Avalon 56K Modem FAQ

• What is a modem?
  
• What are V.34, V.90, and K56Flex?
  
• What is a winmodem? What are software modems?
  
• What kind of modem should I buy?
  
• Why won't my modem connect at 56K? Why do I get disconnected all the time?
  
• Where can I go for further information?
  

What is a modem?

This question may be too complex for the scope of this FAQ, but, in short, the modem is the piece of hardware in your computer responsible for transmitting and receiving digital signals over a phone line. Put simply, it's the part of your computer that connects to the phone line. For an in depth answer to this question, you should consult the Linux Modem Howto.

What are V.34, V.90, X2, and K56Flex?

V.34, V.90, and K56Flex are all different communication protocols which modems use to communicate with one another. These protocols are, in effect, different languages the modems speak which are completely separate from one another. Many modems are "multi-lingual," so to speak, and will support multiple protocols. In the realm of 56K, V.90 is the standard protocol. V.90, V.34, and X2 are the most widely supported of these protocols. K56Flex is a protocol which is specific to a certain kind of software modems, which we'll discuss later in this document.

What is a winmodem? What are software modems?

Software modems (sometimes called winmodems) are low cost modems which attempt to use software to do what a modem would traditionally do through hardware. Simply put, they use fewer computer chips (thus making them cheaper) by emulating in software what a "real" modem would do. While these modems are considerably cheaper than normal modems, they slow down your computer by requiring it to load more software into memory.

There are many different software modems out there, but the two most common are US Robotics' Winmodems and the Rockwell-based K56Flex modems. The Rockwell KFlex modems are particularly problematic, as they support a proprietary protocol, K56Flex. By default, these modems try to connect first using the non-standard KFlex protocol and then try to connect in the standard V.90. This causes our modems to become confused and give up on the call, resulting in inconsistent and/or intermittent connections.

What kind of modem should I buy?

As with most things, with modems you get what you pay for. Software modems are always cheaper, and they perform inconsistently. For maximum performance and compatability, we strongly suggest purchasing a hardware modem. Unfortunately, many manufacturers are less than forthcoming about the fact that they're selling a software modem. Here are some tell-tale signs that the product you're looking at is a software modem:
• All "Winmodems."
• Almost any modem which goes in the PCI slot on your computer.
• Most modems which require you to have a Pentium computer and/or Windows 95/98.

Here are a few hardware modems we recommend:
• U.S. Robotics' 56k V.92 External Faxmodem
• U.S. Robotics' 56k V.92 Performance Pro Modem
• Diamond's SupraExpress 56e PC (external serial modem)
• Viking Components 56K External Serial, RFM56KEXT or FM56KEXT
• Diamond SupraExpress 56i, Model 2070
• Aztech NewCom 56kefxspA v.90 Speakerphone
• Creative ModemBlaster DE5620-2 "Flash 56 II External"
• Diamond 2440 SupraSonic II V.90
• Kingmax Technology KFM5600-C Hawking Technology V.90/x2 Model 121-PN610-X2
• Viking Components 56K PC Card Modem Model RFM56KPA
• Motorola Modemsurfr 56K
• 3Com Megahertz 56K Cellular Modem PC Card, Model 3CXM556
• 3Com Megahertz 56K Global Modem, Model 3ccM156B
• Puretek Industrial Model PT-3911 K56Flex/v.90 Hardware Modem
• Global Village Model A824, Boca Research Tidalwave Modal MD56AE

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  Why won't my modem connect at 56K? Why do I get disconnected all the time?

  It is almost impossible to actually connect at 56kps, due to noise on the phone lines. If you're getting connected at a speed considerably lower than 56K, or you are getting intermittently disconnected by our 56K modems, you may need to upgrade your modem's driver. If you use a Lucent based modem (LT Win Modems), click here. If you use a Rockwell (now Conexant) based modem, click here. If you have a Gateway with a Telepath 56K, click here.

  If updating the driver doesn't resolve the issue, you probably need to disable your modem's K56Flex mode. To do this in Windows 95/98, double click on my computer, double click on control panel, then double click on modem.

  Your screen should now look like this:

  

  Now click on your modem and then on the "properties" button.

  

  Click on the "Connection" tab up at the top of the screen...

  

  ...and then click on "Advanced."

  

  Now, you'll type in your init string on the line labeled "Extra Settings." Find your modem in the list below to find out what your init string should probably be. If you're unsure which one is yours, feel free to try different ones - using the wrong one isn't going to damage anything.

  • Most Rockwell-based (now Conexant) Modems: +MS=12,1
  • Rockwell HCF-based Modems: +MS=V90
  • 56K PCI Voice Modem: +MS=V90
  • Telepath Modems (found in Gateways): S=0 (try S32=32, S32=64, or S32=98 if S=0 doesn't work)
  • Lucent based (LT Win Modems): S38=0
  • AOpen: AT+MS=v90,1,75,33600,1,75,56000

  After you type in your init string, you'll have to restart your computer before you try to dial in.

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  Where can I go for further information?

  You can find the answers to other 56K-related questions can be found at modemsite.com or k56flex.com, but the best bet is to search on the net for your specific question at search engine like google.com.