Huawei B970/B970b HSPA Router

[ednacell]

Huawei B970/B970b HSPA Router



What is it?
The Huawei B970 is a 3G router with an embedded 3G chip (think Linksys WRT54G3G without having to buy a PCMCIA card). It has 4 ethernet ports, an analogue port for attaching a phone, WiFi support as well as a connection for an external antenna. When attached via USB to a PC it presents itself in the same as a Huawei USB modem. In this mode however the ethernet ports and WiFi are disabled.

The info below applies to the Vodafone branded version but obviously many things will be similar to other rebranded devices.

The B970 has recently been replaced by the B970b. Main difference is better uplink speed (5.76 Mbps) and support for HSPA/UMTS in the 900MHz frequency range (which means you can use it with Cell C) otherwise everything else looks the same.


Specifications
Dimensions: (L/W/H): 155mm x 115mm x 28mm
Weight: < 500g
Compatible OS*: Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7** (should work on Linux)
Operating Frequency: HSPA/UMTS 2100MHz, GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
Speed: 7.2 Mbps downlink, 2Mbps uplink
Ethernet: 4 Ports (RJ45) 10/100
Telephony: 1 Port (RJ11) for attaching an analogue phone
WiFi: 802.11g
USB Port: Doubles as either power in router mode or connectivity to a PC/Notebook in modem mode
Antenna: 1 SMA connector for attaching a 3G antenna
Light Indicators: Power, WiFi, Signal Strength, Mode (GPRS/EDGE/3G/HSPA)
*OS only matters when using it as a modem
**64bit users might need the Huawei patches

What's in the box?
1 x B970 Router
1 x Stand
1 x Ethernet Cable (RJ45)
1 x Phone Cable (RJ11)
1 x 2 Prong Power (Europlug) adapter (ends in USB-B)
1 x Split USB Cable (USB-A to USB-B)
1 x User Guide
1 x Quick Start Guide

Software Versions - Shipped
Boot Loader Version: 256.11.10.05.105sp03
Router Hardware Version: WLA1GAPU
Router Software Version: 256.11.10.05.105sp03
Release At: Sep 9 2008 11:41:37

Modem Hardware Version: WLA3TCPU
Modem Software Version: 256.11.10.04.111

Software Versions - Most Recent Update (SP04)
Boot Loader Version: 256.11.10.06.105sp04
Router Hardware Version: WLA1GAPU
Router Software Version: 256.11.10.06.105sp04
Release At: Nov 20 2008 16:39:40

Modem Hardware Version: WLA3TCPU
Modem Software Version: 256.11.10.07.1141

Vodafone/Vodacom Firmware Updates
SP04 is available from the Vodacom Downloads Page. Direct Link: Firmware Upgrade 256.11.10.06.105.SP04*. This update is supposed to correct the problem where the router looses its settings randomly, but sadly does not.
Caution: Care needs to be taken when applying this update. There have been reports of this update either resulting in a bricked router or a partially updated router. The update instructions below have proven to be successful.
* Downloading this update while connected to Vodacom 3G does not count against your cap.

MTN Firmware
MTN do have their own branded firmware, but there have already been reports that things like DDNS have been removed. There may be other features that have been disabled, so using this firmware on the Vodafone branded version is probably not a good idea. Workaround for enabling DDNS on the MTN firmware here

Available from the MTN Downloads Page. Direct Link: Version 20080811

Custom Firmware
Huawei have released the source and toolchain for download
There are some details on the E960 which is a close relative to the B970 and attempts at OpenWRT which could serve as a pointer to some enterprising persons.

Vodafone/Vodacom Firmware Update Procedure
I have personally bricked one router and at least one other forumite has reported bricking theirs. Another's partially updated and will not complete the rest. I have subsequently refined the update method and others have also reported successfully applying the SP04 update. It was also discovered that you can selectively update components if the update process fails. If you are not sure what you are doing it might be best to skip this one over or take your router to a Vodacare store and let them perform the update. As always Your Mileage May Vary (YMMV).

