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Modem Information

 

ADSL    ADSL Links    

Broad band tools and software    Cable    Cable Links    Detailed Modem Information

 Dialup     Dial Up Links     General      Phone and Power Sockets 

 Satellite      Wireless

Modem Dial-up Problems (A guide for Help Desk Staff)

Versions of these pages are also available at this site for those on the internal University of Queensland network.

The full links are given so you can cut and past without going to the site. 


Modem drivers, strings, Information

 

General

It's worth while reading the Dial up information as many of the comments also apply to cable and ADSL connections.

ACA  consumer information   http://www.toolkit.aca.gov.au/internet/index.htm

AussieWide Internet (Discounts for Radio Amateurs)    http://www.aussiewide.com/

Broadband Choice  http://www.broadbandchoice.com.au

broadband xchange    http://www.broadbandxchange.org/

Calculators    http://www.craznar.com/bpa/

ISP match    http://www.ispmatch.com.au/

Linux Modem information    http://www.nodevice.com/sections/Howto/Modem-HOWTO.html#ss1.7

NetAlert    http://www.netalert.net.au/

The Navis Group    http://navasgrp.home.att.net/

OzCableguy    http://www.ozcableguy.com/

Reference (Access Communications PTY Ltd)    http://www.accesscomms.com.au/reference.htm

speed guide.net    http://www.speedguide.net/

The Australian ISP Directory    http://www.australianispdirectory.com/

The Australian ISP List    http://www.cynosure.com.au/isp

The Modem Information & Support Site    www.modemsite.com

You could spend a day or two checking out this site
http://www.speedguide.net/

WeKnow    http://www.weknow.com.au/

Whirlpool    http://www.whirlpool.net.au

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Broad band tools and software

AusForum (online forum)    http://www.ausforum.com/

Linux PPPoE client    http://www.roaringpenguin.com/pppoe/

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ADSL

ADSL is fast becoming the broadband of choice, just remember to use secure connections for business use.  As with all internet connections, up to date antivirus and firewalls are a must.  As with wireless connections, I would advise clients to use secure connections where available, this includes email.

What they don't tell you

ADSL is subject to many of the problems of dial up connections as well as radio interference.  Don't expect to get reliable ADSL if you live near a medium wave (MF) or short wave (SW) radio transmitter, there in nothing an ISP can do about this, please consider switching to cable or moving.  If you have a radio transmitter capable of 160 and 80 metre transmission you can conduct your own tests.

One thing to remember, if you move next door to a house that has high Frequency (HF) antenna on the property and subsequently suffer interference to ADSL, they may have a licence to transmit, do you? 

Why do broadband connections and cordless phones there own power back-up?

Traditional telephone hand sets receive electrical power from the copper wires
that link your home to the local telephone exchange. When there is a power failure
in your area, the traditional telephone service is not interrupted because large
battery banks and backup generators in the exchange continue to send power to your
telephone over the phone line. DSL, ISDN equipment and cordless phones require more
power than your phone line can carry, so they must be powered from electrical
outlets in your home or business.

In the event of a power failure, DSL, ISDN equipment and cordless phones will not
operate unless it has a power back-up such as a Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS).
Phone equipment that requires mains power can be run on a standard UPS as sold for
computer equipment; these are sold at computer suppliers.

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ADSL Links

Advanced ADSL Troubleshooting    http://adsl.cutw.net/dsl.html

ADSL FORUM    http://www.adsl.com/site.html

ADSL information    http://www.ausadsl.info/

ADSL information    http://users.bigpond.net.au/hutch/adsl-refs.htm

ADSLUSERS    http://adslusers.com.au

AussieWide Internet (Discounts for Radio Amateurs)    http://www.aussiewide.com/

Cable Nut (tweek ADSL settings software)    http://www.cablenut.com

connect ADSL basic info    http://www.connect.com.au/accessadsl.cfm

Good site that explains how ADSL works, basic
http://www.cs.washington.edu/homes/tressel/adsl/adsl_body.html

High Speed Internet and Data Service on ADSL
Overview   
http://www.telstra.com.au/adsl/index.htm

High Speed Internet and Data Service on ADSL
Service Providers   
http://www.telstra.com.au/adsl/servpvd.htm

Internode Helpdesk ADSL    http://www.internode.on.net/helpdesk/index-adsl.htm

TELSTRA SERVICE INTERFACE SPECS for ADSL
http://www.telstra.com.au/adsl/docs/adslcpe.pdf

THE TELSTRA ADSL NETWORK - LISTING REQUIREMENTS FOR CPE
http://www.telstra.com.au/adsl/docs/inter_op_cpe3.pdf

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Cable

Cable is great if you can get it, just remember to use secure connections for business use.  As with all internet connections, up to date antivirus and firewalls are a must.


