Bluetooth to Verizon Phone for DUN Works
 

This post is just to confirm that I was able to pair my N810/OS2008 with a new Verizon phone (VX8700) and voice plan (no VCAST or data options) via Bluetooth and connect to the Internet.

There are posts scattered throughout the Internet with the necessary info, but it's confusing as to what is actually required. (e.g. I didn't have to hex edit firmware or anything like that.) This is a summary of the key points (only one in particular was tricky):

• Only works if phone is in 1X network only mode. If EVDO network mode (or hybrid mode) is enabled on phone, it doesn't work.
• I used the Nokia cell phone wizard to setup the main parameters, but I could just have easily used the "connection details" screens. I don't think the wizard does anything special.
• Username: <10-digit-phone-num>@vzw3g.com (Using <MDM>@... didn't work for me.)
• Password: vzw
• Phone Num: #777
• The tricky part: I also had to edit /etc/ppp/options and uncomment the "-chap" option. Until I did that, it would say "authentication failed" and disconnect immediately.

With all that, I'm now able to connect via Bluetooth and get ~115k speeds. It doesn't stay connected for a long (<10 seconds) if I don't use it, but otherwise seems to work as expected.

Caveat: I don't know how this relates to Verizon's TOS or if I will be charged extra for kb usage. I personally won't use it much, but it's nice to know it's there if needed. If I did use it more, I'd probably pay for the VCAST (or some other data option?) plan to be safe. That might also allow EVDO network use.

Re: Bluetooth to Verizon Phone for DUN Works
 

I, too, have a Verizon VX8700 phone, and a brand new N810. I'm still struggling to connect to the internet through the phone. I understand and have executed all your instructions (very helpful, thanks!)--except I don't understand the "edit /etc/ppp/options and uncomment the "-chap" option" part. Can you explain?
Thanks,
Jane

Re: Bluetooth to Verizon Phone for DUN Works
 

CAVEAT: I don't recommend this procedure at all. Reasons after the explanation :)

You need a memory card to do this one.

Gain root on your device --- there's a few ways to do this, installing the 'becomeroot' package is the easiest. Not sure which repository it's in, tho.

Start up XTerm, and:
sudo gainroot
cp /etc/ppp/options /media/mmc1

Now, close xterm and plug your N810 into your computer and open up the 'options' file using Notepad or any other text editor.

Remove all instances of '-chap': save, close, eject the N810.

Start up XTerm again, and:
sudo gainroot
cp /media/mmc1/options /etc/ppp/options

Confirm the overwrite if prompted.

You're done!

---

Using 1xRTT is a bad idea because it sends a red flag: you have to turn off EVDO, and there's no real reason to do so if you're in an EVDO area. (Turning it off in a border area --- the edge of EVDO coverage --- will dramatically raise battery life, though.)

Having VCAST enabled is a great way to mask what you're doing, and gets you unlimited (-ish) data without costing airtime minutes. However, VCAST only works with EVDO, so having it enabled but EVDO disabled also makes you look strange.

The best process is to make a small change on the phone, detailed here:
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=938352

Re: Bluetooth to Verizon Phone for DUN Works
 

The /etc/ppp/options file on your Nokia device is a text file with configuration options used by DUN. There is a line in the file that looks like this "#-chap". The # character needs to be removed.

Aleksandyr gave good instructions for one approach to do this, but I'm not sure why he thinks an external memory card is needed. An alternative approach, that I think is easier, is to SSH into your local device as root. You can do everything on the N810 device itself if you want, and it doesn't require installing becomeroot/gainroot. e.g.

1. Install OpenSSH from main repositories. At end of install, it will prompt you to change the password for the root account on your device. Unless you know what you are doing, make sure it's a good password and don't forget it.
2. Start X Terminal on the device. (Apps->Utilities->X Terminal). At the prompt, type "ssh -l root localhost". Enter your new root password to login to your device as root via SSH.
3. Now, edit the /etc/ppp/options file. Easiest way for me, was to use "vi". If you are not familiar with vi, it goes something like this:
   • Type "vi /etc/ppp/options"
   • Type "i" (this puts you in to insert mode)
   • Use the D-pad to find the line "#-chap". Delete the "#".
   • Press <Escape>. Type ":wq". This saves the file and exits vi.

