Hi everyone,
I'm trying to get a Fibocom FM190W-GL 5G modem working over USB with OPNsense 26.7 on a Gigabyte BRIX mini PC.
The modem registers successfully on the Australian Optus network and establishes an active cellular data context. However, OPNsense recognises the USB Ethernet interface (cdce0 / ue0) but cannot obtain an IPv4 address using DHCP.
Hardware and firmware
Modem: Fibocom FM190W-GL
Firmware: 99103.1000.00.01.06.12
USB VID:PID: 2CB7:0105
USB mode: 33 (CDC ECM)
Host: Gigabyte BRIX, OPNsense 26.7 (FreeBSD)
Connection: USB 3.0 with separate 5V modem power supply
Network: Optus Australia, activated SIM
Confirmed AT-command results
AT+CEREG? +CEREG: 0,1
AT+CGATT? +CGATT: 1
AT+CGACT? +CGACT: 1,1
AT+CGPADDR=1 +CGPADDR: 1,"10.94.135.230"
AT+GTUSBMODE? 33
AT+GTAUTOCONNECT? 1
AT+GTAUTODHCP? 1
The modem has been fully power-cycled after enabling automatic connection and DHCP.
OPNsense behaviour
FreeBSD detects the modem's USB CDC ECM interface.
The cdce driver attaches and creates ue0.
ue0 is UP, but has no IPv4 address.
DHCP requests are transmitted, but no DHCP offers are received.
Interface statistics show outgoing traffic but zero incoming packets.
The DHCP client runs without obtaining a lease.
A packet capture using:
tcpdump -ni ue0 -c 6 'udp port 67 or udp port 68'
showed outgoing DHCP requests without responses.
Windows testing
Windows 11 detects the modem's AT, diagnostics and NMEA serial ports, but the CDC ECM interface has no installed driver (Device Manager Code 28).
ECM hardware ID:
USB\VID_2CB7&PID_0105&MI_04
Questions
Has anyone successfully used the Fibocom FM190W-GL directly over USB with OPNsense or FreeBSD?
Does this modem require additional initialization to enable its ECM data interface?
Is there a known FreeBSD cdce compatibility issue with USB device 2CB7:0105?
Would a different USB composition or networking mode be preferable?
Has anyone successfully used this modem with an external USB-to-Ethernet adapter?
I've contacted Fibocom technical support for documentation and driver guidance.
Any advice from someone who has worked with this modem or similar Qualcomm-based 5G modules would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Scott