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> > Lucent modems are the only winmodems I have
> > got to work
>
> The Lucent module is incredibly big and doesn't
> belong in a mini-distribution.  Besides, it is
> bad for an old PC -- it reduces the speed by
> forcing the old CPU to do processing that normally
> is done by the modem itself.  It is much better
> for an old PC to use a PCMCIA modem (for laptop),
> real modem card (for desktop), or external modem.

http://www.56K.com/reports/winmodem.shtml

There are two types of winmodem:
1) controllerless or DSP - with onboard DSP (hardware datapump), for 
mod/demod, but using the CPU for software controller.
Lucent, USR/3COM, Motorola, Conexant HCP

USR has good support online (including X2 to v90 upgrades for hardware and 
software modems).  No linux drivers are available for USR/3COM winmodems.

Conexant has linux drivers (was Rockwell)
So does Mwave (used in Thinkpads).


2)  HSP - uses software for both functions, which means easier upgrades 
but can slow down the cpu. Host Signal Processing.
Conexant HSF is HSP
Someone else says Motorola is HSP.

PCTEL  - my two seem to be broken
I found something about a Jaton Wincomm V90 PCI modem with pctel hsp 
chipset.  Mine connected but did not work well (frequent retrains?).

HSP type require at least a 90MHz cpu and more than 8MB RAM.  Someone did 
a test and got 20%-90% slowdown (with a 200MHz cpu) and up to 95% memory 
use (with 32MB RAM).

This reinforces my preference for lucent modems rather than pctel.

Top reveals that pppd is using 0.0% of cpu and 0.1% (1/5 MB) of RAM (while 
dialed via a lucent PCI modem).  Bash (five times) uses 0.4% of RAM (each 
occurrence).

id and traceroute work in BL3.50.  sdf.lonestar.org goes through 
sprintlink.net.

> Cheers,
> Steven

Sindi