• Download and extract the update package
• Connect to the router using a LAN cable (one was supplied in the box when you purchased it)
• Login to the router and make notes of any existing settings you wish to retain (MAC filter list, WIFI password etc).
• Factory reset the router: Advanced Settings | System | Restore Defaults | Click Restore
• Let it reboot, then power it down and remove the SIM
• Assign yourself a fixed IP for your LAN connection in the same range as the default one. (i.e. 192.168.1.20)
• In the folder you extracted review the B970 Upgrade User Guide.pdf
• Run: FmcUpdate.exe
• Click Check. Your router should be detected and it will list the current firmware and the target firmware. If your router is not detected you probably did not factory reset it.
• Click Update.
• The update process will start. It takes about 20min to complete.
• If at any point the update fails to update a certain component take careful note of what did update and then remove those files from the extracted folder and repeat the update steps. The update will detect that the files are missing and skip over updating them. This should allow for the rest of the update to resume.
• Sigh with relief if everything went well, otherwise you might be in for a trip to VodaCare

Web Interface Tips
Factory Reset The Router
Advanced Settings | System | Restore Defaults | Click Restore

Change default admin password
Advanced Settings | System | Modify Password

Custom Profile (i.e. unrestricted APN)
Advanced Settings | Dial-up Settings | Profile Settings
Fill in/select the following:
Profile Name: Vodacom Unrestricted
PPP User Name: <leave blank>
PPP Password: <leave blank>
APN: Static: unrestricted
IP Address: Dynamic
DNS Server: Dynamic
Click Save
Click Back
Click PPP Settings
From the dropdown select: Vodacom Unrestricted
PPP Connection: Select desired option
Leave rest as is
Click Apply

Dynamic DNS setup
Advanced Settings | Dynamic DNS Settings
User Name: <your dyndns.org website login name>
Wildcard: Off
Host Name: myb970.dyndns.org
Password: <your dyndns.org website password>
Click OK
Click Apply
Click Back
Click Dynamic DNS Settings
You should see: dyndns.org myb970.dyndns.org username Off Update succeed!

[ednacell]

Huawei B970b FAQ

1.Why are the automatic installation and autorun so slow?
If host software has already been installed in the computer, it takes about 60s to recognize the CD-ROM image, and then the dashboard will run automatically.

2.How do I login to Router Management Interface?
Open your web browser and in the address bar enter http://192.168.1.1. Enter your password to log in to the router, and there are two account logins to choose from: Admin: This user type is authorized to view and modify the configurations. The default password is admin. User: This user type is authorized to view only the basic status information. The default password is user.

3.How do I change my Router default login password?
Login to the Router Management Interface, go to Advanced Settings, and then click on System->Modify Password. Your password can be between 1 and 15 characters.

4.If I forgot my password, how can I restore the Router back to its factory settings?
To reset your Router Management Interface password, you must reset your Router to the factory default settings. a) On one side of the router, there is a reset button. Press the reset button for five seconds and the router will be reset to the factory settings. Please notice that: this will change all settings including any modified Wi-Fi settings back to the factory presets. b) Please log into the management page, Advanced Settings -> System -> Restore Defaults, restore the default settings.

5.How do I change the SSID (network name) of my wireless network?
The SSID is the name of the wireless network being broadcast from the router. If you wish to change this, please log into the router, then select Advanced Settings—〉WLAN Settings—〉WLAN Basic Settings.

6.How many PCs can I connect to my router?
You can connect your PC using Ethernet cables and also have multiple computers connected to the Router using WLAN. Generally, the number of users accessing router simultaneously is no more than 32.

7.Why is the WLAN (Wireless) speed of my router slower than expected?
Check devices/objects that may block the signal such as other wireless devices (mobile phones for example), any electrical cabling or large structures in the house like brick walls etc. And try to move the router to combat these issues.

