 10.3.3: Apple made some changes that require new drivers for Mac OS X 10.3.3.
Feb 27 2004: Update: Sierra Wireless has made some drivers available. I've not tried them. See below
Feb 19 2004: Improved Instructions: Fixed some minor typos in the instructions and provided more details about how to use the Terminal commands
Feb 8 2004: Important Update:I have solved some problems that were the result of DNS settings. If you are having trouble connecting, please check out the revised settings below.
I've also included info on how to use the GetMoreSpeed proxy accelartor located at http://getmorespeed.t-mobile.com/
December 20, 2003: First Release

Copyright © Michael C. Diehr md03 (at) xochi.com
This is provided as a free public service.
If you want to thank me, please check out the other project that pays my bills: iScreensaver

Requirements:

Powerbook running Mac OS X 10.2.x or 10.3.x
A windows laptop : you need to install the software and use the card at least once on the Windows laptop before it is fully "activated"
Sierra Wireless Aircard 750 with service on T-Mobile (or another provider, if you have APN and DNS info)

Acknowledgements:
I want to thank the following people/sites from which we have borrowed (heavily) both information and techniques:
Alexander Traud
Alex Snoeren's Aircard 550 Drivers
Linux Drivers for the Aircard 555
Sierra Wireless Support page

Step 1: Activate the AirCard

It appears that with the AirCard 750 on TMobile that you must first activate the card on a real Windows Laptop. Virtual PC won't work. The solution: borrow a friend's PC laptop, install the CD that comes with the card, and connect to the internet. Takes about 15 minutes, and afterward the card will work on the Mac.

Step 2: Download and install the driver

Note: The new driver does not patch the Apple16x60PCCard kext, so if you have installed the old driver (which did) you must uninstall it by copying back your original copy of the kext first.

Unofficial WGT Sierra AirCard 750 Driver for Mac OS X (10.2 thru 10.3) version 0.01 : Download

After downloading, the disk image file should open automatically. Double click the file named 'WGTAircard7X0-all-0.01.mpkg' to start the installer. Restart when done.

Step 3: Check installation

Is the card recognized as a modem? Insert the card, and check /var/log/system.log (using /Applications/Utilities/Console.app or the Terminal) You should see something like this:

	Jun 29 08:43:04 localhost kernel: IOPCCard16Device: binding socket 0 function 0 to card services.
	Jun 29 08:43:04 localhost kernel: IOPCCard16Device::matchPropertyTable entered.
	Jun 29 08:43:04 localhost kernel: IOPCCard16Device::matchPropertyTable didn't find a match.
	Jun 29 08:43:04 localhost kernel: WGTAircard7X0PCCard0: Positively identified "Sierra Wireless" "AC710/AC750"
	Jun 29 08:43:04 localhost kernel: WGTAircard7X0PCCard0: replacing CIS info (len=138)...
	Jun 29 08:43:04 localhost kernel: succeeded!
	Jun 29 08:43:04 localhost kernel: IOPCCard info:   IOPCCard16Enabler::configure using index 0x20: Vcc 5.0, irq 255, io 0x03f8-0x03ff
	Jun 29 08:43:04 localhost kernel: WGTAircard7X0PCCard0: Identified Modem in PCCard Socket=0
	Jun 29 08:43:04 localhost kernel: WGTAircard7X0UARTSync0: Detected 16550AF/C/CF FIFO=16 MaxBaud=115200

There should now be a new modem device called "pc-aircard-modem"

Step 4: Configure Internet Connect

Note: If you inserted the card after opening the "System Preferences" app, you may need to quit and restart it to see the new device. These instructions are for T-Mobile. If you have a different provider, you will need different APN (which goes in the "Telephone Number" field) and DNS servers.

Open the Network pane of System Preferences
Choose "New Location" from the "Location:" menu.
Choose Network Port Configurations from the "Show" menu
Drag "pc-aircard-modem" to the top of the list
Select "pc-aircard-modem" and deselect the others

Choose "pc-aircard-modem" from the "Show" menu
Set the following settings:

Service Provider	Tmobile
Password	(leave blank)
Account Name	(leave blank)
Telephone Number	internet2.voicestream.com or internet3.voicestream.com, or wap.voicestream.com depending on your service plan
Alternate Number	(leave blank)

"PPP"
Click the "PPP Options" button and set the following settings:

Send PPP echo packets Off

Use TCP header compression Off

Use Verbose Logging On

"TCP/IP"
Click the "TCP/IP" Tab and use the following settings:

Configure	Using PPP
DNS Servers	Enter two. Pick one of [ 216.155.175.40 (Tmobile West) or 216.155.175.41 (Tmobile East)] and enter a known outside server, such as 68.6.16.30 (this is the Cox.net server -- you may wish to choose another)
Configure IPV6	Off (not sure if this is necessary, but it seems to save a step in the PPP negotiation)

"Proxies"
NOTE: some folks are reporting trouble with the proxy setting, you may want to just leave it turned OFF
If you are brave: Click the "Proxies" Tab and use the following settings:

Web Server (HTTP) On

Web proxy server address:port 216.155.175.188 : 8080
"Modem"
Click the "Modem" Tab and use the following settings:

Modem Aircard750ModemScript

Show Modem Status in menu bar On
Click the "Apply" button.

