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RBBSDOCS.11
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1990-11-05
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MODEM SWITCH SETTING AND CONSIDERATIONS 11-1
11. MODEM SWITCH SETTING AND CONSIDERATIONS
-------------------------------------------
Recognizing that there are many "Hayes-compatible" (and not so compatible)
modems in use, this section is intended to assist those adventurous souls
who wish to properly configure a modem for use with RBBS-PC. By explaining
what RBBS-PC expects from a modem, we hope you can determine how to set
your modem to provide what RBBS-PC expects.
There are three levels of modem configurations:
1) Hardware switches. These are physical switches that can be turned on
or off to control modem functions. RBBS-PC tries NOT to rely on these
switches, since other software you use may require different settings.
Many modems have software overrides for these switches, and RBBS-PC
will use them when possible. If your modem has hardware switches, you
will want to concentrate on them first. Find out what functions are
selected by switches that CANNOT be overridden by firmware or software
commands.
2) Firmware switches. These are software commands that you can issue to
the modem, and then tell the modem to "remember" these settings, even
after the modem is powered off. RBBS-PC tries NOT to rely on these
switches, for the same reason it avoids hardware switches. However,
there are usually switch settings that must be set for use with
RBBS-PC.
3) Software commands. These are "temporary" commands sent to the modem,
that will be erased when the modem is turned off. RBBS-PC does most
of the configuration via software commands, to allow the most
flexibility in modem operation.
RBBS-PC requires a modem to provide certain functions to ensure proper
operation. By studying these requirements, you should be able to find a
combination of hardware, firmware and software settings to satisfy all
these needs:
- Modem result codes. Most modems offer both verbose and numeric
results to modem commands. RBBS-PC expects VERBOSE codes, as in:
RING When the phone is ringing
CONNECT When carrier is established
CONNECT 2400 MNP When a reliable 2400 bps call is established.
- Carrier Detection. RBBS-PC expects the modem to raise and lower the
CARRIER DETECT signal (RS-232 pin 8) to properly reflect the presence
of a caller.
- Data Terminal Ready. RBBS-PC expects the modem to properly respond to
DTR. When RBBS-PC turns DTR off, any call should be terminated and
the modem should reset.
- Ring counter. RBBS-PC expects the modem to count the number of times
the phone rings, and provide this count when a "count modem rings"
command is sent.
CONFIG parameter 225 allows the SysOp to set modem commands use by RBBS-PC.
The commands that you can set are:
RBBS-PC 17.3A TECHNICAL REFERENCE MANUAL 11-2
1) RESET THE MODEM. This command is sent when RBBS-PC wants the modem
returned to its initial configuration (including any changes saved in
firmware). Normally, the command used is: ATZ
2) INITIALIZE THE MODEM. This is the SOFTWARE initialization, used by
RBBS-PC each time it recycles. Any commands needed to put your modem
into "RBBS-PC mode" should go here. For generic Hayes-compatible
modems, the command would be: ATE0M0Q0V1X1S0=254S2=255S10=20
The sub-command S0=254 is important to this string. RBBS-PC uses this
to control how it answers the phone. Use:
S0=001 to answer on 0 rings
S0=254 to answer on 1 or more rings, no ring-back
S0=255 to answer on 1 or more rings, with ring-back
3) COUNT RINGS. RBBS-PC uses this command to ask the modem how many
times the phone has rung. For Hayes-compatible modems, this command
should be: ATS1?
4) ANSWER PHONE. RBBS-PC uses this command to tell the modem to answer
the phone. This is normally: ATA
5) TAKE PHONE OFF HOOK. RBBS-PC uses this command to "busy the line"
when recycling, or when the SysOp drops to DOS when the node is idle.
This is normally: ATH1M0
6) CLEAR FIRMWARE. This command is used to reset the modem's firmware to
"factory defaults." CONFIG uses it before programming the modem's
firmware. Normally, this is: AT&F
7) INITIALIZE FIRMWARE. This command sets any firmware settings that are
needed to satisfy RBBS-PC's modem requirements. The settings will
vary greatly from modem to modem.
8) WRITE MODEM'S FIRMWARE. This command is used to make the settings in
command 7 permanent. Usually, this is: AT&W
Appendix D contains configuration for several modem brands. This
information may serve as a guide to configuring your modem. If you make
any discoveries about the interaction between your modem and RBBS-PC,
please share them with the RBBS-PC authors, so that the information can be
given to others.