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How can you know the difference between a hardware and software modem???
- Thread starter rsnellma
- Start date
The specifications of most soft modems will show a minimum requirement of having a Pentium MMX CPU. But you can also look up the chip part number on the modem and the specs will show if it's a HSP (software) modem. Most internal modems now are HSP.
It isn't worth worrying about the CPU cycles a software modem will use on modern hardware. It's insignificant. It was better to have a hardware modem for alternative operating systems, but Linux now has pretty good support for software modems.
I still have an external serial 56K fax/modem back from the days when Linux support of software modems was pretty poor.
It isn't worth worrying about the CPU cycles a software modem will use on modern hardware. It's insignificant. It was better to have a hardware modem for alternative operating systems, but Linux now has pretty good support for software modems.
I still have an external serial 56K fax/modem back from the days when Linux support of software modems was pretty poor.
Thanks for the quick response. I am looking up a replacement modem for a friend that has a PII 300MHz / 64MB so it would kinda matter for her. The models I am looking at are
http://www.encore-usa.com/product.php?id=32
or
http://www.archtek.com/5634prs.htm
Supposely, the first modem is hardware based, but I was wondering if you could tell whether a modem was a hardware modem or software modem just by looking at it. Thanks again.
Bob2001
Just found this...
The MD family was replaced in 2003 by the 536 and 537 chipsets.
The 536EP is a controllerless (DSP) chipset supporting V.92 and V.44.
The 537EP is a softmodem (HSP) chipset for PCI cards supporting V.92 and V.44.
The 537EA is a softmodem (HSP) chipset for AC'97 (modem riser) cards supporting V.92 and V.44.
Does this mean the 536EP is a hardware modem???
http://www.encore-usa.com/product.php?id=32
or
http://www.archtek.com/5634prs.htm
Supposely, the first modem is hardware based, but I was wondering if you could tell whether a modem was a hardware modem or software modem just by looking at it. Thanks again.
Bob2001
Just found this...
The MD family was replaced in 2003 by the 536 and 537 chipsets.
The 536EP is a controllerless (DSP) chipset supporting V.92 and V.44.
The 537EP is a softmodem (HSP) chipset for PCI cards supporting V.92 and V.44.
The 537EA is a softmodem (HSP) chipset for AC'97 (modem riser) cards supporting V.92 and V.44.
Does this mean the 536EP is a hardware modem???
Yes, the 536EP is a hardware modem chip. http://www.intel.com/design/modems/products/536ep.htmrsnellma said:
The Archtek modem uses the Conexant RS56-PCI chipset (SoftK56). There's no way of telling just by looking at the card, unless you know the card/chipset already. You have to look up the chip if it doesn't have an obvious name ("soft" or "HSP" in the chip part number).