Plugin: ModemManager

Introduction

This plugin adds support for devices managed by ModemManager.

GUID Generation

These device use the ModemManager “Firmware Device IDs” as the GUID, e.g.

  • USB\VID_413C&PID_81D7&REV_0318&CARRIER_VODAFONE (only if not using Flags=use-branch)
  • USB\VID_413C&PID_81D7&REV_0318
  • USB\VID_413C&PID_81D7
  • PCI\VID_105B&PID_E0AB&REV_0000&CARRIER_VODAFONE (only if not using Flags=use-branch)
  • PCI\VID_105B&PID_E0AB&REV_0000
  • PCI\VID_105B&PID_E0AB

Quirk Use

This plugin uses the following plugin-specific quirk:

ModemManagerBranchAtCommand

AT command to execute to determine the firmware branch currently installed on the modem.

Since: 1.7.4

ModemManagerFirehoseProgFile

Firehose program file to use during the switch to EDL (Emergency Download) mode.

Since: 1.8.10

Flags=use-branch

Use the carrier (e.g. VODAFONE) as the device branch name so that fwupdmgr sync can downgrade the firmware as required.

This is now the recommended mode for all modem devices with a carrier-specific firmware image, although it requires that the firmware branch is also set in the firmware metadata.

Since: 1.9.8

Flags=detach-at-fastboot-has-no-response

If no AT response is expected when entering fastboot mode.

Flags=uninhibit-modemmanager-after-fastboot-reboot

After entering the fastboot state, the modem cannot execute the attach method in the MM plugin plugin plugin. The shadow device needs to be used to uninhibit the modem when fu_mm_plugin_udev_uevent_cb detects it.

Vendor ID Security

The vendor ID is set from the USB or PCI vendor, for example USB:0x413C PCI:0x105B

Update method: fastboot

If the device supports the ‘fastboot’ update method, it must also report which AT command should be used to trigger the modem reboot into fastboot mode.

Once the device is in fastboot mode, the firmware upgrade process will happen as defined e.g. in the ‘flashfile.xml’ file. Every file included in the CAB that is not listed in the associated ‘flashfile.xml’ will be totally ignored during the fastboot upgrade procedure.

Update Protocol: com.google.fastboot

For this reason the REPLUG_MATCH_GUID internal device flag is used so that the fastboot and runtime modes are treated as the same device.

Update method: qmi-pdc

If the device supports the ‘qmi-pdc’ update method, the contents of the CAB file should include files named as ‘mcfg.*.mbn’ which will be treated as MCFG configuration files to download into the device using the Persistent Device Configuration QMI service.

If a device supports both ‘fastboot’ and ‘qmi-pdc’ methods, the fastboot operation will always be run before the QMI operation, so that e.g. the full partition where the MCFG files are stored can be wiped out before installing the new ones.

Update protocol: com.qualcomm.qmi_pdc

For this reason the REPLUG_MATCH_GUID internal device flag is used so that the fastboot and runtime modes are treated as the same device.

Update method: mbim-qdu

If the device supports the ‘mbim-qdu’ update method, the contents of the CAB file should include a package named as ‘Firmware_*.7z’ which is a compressed ota.bin file that will be downloaded to the ota partition of the device.

Update protocol: com.qualcomm.mbim_qdu

Update method: firehose

If the device supports the ‘firehose’ update method, it should have QCDM port exposed and the contents of the CAB file should contain ‘firehose-rawprogram.xml’. The device is then switched to the emergency download mode (EDL) and flashed with files described in ‘firehose-rawprogram.xml’.

Update protocol: com.qualcomm.firehose

Update method: cinterion-fdl

If the device supports the ‘cinterion-fdl’ update method, it should have an AT-port exposed. The device is then switched to Firmware Download Modem (FDL) and flashed with the content of the firmware file. After an update, the device will not replug until an ignition is sent, or the device is rebooted.

Update protocol: com.cinterion.fdl

Update method: dfota

If the device supports the ‘dfota’ update method, it should have an AT-port exposed. The device is then switched to data mode and downloads the firmware to the ota partition via the AT-port. DFOTA updates require a specific firmware version to be installed on the device, since the update only contains a diff between the installed and target version.

Update protocol: com.quectel.dfota

External Interface Access

This plugin requires read/write access to /dev/bus/usb and /dev/bus/pci.

Version Considerations

This plugin has been available since fwupd version 1.2.6.

Owners

Anyone can submit a pull request to modify this plugin, but the following people should be consulted before making major or functional changes:

  • Aleksander Morgado: aleksander0m