All actions described in this repository are performed at your own risk.
Flashing firmware and modifying modem software may damage your device, erase data, or void your warranty. The author and contributors are not responsible for any damage or issues resulting from the use of this guide.
The goal of this project is to enable the Foxconn T99W175 5G modem (based on the Qualcomm X55 platform) to operate in Ethernet mode.
This modem is relatively inexpensive and widely available on the secondary market while still allowing download speeds close to ~900 Mbit/s under ideal conditions.
Another objective is to allow usage of the web administration panel T99W175SimpleAdmin, developed by Brazzo978 and available on GitHub:
https://github.com/Brazzo978/T99W175-simpleadmin
BTW: Big UP for Brazzo978, Thanks for your work!
Before starting, the following conditions must be met:
-
The T99W175 modem has already been modified to operate in USB mode (instructions for this modification are widely available online).
-
The modem is visible in the operating system when connected via USB.
-
ADB access is available.
-
You have an M.2 to Ethernet adapter, for example:
- Dual-Q 5G2PHY from rework.network (used during testing)
- Adapter based on Realtek r8125 chipset
-
The modem is already configured to connect to the mobile network, including:
- APN configuration
- Verified working internet connection via USB
In short: the modem is known to be working properly.
Due to the use of publicly available firmware files from modem manufacturers/distributors, it is currently NOT possible to exceed ~300 Mbit/s download speed.
This limitation occurs because IPA mode (IP Accelerator) is not available.
Without IPA, the modem simply cannot process higher traffic rates due to CPU limitations.
This behavior is typical for firmware using Linux kernel 4.14.117.
- Kernel 4.14.206 includes IP acceleration support
- However, that version does not include unlocked Ethernet over PCIe support
There is firmware for this modem that supports both features, but it is not publicly available.
Work is ongoing to find a way to unlock:
- IPA acceleration
- Ethernet functionality simultaneously
If you are interested in helping, please get in touch.
Use the Firmware Selector Tool from Dell to flash the following firmware:
F0.1.0.0.9.GC.004
The tool can be downloaded from the Dell support page. The aim is to start work from the same bottomline.
adb reboot-bootloader
fastboot erase modem
fastboot erase boot
fastboot erase recovery
fastboot erase fsg
A reboot is required because ADB will not allow erasing a system partition that is currently in use.
fastboot reboot
fastboot erase system
fastboot erase recoveryfs
fastboot reboot
fastboot flash modem NON-HLOS.ubi
fastboot flash system sysfs.ubi
fastboot flash fsg fsg.ubi
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
fastboot flash recoveryfs recoveryfs.ubi
fastboot boot boot.img
Perform basic checks and confirm the modem boots correctly.
fastboot flash boot boot.img
Reboot the modem afterward.
Use AT commands to configure network access:
- APN
- Operator registration
- Other required parameters
You may use a prepared script (see below).
adb shell mount -o remount,rw /
adb push ethtool /usr/bin
adb push jq /usr/bin
adb push curl /usr/bin
adb push atcli_smd8 /usr/bin
adb push atcli /usr/bin
adb push sshd /usr/sbin
adb push modem_config /usr/bin
adb push httpd.service /lib/systemd/system
adb push sshd.service /lib/systemd/system
adb shell chmod 755 /usr/bin/ethtool /usr/bin/jq /usr/bin/curl /usr/bin/atcli_smd8 /usr/bin/atcli /usr/sbin/sshd /usr/bin/modem_config
adb shell ln -s /usr/sbin/sshd /usr/sbin/dropbearkey
adb shell mkdir /etc/dropbear
adb shell dropbearkey -t rsa -f /etc/dropbear/dropbear_rsa_host_key -s 2048
adb shell dropbearkey -t ed25519 -f /etc/dropbear/dropbear_ed25519_host_key
adb shell chmod 600 /etc/dropbear/dropbear_rsa_host_key /etc/dropbear/dropbear_ed25519_host_key
adb shell systemctl enable sshd
adb shell systemctl enable httpd
adb shell systemctl daemon-reload
Run the modem_config script and adjust your configuration:
- APN
- Network settings
- Other parameters if necessary
adb shell mount -o remount,ro /
adb shell reboot
Follow the original instructions from Brazzo978, but note the differences below because this firmware differs slightly.
- The main HTTP server directory is:
/WEBSERVER/www
- Backup original files first, for example:
/WEBSERVER/www_org
- Files can be uploaded using:
adb push
instead of SSH.
- SimpleAdmin authentication requires the partition containing the files to be mounted as RW.
You have two options:
Disable authentication in the configuration file.
Move the files to a partition that is RW by default and modify:
httpd.service
- Ensure
modem_configcorrectly set the following options in:
/etc/data/mobileap_cfg.xml
<AutoConnect>1</AutoConnect>
<FirstPreferredBackhaul>wwan</FirstPreferredBackhaul>
<MobileAPEnableAtBootup>1</MobileAPEnableAtBootup>
You must configure a static IP on your computer/router and deafult GW, for example:
192.168.225.2/24, 192.168.225.1
Not tested yet. Most likely it will not work until DHCP works.
This firmware does not support:
AT^TEMP?
Due to kernel 4.14.117, IPA acceleration is not available, therefore maximum throughput is limited to approximately 300 Mbit/s.
Still not 100% ready but we are going forward. I'm open for any comments/help !!!