External or Internal Modem?

[Armageddon415]

Are there any advantages to having a external modem instead of a internal one?

 

[slpaulson]

If its an external serial modem it would be more likely to work with linux because it can't be a winmodem. Other than that, not really.

 

[marcio]

You don't need to reboot your computer to reset an external modem.
External modems work with most computers, even handheld computers.
External modems have helpful status lights (well, at least my Courier v.everything had).
External modems are guaranteed to be hardware modems (today it's a pain to shop for a internal modem because of so many winmodems).

 

[Modus]

marcio,

<< External modems have helpful status lights >>

For their blinking prettiness, the status lights on an external modem never help diagnose a connection problem any more than the ones in the Windows System Tray. The one and only possible solution to any hardware problem is a reset of the modem.

<< External modems are guaranteed to be hardware modems (today it's a pain to shop for a internal modem because of so many winmodems). >>

Actually, certain kinds of winmodems have grown to match and even surpass hardware modems for much less money. There are a number of reasons to avoid higher priced &quot;hard modems,&quot; especially those made by 3Com/USR, in favor of a common PCI winmodem.

1) Winmodems are dirt cheap.

While a good Lucent LT or Rockwell/Conexant HCF winmodem can easily be found for less than $10 US (see PriceWatch) the cheapest hardware modem costs nearly four times as much: $36 plus shipping and handling. And for a 3Com part, you'll pay even more. By contrast, you can sometimes find winmodems for $5 or even for free with special promotions.

Everything else we put in our computers is subject to a price/performance ratio. In other words, if the performance of a more expensive part does not scale linearly with its price, we don't buy it. (RDRAM, anyone?) The same reasoning must be applied to hardware modems. They certainly don't perform four times as well as winmodems of a quarter the price, and as we'll see, they often don't perform any better at all.

2) Ping times and throughput are not an issue.

Modern Winmodems such as those based on the Lucent LT chipset will display ping times below 100ms and connect speeds around 48000, which is more than adequate for any Internet activity, including online gaming. Any recent softmodem -- especially the HCF variety, where the hardware handles a bit more of the duty -- should exhibit similar performance. Below, a cut and paste job from a generic Lucent LT v.90 PCI, which sells for as low as $9 on PriceWatch:

C:\WINDOWS>ping -n 10 router.infoserve.net

Pinging router.infoserve.net [199.175.157.4] with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 199.175.157.4: bytes=32 time=101ms TTL=253
Reply from 199.175.157.4: bytes=32 time=105ms TTL=253
Reply from 199.175.157.4: bytes=32 time=90ms TTL=253
Reply from 199.175.157.4: bytes=32 time=105ms TTL=253
Reply from 199.175.157.4: bytes=32 time=90ms TTL=253
Reply from 199.175.157.4: bytes=32 time=105ms TTL=253
Reply from 199.175.157.4: bytes=32 time=90ms TTL=253
Reply from 199.175.157.4: bytes=32 time=105ms TTL=253
Reply from 199.175.157.4: bytes=32 time=90ms TTL=253
Reply from 199.175.157.4: bytes=32 time=105ms TTL=253

Ping statistics for 199.175.157.4:
Packets: Sent = 10, Received = 10, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 90ms, Maximum = 105ms, Average = 98ms

You may object that pinging an ISP would always yield good results. Actually, it's the only fair way to compare latency between modems. Pinging your ISP reduces the number of variables down to three: your modem's performance, the quality of your phone lines, and the nature of your ISP's modem pool. If we were to compare modems by pinging a fixed point on the Internet, we would quickly introduce several more uncontrolled variables: Internet traffic, server load, number of hops, etc.

Even if you ping your own ISP with an expensive hardware modem, I think you'll find it extremely difficult to match these numbers.

Not bad for $9, eh?

3) CPU utilization is minimal.

One of the main arguments against winmodems has been that they consume CPU cycles. Fortunately, manufacturers have always made sure to set minimum CPU guidelines so that the effect is not noticeable. If CPU usage was ever a problem, it certainly isn't today.

