🚀 go-pugleaf

On Sun, 24 Mar 1996, Shane Cook wrote:

> I'm considering setting up a BBS system and want to connect 4 V34
> internal  modems. I need each modem to work on a separate IRQ and port
                                                   ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Why?  Are you using regular 16550 (or emulated 16550 on internal modem) 
ports?  If you need to run 4 modems on a BBS system it's generally MUCH 
preferable to cough up the cash to buy a serial port card that was 
actually MADE to do the job.  One of those digiport whatevers...  Before 
you buy one make sure that if you're using DOS, you can find a fossil 
driver for it, if you're using Windows, you can find a windows driver for 
it, or if you're using linux, that it's supported.  Such cards generally 
use one port and IRQ and run better than multiple 16550 ports.

> address. The modems must also be good at answering calls and NEVER
> drop the connection (dropping down the speed is ok) due to line noise.
> 
> I am considering 4 internal sporters as they will run at 33K. Is this
> a good idea? I've been reading a lot of conflicting opinions on the
> sporters.....

 IMHO Internal modems are a decidedly BAD idea.  If you're someone just 
fooling around with modem communications, calling the local boards, 
connecting to an ISP, etc. with one modem, they can be good.  But you get 
a lot more flexibility (and, especially in the case of modems like Supras 
with alpha displays) information that can be VERY helpful if you're 
trying to figure out what's wrong with one node while three others are 
running.  running 4 internal sportsters, as far as I know, WILL work, if 
they're good modems and don't have any quirks about that sort of thing, 
and most internal modems these days are well-configurable enough that you 
can set the port and IRQ to one of four, maybe more.  Then it's a matter 
of configuring the fossil driver (or windows, or whatever) to the base 
and irq.  
   But is it a good idea?  Not really.  It's an OK idea.  It will 
probably work, if you're a good enough tinkerer.  But what's a GOOD idea 
is buying external modems, so you can see what's going on, buying a 
dedicated serial card, so you don't need to worry about multiplexing 
problems (multiplexing -isn't- a problem) and run that.

....T...I...M...B...U...K...T...U... ____________________________________
.________________ _/>_ _______......[George Caswell, CS '99. 4 more info ]
<___ ___________// __/<___   /......[http://the-eye.res.wpi.edu/~timbuktu]
...//.<>._____..<_  >./ ____/.......[Member LnL+SOMA, sometimes artist,  ]
..//./>./    /.__/ /./ <___________.[writer,builder.sysadmin of the-eye  ]
.//.</.</</</.<_ _/.<_____________/.[____________________________________]
</.............</...................

scook@lightning.dungeon.com (Shane Cook) spake thusly and wrote:

>I'm considering setting up a BBS system and want to connect 4 V34
>internal  modems. I need each modem to work on a separate IRQ and port
>address. The modems must also be good at answering calls and NEVER
>drop the connection (dropping down the speed is ok) due to line noise.

There are S registers that increase the tenacity.

>I am considering 4 internal sporters as they will run at 33K. Is this
>a good idea? I've been reading a lot of conflicting opinions on the
>sporters.....

You have the right brand, but I would recommend the Courier line.   I sell
Couriers for $449, but as a SysOp you can get them direct from USR (the SAME
one) for only $249.

I believe that most all SysOps would agree with me that external modems are
definitely the way to go for running a BBS.  (I've been running a BBS since
the mid '80s)

Regards,

Steve Winter
--
PreRapture Solutions Inc.
Quality products for telecommunications at discount prices.
Supporting SysOps and telecommunications/serial hardware.
Cyclades / STB / USRobotics / Belkin / Digiboard / AT&T 
Domestic and international / Reliable quality products
http://www.prime.org/sellcom/index.htm

In article <31558403.1928190@news.dungeon.com>, scook@lightning.dungeon.com 
says...
>
>I'm considering setting up a BBS system and want to connect 4 V34
>internal  modems. I need each modem to work on a separate IRQ and port
>address. The modems must also be good at answering calls and NEVER
>drop the connection (dropping down the speed is ok) due to line noise.
>
>I am considering 4 internal sporters as they will run at 33K. Is this
>a good idea? I've been reading a lot of conflicting opinions on the
>sporters.....
>
>


sportsters on a bbs?? heh. buy some usr couriers.. usr sells them
for $249 sysop. they even sell isdn courier i modems on the sysop
plan too.

scook@lightning.dungeon.com (Shane Cook) wrote:

>I'm considering setting up a BBS system and want to connect 4 V34
>internal  modems. I need each modem to work on a separate IRQ and port
>address. The modems must also be good at answering calls and NEVER
>drop the connection (dropping down the speed is ok) due to line noise.

never drop the connection eh? Looks like you're going to need digital
leased lines....forget modems! <G>

>
>I am considering 4 internal sporters as they will run at 33K. Is this
>a good idea? I've been reading a lot of conflicting opinions on the
>sporters.....

