New program for tethering(use as a modem) a Blackberry on Linux

[tcolar]

I've written a new python program (no need to compile stuff manually) whose only goal is to tether a Blackberry (Linux, FreeBSD, OSX).
It's called BBTether http://wiki.colar.net/bbtether

It's been tested under Linux and OSX so far.
Tested devices so far are: 8100,8120,8130,8830

If you try another device, let me know how it goes, and in case it fails please send a log file (-v option) so i can fix it !

Thanks.

[chalewa]

i am going to install this when I get home.

There is a Win version of this same thing that just came out a few weeks ago, Tetherberry, that's $40. I was gonna buy it, but now I will just use this.

Thanks

[tcolar]

Actually bbtether could run on windows too, i juts didn't see the point though.

On windows you can just use the standard RIM DesktopManager to do tethering, so what does that tetherberry do that is worth 40$ ?

[steveneddy]

After fighting with the not very well supported Barry - I found this little application and I can say that it works well enough that I don't think I will purchase a USB modem from my cell provider and pay extra fees just for an internet connection.

I am very mobile and this just rocks on my 8330 Curve.

I will try to post back later with updates on various states and areas of coverage.

I should see most of the lower 48 in the next six weeks.

Thank you for this app.

[tcolar]

Cool, glad it works for you.
Keep me updated on how it works when roaming around !

[steveneddy]

I like the fact that there was no set up required at all. I installed it in my /home folder, navigated to the folder and ran the app.

It connected the first time and gave no problems or issues. I used it for at least two hours.

Very impressed. How many people use this I wonder.

This is a lot easier than Barry, I can tell you that.

[steveneddy]

One problem I've noticed so far is that the python script uses up tp 100% of the CPU time heating up the laptop to almost shutdown temps.

Intel Core 2 Duo
2 Gig RAM

I would like this little bug fixed so I can continue testing.

Other than that, it seems to work real well.

I just noticed that the python script takes about 8 minutes to stop using the CPU process time, at which time everything seems to go back to normal for the rest of the session.

I am tethered to a Blackberry 8830 on Sprint network.

[steveneddy]

The python run time issue seems to have resolved itself after one of the recent updates.

This is actually all that I can attribute it to as recently I have noticed that the CPU cycles going to 100% for 8-10 minutes at a time due to a running python script have stopped occurring.

So far I have used this application from Chicago, Nebraska (don't ask), Kansas, Denver, far, far South Texas, and South Carolina.

Works perfectly no matter where you are as long as your phone has a connection.

Very nice.

Viva the Open Sourced Community. They keep me working and making money daily no matter where is the world I am.

[dro0g]

One other recommendation for tethering - I use Blueman with my Verizon Blackberry 8330 and it works awesome over bluetooth and integrates with NetworkManager.

I will try out your app for wired tethering, thanks!

[platinumriver]

Did not work for me

Looking for USB devices:
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002
Bus 008 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001
Bus 007 Device 009: ID 0fca:0006
Bus 007 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001
Bus 006 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 05ca:18a0
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001
USB Device lookup finished

Found RIM device (Storage Mode)
Manufacturer:Research In Motion
Product:RIM Mass Storage Device
Device:009
VendorId: 0fca
ProductId: 0006
Version:01.06
Class:0 0
Protocol:0
Max packet size:64
Self Powered:0
Max Power:200

*Interface:0
Failed to claim interface: could not claim interface 0: Device or resource busy
Must be in use.
Will try to release it.
Trying to detach interface driver
Detaching driver returned: None
Interface is now claimed !
Interface class:8/6
Interface protocol:80
EndPoint Pair:0x86L/0x7L
-> [0x0 0x0 0x10 0x0 0x1 0xff 0x0 0x0 0xa8 0x18 0xda 0x8d 0x6c 0x2 0x0 0x0 ] [............l...]
Not Data Pair (Read failed)
Defaulted Modem endpoints: -0x1/-0x1
Will run bbtether with args: ['verizon', '-v']
Starting Modem thread
--------------------------------
BBTether 0.3f
Thibaut Colar - 2009
More infos: http://wiki.colar.net/bbtether
Use '-h' flag for more informations : 'python bbtether.py -h'.
--------------------------------

Looking for USB devices:
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002
Bus 008 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001
Bus 007 Device 009: ID 0fca:0006
Bus 007 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001
Bus 006 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 05ca:18a0
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001
USB Device lookup finished

Found RIM device (Storage Mode)
Manufacturer:Research In Motion
Product:RIM Mass Storage Device
Device:009
VendorId: 0fca
ProductId: 0006
Version:01.06
Class:0 0
Protocol:0
Max packet size:64
Self Powered:0
Max Power:200

*Interface:0
Interface class:8/6
Interface protocol:80
EndPoint Pair:0x86L/0x7L
-> [0x0 0x0 0x10 0x0 0x1 0xff 0x0 0x0 0xa8 0x18 0xda 0x8d 0x6c 0x2 0x0 0x0 ] [............l...]
error: could not claim interface 0: Device or resource busy
Not Data Pair (Write failed)
Defaulted Modem endpoints: -0x1/-0x1
BBTether Thread completed.