| This page last updated on 11/15/00 |
 |
A: To determine if your
phone
line is capable of making a 56K connection connect to the US Robotics Line Test Facility.
To do so follow these steps:
- Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, and then click HyperTerminal.
NOTE: If you are using Microsoft Windows 98, click Start, point to Programs, point to
Accessories, point to Communications, and then click HyperTerminal.
- Double-click Hypertrm.exe.
- In the Name box, type "Line Test" (without quotation marks), and then click
OK.
- In the Area Code box, type "847" (without quotation marks).
- In the Phone Number box, type "262-6000" (without quotation marks), and then
click OK.
- Click Dial.
- When you are prompted "Do you want graphics (ENTER)=Yes," press ENTER.
- When you are prompted "What is your first name," type "line"
(without quotation marks), and then press ENTER.
- When you are prompted "What is your last name," type "test" (without
quotation marks), and then press ENTER.
- Follow the prompts on the screen to perform the telephone line tests, and then quit
HyperTerminal.
Please - click
here - to change your access and enter something to the following effect in the
comments field "convert to FrontPage."
A: Make sure to follow these steps to ensure a smooth change to
our new 56K dial-up equipment..
- Verify that you have a modem capable of either X2 or V.90.
- Upgrade to the latest V.90 code for your modem. During testing we found that a 56K
modem upgraded to the newest available V.90 code would consistently connect at higher
rates. Please take a look at "V.90 Upgrades for Common
Brands of Modems" in order to get the newest software for your modem.
- Verify that your phone line is indeed capable of V.90 by calling the US Robotics Line Test Facility. If you get a
successful connection higher than 33.6 you're ready to go.
- Switch the number in your dialer to the new 56K number "537-4163." If
your running Windows 95/98, click - here - for
instructions on changing the number.
A: Since the modems at Imagen Communications support X2 and
V.90, but NOT KFLEX, you should upgrade. However, please note that
on some modems the bios only has enough space for one standard (i.e., if you upgrade to
V.90, the modem will not be able to support KFlex.)
A: The modems at Imagen Communications support X2. If your
modem will support both V.90 and X2 after the upgrade, then you should upgrade.
However, if your connection speed with X2 is good AND your modem will NOT
support X2 after the upgrade, then you might consider not upgrading.
A: When 56K modems were first invented, no standard existed.
As a result, US Robotics developed 56K modems using its proprietary X2
protocol and Rockwell International developed 56K modems using its proprietary KFlex
protocol. Now a universal standard has finally emerged, V.90. Most 56K modems
are flash upgradable to the new V.90 standard. We currently support X2, and the V.90
standard.
A: You will see an increase in the time it takes to be
authenticated by our dialup equipment when connecting to the 56k lines. When
connecting at 56k the modem has more protocols and speeds to attempt a connection at, than
when completing a connection to 33.6 equipment. For every protocol and speed that a
modem has to drop down to and attempt a connection at, the logon time is increased.
When connecting to our 33.6 equipment a 33.6 modem will first attempt a connection at
33,600 bps. If the connection is successful you will be logged on. If the
connection is unsuccessful at 33,600 bps the logon time will increase as the modem will
then attempt a connection at 31,200 bps. If the connection attempt at 31,200 bps
fails the logon time will be increased again, as the modem will then drop down and attempt
a connection at 28,800 bps. This process of attempting a connection and passing or
failing will determine how long it takes to successfully logon. If the modem has to
drop down to 21,600 bps you will see a considerably longer logon time than if you were to
get an immediate successful connection at 33,600 bps.
When connecting to our 56k equipment your modem will first attempt a connection at
56,000 bps which is virtually unheard of, even in a lab. We've found the average
connection speed on Salt Spring to be between 46,666 - 48,000 bps. During testing in
our office I would sometimes see connection speeds as high as 52,000 and 50,666, but in
Vancouver when connecting to Internet Direct I typically see a connection rate of between
46,666 and 48,000.
The V.90 drop down speeds are as follows: 56,000, 54,666, 53,333, 52,000, 50,666,
49,333, 48,000, 46,666, 45,333, etc.
In conclusion, if you connect to our 33.6 equipment at 33.6 your modem only goes
through one protocol/speed attempt. If however you connect to our 56k equipment and
get a successful connection at 48,000 you modem will have gone through seven
protocol/speed attempts. One protocol/speed attempt will take considerably less time
than seven.
A: There are many issues that can prevent a V.90 or X2
connection. As modem speeds get faster, connections can become unstable. The modem
is designed to test for line conditions, and then select the best speed to create a stable
connection. Sometimes this results in a slower connection. To get a V.90 or X2
protocol connection, your phone line must be of excellent quality.
A: The new 56K dial-up number for the Outer Gulf
Islands is 629-6556.
|
