Huawei E5836 Mobile Wi-Fi (MiFi) on TELUS

While out and about whether travelling to or between clients, or working at a client site we always use a cellular modem to connect to the Internet.

There are times when there is a need for more than one Internet connection that is provided by a USB cellular based modem.

In the US, and perhaps other locations, folks have access to a small wireless device called a MiFi (Wikipedia) or mobile Wi-Fi. Up to recently we here in Canada have not had such a device available by our mobile carriers.

Since our switch to Bell Mobility to gain access to the HTC HD7 for a new phone we called a number of different Bell stores in the Greater Edmonton Area to purchase a Novatel MiFi unit that is listed on their Web site. All of the stores indicated that they had no stock and are no longer carrying them. Bell’s customer service rep that we spoke to indicated that they were having too many issues with the MiFi unit so it was pulled.

So, we headed down to our local TELUS store and picked up a Huawei E5836 Mobile Wi-Fi device.

Once we fired it up we were able to connect to it using the default WPA code that is on a sticker on the back of the unit.

We then opened a Web browser and navigated to http://e5.home.

• Huawei E5836 default admin password: admin

We logged into the admin console:

We side-stepped the Quick Setup wizard and went about configuring our desired subnet, SSID, WPA2 key, and other settings.

Once we were finished we saw the following in our available Wi-Fi list:

• Huawei E5836 SSID: MPECS_MiFi

The unit was really easy to set up and use.

One feature with regards to the screen that is appreciated is its ability to indicate the number of clients connected to the unit.

We anticipate having a laptop or three, the Tega, and perhaps the Zune HD connected simultaneously.

This post was published using the cellular data connection provided by the E5836.

Philip Elder
MPECS Inc.
Microsoft Small Business Specialists
Co-Author: SBS 2008 Blueprint Book

*Our original iMac was stolen (previous blog post). We now have a new MacBook Pro courtesy of Vlad Mazek, owner of OWN.

Windows Live Writer

Mobile High Speed Internet – 3G Cellular Modem

We are in the process of equipping all of our technician laptops with a 3G modem.

This enables us to have a laptop at a client site and not need to plug into the client’s network where there are dedicated remote desktops available. We can remote in via RWW and work on the network that way.

We have not completed any tests of Network Access Protection on our SBS 2008 networks yet, so, we do not plug our laptops into any client network unless it is absolutely necessary whether SBS 2003 or SBS 2008 based.

The unit is a Sierra Wireless USB 598. It has a built-in flash drive that kicks in when the unit is plugged in that allows us to install the modem software and drivers via AutoPlay.

If the software and drivers are already on the laptop, the modem initializes and becomes available for connection to the Internet when plugged in to the USB port.

The connection speed was 3.1Mb/Sec (Megabits not Megabytes) during our first test on an old Toshiba running Windows 7 RC x86.

We did not sign into any long term contracts since the main CDMA players here in Canada are promising to have their new HSPA 4G networks available in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

The new network will be cross compatible with Rodger’s current network structures giving us access to the iPhone and other high speed goodies when this happens. :)

Philip Elder
MPECS Inc.
Microsoft Small Business Specialists
Co-Author: SBS 2008 Blueprint Book

*All Mac on SBS posts will not be written on a Mac until we replace our now missing iMac! (previous blog post)

Windows Live Writer

SBS - Fax and modems - USB or Serial?

Lately, we have been in a bit of a quandary. Pretty much all server boards no longer have PCI slots to install that 56K fax modem into anymore.

So, we started selling the US Robotics USB based external: 56K* USB Fax Modem:


All in all, we have had pretty good success with these units. There have been some anomalies with them that we haven't been able to pin down 100%. But, we are pretty sure they are the culprit. The anomalies are not critical in that they don't spontaneously reboot the server or interfere with critical server services. They are minor inconveniences.

One thing we like about them, they tolerate having other fax machines, such as MFPs, on the same line that are only used to send faxes from.

In some cases, we have installed the US Robotics USR5686E, USR325686E 56K V.92 External Faxmodem:


These serial based modems have worked well where the phone line quality is not so good. They do however, have an issue with any other fax machine trying to send a fax on the same line. They like to pickup and try and receive. So, they need to be on their own line for receiving faxes. They are that sensitive.

What are your experiences? What modems do you use, and how well are they working out for you? Have you had any issues with USB modems?

Please, let us know and thanks in advance! :D

Philip Elder
MPECS Inc.
Microsoft Small Business Specialists

*All Mac on SBS posts are posted on our in-house iMac via the Safari Web browser.