USB Modem (Nokia N95) with Acer Aspire ONE

I recently received my new Acer Aspire One 110l and must say i am increasingly falling in love with this machine. It's easy and usable out of the box, but I missed the ability to use it with my Nokia N95 as a HSDPA/3G/Edge/GPRS modem.

The main reason for the One's problem is that is missing the kernel module (cdc-acm) and an easy program to dial up. I will try to explain the steps necessary to make the N95 (and probably other devices) usable with the One. I hope the procedure and kernel module below is helpful. It certainly works flawless for me, and i hope it can help you as well. If you get it to work with other devices, please post a comment below.

Procedure

1. Compile, or download the module cdc-acm.
   I will not go through the procedure for compiling the module, but supply the module I have already compiled. This one should work as long as an update does not change the kernel version for the One. This is rather unlikely, and should it happen i will try to release an updated version shortly. Download cdc-acm
   here (box.net)
   
   
2. Move the module to the right directory (/lib/modules/2.6.23.9lw/usb/class/):
   
   Open a terminal:
   Alt+F2 -> terminal ->enter
   
   [user@localhost ~]$ su -
   [user@localhost ~]# mkdir -p /lib/modules/2.6.23.9lw/usb/class
   [user@localhost ~]# cp /path/to/downloaded/module /lib/modules/2.6.23.9lw/usb/class/
   [user@localhost ~]# mknod /dev/ttyACM0 c 166 0
   [user@localhost ~]# depmod -a
   [user@localhost ~]# modprobe cdc-acm
   
   
3. The next step is to install an easy-to-use dialup application. I have chosen gnome-ppp for this job.
   
   [user@localhost ~]$ su -
   [user@localhost ~]# yum install gnome-ppp
   Answer Y to any questions
4. Configure gnome-ppp:
   
   • Start gnome-ppp Alt+F2 -> write "gnome-ppp" hit "Run" and enter your password.
   • Username: (providers username)
     
   • Password: (providers password)
     
   • Phone number: *99#
   • Push -> "Setup"
   • Under the Tab: "Modem"
     
   • Device: /dev/ttyACM0
   • Type: USB Modem
   • Speed: 460800
   • Under the Tab "Networking"
   • Check: Manual DNS (Automatic does not seem to work)
     
   • DNS 1: 208.67.222.222 (OpenDNS)
     
   • DNS2: 208.67.220.220 (OpenDNS)
     
   • Under the Tab: "Options"
   • Check "Dock in notification area"
   • Push Close

That should hopefully do it. Connect your modem and hit "Connect" in gnome-ppp

Surf's up!