DO NOT GO INTO THE TELSTRA or Optus BOX

Under NO CIRCUMSTANCS should anybody interfere with the Isolator that protects you from the potentially lethal voltages that may appear on the Carriers Broadband network.
It also protects those of us who work on the Hardline Network out in the street - too often equipment that is connected illegally to the network is faulty which injects lethal voltages.

Signal levels. (Measured at wallplate)
Max = +15dBm
Min = - 15dBm
Signal to Noise S/N = 35 or above
33 is the lowest that they would like to see it go.
32 will start to cause trouble.

If you have any unused Wallplates, fit some terminators. This should not be an issue with Optus users as Optus will NOT tolerate any unterminated connections on their Network, Telstra seem either unaware of the problem or maybe their marketing people are simply happy to give their customers a "perceived" benefit.

If you call Telstra for an unwarranted service call - it will cost you.

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Cable Links

Cable Users Australia    http://www.cableusers.com.au

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Satellite

Austar    http://www.austar.com.au

Telstra    http://www.bigpond.com/broadband

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Wireless

More and more ISPs are allowing wireless connections to their networks, 8011b is the choice at this time.

Wireless connections are subject to interference from other devices on the frequency.  The bandwidth is shared by other users.  It is very easy for other clients to limit your bandwidth.

As with all internet connections, up to date antivirus and firewalls are a must.  I would advise clients to only use secure connections, this includes email.  An ISP that uses a VPN connection is a must.

The 2.4 GHz wireless LAN band is shared with other users, perhaps devices in your own home.  Interference is normal and expected, you have been warned.

Wireless Links

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Dial up

Some general information

Although the majority of users think their ISP is to blame for all their problems, most dial up modem problems are caused by badly made modems and less than perfect phone lines. Add to this the mixture of software, addware, viruses etc, I sometimes wonder how anyone manages to connect at all. 
ISPs have a constant battle to keep their modem banks up to date and secure.  The better, not necessarily the larger, ISPs do know something about modems.  It's true that not many ISPs can look at individual modem connections to fault find from your computer to their modem banks, but a few can.  Ask your ISP what  level of support they provide.

Do not use long (2m+) flat ribbon phone extension cables for modem connections as these non twisted pair cables allow electrical and radio frequency noise to enter the circuit.

Try connecting without other devices on the line so you get an idea of how good it can be.

Disconnect your modem from the phone line if there is an electrical storm coming.

It's a good idea to leave the modem disconnected from the phone line when not in use, could save you a lot of money if a program decides to dial up without your knowledge.

Do yourself a favour and buy an external modem, this does not mean a cheap USB type either.
You can go for a $200.00 job in a fancy case or a $80.00 standard conexant chipset model in a plain case that will give you better connections, its up to you.

Some (few) internal WinModems can give you a good connection speed if your phone line is better than average but use computer resources and are harder to fault find.  You would be well advised to purchase a real modem (external hardware based).


Avoid USB WinModems, one day I may even find one that works.

Speed is not everything, its the data throughput you want; a V90 / V92 speed above 45k is good if your modem is not retraining or renegotiating.

Check your download speed and time for a known file.  Avoid software that claims to speed up your downloads, it's better to configure your software and modem properly yourself.

If you are still using a 33k6 or lower speed modem and you start having connection problems after your ISP upgrades their modems, throw it away, NOW.

Your ISP should be able to advise you what modems work best with their modem banks and what modems to avoid, if they can't, change your ISP.

Detailed Modem Information

Lucent chip based Winmodems

If your computer is using an internal V92 56k Lucent Winmodem, It's important that you are using the latest driver for this type of modem.
I have found that even with well known brand name modems that the generic Lucent driver often gives better connections.
It would be worthwhile trying the latest driver to see if this helps. 
This site has the latest driver:
http://www.agere.com/entnet/modem_driver2.html

V.92 LT Modems based upon some chipsets may not have any V.92 functionality with the latest generic driver versions, please check the OEM's web site for updated drivers.
This site has more information:
  http://www.modemsite.com/56k/ltwin1.asp

Name brand computers often have updated drivers you can download and install.

