| I want to tell you how to run Knoppix 3.4 with an "ltmodem". What's a ltmodem? A modem with a chip from the former Microelectronics division of Lucent technologies (LT) that is now call Agere. Why is this hardware (PCI slot DSP hardware and CPU for controller) important? Because now there are some advantages over a hardware based serial modem. First, Knopppix has rasied the bar. I have installed it onto my hard drive for even more speed and flexibility. Yet, you could run it "LIVE" and adapt my following information. Knoppix installs in about 20 minutes. Knoppix has broken many of the misconceptions and myths about Linux. Linux is a moving target. It improves EVERY day. So my advise is for only a mere moment in time. Conversely the "alternatives" track record is, they are getting worse every month. One myth quickly disappearing is that Linux has poor hardware support. Knoppix with it's hardware recognition is superb. So........ One sticky area for the newbie is windows only hardware such as the dread "winmodem". Today some of these "winmodems" are also "linmodems" as some have linux support. Please ask yourself though, is this a disadvantage of Linux technically, or is it just unfair. First their are tow mayjor types of "winmodems" HSP(bad) or full "software modems" (Software DSP-Digital Signal Processor AKA the Datapump) such as the PCI or dread AMR PCTEL brand (now owned by conexant with NO Linux support) are known to be very poor performers. Even if you put in a separate (not-built in) soundcard for Linux (an AMR requirement), these cheap "modems" still under perform no matter what their deceptive "connect" speed indicates. Simply put, the real throughput and latency even with v.92 enhancements, is lower, online gaming is prevented and the software drivers are buggy. There are to many time sensitive activities for their stability. Perhaps it is wise they are now offering no support for HSP's. By the way. The processors of today have no problem with being burdened, at least with HCF modems. An HCF modem may even work fine on a slightly older processor. It's a whole different ballgame with HCF-Host Controller Free "winmodems". These modems have built in HARDWARE DSP (datapumps) and are showing promise. Some can out perform v.92 hardware modems. See below. Now I stop here to say that not all can afford or even get Broadband. Therefore we need as much from the lowly dial-up as we can get. v.92 is the way to go.
#1 It's not for the quicker upload, that's not widley available from ISP's yet. #2 It's not from the modem on hold, that would be better on a "catch-a-call" seperate box. The ISP and modem must match for full results with MOH. You can get some functionality but why not just buy the box instead. That's for being able to pick up and say hello personally. If you would rather have your messages go to voice mail while you are online, consider using ($1.50mo) Forward if Buzy from your phone company to a pager or cell phone (Verizon or TMobile trust me they are the lesser of evils). #3 It's not even for the "faster" negotiation speed as it only sometimes works. v.44 compress is 6 to 1 compression compared to the old standby v.42 compression that's 4 to 1. It comes from the Hughes satelite ISP service. Thank you Hughes for giving that away. This will speed up web pages and other non-compressed data and it's why you need a port speed greater than 115200 (DTE) if your line is good. The compression can actualy peak over this real limit. 230400 is what you want and a HCF modem (PCI) with a good driver can bypass com port limits. Many ISP's now support v.44. Check with yours. My ISP is $5 a month unlimited. Beat that with broad band. Many times the net it self will not go broadband speeds anyway. I have learned to spend $2 on a linux CD once in a great while (or write a hardware review). That is MUCH cheaper than $40 to $60 a month (Plus TAXES). Please don't do broadband until they get real. Have you added up how much broadband WITH the extra fees and add ons cost in one year? How about five years? To each his own I guess. I'd rather buy hardware. So if you treading into Linux teritory and you have wisely started with Knoppix (3.4>) AND you use dial up, chances are you have a dread "winmodem". If you are lucky, you have an "ltmodem" with a Lucent or now better Agere chipset. Some others have support so check online. BUT if you don't have v.92 anyway you probably will not be able to upgrade it. Therefore! Here's where I come in. How does $10 (US $15 Shipped) grab you for a brand new modem with superior real world throughput? Only "56k" capable line need apply. But then, your line might improve and you may enjoy some v.92 features anyway. So be REAL picky WHICH "winmodem" you try to install. HSP are OUT (waste of time). On the other hand, HCF modems that give free support for Linux are the best. Agere is tops and deserves our support.
