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PCI Modems and Linux?
Torey
asks:
"I recently acquired a Fujitsu 985TX laptop which I was
informed was very Linux compatible. Well, so far it appears
to be only 90% compatible. The built in modem appears to
be a PCI modem (lspci reports it is a Lucent
Microelectronics modem), which I have experienced to be
highly unsupported in the kernel. Has anyone been
successful in getting one of these to work?
The PnP tools didn't notice it either. Any help would be
greatly appreciated." What other PCI modems are
problematic with Linux? Which ones do you all recommend?
Many of the PCI modem boxes I've looked at don't exactly blurt out "WinModem" or "Controller-less", so how do you tell? If they say "Lucent|Rockwell chipset", does that mean non-WinModem, or is there some other set of magic wording you need to dig for?
Maybe I'm just skeptical, but does all of the call waiting/voice mail/fax software they describe work under linux?
I wouldn't be surprised to find out that the modem works under linux but all of the supplied software is windows only.
it is very difficult to write code for a UNIX type OS to run a modem designed to work ONLY in windows. i was wondering if the person who started this thread knows what chipset the modem is using? do a less /proc/pdi and post the info on the comm dev w/ vendor id 411, that should be the lucent modem. there is a way to trick linux into using some lucent modems as they can simulate a full 16550a uart...
there are a few PCI modems around that are hardware based and therefore workable under linux.
www.pricewatch.com has many different categories, im sure you can find one there. you dont HAVE to buy an external, im running an internal supra express just fine...
Based on actiontec's faq for the cwi modem http://www.actiont ec.com/support/modems/cwifaq.html#installlinux, it looks as though the lucent chipset actually provides or emulates a uart, and that the ordinary kernel serial driver can use this device if it's configured manually with setserial. You might want to try those instructions for your modem.
The problem here isnt PCI. That integrated Lucent modem is a WinModem. Ive seen them integrated on other laptops as well.
(As other's have said) Generally, those "winmodems" are nothing more than a DSP with some PCI glue logic. Without information on the specific DSP, there will never be a driver -- even if someone were so inclined to write one.
:-)) However, I seriously doubt anyone is ever going to step forward with a Linux WinModem driver.
:-)
Now, if it's a TI DSP, then there's at least a thread of hope as there's example DSP code for making a 14.4 modem out of the DSP chip. (Also, the USR Courier line of modems use those DSPs
First off, they are designed for Windows. And as we all know, Linux people tend to hate windows. (understatement of the century) Second, those things eat a measurable amount of CPU to work correctly -- has anyone noticed how unstable the modem gets when the machine is heavily loaded? Linux will likely never be able to give sufficient attention to the winmodem for it to work well.
HOWEVER, I'm of the evil sort that would take one of those things and make it do something other than be a modem -- it's a DSP on the PCI bus after all (and I do know how to program DSPs.) I made a DAQ card (CIO/DAS-1602) act as a 250khz, four channel, full duplex sound card
According to RedHat's hardware compatability list,
any Lucent Venus based PCI modem should work under Linux since the chipset emulates a serial port.
PikaPal asks:
Does anyone know what kind of support Linux has for USB and where one might find more information about it?
Linux currently does not have USB support in the kernel. There is a USB project, its homepage is at http://peloncho.fis.ucm.es/~inaky/uusb d-www. Make sure to read the FAQ.
This project probably won't find its way directly into the kernel. From what I hear, the kernel developers want to redo the low level device driver stuff to better handle hot-swappable devices in general (PCMCIA, USB, FireWire, PPA, etc.) then add a cleaner USB implementation on top of that. In the meantime, this USB project is pretty heavily used, particularly in the LinuxPPC world (iMac requires USB support to do anything).
----
Open mind, insert foot.
Contrary to the popular belief, there indeed is no God.
Posted by Neothi:
I found this to be a helpful link when I was looking for a modem to purchase for use under Linux and Windows.
Winmodems are not modems
Found a company that does *killer* modems, including PCI, and supports Linux. Even their flagship product: a modem that will take a voicemail msg of call waiting while yer on the net, and allow you to stay connected, is supported for Linux.
http://www.actiontec.com
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If Bill Gates had a nickel for every time Windows crashed...
From everything I've read, PCI modems aren't worth the silicon and fiberglass they're made from when used with Linux. Typically, PCI modems tend to be Win-Modem's in disguise.
I personally have a 3Com/USRobotics Internal 56K Sportster. (Works like a clock, 45333 bps every time) I plan, however to replace it with an external USR Voice Modem.
For my money (now that I actually have some), the only way to go for a modem is an external one. That way you know that it isn't Windows only. Furthermore, externals are virtually (I know, there are probably exceptions) guaranteed to work under Linux.
some onboard modems on laptops actually show up as pcmcia devices and these would likely be supported by cardmgr, but otherwise, you probably just want do disable it in the bios and pick up a pcmcia (or better yet an external) modem. try pricewatch or somebody else on the web, you'll probably find one for under a hundred bucks.
small price to pay for not having to run a crippled OS.
Well, the problem is that PCI modem is just a simple DSP and the modem driver needs to do all the control, etc. At the moment the big companies have lock up the programming details for them so no one actually able to even try programming it.. So if those company can release some info about them or even write the driver then the problem solve.. Anyway, I like the flashy lights on my three years old Courier.....
This is a chance to show the world that Linux users don't just write drivers for the stuff they think is cool. The typical community response to a new cost-cutting device so far has been "get a real xxx". Well, Linux is carving itself a niche in low-cost PCs (under $500) and there's going to be more and more "non-real" hardware - and if Linux doesn't support it, another OS will take its place.
Now, I was looking around for spec info on these LT modems, but couldn't find any. I did find this page on PCI Modems and Linux, hope it helps someone.
I am having the same problem with my HCF PCI internal modem, it simply won't be recognized. I agree that they aren't worth what they are made on and I now have to put up with an *old* modem or go and buy a new external modem.
All I can hope is that one day, somewhere, some place, on the box will be "Linux Compatible" or "Optimised for Linux". One can only hope.
"Dewey, you fool: Your decimal system has played right into my hands!"
I've got a Fujitsu 765DX notebook. The modems are the same, or close, as far as know. The problem is that it's one of them there software modems, and so there's no way to get support for it under Linux (unless you feel like writing a driver?). Just go buy a PCMCIA modem. They work better anyway. The other problem I've had with this modem is that when I connect it to the wall with a long phone cord (~50 ft) it usually refuses to connect, and if it does it connects at 7200 baud. Nice eh? Oh yeah. They're also not rated for use outside the US, or at least that's what my manual says.