Step 5 : Connect

You should now have a Telephone icon in the menu bar.

Pull down the menu and choose "Open Internet Connect".
From the "Window" menu, choose "Connection Log".
Then click the "Connect" button.

Happy mobile surfing!

Programmers Info: Source code

You will need to install the OS X Developer tools. In particular, you're going to need Apple's Project Builder to compile the driver.

The source can be found at: Download Source
The driver essentially is a stripped version of the Apple16X50Serial package, with lots of unneccesary things omitted, and all names changed in such a way that no interference with the Apple16X50Serial package should or may occur. Then the changes of the patches (below) were applied. This all compiled with cross-development settings, which means it should work on any OS X version from 10.2 on.

Other Drivers

Other Sierra Wireless Drivers
I have not tried these drivers and have no idea if they work or not:

Commercial Drivers

If you aren't the risk-taking type, and want a commercial driver for a fee, try these sites:
I have not tried these drivers and have no idea if they work or not:

StretchedOut Software.
NovaMedia Software.

The information below is from the older driver developed by Michael Diehr, and should be considered obsolete. Use the new WGT driver (above) instead.

Step 1: Activate the AirCard

Step 2: Download a driver or (see below) compile your own

Warning! If you have downloaded a prior driver, you may end up with multiple versions on your disk. Make sure you get the proper one. I'd suggest deleting all copies of Apple16X50PCCard.kext from your download folder before you download, just to be sure.

Unofficial Sierra AirCard 750 Driver for Mac OS X (Jaguar) 10.2 : Download
Unofficial Sierra AirCard 750 Driver for Mac OS X (Panther) 10.3.0 thru 10.3.2: Download
Unofficial Sierra AirCard 750 Driver for Mac OS X (Panther) 10.3.3: Download
Unofficial Sierra AirCard 750 Driver for Mac OS X (Panther) 10.3.4: Download

Safari will automatically unzip the file for you. If not, unzip the file manually (under Panther, just control-click the zip file and choose Unarchive. Under Jaguar, use StuffitExpander).
The driver bundle file name is Apple16X50PCCard.kext (If you see a file named Apple16X50PCCard.kext-1, Apple16X50PCCard.kext-2 etc., heed the warning above!

Step 3: Install the driver

Temporary Use
Once you've got the driver (Apple15X50PCCard.kext), you will set the permissions properly and load it using kextload by following these steps:
1. Upzip the file (if necessary, see above)
2. open the Terminal application at /Applications/Utilities/Terminal
3. cd to the proper folder. An easy way to do this to type 'cd ' (that's the letters c, d, and a space) and then drag the folder that contains the downloaded driver to the terminal window. The path name will be added automatically. Then hit return.
4. Type the following, hitting return after each line (you will need to enter your account password after the first command)
```
	sudo chown -R root:wheel Apple16X50PCCard.kext
	sudo kextload Apple16X50PCCard.kext
	
```
Permanent Installation
Note: Please try the temporary installation, above, first to make sure the driver works on your system

To make the driver load automatically, move Apple16X50PCCard.kext directory into /System/Library/Extensions. Warning: This will overwrite your current PCMCIA serial card driver -- If you need to use a normal PCMCIA serial card, this would be a bad thing. Make a copy of the apple driver first and save it somewhere safe.
```
	sudo chown -R root:wheel Apple16X50PCCard.kext
	sudo mv Apple16X50PCCard.kext /System/Library/Extensions
	
```
You'll also need to rebuild the kext Cache:
```
	sudo rm /System/Library/Extensions.kextcache
	sudo kextcache -k /System/Library/Extensions
```
Reboot (not sure if this is necessary).

Is the card recognized as a modem? Insert the card, and check /var/log/system.log
If all worked, you should see something like this:

	Dec 20 13:39:49 localhost kernel: IOPCCard16Device::matchPropertyTable entered.
	Dec 20 13:39:49 localhost kernel: IOPCCard16Device::matchPropertyTable didn't find a match.
	Dec 20 13:39:49 localhost kernel: IOPCCard16Device::matchPropertyTable entered.
	Dec 20 13:39:49 localhost kernel: IOPCCard16Device::matchPropertyTable didn't find a match.
	Dec 20 13:39:49 localhost kernel: Apple16X50PCCard0: Card Vendor is "Sierra Wireless"
	Dec 20 13:39:49 localhost kernel: Apple16X50PCCard0: Card Name is "AC710/AC750"
	Dec 20 13:39:49 localhost kernel: IOPCCard notice: PCCardExpert0: GetNextTuple: No more items
	Dec 20 13:39:49 localhost kernel: IOPCCard info:   IOPCCard16Enabler::configure using index 0x20: Vcc 5.0, irq 255, io 0x03f8-0x03ff
	Dec 20 13:39:49 localhost kernel: Apple16X50PCCard0: Identified Modem in PCCard Socket=0
	Dec 20 13:39:49 localhost kernel: Apple16X50UARTSync0: Detected 16550AF/C/CF FIFO=16 MaxBaud=115200