8.How do I change the Encryption mode of my wireless Router?
The Router supports many configurations for Wi-Fi security. We do not recommend that you change your Router’s security settings. If you want to make modifications, log in to the Router Management Interface, go to Advanced Settings—〉WLAN Settings—〉WLAN Advanced Settings. Here you will also see a brief guide to the security configurations available for the Router and other options for changing the settings.

9.How many hosts can be specified as a DMZ host on B970 at a time?
Only one computer can be specified as a DMZ host at a time. The Demilitarized (DMZ) function allows the computer to be exposed to the Internet. You can modify it in "Security->DMZ Settings".

10.What are the differences among manual, on demand and Auto modes of PPP connection? How do I put them into application?
You can modify it in "Advanced Settings->Dial-up Settings->PPP Settings" page, in "PPP Connection" list you can select the dial-up connection mode. The differences among Manual, On Demand and Auto modes are described as follows: a) On Demand: The gateway automatically dials to connect internet when you attempt to send data through internet. b) Manual: The gateway dials to connect internet by clicking "Connect" on the connection page of the management console. c) Auto: The gateway automatically dials to access internet when it is switched on.

11. How can I enable the DHCP server again if I disable it and can't log in the management page through the default IP address 192.168.1.1?
You have two ways to restore it, and then log in the management page to enable DHCP server: a) Modify the IP address of the local computer as a static IP which stands the same segment with the one of gateway. the default IP is 192.168.1.1, so you can modify it as follows: IP address: 192.168.1.100 Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0 Default gateway: 192.168.1.1 DNS primary address: 192.168.1.1 b) Restore factory default.

12. Why are the data service not very steady and the connection often interrupted when I use the WIFI to access the B970?
The WIFI card’s driver may have some problems, the older WIFI card drivers support the 802.11b/g mixed mode not very well, please update the WIFI card’s driver to the latest version.

13.What should I do if no networks found in the WLAN mode?
1.Connect the router using the supplied ethernet cable 2.Make sure that you have turned WLAN on in the Management Interface 3.Make sure that SSID Broadcast is enabled in the Management Interface 4.Reset the router

14.what factors may interfere with it when we use FMC?
1) Our FMC supports 802.11b/802.11g and it works at the 2.4GHZ frequency band which is for the ISM use. For example, Bluetooth and Micro-wave oven working at the same frequency band with FMC may interfere with FMC. 2) A building or a wall can also obstruct the transportation of radio signal and the strength of signal would be attenuated.

15. when PC accesses FMC through wireless LAN, can user modify relative parameters of FMC?
If enabling the WLAN mode of FMC, users can access FMC through wireless mode. Youe can modify parameters of it only when you access FMC firstly and gets the control right

16.Does FMC support dynamic router protocol or static router protocol? If yes, how to work?
Our FMC doesn’t support dynamic router protocol or static router protocol because FMC is only a router terminal and all packets from FMC would be sent to the control center of ISP, point to point.

17.How do users access WLAN constituted by FMC if the SSID broadcast of WLAN is disabled?
It is necessary for users to get the SSID of WLAN. Then he can configure and access the wireless network by entering the SSID, 802.11 authentications and the mode of encryption in the wireless network configuration software.

18.How do I configure APN parameter when setting PPP profile?
You need to input your APN and dial-up number before connecting internet. Contact your internet service provider (ISP) to get the right APN parameters.

19.How to set a password WLAN to keep out other users not having password?
On the Web management page, click the “Advanced Settings” -> ”WLAN Settings ” -> “WLAN Advanced Settings”, then you can set a password for WLAN by choosing “802.11 Authentication” and “Encryption Mode” options.

20.Does FMC support Vista, Linux or Macintosh system?
Yes, all systems above are supported by FMC. But some browsers are not supported very well. The browsers supported are shown as follows: IE6.0, IE7.0, Firefox1.5 and Firefox2.0.