Configure GSM connection using shell (nmcli)

Question

I have a system without X display and I want to use nmcli to configure my usb cell modem. I can get the modem working using Ubuntu Desktops GSM-Wizard (X/GUI). But what is the console alternative on Ubuntu Server?

$ nmcli --version
nmcli tool, version 0.9.8.8

$ nmcli dev status
DEVICE     TYPE              STATE        
ttyUSB2    gsm               disconnected 
wlan0      802-11-wireless   connected  

$ nmcli dev wifi con "SSID1"
# works for new WIFI connections only, how to set up GSM?

Solution

Without having tried it myself, but the instructions on http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Networking/CLI seem useful.

The link mentions that nmcli connection edit con-name <name of new connection> asks you relevant questions in order to set your connection up.

This answer is a bit contradictory in that it mentions smth like nmcli dev gsm con "Mobile" to create a connection.

This link mentions adding the following lines to /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections and using nmcli con up id <connection id> to activate the connection:

[connection]
id=MTNL
uuid=15d742f1-2b5a-421e-9f27-fcb1fc26d72c
type=gsm
autoconnect=true

[ipv4]
method=auto

[gsm]
number=*99#
username=mtnl
password=mtnl123
apn=gprsppsmum

[serial]
baud=115200

Comments

[sdaau]

Note: newer NetworkManager responds to "nmcli connection edit con-name..." with "Error: 'con' command 'edit' is not valid."; also for "nmcli dev gsm con "Mobile"", I get "Error: 'dev' command 'gsm' is not valid.", see unix.stackexchange.com/questions/114364/…