On Mon, 19 Jul 1999, you wrote:
> I am sure the modem will work, but Diamond modems are made with
> Rockwell chip sets. This is not really a good choice; they
> are the cheesiest of cheesy chip sets. Alas, they are used
> in 90% of all modems. The US Robototics would be a better
> solution.
>
I disagree... I've got a Diamond modem. Works great with
INDUSTRY-STANDARD V.90 protocols. USR/3Com is NOT fully
implementing the V.90 standard. They are keeping
backwards-compatability with their X2 protocol.
Basically, the best thing to do is find out which modems
your ISP is using and buy one that's compatible with them.
If they say they are v.90/X2-compatible, get a USR/3Com
modem. If they say K56/v.90, get a Rockwell-chipset modem
(Diamond, etc.) Lucent is a good choice as well. Most of
the modems with the Lucent chipsets are K56-compatible
V.90. Again, mostly go by what your ISP supports for the
maximum compatibility.
I work for an ISP here that does NOT support the USR
implementation of V.90. Most everyone in this market went
with K56/V.90 instead of the X2-compatible v.90. We have
problems ALL the time with users who buy pre-packaged
machines with USR 56k modems who wonder why they can't get
above 28.8. Then I tell 'em that V.90 isn't necessarily
v.90 and that USR's implementation is off just enough to
cause problems with our dial-up servers.
> Problems with the Rockwells include: dropped
> connections, variable and inconsistent connect speeds,
> poor negotiation of V90 protocols, poor
> throughput....among others.
>
This mainly occurs when trying to connect to a USR X2/V.90
server modem. :-)
>
>This is not to say you will have all these problems, but
>as an ISP with hundreds of customers on line I can tell
> you that the Rockwells are not the best choice. As
>long as you are shelling out some bucks, I suggest you
>opt for a USR-chipset modem, or even a Lucent-chipset
>modem, and you will be a lot happier.
>
I really think it boils down to what his ISP is using. :-)
