Multiple modems on a single USB port

Routers 4G LTE, 5G NR, USB modems
1

Trying to get the load balancing to work with the slate AX router via the USB3 port. I see that by default they have the number of modems set to two, and there are two cellular options in the load balancing page.

However when I use a USB 3 powered hub the modem isn’t recognized. I believe it’s because the port info to the modern is changed, so I’m wondering is there a supported USB hub?

Here is the kernel log when the modem is found. Notice the device path is longer with the USB hub:

Working
[11699.964365] qmi_wwan 1-1:1.4: QuectelEC25&EC21&EG91&EG95&EG06&EP06&EM06&BG96&AG35 work on RawIP mode

Not working port 1:
[11657.211958] qmi_wwan 1-1.1:1.4: QuectelEC25&EC21&EG91&EG95&EG06&EP06&EM06&BG96&AG35 work on RawIP mode

Not working port 4:
[11594.908333] qmi_wwan 1-1.4.4:1.4: QuectelEC25&EC21&EG91&EG95&EG06&EP06&EM06&BG96&AG35 work on RawIP mode

Not working port 3:
[11566.108296] qmi_wwan 1-1.4.3:1.4: QuectelEC25&EC21&EG91&EG95&EG06&EP06&EM06&BG96&AG35 work on RawIP mode

Notice the wwan hardware path includes the port addresses on the hub. When it’s in the hub it’s doesn’t work.

is there a way to have multiple modems to a single router? I have 2 SIM cards from 2 different vendors to make sure I have coverage. I would like to find a powered USB hub so I can attch both modems to the same router and use them for fail over. (I would also like to be able to use a USB attached storage to share out as a network share)

2

GL-UI supports only one modem, and it is identified using the usb bus, you can modify the usb bus by the following command:

uci set board_special.hardware.usb_port='1-1.1'   # for usb hub port 1 
uci commit board_special

You can configure other modems only by using the modem function provided with the openwrt system.

1 Like
3

Really? the GL-UI load balancing page shows Cellular 1 and Cellular 2.

I can get it to work with it plugged directly into the USB3 port, but when I use a USB hub it changes the hardware path and is no longer recognized as a modem.

if the load balancing is showing two cellular options, then why can’t it recognize dual modems?

4

I mean GL-UI only supports one modem dialup on INTERNET page.

Other modem’s configurations need to be added manually.

As for load balance, if you add configuration in /etc/config/mwan3, then it will show two cellular