CPU power has increased many, many times faster than the technology behind softmodems. For instance, the CPU usage of a typical winmodem hovers below 5% on a Celeron 333. This is in the range of the power required by Windows to spin an hourglass cursor; it's certainly not something that will eat into your game play significantly. Once again, we see the benifit of an HCF winmodem solution, where the onboard DSP relieves much of the stress on the CPU. And now we have people running around with 1 GHz processors. Any drop in frame rate will barely be measurable, let alone visible.

4) They are reliable.

In my consulting business, I've sold dozens of PC's equipped with the cheapest Winmodems I could find. Only one has ever come back with a genuine hardware defect.

Many ISP support techs have a grudge against winmodems because they feel these types of modems are responsible for an innordinate number of support calls. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, almost all new computers sold today use winmodems; a person with a new computer and a modem problem will likely be using a winmodem, simply because they are more prevalent. Second, winmodems actually require the drivers they ship with. A new PC user who can't tell the difference between his RAM and his hard drive space will feel his eyes glaze over when confronted with a manual telling him how to install softmodem drivers. Instinct tells him to phone his &quot;Internet guys&quot; and get them to help.

In truth, winmodems are no more apt to fail than hardware modems, and probably less so, because they have fewer electronic components.

5) Driver/OS support is excellent.

The Lucent LT, for example, supports Windows 2000, Windows 9x, Linux (see [L]http://www.linmodems.org[/L] under the Vendor section), and even the obscure BeOS. Lucent also seems comitted to releasing a new driver every few months, which means your modem's performance will always be as high as possible.

6) Affordable broadband Internet technology puts any analogue modem to shame.

Anyone using the Internet for more than email and chat sees the need for widely available broadband Internet access to replace our antiquated 56k connections. Trying to enjoy streaming audio or video over a modem connection is like trying to sip a thick milkshake through a thin straw. With the availability and affordability of high speed Internet access growing at a steady rate, it would be foolish to invest more than the minimum amount in modem technology that is already obsolete.

So when you consider the facts, there are very few valid reasons to avoid winmodems.

Modus

 

[marcio]

>For their blinking prettiness, the status lights on an >external modem never help diagnose a connection problem any >more than the ones in the Windows System Tray. The one and >only possible solution to any hardware problem is a reset of >the modem.

Which can be easily be done with an external modem.

>There are a number of reasons to avoid higher priced &quot;hard >modems,&quot; especially those made by 3Com/USR, in favor of a >common PCI winmodem.

[snipped long diatribe]
Advantages of winmodems was not the question asked. I just answered the question which was advantages of external modems. Discussions of winmodems vs hardware modems are as tiring as IDE vs SCSI, and I just don't have the patience.

I'm only going to say this: yes, winmodems are dirt cheap. And that's the only thing they have going for them.

 

[esung]

Modus: very good arguements. but your main arguements is mostly DSP based modem vs. hardware controller based modem. not internal vs. external.

IMHO External modem gives you some flexibility that internal modem didn't. the lights well tell you that it's transfering(sending or receiving), without turning on the monitor It's easier to setup then opening your case and mess with the system (and make sure you have the right IRQ/port or PnP setup right). and you can move it to another computer if you need to. And it's fairly universal compatible.
The down side is extra cost, more cables(serial and power), draws more power.

some of the DSP modems are not bad, especiall those that could work with multiple OSes(I think those have the hardware data pump). but
DSP modem still have some problems: software/OS incompatibilty, and
you'll need special drivers to work with specific OS, and not all
DSP/winmodems are created equal. I've had some situation where one
LT Winmodem will work with this computer, it'll not work with the
other (same location, just different computer). and if the driver
is not written correctly, it'll gave you some weird problems sometimes. So for stability issues, I still prefer hardware modems
on computer.. (yes, they cost a little more, but some times it's
the peace of mind) Lucent and Conexant are fairly good, but not all of them are good. and sometimes CPU utilization is an issue. yes, it's
using only a few % on most computer, but on older platforms it's taking 15% or more (yes, I tried one with a P5-133).

