Modem

Your modem is very important since it effects the speed at which Web pages download to your computer. A computer's processor and RAM effect computing performance, but have little to do with the speed at which data can be transferred from a Web site. Your modem is the variable effecting fast Net access; therefore, a 28.8 Kbps modem is essential. Do not buy a 14.4 modem or a computer with a built-in 14.4.

A new class of modems will be introduced early in 1997 that permit users to download material from the Internet at speeds of 56 Kbps, twice as fast as today's standard models. U.S. Robotics, a leading modem company, will be offering these new, high-speed modems.

New Standards and Upgrades

A few things on the horizon for dial-up modems give us something to look forward to, like the v.92 standard, which will bring upstream data rates to 48 Kbps max. (For more details on v.92, see "The New v.92," page 101.) But v.92 isn't the only new standard being ratified -- the v.44 compression protocol and the v.59 diagnostic protocol are in the works. These three separate standards can be implemented independently or together.

The v.44 compression protocol can achieve a 6:1 compression ratio, as opposed to the 4:1 compression ratio of its predecessor, v.42bis. Depending on your data traffic, this means an increase in data throughput and modem efficiency. Precompressed data, such as JPEG images, won't benefit much, but text data, such as HTML, will benefit from effective compression.

The other standard, v.59, is a diagnostic protocol that defines MMOs (Modem Managed Objects). This is similar to the IETF's SNMP MIB except MIB is used for control in SNMP, and with v.59 the MMOs are used to gather performance data. ISPs should be able to use v.59 to gather information and spot possible problems, thereby increasing reliability and performance. The v.59 standard is largely redundant. In its Windows compatibility program, Microsoft mandated a diagnostic control protocol for modems, and companies such as U.S. Robotics have had diagnostic capabilities similar to v.59 for years. Manufacturers will undoubtedly be slow to adopt the v.59 standard. Compatibility to v.59 should not impact your buying decision, provided the unit you buy has some diagnostic functionality, such as the U.S. Robotics Courier V.Everything or Hayes Accura.

Upgrading your current modems is actually a bit of a conundrum. Most manufacturers say their modems will handle the new v.92 protocol but are still testing to make sure compatibility is at 100 percent. The real problem is with the v.44 compression protocol. Some modem models, especially older ones, simply do not have the raw processing power needed to implement v.44. Software-driven modems should be easily upgradable, as they rely on the PC's main processor to handle all or most of their functionality.

Some manufacturers will not be upgrading their rackmount systems to handle any of the new standards. This will marginalize adoption and further slow acceptance of the new standards. If the enterprise and ISPs cannot upgrade their existing rackmount systems, inclusion of v.92 and v.44 in their end-user modems won't matter.

Mostly Modems

For the modem user, v.90 has been the greatest thing since sliced bread, but not everyone can take advantage of the speed increases gained from these features. Digital PBXes, improperly installed copper and aged, corroded, substandard installations can all prevent 56-Kbps links. This, however, should not stop you from buying 56-Kbps (v.90) modems for your office.

But if you are out there buying, you may want to consider going all the way to v.92 as soon as it's available. The cost difference between 56-Kbps and standard 33.6-Kbps modems is negligible. At least with a 56-Kbps modem, you'll have the flexibility to achieve that data rate should conditions change.

Purchasing modems that come with software to let you standardize for faxing and telecommunications may be advantageous--but this decision must be based on how your end users will use their modems. Software that's packaged with the modem is included in the cost, eliminating the need to file a separate purchase order for software. If you have already standardized on a particular software package, however, purchasing modems in a "white box" OEM configuration to save the cost of the packaging, user manuals and included software may be worthwhile. These "white box" units often come with nothing but drivers.

Homeboys and Desktop Divas

For users without laptops and those who need modems at the business site, your first question will be: internal or external modems? Internal cards do eliminate desktop clutter and the need for external power supplies. However, most users are ill-equipped to handle the installation of internal modems.

There are two kinds of internal modems: Those that have their own DSPs (Digital Signal Processors) and those that don't. Those that do not are also called Windows modems or soft modems. Soft modems use CPU cycles to handle almost all processing, making them very inexpensive. However, the special drivers that make software modems work are finicky. On one system, the installation will be easy as pie. But the next install might just be your worst nightmare -- an agony of drivers, virtual COM ports and broken hardware in Windows Device Manager. Another drawback to soft modems is that they generally work only in a Microsoft Windows environment, leaving Macintosh and other OS users out in the cold.

Traditional internal modems fare better for OS compatibility but still fall short in the installation area. While plug and play in the Windows environment helps to ease the installation, having an end user install an internal modem is still an iffy prospect.

External modems are much easier for end users to install, and with the advent of the USB interface, the whole endeavor has become even easier. Simple driver installation, ease of physical installation and diagnostic lights are an external modem's main advantages. Disadvantages include desk clutter, endless cables and external AC "wall wart" adapters.

Gotta Go, Gotta Go

When purchasing PC Card modems for your mobile users, first consider functionality. Next ask yourself, "Is there a need for LAN connectivity as well?" If so, your needs may best be met by a LAN/modem combo card. Connector types are another deliberating point. Adapter dongles, full-size ports and 3Com X-Jack connectors all have their pros and cons. Adapter dongles are frequently lost. Full-size ports prevent you from putting a second PC Card into your laptop. X-Jacks allow a single-slot form factor without an extra cable but can be somewhat fragile. And if you break an X-Jack, it has to go back to 3Com for repair. The easiest decision for mobile users may be to get a laptop with an internal modem.

Stick to Your Guns

Another consideration is vendor insistence on a particular brand or model of modem. Modem interoperability is no longer the terrifying experience it was in years past. Do not sacrifice the standardization of your environment for one vendor's hardware requirements unless you cannot get your standard modems to function with the vendor's service/software. We've seen the following tactic used: An agreement is made to use the vendor's specified modem, but then you substitute these modems with your own. Six months later, when the vendor discovers you're not using its recommended hardware and everything still works fine, its arguments dry up like venture-capital funds at a dot-com start-up.

Top modems include:

U.S. Robotics Sportster
Cardinal MVP288IS
Zoom V.341 Plus Model 2805
Logicode Quicktell 28800 V.34 DSVD
Hayes Total Internet Solution
Motorola ISG Online Surfr
Microcom DeskPorte 28.8S

Makes Available For Modem