–
– HILINK MODEMS (router mode / NAT inside the modem)
– Characteristics:
• Modem acts like a small router (NAT + DHCP inside)
• Usually shows up as an Ethernet/RNDIS network device over USB
• Web interface inside the modem (often at 192.168.8.1 / 192.168.1.1)
— Advantages:
• Very easy to use: plug & play, no PPP/QMI/MBIM setup
• Stable for beginners, works on many OSes without extra drivers
• Can share internet to multiple devices (it’s already doing routing)
— Disadvantages:
• Double-NAT (modem NAT + your router/device NAT) → port forwarding/VPN/remote access can be harder
• Less control on the Linux side (IP, routing, MTU, raw modem control)
• Some features can be limited/hidden by the modem firmware
– STICK MODEMS (raw modem / direct control from OS)
– Characteristics:
• Modem exposes serial/QMI/MBIM interfaces (OS manages the connection)
• Linux does the dialing + IP (NetworkManager, ModemManager, custom scripts)
• No “router” inside by default (usually no NAT unless you set it)
— Advantages:
• More control and flexibility (routing, firewall, VPN, telemetry, port handling)
• No double-NAT by default → cleaner networking
• Often better for advanced setups (QMI/MBIM performance tuning)
— Disadvantages:
• Setup is more technical (APN, modem mode, drivers, QMI/MBIM/PPP)
• Some sticks need usb-modeswitch / correct mode at boot
• Can be more sensitive to kernel/driver quirks depending on the chipset
