Modem question

[Matthew J. Brodeur]

On Thu, 4 Jan 2001, Chuck Young wrote:

> I know there are "win" modems that offload almost everything onto the CPU
> and only run under windows, and there are "real" modems that do the job on
> the card.  Also, I see a lot of PCI modems, with ISA versions getting kind
> of scarce.

   It IS possible to use some of the winmodems under Linux, as Glenn
Burkhardt pointed out.  I'd personally avoid the hassle.

> I thought I would walk into PC's for everyone and just buy a decent "real"
> PCI modem and be done with it, but was told "they are all winmodems now".  I
> walked out unhappy.

   That's almost, but not quite true. There are a few PCI hardware modems.

> There's no shortage of disinformation out there.  Are there real PCI modems
> available for use with linux?  I liked jumpers and manuals.  Does anyone
> have a suggestion?

   3Com still makes one of USRobotics's PCI non-winmodem models, the "59K
Performance Pro Modem (3CP5610A)". It works nicely under linux, except
that there is a little configuration to be done beyond simply pointing to
the correct serial device. "The integrated controller supports DOS and
Linux as well as Windows..." is what USR says about it.
   When dealing with PCI, don't expect to find any jumpers on the board.
Plug-and-Pray is a way of life with PCI, so you're left tracking the
settings down after the system is running.
   If you really want a simple solution, you can't beat the USR Courier
v.Everything External. I've had one since 33.6k was a luxury, and it never
let me down. I use DSL at the moment, but I keep the Courier close at hand
just in case Verizon "accidentally" misplaces my line AGAIN. $250/4+yr is
still a good investment in my mind.


-- 
     -Matt

Anytime things appear to be going better, you have overlooked something.



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