There should now be a new modem device called "PC Card Modem"

Step 4: Configure Internet Connect

Imporant: you will need to quit the "System Preferences" app, and you may need to remove and insert the card to make it work the first time. GPRS dialing is a little strange. I've hacked together a modem script which should work

Download this modem script and put it in /Library/Modem Scripts/ folder
```
sudo mv Aircard750ModemScript /Library/Modem\ Scripts
```
Open the Network pane of System Preferences
Choose "New Location" from the "Location:" menu.
Choose Network Port Configurations from the "Show" menu
Drag "PC Card Modem" to the top of the list
Select "PC Card Modem" and deselect the others
Choose "PC Card Modem" from the "Show" menu
Set the following settings:
Service Provider: Tmobile
Account Name: leave blank
Password: leave blank
Telephone Number: internet2.voicestream.com (or internet3.voicestream.com, or wap.voicestream.com depending on your service plan)
Alternate Number: leave blank
"PPP"
Click the "PPP Options" button and set the following settings:
Send PPP echo packets: Off
Use TCP header compression: Off
Use Verbose Logging: On
"TCP/IP"
Configure: Using PPP
NEW!DNS Servers: Enter two.
Pick one of [ 216.155.175.40 (Tmobile West) or 216.155.175.41 (Tmobile East)]
and enter a known outside server, such as 68.6.16.30 (this is the Cox.net server -- you may wish to choose another)
Configure IPV6: Off (not sure if this is necessary, but it seems to save a step in the PPP negotiation)
"Proxies"
Web Server (HTTP): On
Enter 216.155.175.188 : 8080 as the web proxy server address : port.
"Modem"
Modem: Aircard750ModemScript
Show Modem Status in menu bar: On
Click the "Apply" button.

Step 5 : Connect

You should now have a Telephone icon in the menu bar. Pull down the menu and choose "Open Internet Connect". Then click the "Connect" button.

NOTE: For some reason, it will often take me 3 or four tries to connect. Keep trying and eventually you will get a solid connection.

Happy mobile surfing!

Advanced: Compile Your Own Driver

You will need to install the OS X Developer tools. In particular, you're going to need Apple's Project Builder to compile the driver.

Jaguar: Download the Apple16x50Serial-10.6 driver source from Apple and apply this patch. To do so, run the patch command from the parent directory of the source code.

patch -p0 < aircard750Jaguar.patch
>> patching file Apple16X50Serial/Apple16X50PCCard.cpp
>> patching file Apple16X50Serial/Apple16X50Serial.pbproj/project.pbxproj

Panther (10.3.0 thru 10.3.2) Download the Apple16x50Serial-13 driver source from Apple and apply this patch.

patch -p0 < aircard750Panther.patch
>> patching file Apple16X50Serial/Apple16X50PCCard.cpp
>> patching file Apple16X50Serial/Apple16X50Serial.pbproj/project.pbxproj

Using Project Builder, build the Apple16X50PCCard target. If all goes well, you should have a directory called Apple16X50PCCard.kext in the build subdirectory. This is your new driver.

Panther (10.3.3) Download the Apple16x50Serial-15.1 driver source from Apple and apply this patch.

patch -p0 < aircard750Panther10.3.3.patch
>> patching file Apple16X50Serial/Apple16X50PCCard.cpp
>> patching file Apple16X50Serial/Apple16X50Serial.pbproj/project.pbxproj

Using Project Builder, build the Apple16X50PCCard target. If all goes well, you should have a directory called Apple16X50PCCard.kext in the build subdirectory. This is your new driver.
Panther (10.3.4) Download the Apple16x50Serial-16 driver source from Apple and apply this patch.

patch -p0 < aircard750Panther10.3.4.patch
>> patching file Apple16X50Serial/Apple16X50PCCard.cpp
>> patching file Apple16X50Serial/Apple16X50Serial.pbproj/project.pbxproj

Using Project Builder, build the Apple16X50PCCard target. If all goes well, you should have a directory called Apple16X50PCCard.kext in the build subdirectory. This is your new driver.

Send PPP echo packets	Off
Use TCP header compression	Off
Use Verbose Logging	On

Web Server (HTTP)	On
Web proxy server address:port	216.155.175.188 : 8080

Modem	Aircard750ModemScript
Show Modem Status in menu bar	On