As for slot types:
ISA this is the old 16-bit slot on the motherboards. The
through-put from the
card to the bus is low. This is an older architecture for
add-on cards.
Probably do not want to purchase any communication devices for
this
type of architecture unless that is all that is in your machine.
PCI This is the current 32-bit slot on the motherboards. The
through-put from
the card to the bus is faster than the ISA. Most all Pentium
motherboards
and some 486 motherboards have a PCI slot on them. This is
currently
where most add-on cards are installed on systems available
today.
v.90 is a new modem standard. I have not worked with the documentation on it
and do not know much about it.
With this information let me address your questions. Of course the faster the
device the better the through-put you will receive. If this is communication or
video, you will receive increased performance via a PCI card vs. an ISA card.
In the case of what you are asking about modem speeds, it would probably be
profitable to get the fastest possible modem that you can for the amount of
money you want to spend. Price Watch is a great site for competitive shopping.
I buy for a major corporation through that site. A 56k modem is now the current
speed for most new systems on the market. The next current available speed
increase is an ISDN modem. I prefer internal modems to external modems. My
major reason is there is one less power cord to mess with. Also, I need my
serial ports for other more important items like my stylus sketch pad (for
CADD/CAM). Also, a word of MAJOR...W.A.R.N.I.N.G!!!!!!!:::::: DO NOT BUY A
MODEM THAT SAYS WINMODEM. IT is controlled by software and not hardware and
they are impossible to deal with. I hate them and avoid them at all costs!!
As for the question about NICs, I recommend two kinds. I am not as familiar
with the LINUX world as I am the Windows (3.11,95,98,NT 3.51 & 4.0 server and
workstation), but in computers (an entire corporation) of 700+ desktops,
servers, and laptops, I run only 3COM products. I find them to be elite in
price and performance. I usually pay around $100 for a PCI 10/100 TP Only cards
for desktops and servers, and about $ 299 - $ 350 for 3COM NIC/MODEM-FAX (33.6)
for laptops. They carry a lifetime warrenty and are exchangable as long as I
own the cards. I find their service astoundingly great and dependable. Some of
our Win95 boxes still have old 3c509 cards (10BaseT) connecting them to the
network (I am slowly weeding those out). The other end of the spectrum is the
NE2000 compatible card. I have not personally worked with this card, but know a
few companies that have had great experience with them. They usually run about
$ 29 - $ 50 each.
As for a good site to look for both of these products, I like Insight. I have
developed a relationship with them that is very good. I have never had a
problem getting replacement parts or in exchanging parts that were defective
(limited times have I needed to return anything). The prices are slightly
higher, but for a major corporation that paid for the security of them being
there when I needed them.
Hope this helped you out. If there are any questions, LMK.
John Gammon
------------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to the M*A*S*H 4077. The only thing we
don't have is a ticket to the end of the war.
- Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce
------------------------------------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Monday, October 19, 1998 10:31 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: which modem for linux box
After perusing Price Watch's web page, I am totally confused
as to which 56.6k internal modem to choose for my pc, which runs
S.u.S.E. 5.2 and Win95. There seem to be quite a few at
reasonable prices (i.e. under $50), but I get lost in PCI, ISA, V.90,
et.al. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I also want a
network card, and I have seen the gamut from $9.00 to <$50.00.
Same deal for me, though. NE2000, PCI ISA ad infinitum. I'm not
really sure what all of those cool-sounding acronyms mean exactly
(vaguely), so here I am.
<< File: RFC822.TXT >>
