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Interoperability: V.34, x2, K56flex 1.0 and 1.1 and V.90
33.6 or less when dialing a Livingston Portmaster K56flex
Livingston Portmasters use Lucent chips which implement K56flex 1.1. Some
Rockwell-based K56flex modems still use K56flex 1.0.
Understanding the version numbers
The 1.0 and 1.1 terminology is a little confusing, because it does not
match the firmware version numbers. To determine your modem's K56flex version,
type "ATI3" in a terminal program
and press the enter key. Here's how to match the ATI3 response to the K56flex
version:
ATI3 result K56flex version
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
less than 1.0 1.0
1.0 or greater 1.1
The actual result will look something like "V0.519DHY-K56_DLS". The "V0.519"
is the version number in this case, indicating that this is K56flex 1.0
(old) firmware.
The modem manufacturer will need to issue a firmware update to upgrade
your modem to K56flex 1.1. Until then, you'll be limited to V.34 speeds
(up to 33.6K). Check the firmware
updates page to see if there is a new version for your modem.
You can easily tell if you're dialing a K56flex 1.1 modem because of
the extra tone at the beginning of the connection sequence. You will need
to turn on your modem speaker to hear the sound, or you can simply call
your ISP with a telephone and listen for the sound.
Download a WAV
file recording of a K56flex version 1.1 server
Connection problems or slow connects when dialing a 28.8 or 33.6 modem
If you have a 56K modem but you're dialing into a V.34 modem bank, your
modem will still try to negotiate a 56K connection, even though it's impossible.
You may want to use one of the commands below to tell the modem to not
attempt a 56K connection.
How can I enable or disable x2 and/or V.90?
The answer depends on whether your modem supports only x2 or x2 and V.90.
For modems that use x2 only
These go at the end of your current init string.
S32=32 (for Sportster: disables x2)
S32=34 (for Sportster: disables x2 and enables V.8 mode)
S58=1 (for Courier)
In addition, some people have had success with these commands.
s15.7=1
&N16&U8
&N16
S32.5=1
For modems that support x2 and V.90
|
x2 on, V.90 off |
x2 off, V.90 on |
Both off |
Both on* |
| Sportster** |
S32=66 |
S32=34 |
S32=98 |
S32=2 |
| Courier |
S58=32 |
S58=1 |
S58=33 |
S58=0 |
* Using AT&F1 in the init string automatically enables both protocols.
**Non-U.S. Robotics modems that use x2 generally use the same commands
as the Sportster
How can I enable or disable K56flex and/or V.90?
The command depends on whether you have a Rockwell-based or Lucent-based
modem.
Rockwell chipset modems
For Rockwell-based K56flex modems that do not also support V.90,
add +MS=11,1 to the end of your modem
init string.
For K56flex modems that have been upgraded to V.90, or that support
V.90 and K56flex simultaneously, use these commands at the end of your
modem init string:
These commands were provided by Jay Price, an application engineer with
Computer Peripherals International,
and by Rockwell.
For most Rockwell chips:
| V.90 preferred (K56flex will still work)* |
+MS=12,1 |
| V.90 only, K56flex and V.34 disabled* |
+MS=12,1,34667,56000 |
| K56flex preferred (V.90 will still work)* |
+MS=56,1 |
| K56flex only, V.90 and V.34 disabled* |
+MS=56,1,34000,56000 |
| Disable V.90 and K56flex, use V.34 (28.8/33.6) |
+MS=11,1 |
* Remember that a Rockwell-based K56flex modem upgraded to V.90 no longer
supports K56flex. For an explanation, see If
I upgrade my K56flex to V.90, will I still be able to connect to K56flex
modems at 56K speeds?
For Rockwell HCF chips:
| V.90 preferred (K56flex will still work) |
+MS=V90 |
| K56flex preferred (V.90 will still work) |
+MS=K56FLEX |
| Disable V.90 and K56flex, use V.34 (28.8/33.6) |
+MS=V34 |
Lucent chipset modems
For Lucent-based K56flex modems that do not also support V.90,
add S38=0 to the end of your modem
init string.
For Lucent-based modems that do support V.90, use one of the following
strings.
For Apollo (LT Win Modem) and Mars (LT PCI Win Modem) chipsets:
| Enable V.90 |
-V90=1 |
| Disable V.90 |
-V90=0 |
| See current -V90 setting with explanation |
-V90? in a terminal |
| Enable K56flex |
S38=1 |
| Disable K56flex |
S38=0 |
For Venus chipsets (mostly used in external modems):
| K56flex only (V.90 disabled) |
S109=0 |
| K56flex or V.90* |
S109=1 |
| V.90 only (K56Flex disabled) |
S109=2 |
| Disable K56flex and V.90 (use V.34) |
S38=0 |
* Which protocol will be used? Assuming that the ISP supports both, it
depends on the firmware. Some versions will prefer K56flex, others will
prefer V.90.
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