Choosing an ISP

You need to find an ISP to match your needs, if you have plenty of modem and operating system experience then find a low cost low support one.
If you need the support of a good help desk (not call centre) then pay a little more.
There are a few ISPs that offer full support from your computer, operating system, modem, phone line, modem banks, email, everything; you will need to hunt for these as some do not show up on the ISP lists as they also offer other services.

Computer magazines conduct surveys of major ISPs. 

The Australian ISP list    http://www.cynosure.com.au/isp

Two of the many Brisbane ISPs that offer support:

 iinet is a West Australian based ISP with national coverage. It offers ADSL and dialup.

UQconnect is a Brisbane based ISP that offers dialup, ADSL and wireless. It's run by The University of Queensland.  This ISP has Web based support as well as extended hours Tier 1, and limited 2 support  UQconnect 

The above are only two of the ISPs that I have used, I recommend them because of my own personal experience, and yes, I am biased.   You are welcome to send me your recommendations Alan VK4YAR

Recommended by others

I recommend femtech for dialup, and aussiewide for ADSL - VK4TTT
 

Other things to consider

Heaver users of the internet also need to take into account the bandwidth and server infrastructure the ISP has, the experience and staffing levels are also very important to keep this all running.  Look at an ISP's Web site and phone up their Help desk for this information, if they can't give you any details, go elsewhere.  

If you are having connection or email problems with your ISP and their Help Desk keeps going through there setup guide, ask to speak to a Technician or Postmaster respectively; if the person on the other end of the phone says who? change your ISP.

Alan VK4YAR

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Dial Up Links

QDG Computer page (look at drivers)     Computer Links

Alan M. Fowler     http://member.melbpc.org.au/~amfowler/hsmodem.htm

Amerion Technical Support Website ( have a look through the site)    http://support.bossig.com/main.htm

AussieWide Internet (Discounts for Radio Amateurs)    http://www.aussiewide.com/

connection speed test    http://promos.mcafee.com/speedometer/

Conexant / Rockwell drivers    http://www.conexant.com/support/md_driverdownload.jsp

Curt's High Speed Modem FAQ    http://www.net-boy.com/

Identifying Modems    http://members.surfsouth.com/~chearn/modfaq.html

Internet Assistance Program    http://www.iapselfhelp.com/customer/index.cfm

ISDN DATA-OVER-VOICE    http://www.traverse.com.au/Australia/html/dov.html

LT Winmodem drivers drivers    http://www.agere.com/support/client/modem_drivers.html

Modem Central    http://www.56k.com/

Modem Drivers    http://www.modemdriver.com/driver.htm

Modem Drivers and Free files, a lot of useful files and programs    http://members.cnx.net/reboot/

Modem Flashes    ftp://ftp.pipeline.com.au/PipeInt/ModemFlashes/

Modem Help    http://www.modemhelp.org/

Modem-Help    http://www.modem-help.freeserve.co.uk/

Modem Help    http://www.iinet.net.au/help/modems/index.shtml

Modem Help    http://www.modemhelp.net/quickref.shtml

Modem Manufacturers Driver Websites    http://members.shaw.ca/reboot/mfgdrivers.htm

Modems Rosenet    http://modems.rosenet.net/

Modem Strings    http://www.jenera.com/modems/

Modem Strings from UQconnect    http://uqconnect.net/factsheets.html?faqdir=02_Modem_Bank_Connection_Information&faqcont=12.fct#

Rockwell/Conexant Modem Drivers    http://members.shaw.ca/reboot/

TO-TECH    http://www.to-tech.com/mz/telephony/modem-faq.html

Winmodems are not modems (linux compatibility)    http://www.idir.net/~gromitkc/winmodem.html

Detailed Modem Information

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Phone and Power Sockets

I have found these sites to be useful when you need to know what phone or power socket does such and such Country use?

Help For world Travellers    http://kropla.com/

SOLVING THE RIDDLE OF WORLDWIDE COMPUTER AND MODEM USE
http://www.walkabouttravelgear.com/phone.htm

WORLD ELECTRIC GUIDE   
http://kropla.com/electric.htm

World Phone Plug and Power Plug Guide
http://www.teleadapt.com/images_special/worldphone_plugguide.pdf

telephone / modem adaptor kit
http://www.menda.com.au/travelmate/prod636.htm

Alan VK4YAR

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Please let me know if any of the links no longer work and any links you would like added.


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