But the new generatiosn of DSP modem are getting better and better,
to the point that couple generations down the road you will not
be able to tell the difference.. (replacing the DSP with FPGA?)

 

[Modus]

marcio,

<< External modems are guaranteed to be hardware modems >>

Wrong. Many external modems these days are partial-software USB solutions.

<< RE: &quot;The one and only possible solution to any hardware problem is a reset of the modem.&quot; Which can be easily be done with an external modem. >>

And almost as easily with an internal modem by simple system reboot. Besides, if the external modem must be reset so often that it becomes an issue, something is wrong. In reality, modems are quite reliable these days and are subject only to the whims of line noise. Actually, recent softmodem driver releases like the Motorola SM56 since last year have featured a helpful applet that offers even more diagnostic ability than overpriced external modems -- it actually tells you when the modem needs to retrain to compensate for line noise, and it reports the true current connect speed, not the often false number often reported by Dial Up Networking.

<< Advantages of winmodems was not the question asked. >>

No doubt the root of the question was the person's desire to find the best modem possible for his money. Unless his machine is slower than a P133, runs an alternative operating system, or has no free PCI slots, there is absolutely no reason to spend 300% more money on a hardware modem or 500% more on an external modem when a decent winmodem can easily match them in every important category. Their performance has improved to the point where the better chipsets are indistinguishable from the most expensive, overpriced 3Com products.

<< I just answered the question which was advantages of external modems. >>

In doing so, you delivered some inaccuracies that needed to be pointed out. You also implied that winmodems ought to be avoided, which is totally opposite to the truth.

esung,

<< Modus: very good arguements. but your main arguements is mostly DSP based modem vs. hardware controller based modem >>

Acutally, it seems that a winmodem chipset need not incorporate a DSP to provide performance equivalent to an expensive hardware modem. While the Lucent LT with its integrated DSP remains king of the entire modem hill, other full-software modem chipsets such as the Conexant HSF have improved significantly in the past couple years. Based on extensive hands-on testing, personal observations, and the feedback of my customers, I would rank the softmodem chipsets as follows:

1) Lucent LT
2) Conexant HSF
3) Motorola SM56, PCTel HSP, 3Com Winmodem, Conexant HCF
4) Intel/Ambient/Cirrus Logic HAM (terrible)

The main criteria for judging a modem are throughput, latency (ping times), and noise tolerance. Both the LT and the HSF are good to excellent in all three categories, while those in the third rank are adequate and roughly equivalent to an average hardware modem. The Intel/Ambient/Cirrus Logic HAM's only redeeming quality is its interesting driver package which includes a System Tray applet that displays the same blinking diagnostic lights you'd see on an old-style external modems -- not that they do anything meaningful for you.

<< DSP modem still have some problems: software/OS incompatibilty, and you'll need special drivers to work with specific OS >>

The major softmodem chipsets have drivers for all mainstream OS's, including Linux. There are no software incompatibilities because all current communications software uses Windows' TAPI interface as opposed to direct COM port access. Even then, softmodems have COM port emulators to allow DOS box compatibility.

<< for stability issues, I still prefer hardware modems on computer >>

Stability is not an issue with modems. I've sold hundreds of systems of wildly different configurations using all sorts of generic, bargain bin winmodems, and their success rate is extremely high. There's no need for concern as long as you know what chipset the modem uses.

Modus

 

[jamarno]

If you get an external modem, be sure it connects to the RS-232 serial port, not to a USB port, because almost all USB modems are Winmodems.

I like the idea of using an external modem to guard against lightning because the more hardware between your computer and the phone lines, the less likely the computer will be damaged. Even better: connect the external modem to a separate I/O card, especially one with an ancient 16550A UART chip and separate 1488 and 1489 buffer chips. The ones I've seen blow needed only new buffer chips, which are generic and very cheap. Winmodems seem to be the worst in regards to lightning protection, even compared to other internal modems, because they usually tie the phone directly to their electronics and don't even go through a line transformer.

