What modem should I buy?

[Redih]

I just installed mandrake 9.2 linux like 2 days ago, and I use the conexant winmodem. I know linuxant makes the drivers, but it's 14.95 for a license. Which isn't much, and the 14.4 free version works for now, but I thought it would be more productive to buy a hardware modem off ebay.

I have a compaq presario 5900z 750mhz, 196mb ram, nothing special, I don't know where to find what modem to buy that would be compatible with my computer and linux. I looked, but the terminology sorta flies over my head right now (I'm a linux newbie, and basically the only thing I'm good at on the computer is windows and I can type 138wpm). I'm trying to learn, that's why I'm not asking for somebody to just tell me what modem to get, but if somebody could point me in the right direction it would be much appreciated.

[ph34r]

An external that connects via a serial port. Or if you need PCI , then check http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=25-104-119&depa=1

[Redih]

Now say I bought that one, would it be just as easy to install? Or would it require some knowledge? Only thing I've ever installed was RAM and that just plugs in.

[abraxas@debian]

Hi!

The only thing you need is a "real" hw modem. These Modems understand the AT&T directive-standard (ATZ and so on) without the need of additional software (the "driver" you've considered about).

As a rule, you can buy any Modem that was manufactured up to 1997. From that point, the HW-Industry started to save a few cents because they didn't integrate the AT&T-Interpreter-Chip (Rockwell if u wanna search for it ;-)) in their Modems anymore.
It's a little bit chaeper, of course. The problem is that you need a special software-driver, depending on your OS, for useing such modems (aka "Soft-Modems").

So, the modems which you have to connect to the serial port of your PC (aka "COM" under Windows and "/dev/ttyS* under Linux) are the "real" "old-school" external modems with a Rockwell-Chipset on it. That are the puppies you're looking for ;-)

Just pay attention in buying a 56K modem. There are also 33,6Ks and 28,8Ks out there ;-).

I'm owning an Elsa 56K. It's one of the very best analog "real" 56K modems and these babies are very expensive on E-Bay (between 15-20 EUR for an 6 year old modem *urg*).

If any questions left, just ask. At the moment, I'm trying to improve my English a little bit as you may have noticed ;-)

Greedz
Armin

[abraxas@debian]

Originally posted by Redih
Now say I bought that one, would it be just as easy to install? Or would it require some knowledge? Only thing I've ever installed was RAM and that just plugs in.
Just plug it in your serial-connector, configure your p2p-prog (if your're useing KDE, Kppp is your friend) that it uses the right device (/dev/ttyS0 for 1st serial device, /dev/ttyS1 for 2nd), enter the number to dial and you're done!

The packages that you need are:
pppd
dialing-frontend (under KDE kppp as mentioned before)
some kernel-drivers (I don't think you've to consider about these. Just every standard distribution kernel should be able to use an external analog 56k modem)

[JohnT]

You can't buy a better analog modem than Zoom. I still have a working 28k. I also have a 56k which is not quite 2yrs old but was only used for about 8 mo. until I got DSL. I might be talked into parting with one or both. PM me. Zoom has the best lightning protection of any modem. Lifetime guarantee.

Model 2949 - PC V90 56K Modem

56 Kbps Dualmode External

The Zoom/FaxModem 56K Dualmode models are high-speed V.90 faxmodems with voicemail that have the ability to receive data from compatible sites at speeds up to 56,000 bps, and at higher speeds with compression. They incorporate both V.90 and K56flex™ to achieve download speeds nearly twice as fast as any conventional analog modem. That means fast access to the Internet, World Wide Web, and local area networks (LANs) over standard phone lines.

* Supports both V.90 and K56flex for up to 56,000 bps data downloads
* 14,400 bps Class 1 fax
* Voice mail (requires soundcard)
* Plug and Play (serial), Windows 3.x, NT, DOS, Linux and Macintosh
* Controller and DSP upgradeable with Flash memory
* ZoomGuard™ lightning protection
* V.80, H.323, and H.324 compliant (videophone ready)
* Channel 2™ Call Waiting (PC only)
* Extended status reporting with 14 LEDs

[Redih]

Thanks for all your help. It was EXTREMELY informative, and I think I'm ready to go out and buy a new modem. Most likely Rockwell or zoom, I think I understand a lot more now. Thank you.

[abraxas@debian]

Originally posted by Redih
Thanks for all your help. It was EXTREMELY informative, and I think I'm ready to go out and buy a new modem. Most likely Rockwell or zoom, I think I understand a lot more now. Thank you.
Don't get me wrong. Rockwell is just the Chipset on the modem. The manufacture can be someone else. In Germany the most common is (or was) Elsa. In the US, I don't know, maybe US Robotics or so.
Analog modem-development has stopped in germany since 1999. Today DSL/Cable is standart in the most bigger cities.

What JohnT has written sounds interesting. Looks like modem-development hasn't stopped in the US (If this is your country, I don't no so far). I think he just c&p this:
http://www.zoom.com/products/dial_up_external_serial.html

The chipset I talking about (Rockwell) is a little bit outdated. Can be possible that better techniques are avaible in the US (better compress-algorithms, better p2p protocols and so on).