BEWARE any Rockwell/Conexant and their Linux drivers now only from offshoot "Linuxant". Ever though there drivers seem to be excellent, the problem is they charge more for the driver "Key" and LICENCE than you can use to buy a better modem! Agere/Lucent provides free driver support to the Linux community so Linuxant is just lame and not OPEN. That's the whole point people. Agere does it so why not Conexant? If you want v.92 then you do need a newer ($10) Agere chipset modem having the "Mars3.2" 1648c chipset. It hasmore RAM for v.92. An earlier Mars 2 will (kinda) run the v.92 driver just not with v.92 features. Sure hardware modems do not require you to turn a screw, they work independantly, and have little flashing lights. So what? It's about the SPEED baby. Real throughput, not just connect speed. See www.DSLreports.com speed tests. By the way, my online gaming latency is about 200ms on average so I can play. Some say a hardware modem in "gaming mode" can do better. Yet, some reports say once the game gets going it doesn't and goes back up. I don't know. Gamers need to find that out, if needed. If an HCF modem is capable of this "gaming mode" then my money is on the Linux development of such. Remember I said this. If you want the maximum plug and play easiest to install for Linux dial-up modem; get an EXTERNAL SERIAL v.92 with a known brand. Alas they cost more than $10(maybe $50 minumum). See "www.newegg.com" for the $10 ($15 shipped) HCF Lectron PCI model I56LVP-F40. It is the one modemsite.com sells. If it is not THIS MODEL and without the F40 it probably will not work in Linux. |
| Beware here again to avoid Conexant chipsets. I purchased a Cendyn/Amigo external serial with v.92 clearly stated on the box and the chipset (Conexant) would not do it! It was a lie. That brand is out of business (see Zoom driver updates for v.90). So be carefull to get a Linux tested modem from a company that supports Linux no matter what you choose. BEWARE also that the darn hardware modem you consider does not have the built in port limit of 115200 preventing it's own v.92 stated throughput! Such as an internal or external USrobotics "pro" modem. Check carefully. | Even with hardware modems people are having trouble with getting free upgrades. Some good companies have gone bad. These HCF modems depend on the driver. Good driver = good results. Of course the reverse is true. Therefore these HCF modems not only cost less than a LICENCED driver "Key" fee (the old beta free versions stink too so don't waste your time. Ask me how I know.) HCF's also MIGHT provide a better upgrade path with a reputable company providing driver upgrades. More can be changed than with a hardware modem.
Of course the most could be changed with the dread HSP but they do not work at full speed so what's the point. Now you know. Search newsgroups / Google Groups for Knoppix 3.4 and Lectron with Agere modem fix to get the "ltmodem-8.26a9.tar.gz" complier (easy) scripts working with specifically Knoppix 3.4. YOU NEED ltmodem-8.26a9.tar.gz FOR KNOPPIX 3.4 and that Agere 1648c (mars3.2) chipset (& the quick fix). Don't miss the "a" and ALSO the "9" on the end of version 8.26a9 as shown.
Remeber too, you could adapt this advise to LIVE Knoppix. It was done with a PCTEL (with poor speed). Please search for it if you only run live with a ltmodem. Then it should be fast. Note than the newest v.92 ltmodem driver for Wanders 98 does not work right! Thus I had to fall back to a v.90 driver on the CD. Therefore Linux has better "winmodem" hardware support. Go figure. ...and they say Linux doesn't. Now I can always turn to my faster alternative, Linux. Now which OS is a toy?
These two things are brand new. There should be an easy Debian package for it soon. The modem and 3.4 are just brand new. Knoppix 3.5 should be out soon (for regular release). So Enjoy free Knoppix 3.4 and a $10 v.44 no port limit PCI screaming fast (for dial up) modem. Special thanks to the Linux ltmodem team (and Agere for releasing their code). There drivers and scripts for several Linux Distributions are very hard work, freely given, quality unequaled and much needed. | 