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- OSMKCM02 - ASYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICATION AND PERFORMANCE ISSUES
- 11/01/94
-
- ================================================================
- Asynchronous Communications and Performance Issues
- ================================================================
-
- Please Read Entire Document for Full Explanation of Procedures
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
-
- SYMPTOMS:
-
- Modem is slow.
- Modem looses data.
-
-
- RESOLUTION:
-
- 1. Correct DOS setting for asynchronous communications.
-
- COM_DIRECT_ACCESS = OFF
-
- COM_SELECT=COMx (x = port # the application is using)
-
- COM_HOLD=ON
-
- COM_RECEIVE_BUFFER_FLUSH=NONE
-
- HW_TIMER=ON
-
- HW_ROM_TO_RAM=ON
-
- IDLE_SECONDS=60
-
- IDLE_SENSITVITY=100
-
- DOS_HIGH=ON(optional)
-
- DOS_UMB=ON(optional)
-
-
-
- 2. CONFIG.SYS settings that may effect performance.
-
- MAXWAIT =1
-
- DISK_IO_PRIORITY=OFF(may get system performance hit)
-
-
-
- 3. Application settings that may effect performance.
-
- Most applications provide the capability to set hardware
- handshaking. This setting may also be disguised as RTS / CTS
- handshaking. With this setting, the application becomes aware
- of hardware handshaking. This allows the application to stop and
- start according to the modem's speed.
-
- For higher speeds, lock the modem at a speed higher than the
- expected connecting speed. Sometimes locking at too high of a
- speed can cause problems. Turn on error correction and data
- compression. On BBS connections ANSI graphics are compressed,
- thus increasing performance. For file transfers use Zmodem
- protocol when possible. Zmodem is a streaming protocol and can be
- 60% faster than earlier block protocols.
-
-
-
- 4. AT modem commands that may effect performance.
-
- The Hayes compatible modem has a set of AT commands designed to
- control the performance and various attributes of the modem.
- Attributes such as Data Compression and Error Correction are
- normally set as defaults on most modems. This is usually
- indicated by a light on most external modems. AT&F&K3&Q5 are the
- commands used by one modem manufacturer to turn on the previously
- mentioned attributes. For a detailed list of these commands,
- refer to the documentation shipped with the modem.
-
-
- To send commands to the nonvolatile string in your modem use
- the following string as an example:
-
- echo "AT commands &Wn" > COMx
-
- (commands = Hayes AT commands compatible with your modem)
-
- (n = 0 or 1, x = com1 through com4)
-
-
-
- If you have a question, refer to the modem's documentation or
- contact modem manufacturer.
-
-
- LIMITATIONS
-
- DOS applications running at BAUD rates higher than 9600 may not
- perform correctly due to the multi-tasking nature of OS/2.
-
- There are two popular communications program design styles,
- interrupt driven and polling driven. Interrupt driven
- communications programs work fine with OS/2 for the most part.
- However, polling driven programs are very timing dependent
- and timing critical. OS/2 being a pre-emptive multi-tasking
- operating system may be processing another task during a
- particular time slice. During that time slice, a time critical
- application may not get service. This can result in an
- application going out of synch. The vendor of the application
- should know the design style the application uses.
-
-
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
- IBM disclaims all warranties, whether express or implied,
- including without limitation, warranties of fitness and
- merchantability with respect to the information in this document.
- By furnishing this document, IBM grants no licenses to any
- related patents or copyrights.
-