hatton@socrates.ucsf.edu (Tom Hatton) (12/12/90)
Owing to the comments on the Net, I thought Mr. Hansen might like to air
some comments, as Sysop of the Practical Peripherals forum on Compuserve.
My only connection is as a reader on both 'nets'.
-----------------------------------------------------------
10-Dec-90 08:13 PST
Sb: 9600SA.
Fm: Paul E. Hansen [76702,475]
I believe that Ken Hendrickson, and the readers of his messages, would
have been better served if Ken had come to me with his problems. I think
I could have solved them quickly and easily and helped him understand
his new modem better.
Mr. Hendrickson has indeed found a 'bug' in the revision of the firmware
in his modem. However, his characterization of the product and the
software engineers based upon this 'discovery' seem a bit like hyperbole
and 'grandstanding' in my opinion.
The problem with the use of &Q0 followed by &Q5 resulting in the
inability to subsequently establish EC (error controlled) connections is
a 'known bug' in the early release firmware of the PM9600SA. This has
been fixed in the current 1.18 revision. But, it can also be worked
around by simply issuing an &F between the asynch and EC sessions.
Revision 1.18 firmware is not a 'rumor,' as Mr. Hendrickson called it,
it is reality and is supplied in the modems being shipped currently. It
is also avialable to Mr. Hendrickson without cost if he will call PPI
tech support at (818) 991-8200.
For comparative testing, I have purchased one or two of each of the
leading V.32 modem offerings in the market. After testing them I can say
there was not a single one without a firmware 'bug' in some form or
another. The V.32/V.v42/V.42bis modem is as complex as many of the
computer systems to which they are being attached. As a result, it would
seem to me that any modem in this class that had initial firmware
without a single anomaly (this would be a 'bug' according to Mr.
Hendrickson) would be something more than a 'quality modem,' it would be
a miracle!
It is evident that Mr. Hendrickson has read the manual and figured out
many of the inter-workings of the various S-Registers. However, there
are a few subtle points that may have escaped his attention.
The EC light will be lit under the conditions he states IF there is a
DTE/DCE speed split and the modem is functioning in the ASB (automatic
speed buffering mode. S36=7) The EC light will be RED to indicate this
buffered mode even though an error control connection is not in effect.
IF Mr. Hendrickson, does not have the DTE and DCE speeds the same AND he
has S36=5, then the modem will connect in an unbuffered asynchronous
mode and this will produce unintelligible data which his naivete
described as 'spit out terrible noise.' This is _not noise_ at all but
more likely a mismatch of data speeds.
The PM9600SA V.32 modem is a excellent balance between features,
performance, and cost. It will perform respectably when compared with
any of the leading brand V.32 offerings. In addition, PPI's support of
their products is unequaled by any other modem maker.
If other readers are interested in discussing the reality of the
PM9600SA V.32 modem, I would be happy to engage in a dialog on
CompuServe in PPIFORUM or they may contact me via internet.
- Paul 12/10 08:06 Sysop PPIFORUM CIS 76702,475