Forget trying to run 4 internal modems. You wont be able to run a
standard modem. You COULD use a bus mouse, but then you've just used
up 5 internal slots!  Its a massive hassle. If you're serious about
runnig a BBS (with 4 modems or more) invest the bucks in a multiport
serial card....


Paul Lowe
Buffalo Doom Server BBS (24 lines)
716-743-8161
telnet: doombbs.com
email me for info on our Game$erver Start-up kits!

scook@lightning.dungeon.com (Shane Cook) writes:

>I'm considering setting up a BBS system and want to connect 4 V34
>internal  modems. I need each modem to work on a separate IRQ and port
>address. The modems must also be good at answering calls and NEVER
>drop the connection (dropping down the speed is ok) due to line noise.

>I am considering 4 internal sporters as they will run at 33K. Is this
>a good idea? I've been reading a lot of conflicting opinions on the
>sporters.....

Don't buy the 33.6 Sportsters for BBS use!!  I bought 10 of the 33.6 
models, and they constantly locked up and quite answering calls.  I sent 
the whole batch to USR and they swapped them for the old 28.8 models.

The 28.8 ones have been rock solid.  Personally, I wish I would have 
bought the Couriers under the sysop plan.

Brian

Shane Cook (scook@lightning.dungeon.com) wrote:
: I'm considering setting up a BBS system and want to connect 4 V34
: internal  modems. I need each modem to work on a separate IRQ and port
: address. The modems must also be good at answering calls and NEVER
: drop the connection (dropping down the speed is ok) due to line noise.
 
Good luck getting four IRQs to work!  Lemme see, if IRQ2(9) shot for
your video card, and you're going to be in deep doodle finding four slots
without conflicts.

Matt Fox wrote:
> 
> In article <31558403.1928190@news.dungeon.com>, scook@lightning.dungeon.com
> says...
> >
> >I'm considering setting up a BBS system and want to connect 4 V34
> >internal  modems. I need each modem to work on a separate IRQ and port
> >address. The modems must also be good at answering calls and NEVER
> >drop the connection (dropping down the speed is ok) due to line noise.
> >
> >I am considering 4 internal sporters as they will run at 33K. Is this
> >a good idea? I've been reading a lot of conflicting opinions on the
> >sporters.....
> >
> >
> 
> sportsters on a bbs?? heh. buy some usr couriers.. usr sells them
> for $249 sysop. they even sell isdn courier i modems on the sysop
> plan too.

I've contacted USR and they told me about a plan where you must
trade in an existing non 28.8 modem and you will receive a check for
$50 towards the purchase of a USR modem.  Is this the plan you are
referring to?  If so, it doesn't seem like such a good deal to me.
If not, how did you approach USR about this plan?
							APJ

In article <4jaj73$dou@blksmth.spydernet.com>, vern@widow.spydernet.com 
says...
>
>Shane Cook (scook@lightning.dungeon.com) wrote:
>: I'm considering setting up a BBS system and want to connect 4 V34
>: internal  modems. I need each modem to work on a separate IRQ and port
>: address. The modems must also be good at answering calls and NEVER
>: drop the connection (dropping down the speed is ok) due to line noise.
> 
>Good luck getting four IRQs to work!  Lemme see, if IRQ2(9) shot for
>your video card, and you're going to be in deep doodle finding four slots
>without conflicts.

irqs 11 12 13 and either 14/15 should be free.. 5 should be free also
unless you got a 2nd printerport or a sound blaster. i think most of
those multiport serial cards share irq's anyway.. if you think its impossible
talk to anyone on the trex system over here in mountain view.. for a while
they had a line bbs running on a ibm xt/286 type system with two floppy
drives...

