Sierra Wireless MC7354 power cycles in WE826

[contempotec]

Received the WE826 router and Sierra Wireless MC7354 purchased through thewirelesshaven.com, but unfortunately, having an irregular issue.

Steps accomplished without issue:
- WE826 firmware updated to Dec 2017 version of GoldenOrb
- Coded in new password, WiFi, network subnet, etc.
- 2 updated .sh files copied into router via WinSCP so that the MC7354 can be detected
- Installed MC7354 and carefully connected the antenna wires
- Entered in APM info for T-mobile (fast.t-mobile.com)
- Coded the Monitor with Optional Reconnected option per the guide sent to me
- Turned off router and properly inserted the T-mobile already activated and running sim (was previously in a fully functioning Huawei E397 LTE USB stick)

Issue:
- Router boots and within a two mins the USB light locks and I seem to have LTE connectivity plugged into the router’s LAN port
- Unfortunately, within a minute the connection drops because the MC7354 seems to have power cycled.
o USB light turns off
o Watch the situation from within GoldenOrb Modem Network Status page. The MC7354 (as Modem1) clears to say no modem attached
o Within a minute or two the MC7384 comes back, but again seems to stay on for a min before cycling again.

Trouble shooting:
- Took apart the router and removed and re-seated the MC7354 and reattached the internal antenna wires. Did not resolve issue.
- Removed the sim card and rebooted up the router and MC7354 seems not to power cycle. So when dormant it seems OK.
- Powered down the router, reinserted the sim and the same situation occurs after powering up the WE826. MC7354 seems to power cycle if it is actually trying to work.
- Put sim card back into Huawei E397 and plugged stick back directly on my laptop and there is no issue accessing LTE and staying on.

Any assistance anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated. Not new to business level networking, but new to LTE connection as a network ISP source.

Thanks in advance!

[JimHelms]

The router appears to be detecting the modem so that is a good sign.

Entered in APN info for T-mobile (fast.t-mobile.com)

If there anyway, using the Huawei E397, you can check to assure that fast.t-mobile.com is the correct APN. Seems like I have seen others at time being used.

[contempotec]

I pulled that from info on the official T-Mobile website.
https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-11138

Is there a different one that I should try?

[JimHelms]

No. Power it back on and once it connects to the internet (and before it disconnects), using the AT Commands as shown on THIS TAB, run the commands below.

Then, copy and paste (or snapshot an image) of what it returns.

Code: Select all

at!entercnd="A710"
at!gstatus?

Then, after it disconnects, make sure the SIM is still being read like shown HERE using the following commands:

Code: Select all

at+cpin?

[contempotec]

The good news is that the power cycling stopped on the MC7354, but I am not sure exactly why.

Because of the potential confusion on the APN entry I decided to delete the entry, save the blank entry and reboot the router. That was last night. Tonight when I was able to focus back on this issue, I booted the WE826 and started prepping to enter in the AT codes that Jim suggested. I first had to put back in the APN entry of fast.t-mobile.com so that it would connect. I saved and rebooted the router.

I got into the Miscellaneous tab and entered the first two AT commands (reminds me of the old days with a Hayes modem ). It gave back OK and gave me the full status. I was definitely connected to the T-Mobile network through band 4 and has a series of other info. I then waited for the MC7354 to automatically power cycle, but in this particular time. It DID NOT. After about 15 mins of waiting, I decided to surf around. It was noticeably faster than the Huawei E397. Nice!

I then decided to shutdown the router, wait and see if the system would connect and stay locked automatically. It seemed to do just that after about 3 mins. It was running solid for over an hour before I shut it down to work on another project. I will try it again tomorrow for a longer period of time, but hopefully am out of the woods.

As an aside, I noted the AT status command gave me temp info. What is considered running "cool?" I was able to get it as high as 39. I am guessing that is Celsius which would translate to around 102 Fahrenheit. Is that within reasonable levels?

[JimHelms]

Glad you are up and running.

I am guessing that is Celsius which would translate to around 102 Fahrenheit. Is that within reasonable levels?

Well within operating range. According to Sierra Wireless:

Operating Temperature Range:
-40 °C – 85 °C

[contempotec]

@JimHelms
Thanks for all your input/guidance.

Looks like this part of the router is now running solid. Been up for a solid 48 hours without a noticeable hiccup. Wasn't connected the whole time, but when I did plug my test laptop into anyone of the ports on random occasions and received a solid connection and very decent speed.