 

[Elledan]

<<Stability is not an issue with modems. I've sold hundreds of systems of wildly different configurations using all sorts of generic, bargain bin winmodems, and their success rate is extremely high. There's no need for concern as long as you know what chipset the modem uses.>>

Actually, stability can be an issue with modems. Those drivers of winmodems can cause incompatibilities with certain software.

I had this PC which used a winmodem with a Conexant chipset which kept resetting itself when connected, at random. This was due to a virusscanner installed on that system.

Since a real hardware modem doesn't require drivers, this kind of problems can never occur.

 

[Zach]

Modus, back off. What's with dumping all the pro-winmodem stuff in here? Maybe you should link to wherever that all came from instad of doing a copy and paste, or read the discussion better if you actually typed all that in (but it looksvery framilier). He's looking into advantages for external modems, not a winmodem v. hardware modem comparison.

And, what I was going to add is that external modems can be used with DSL/Cable routers. Serial ones. If you do want to go external, be weary of USB, if it can't go 9 pin serial you loose alot of the point in my view; I wouldn't want to have to mess with USB in Linux, and you might need funky drivers, which would ruin the point of an external modem (Since they are so nice and standardized). I like being able to tell Windows I have a generic external 56000kbs modem.

 

[Modus]

jamarno,

<< I like the idea of using an external modem to guard against lightning because the more hardware between your computer and the phone lines, the less likely the computer will be damaged. >>

A much cheaper and more effective solution is to pick up one of those $10 surge bars that includes plugins for your phone line. That will provide better surge protection that an external serial modem or an internal I/O card. Actually, lightning strikes rarely disable anything but the modem. In a storm a couple years back, a customer of mine lost his PCTel HSP winmodem to the lightning, but the computer itself was fine. His modem had fewer capacitors than any other at the time, and it still provided adequate protection.

Elledan,

<< Those drivers of winmodems can cause incompatibilities with certain software. I had this PC which used a winmodem with a Conexant chipset which kept resetting itself when connected, at random. This was due to a virusscanner installed on that system. >>

Like many objections to winmodems, this may have been true of the software two years ago, but a lot has changed. With winmodems, the drivers essentially are the modem. This is both a strength and a weakness: technologies like the Intel Ambient HAM frequently start out life as sub-par products owing to immature drivers, while old-school chipsets like the Lucent LT and Conexant HSF can often outperform expensive hardware modems by virtue of their long-matured driver sets. Incompatibilities are a thing of the past, now that many softmodem chipsets have WHQL-certified drivers included in Win2k and ME. Like any other piece of hardware, installing the latest drivers from the chipset manufacturer is cruical. This one time bit of clicking will give most dirt cheap winmodems all they need to match or beat expensive hardware modems.

Zach,

<< Modus, back off. What's with dumping all the pro-winmodem stuff in here? . . . He's looking into advantages for external modems, not a winmodem v. hardware modem comparison. >>

If a person asked about the advantages of an i820 system versus a Via Apollo Pro 133A system, we would be quite cruel not to point out that a VIA KT133A system delivered equal or better performance for much less money, with essentially no down side. Again, the real goal of the original poster was obviously to purchase the best modem for his money. To that end, we would be ignorant not to point out that the vast majority of computing environment function just as well with winmodems a fraction of the cost of either external or internal modems.

<< Maybe you should link to wherever that all came from instad of doing a copy and paste, or read the discussion better if you actually typed all that in (but it looksvery framilier). >>

The bulk of the original post was from my winmodem essay which has been slowly refined over about two years of posting it on this forum. There have been dozens of good winmodem debates -- all ending with the same general conclusion, that winmodems are better suited for the vast majority of users -- but why link to a year old thread when I can just as easily paste the pertinent information here? The second post, however, was original. I base these facts on years of personal observation in computer consulting, research of the meagre modem resources on the Net, and the opinions of most of the respected Elite members in these forums.

Modus

 

[jamarno]

I use a phone line surge supressor in addition to my external modem for protection, but surge supressors don't always work that well, especially the cheaper ones that do nothing but short the lines to block voltage spikes.

