michael favia

While linux is getting generally easier for anyone to use as a desktop replacement this operation required a little more fiddling than i would like. I'll record it here in case anyone has similar desires to use their cingular phone as a modem/personal area network device. This method lets you connect to the internet over thwe bluetooth link while charging the phone over the USB connection (if you care to connect it at all).

Setup the phone

Only if you want to charge your phone on the USB port while you connect opver bluetooth, configure your USB mode to be "ActiveSync". Find and run File Explorer (Start > Applications > File Explorer). In file explorer navigate to "c:/windows" scroll down to "Internet Sharing" and run it. Configure it to use MediaNet and Bluetooth to connect and click on "Connect" with the softkey.

Setup the Computer

It goes without saying that you need to setup bluetooth on the computer which means installing the various bluetooth packages (gnome-bluetooth, bluez-gnome, bluez-pin, etc). If you ahve questions which packages you need just ask me no problem.

If you dont know your Phones MAC address type this in a terminal to get it:

hcitool scan

Results in:

Scanning ...
        00:11:22:33:44:55       SGH-i607

Replace my example MAC address with yours and thype the following:

pand --connect 00:11:22:33:44:55 --service NAP

Finally to actaully configure the interface on your system type:

dhclient bnep0

You should be good to go. I'm on my way out now but I'll revisit and clean up these instructions when i return.