But, at the end, analog modems are analog modems. THEY ARE SLOW! If you hasn't the opportunity to get a faster connection (like me) then you have to use them. In other cases, take DSL or cable ;-)

Ok, happy buying!
Armin

PS: Sorry for spelling mistakes. If you find some, keep them ;-)

[JohnT]

What JohnT has written sounds interesting. Looks like modem-development hasn't stopped in the US (If this is your country, I don't no so far). I think he just c&p this:



No modem-development hasn't stopped....ZOOM sells world-wide. They invented the modem before there was a telephone.:p
BTW..thats my 56k info...c&p'd.

My 28k ZOOM is over ten yrs old....still working. I have had 3 US Robotics that have been taken out by lightning over the phone-lines and the Zoom goes on.

[abraxas@debian]

Originally posted by JohnT
No modem-development hasn't stopped....ZOOM sells world-wide. They invented the modem before there was a telephone.:p

Sounds cool :D. If it's so good as you say then he should buy it. But I've never heard about zoom modems in Germany. Maybe I should look for them ;-)

The only thinks that makes me wonder are these (taken from the description pdf-file):

1.
System Requirements
"PC compatible or Macintosh computer with an available serial (RS-232C) port " 16 MB RAM " Hard drive NOTE: Software is provided on CD-ROM (Also available on floppies or Web).

If it's a "real" Modem (no software emulation is needed) why I need 16 MB of RAM and software? For the FAX-Features or for what?

2.
Operating System Support " Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000 (Plug and Play) " Windows NT 4.0, Windows 3.1, Windows 3.11, DOS (jumper-selectable) " Linux (jumper-selectable) " Macintosh OS (Model 2945)

Mh, dials the modem under Linux faster or for what are the additional jumpers :p?

I don't wanna buy the modem. That just interest me.

Nice talking with you guys :D
Greedz
Armin

[JohnT]

But I've never heard about zoom modems in Germany. Maybe I should look for them ;-)
Why if what you have makes you happy?:D



1. If it's a "real" Modem (no software emulation is needed) why I need 16 MB of RAM and software? For the FAX-Features or for what? Fax software. I never used any type of software emulation in the time I used it in Linux. I wouldn't know why you would need software for a hardware modem. Possibly you know of such a one made in your area. Not common here.


2. What are the additional jumpers ?
Jumpers on your MB, if you have some odd-ball serial port/IRQ setup to configure. That has nothing to do with any particular modem, more to do with you computer than any analog modem.

Fo a good resource when choosing a Linux modem.......
http://www.iac.es/galeria/eddie/linux/modem/winmodem.html

EDIT: My error..it seems some modems have jumpers for Plug-n-Play ccompatibility...I've never seen a Zoom with such a config...not to say there is not, because they also make cheaper analog modems and internal modems.

[Redih]

They don't offer cable/dsl in my area. They do offer satellite, but that's $135 a month if I'm not mistaken. I don't even connect at 56k in windows, I called my isp and they said my phone lines were bad. I only connect at 28.8 max.

With this linuxant driver, I only connect at 14.4, so I figure I'll buy a new hw modem in case I move or something, or maybe it will help me connect at 56k.

[abraxas@debian]

Originally posted by JohnT

I wouldn't know why you would need software for a hardware modem.

Exactly THAT was the sentence in my mind and the reason for my question. No, in Germany there aren't any hw modems which need additional software when they are just used to connect to an isp.

Originally posted by JohnT

2. What are the additional jumpers ?
Jumpers on your MB, if you have some odd-ball serial port/IRQ setup to configure. That has nothing to do with any particular modem, more to do with you computer than any analog modem.

I know what a jumper is ;-)). But thanks for your description.
Thats why the pdf sounds strange for me:
For what the hell do they build jumpers on a modem?
But your red edit clears this miss-understood.

Originally posted by Redih

I don't even connect at 56k in windows, I called my
isp and they said my phone lines were bad. I only connect at 28.8 max.

Ooh, that is still possible in the 21st century??? Really bad for you. What kind of "bad phone lines" are that? Ring-wire form the founding-time or what :D?
If thats your situation then I don't know if a better modem can solve your problem.
I think the best would be if you buy the modem at a store, test it at home if it works with 56K and if not (ok, that sounds bad) you have to live with your thin lines. But maybe a better compression-protocol can lead to a few more bytes.

Originally posted by Redih

With this linuxant driver, I only connect at 14.4, so I figure I'll buy a new hw modem in case I move or something, or maybe it will help me connect at 56k.

Yeah, moveing for a better internet-connection, great idea ;)

[nugget15]

What about USB modems? I have seen a couple befor, but How do they work? just like a usb device?

[StarTiger]

Look for a USRobotics hardware based modem. They get better speed than any other modem out there and are the most reliable. the onlly draw back is thier a little pricy. but their worth it.

If you can install ram, you can install a new internal modem. the new ones just plug into an open PCI slot and you configure everything from your OS.

chech out:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=25-104-131&catalog=18&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1