Aleksandry could very well be right. However, it seemed less risk to me to use 1X only than it would be to hack the phone to allow access on the EVDO network, especially since I'm not paying for VCAST currently. Based on Aleksandry's comments though, I"ll probably leave my phone in hybrid mode most of the time, and only switch to 1X only when needed. (Which will be rare for me.)

It brings up a larger issue and question I have though that maybe someone can help with... The hack linked to above (which is referenced in various forms all over the Internet) seems to give access to the EVDO network via DUN without Verizon's approval. However, if I pay for VCAST (or some other data option plan from Verizon), can I then use my phone via Bluetooth for DUN legitally? Said another way, could I then access the Internet WITHOUT having to make the login hack above on my phone (even if meant going to the local Verizon store so they could reconfigure something)?

Re: Bluetooth to Verizon Phone for DUN Works
 

Thank you very much for your advice. So....just to be clear, this is what I should do:

1. Set the Nokia 810 connection settings for Verizon as recommended above in the first post.

2. Do not mess with the 1X or EVDO settings on the phone, but follow the instructions on the howardforums.com to enable DUN for EVDO.

3. Add VCAST to my phone plan.

4. (This is where i'm still unclear). After inserting a memory card (even though the 810 has an internal one built in?), follow your (aleksandyr's) instructions to remove all instances of "-chap". This will solve the problem of the "authentication failed" error message I keep getting when I try to connect via the phone.

Is that right? You believe that removing "-chap" etc will solve the authentication problem? or is that the proceedure you were referring to in your post that you don't recommend, and I should just stick with the howardforum.com proceedure?

Thanks!
Jane

Re: Bluetooth to Verizon Phone for DUN Works
 

Oh. Didn't see Kaliatech's post when I typed my last one. I think the last question on that post is the one I'm asking too: Do I need to enable DUN for EVDO AND get VCAST AND get rid of the "-chap" etc.? Which of these solutions are mutually exclusive, and which will get me over the "authentication failed" problem?

Thanks!

Re: Bluetooth to Verizon Phone for DUN Works
 

Uncommenting the "-chap" option (which tells the Nokia device to not use chap) will probably solve your "Authentication Failed" message. That is probably mutually exclusive from the decision to use 1X or EVDO/VCAST.

Re: Bluetooth to Verizon Phone for DUN Works
 

this is all great information - I'm gonna thank everyone on this thread!

I'm going to the Verizon store today because my 2 year contract is up and it's time for a new phone...which brings me to my question:

Will ANY Bluetooth-capable Verizon phone act the same way? Or similarly?

How do I know if a certain Bluetooth-capable Verizon phone will work for DUN?

The VX8700 is nice...and $180. I hope to get some kind of contract-renewal-discount (it is my 4th 2yr agreement afterall)...but if I can't, I need to look at less-expensive phones. Any ideas?

This post is also helpful cuz of the ssh-to-root instructions...thanks for that. I've struggled with Linux in the past...I'm now a n00b for the second time in 3 years...but now it's all starting to make sense...getting a hang of the syntax, finally. Thanks, kalia, for literally spelling it out.

Re: Bluetooth to Verizon Phone for DUN Works
 

I answered part of my question...check it out:

http://support.vzw.com/pdf/BT_Chart_Handsets.pdf

Looks like even the inexpensive phones have EVDO and 1X...the $50 VX8350 is the cheapest to you get FTP capability, according to the chart - which brings up a new question:

Does this "File Movement (FTP)" note, according to the chart, refer to the phone's software control for FTP? or is there something about the Bluetooth DUN on certain phones that would make them unfit for FTP via the N810?

For $50, I might just go get the 8350 and go to town...thoughts?

Re: Bluetooth to Verizon Phone for DUN Works: VX8300
 

Here is my experience: I have a VX8300 with a normal voice-only plan. Previously, every time I tried to do DUN over Bluetooth, it would hang up after a few seconds. I had Googled and Googled for a fix, but no luck.

Then added the supplementary AT command "AT$QCMDR=2", and QNC dial-up networking started functioning properly. (I also did a one-time entry of "##dialup" on the keypad, which is one of the folk remedies for enabling DUN over Bluetooth.)

In summary, my settings are:

Connection type "Data Call"
Dial-up number "#777"
User name "qnc"
Password "qnc"
Supplementary AT command "AT$QCMDR=2"

The QNC dialup is pathetically slow, but at least it's free (except for the airtime minutes).

My wife's Verizon phone (an older Motorola model) will do Bluetooth QNC DUN without any special AT commands.

Doug