On Sun, 24 Mar 1996 17:20:16 GMT, scook@lightning.dungeon.com (Shane
Cook) wrote:

>I'm considering setting up a BBS system and want to connect 4 V34
>internal  modems. I need each modem to work on a separate IRQ and port
>address. The modems must also be good at answering calls and NEVER
>drop the connection (dropping down the speed is ok) due to line noise.
>
>I am considering 4 internal sporters as they will run at 33K. Is this
>a good idea? I've been reading a lot of conflicting opinions on the
>sporters.....
>
>

Well, first of all I really enjoy using USR Sportsters.. They give
awesome CPS rate.  Secondly, how do you plan on sticking 4 internals
in your computer, and where did you get all these free IRQ's????
Also, alot of BBS Software has problems with irregular comm ports and
irqs.  If you are going to run that many nodes, I would recommend
using a DigiBoard and 4 externals, or you could buy MBBS and use their
modem board which is alot better than the Digiboard...

Just my oppinion though... :)

Chris St.Amand

Shane Cook (scook@lightning.dungeon.com) wrote:
: I'm considering setting up a BBS system and want to connect 4 V34
: internal  modems. I need each modem to work on a separate IRQ and port

Vern Faulkner (vern@widow.spydernet.com) wrote:
: Good luck getting four IRQs to work!  Lemme see, if IRQ2(9) shot for
: your video card, and you're going to be in deep doodle finding four slots
: without conflicts.

Not all video cards use IRQ2/9.  Some have no effect on it at all, others
have a jumper.  I frequently use IRQ2/9 on all the machines I have here
(Cirrus Logics 542x VLB video cards).

While it is possible to get 4 internal modems working (IRQs 3,4,5,2/9) it
would be advisable for Shane to buy external modems and get a decent multi
port serial card.

Sure, externals are more expensive and take up more space - but when you
have multiple lines it is VERY useful being able to see what's happening
on each at a glance.  Internals can't help you there.

I ran a busy BBS for some time on USR Sportster (x3) and a USR Courier modem
connected to an STB 4-COM 4 port buffered serial card, and it lets you set
all ports to the same IRQ.  You can add a second board and run 8 ports on
two IRQs ... it worked well.

Daniel.

scook@lightning.dungeon.com (Shane Cook) wrote:

>I'm considering setting up a BBS system and want to connect 4 V34
>internal  modems. I need each modem to work on a separate IRQ and port
>address. The modems must also be good at answering calls and NEVER
>drop the connection (dropping down the speed is ok) due to line noise.
>
>I am considering 4 internal sporters as they will run at 33K. Is this
>a good idea? I've been reading a lot of conflicting opinions on the
>sporters.....

Thanks for everyones comments. I've now gone off the idea of using 4
internal modems. There are enough IRQ and port addresses available but
I have decided its going to be more useful to instantly be able to see
what's happening and at point in time. Going external also allows me
to use a Digicom board if I later want more modems. I've looked at
these boards and they are very expensive (it's cheaper to buy another
PC).....

I have therefore decided to stick with the brand I currently use and
go for, four external Supras. I currently have a Supra 288 and the
alpha display can be very useful in letting me see what's going on. I
will either go for the Supra 288 or the Supra Sonic. Anyone tried the
Sonic yet?

scook@lightning.dungeon.com (Shane Cook) spake thusly and wrote:

>what's happening and at point in time. Going external also allows me
>to use a Digicom board if I later want more modems. I've looked at
>these boards and they are very expensive (it's cheaper to buy another
>PC).....

Look at Cyclades cards  and the STB 4COM.   These are both reliable and you
get a lot for your money.

Steve
--
PreRapture Solutions Inc.
Quality products for telecommunications at discount prices.
Supporting SysOps and telecommunications/serial hardware.
Cyclades / STB / USRobotics / Belkin / Digiboard / AT&T 
Domestic and international / Reliable quality products
http://www.prime.org/sellcom/index.htm

Lines: 29

In article <315d678a.4796364@news.dungeon.com>,
scook@lightning.dungeon.com (Shane Cook) wrote:
>Thanks for everyones comments. I've now gone off the idea of using 4
>internal modems. There are enough IRQ and port addresses available but
>I have decided its going to be more useful to instantly be able to see
>what's happening and at point in time.

