Debian administrator (Beaglebone) - help configure 3G modem & SSH tunnel

I have a Beaglebone Black "BBB"(Debian) that requires access to the Internet via 3G usb modem dongle. Soon this unit will be deployed for field trials - it has some electronics attached to it. When deployed, it must be able to be accessed remotely, hence this posting for help with the 3G modem and an SSH reverse tunnel. The modem is a Pantech UML 295 (Verizon branding). It is a USB-Ethernet type, not the older modem style with AT commands (i.e. wavdial) When I do an 'ifconfig -a' the modem appears as an interface called 'rename4'. If I type 'sudo dhclient rename4' it connects and assigns me an IP address. All good and I can ping external machines and wget just fine. Here's what I would like to do (and what I need your help for ;) 1/ Why is the interface name called 'rename4' ? I suspect it has something to do with the boot sequence and the kernel taking it out of USB/CD mode and into modem mode. Hint, when tried with another dongle (different make/model) it comes up as 'rename3' then when I hot-swap it, comes back as 'rename5'. It doesn't bother me, just curious if I deploy 20 more units for field trials will they all come up as 'rename4' ? 2/ At present I have to type the 'sudo dhclient rename4' command to connect to the Internet. I want this modem to come online after booting without having to type in this command. Because it is being deployed in the field there is no chance for human interaction. I tried editing /etc/network/interfaces and this did not work (does the unit boot as eth1 then get renamed?). 3/ Once you get the modem automatically online after reboot, I would like to be able to SSH into the BBB over 3G. My mobile ISP will not allow direct connection so I am told I will need a reverse SSH tunnel. Here's how I would like it to work: (a) The BBB is running a python script as a daemon. This script uploads some data to a web server and the web server responds with "0" (OK; data received). (b) If the web server responds with "1" then the BBB should activate the remote SSH tunnel. At all other times the tunnel should be closed. (c) This data upload script and the web service has already been developed, so you don't need to do anything here, except jack into the python script to watch for a "1" being returned and then open the tunnel. Here's what I can supply you with: 1. A login to the Linux server (Rackspace) for establishing the other end of the tunnel. 2. SSH access to the BBB itself. The modem will be plugged in. 3. On the BBB you can access the data upload script and modify it if required. Here's a recap of what I need from you: 1. Why is the interface called 'rename4' and is this a problem? 2. Automate the 3G connection after reboot. 3. Reverse SSH tunnel so we can log into the BBB when remotely deployed. 4. Documented, so I can follow the clearly written step-by-step procedure on other units if we deploy more to field trials. 5. Time frame for delivery is within the next 24-36 hours.