Re: [SLUG] Linux to verizon national access

From: Chuck Hast (wchast@gmail.com)
Date: Tue Aug 08 2006 - 09:39:10 EDT


On 8/8/06, Anthony DiPierro <slug@inbox.org> wrote:
> On 8/8/06, petetheisen <petetheisen@verizon.net> wrote:
> > Hi Everybody!
> >
> > Albert #3487 says that Verizon really doesn't support Linux. He can
> > write a trouble ticket but no one will do anything about it.
> >
> > The issue is that after days of OK performance the cellphone network
> > will all of a sudden get flaky for several hours, generally at the same
> > time, about 1:30 AM Eastern. He can help but I have to go on in Windows
> > and that isn't an option.
> >
> > If I could go on in Windows he could run a program called VZ Access
> > Manager which would update a list of towers. Does anyone know how to do
> > this in Linux, it works in Mac? If this can be done it should be done
> > every month.
> >
> To update the PRL (basically the list of towers) on a standard verizon
> cell phone you dial *228. Looking on Google apparently the number for
> EVDO is *22899.
>
> http://kenkinder.com/evdo-pc5740/
> http://www.evdoinfo.com/Tips/PC_5220/Current_PRL_Version_for_EVDO_Access_2005051056/
>
> Just a warning that I haven't actually tried this. I'm not
> responsible if you screw everything up :).
>

This is one I have not figured out, CDMA (the protocol VZN uses) has one of
the cleanest handoffs around, but I can not figure out for the life of
me why that
can not have the base station id info on the control stream so that it
is updated
automaticly, that has been a basic function of the control channel or stream for
ever and ever. I did a converage study for ConEd on Verizon, and we had to do
that as we moved from area to area to make sure that we were checking all of
the base stations that were fielded. Same went for the Hillsborough Co. Sheriff,
we had to always start the day making sure the PRL was up to date, did not
have to worry about that sort of thing for GSM (different protocol big time but
still has the base station data in the control stream). Usually that
is a command
internal to the modem, or a text file you upload to the modem. Has been a year
and a half since I did that stuff so things may have changed but sounds like
they have gone backwards...

-- 
Chuck Hast  -- KP4DJT --
To paraphrase my flight instructor;
"the only dumb question is the one you DID NOT ask resulting in my going
out and having to identify your bits and pieces in the midst of torn
and twisted metal."
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