Well, you may have enough now, but later ...

 Going external also allows me
>to use a Digicom board if I later want more modems. I've looked at
>these boards and they are very expensive (it's cheaper to buy another
>PC).....

Yes, some are expensive.  I have an EISA version, and it nearly floored
me when I found out the cost.  However, they do have many versions, so
check them all out for cost/performance.  Of course, there are more than
just Digiboard cards.  G-Tech is one that comes to mind, as well as STB
and some others.

John

-- 
//------------------------------------------------------------------------
// momerath@apk.net                    sevot yhtils eht dna ,gillirb sawT`
// sysop@mome.apk.net                      ebaw eht ni elbmig dna eryg diD
//                                           ,sevogorob eht erew ysmim llA
//                                            .ebargtuo shtar emom eht dnA
                     In case of stupidity, break glass.

March Hare wrote:
: >Going external also allows me
: >to use a Digicom board if I later want more modems. I've looked at
: >these boards and they are very expensive (it's cheaper to buy another
: >PC).....
: 
: Yes, some are expensive.  I have an EISA version, and it nearly floored
: me when I found out the cost.  However, they do have many versions, so
: check them all out for cost/performance.  Of course, there are more than
: just Digiboard cards.  G-Tech is one that comes to mind, as well as STB
: and some others.

We've found that the boards from Boca Research are relatively
inexpensive... if your software supports them (I've heard of
some compatibility issues). You might want to check them out.

They're conveniently on the web, so you can check out their 
current line and price list.
URL -  http://www.boca.org/

They even have a nice case with a backplane like the old
Galacticom boxes.

Just watch out for their "sysop program". You might get
excited about the great prices... but Boca won't "approve"
your board for the program if it contains any adult-oriented
material (including newsgroups, public message bases, or files).

BTW - Digi's also on the web, so you can compare...
URL - http://www.digiboard.com/

We've found the quality of Digi's boards to be outstanding,
and compatable with just about anything. 
I guess it goes to show you get what you pay for.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Carl Steinhilber            csteinhilber@graphicmedia.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What about the BOCA modems?  Any major issues with these or should one
stay with USR or Supra?

-Roy Guillen


stevwint@ix.netcom.com (Steve Winter) wrote:

>scook@lightning.dungeon.com (Shane Cook) spake thusly and wrote:

>>what's happening and at point in time. Going external also allows me
>>to use a Digicom board if I later want more modems. I've looked at
>>these boards and they are very expensive (it's cheaper to buy another
>>PC).....

>Look at Cyclades cards  and the STB 4COM.   These are both reliable and you
>get a lot for your money.

>Steve
>--
>PreRapture Solutions Inc.
>Quality products for telecommunications at discount prices.
>Supporting SysOps and telecommunications/serial hardware.
>Cyclades / STB / USRobotics / Belkin / Digiboard / AT&T 
>Domestic and international / Reliable quality products
>http://www.prime.org/sellcom/index.htm

In article <315d678a.4796364@news.dungeon.com>, scook@lightning.dungeon.com (Shane Cook) says:
>
>scook@lightning.dungeon.com (Shane Cook) wrote:
>
>>I'm considering setting up a BBS system and want to connect 4 V34
>>internal  modems. I need each modem to work on a separate IRQ and port
>>address. The modems must also be good at answering calls and NEVER
>>drop the connection (dropping down the speed is ok) due to line noise.
>>
>>I am considering 4 internal sporters as they will run at 33K. Is this
>>a good idea? I've been reading a lot of conflicting opinions on the
>>sporters.....
>
>Thanks for everyones comments. I've now gone off the idea of using 4
>internal modems. There are enough IRQ and port addresses available but
>I have decided its going to be more useful to instantly be able to see
>what's happening and at point in time. Going external also allows me
>to use a Digicom board if I later want more modems. I've looked at
>these boards and they are very expensive (it's cheaper to buy another
>PC).....
>
>I have therefore decided to stick with the brand I currently use and
>go for, four external Supras. I currently have a Supra 288 and the
>alpha display can be very useful in letting me see what's going on. I
>will either go for the Supra 288 or the Supra Sonic. Anyone tried the
>Sonic yet?
>
>
I have a supra and its been nothing but trouble, in the shop 5 times. while the others,boca 
zoom have performed flawlessly.