Regarding Modem Drivers

[Jud]

On Mon, 11 Aug 2003 17:22:38 -0400, fbsd_user <fbsd_user at a1poweruser.com> 
wrote:

> FBSD does not natively support the MS/Winmodem you have.
> There is a port of the Linux winmodem special driver called LTMDM.
> It does not work for all winmodem chips and the documentation is
> useless.
> You will be far happier if you use an external serial modem with
> FBSD.
>
> The ltmdm port is hard to get working and is limited to a few
> winmodem chip sets and sometime it's performance sucks.
> You will save your self a lot of head aches by using an external
> serial modem or an PCI internal modem that has an onboard
> controller. Your modem is a super cheap modem marketed for the
> Windows users.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-freebsd-questions at freebsd.org
> [mailto:owner-freebsd-questions at freebsd.org]On Behalf Of Bimal Patel
> Sent: Monday, August 11, 2003 4:11 PM
> To: questions at freebsd.org
> Subject: Regarding Modem Drivers
>
> Respected Sir,
>
> I am Bimal Patel from Ahmedabad/India. I've downloaded FreeBSD
> 4.8-stable version from the web site www.freeBSD.org. I've installed
> the
> specified OS to my computer also. But now the OS is not detecting my
> modem.
> My modem is of type HSF SoftModem from Conexant. I think the
> installed
> system needs the proper driver to be installed.
>
> For that purpose, I've searched through internet. But I didn't
> find any
> drivers for FreeBSD. Basically such drivers can be downloaded from
> www.linuxant.com, but the problem is the file which www.linuxant.com
> provides is having RPM format. One more file is there with having
> TAR
> format. At the moment I am confused, which file I should download.
> Can you
> guide me properly?
>
> If possible can you provide me the URL from where I can
> download such
> drivers? It is very important for me to start the modem service on
> FreeBSD.
> So, I am expecting a prompt reply from your side.
>
> Thanking You,
>
> Yours Sincerely,
>
> Bimal Patel.

I have not tried the FreeBSD ltmdm port, so I cannot provide anything 
further about its performance than fbsd_user has.  External serial modems, 
even inexpensive ones, do work very nicely with FreeBSD.  However, if 
purchasing a new modem does not seem reasonable to you, then you may wish 
to try installing FreeBSD and the ltmdm port, and see what you think.  
After all, your experience with FreeBSD and the ltmdm port, not anyone 
else's, is what really matters.

Jud