 

[anza]

I know this is not the topic, but I 'd like to know besides this hardware - software issue.
Is there any real difference in using an isa modem against a pci - usb one? How great is the difference? Where do you notice it?

 

[bigbootydaddy]

the number one reason to go external!!!!!:


you dont waste a pci slot.

 

[Innoka]

Buy a Tixi Super Modem. It works like an answer machine for voice, email and faxes when your PC is off. Something your internal modems will never do.

 

[Biggs]

Is the Zoom 56k ext any good? What &quot;value&quot; external modem would you recommend today?

 

[kevinkendall]

Well, my own puter is an old Acer P75 (or a P133 if I want to change the chip) 64RAM WinDOS 95 machine.
I used to have a Diamond SupraMax 56K PCI winmodem I'd connect to the inet with.
Which worked fine. But that's 'cause I really didn't know any different....

(Here's a couple links regarding idiocy.....)
Plato's Cave
Why Call It Plato's Cave?

So one day I get onto e-Bay &amp; buy myself a USR 56K ISA modem that was originally a 33.6 but which had been flashed to 56K v.90 .
In addition, this particular modem had an onboard processor that runs at 25MHz vs the usual 20MHz.
So I finally got the card in the mail, &amp; get it out &amp; make sure the USR card's jumpers are set to COM2 IRQ3, get the card into a free ISA slot, go into puter BIOS to make sure my Serial 2's shut off, fire up windos/safe mode &amp; make sure that everything's clean in in Dev Mgr | Modems &amp; Ports categories. Also, while there, I &quot;Disabled in This Hardware Profile&quot; my Supra stuff. Then reboot to norm windos....
Well, PNP didn't detect it but oh well. It happens. I'd downloaded the latest INF's &amp; etc for this modem from the USR site, so I wasn't worried. Coulda been HW-caused but didn't think so...
So I go into the Modems CPL &amp; &quot;Add&quot; a modem. Pointed it to the dir I'd put the new INF's &amp; etc., installed em, ran Modem Diagnostics -got 3 OKs- &amp; was ready to try it out.
In a quick sentence, the main differences between the Supra winmodem &amp; the USR ISA I noticed are these:
Once connected, stays connected; Stability; Higher Connect Rates; Higher Download Rates.
Here's some info links re- the PCI vs ISA Modem debate-
56K.Com - Special Report - Beware Soft Modems
PCWorld.Com - Modems- PCI vs. ISA

My own USR 56K ISA hardware modem is VERY stable.
Turns line noise into Cream O'Wheat &amp; eats it for breakfast.
Connects REAL quick.
But.... no voice capabilities.
eauw well....
Here's a place to go get em cheap, anyways-
USR Courier V.Everything &amp; Sportster SALES BLOWOUT

hasta
Kevin Kendall

P.S. - Check out this fun site.....
The English-to-Jive Translation Site

And in case anybody's wonderin', YA, I'm between jobs right now, and YA it's all their fault and YA right now I got too much time on my hands.
MIDI
LYRICS

 

[Jhhnn]

With standard 56K modems, the only advantages to external models seem to be:
Easy install for novices, easier diagnostics/replacement, mobility
Doesn't require a mobo slot(may/may not be useful)
Easier to unplug when not in use(paranoia factor)

Other than that, externals are just more clutter.

If the subject is DSL/Cable modems, then externals are better in the fact that they allow sharing/firewall appliances rather than software sharing.

 

[SerraYX]

A few years back when I had my US Robotics Sportster 14.4k external modem I loved the external because not many people (at least in my area) even had modems, portability was really nice.

Now, I probably would still like to have an external, because it's really a pain in the ass to have dust over the modem (which really screws up some internals) or have one of the wires in the back pop out. Currently I have the sound &quot;disabled&quot; because I cut a broken speaker cord and plugged it into a mic slot. Pain when that comes out and I hear the loud dialing..

Anyway I'd suggest an external over an internal any day, since it's much easier to access if you need to fix a wire or remove it. It's worth the extra money.