[comp.dcom.modems] Need help using Microcom 9624

jeff@drexel.UUCP (Jeff White) (03/25/88)

   Does anyone know if there are problems in using Microcom 9624 modems
with uucp?  I have a pair of them that I am trying to use to link two Sun
computers (one a 3/50, the other a 3/160).  Both are running SunOS 3.4 with
the 4.3 version of uucp.  Here is the scenario.
   I can get uucp to dial out of the modems (or call into the other Microcom
modem with an ordinary modem) and get uucp to successfully make a connection
(ie. protocol handshaking).  If there are no files to send or receive,
uucp will terminate properly.  However, if there is any type of data to send/
be sent, I consistently get bad header errors, followed by pkget alarms, until
uucp just time out.
   It appears as if the problem is directly related to the Microcom modems.
For the one modem I have locally, regardless what the local serial port baudrate
is, or the actual modem connection (ie. with the microcoms, you can have
a 1200 baud modem connection running at 9600 baud between the computer and
modem, and vice-versa), the problem persists.  I am not using any flow control
on either the serial port or the modem to modem connection.  I have tried this
modem on both a Sun and a Vax, trying to call many different systems, all with 
the same results.  The same type of errors appear when trying to call into
one of the modems as well, again independent of the type of calling modem
(ie. our hayes 1200 talks to the remote systems USRobotics 2400 baud modem 
with no problem, but gets the bad header/packets when trying to connect
through the Microcom).
  Since I can safely say that the problem does not lie in the phone lines,
computers, uucp code, or baud rate (since I've run uucp at 9600 baud before),
the only thing left (and common) is the modems.  I would greatly appreciate
any help that you could provide.

						Jeff White
						Drexel University - ECE Dept.
						rutgers!bpa!drexel!jeff

kls@ditka.UUCP (Karl Swartz) (04/14/88)

In article <569@drexel.UUCP> jeff@drexel.UUCP (Jeff White) writes:
>   Does anyone know if there are problems in using Microcom 9624 modems
>with uucp?  I have a pair of them that I am trying to use to link two Sun
>computers (one a 3/50, the other a 3/160).  Both are running SunOS 3.4 with
>the 4.3 version of uucp.

We have several of these modems, two in our Pittsburgh office, and
one up in Vancouver BC.  Each was hooked up to a Sun-3/160. I never
could get UUCP to work between them, and even one talking to a local
system with a generic modem caused me unending grief.

I finally got so disgusted with the damn things that I yanked one
off the Sun here and replaced it with a 1200 baud DF03.  UUCP has
not had a significant problem since, and other people got disgusted
with the Microcom they had for interactive use and replaced it too,
also with a 1200 baud modem.

The bottom line is that I wouldn't recommend--or even try to use--
a Microcom 9624 as anything besides a paper weight or anchor for a
small boat.  Cut your losses and buy a pair of TrailBlazers.

-- 
Karl Swartz		|UUCP	decvax!formtek!ditka!kls
1-412/937-4930 office	|	{pitt,psuvax1}!idis!formtek!ditka!kls
			|BIX	kswartz
"I never let my schooling get in the way of my education."  (Twain)