Path: utzoo!utgpu!watserv1!maytag!xenitec!zswamp!root
From: root@zswamp.fidonet.org (Geoffrey Welsh)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems
Subject: MNP 5 for dialup
Message-ID: <2523.270AA9F7@zswamp.fidonet.org>
Date: Wed,  3 Oct 90 19:27:59 EDT
Organization: Izot's Swamp BBS - Kitchener, Ontario

 > From: sl@van-bc.wimsey.bc.ca (Stuart Lynne)
 > Message-ID: <2320@van-bc.wimsey.bc.ca>
 >
 > Any comments on the use of MNP-5 modems with Unix for dialup purposes?
 > Is the interactive usage really all that much better?
 
   The fact that the connection is now noise-free is important as far
as I'm concerned. I hate it when, in a vi session, line noise spews
two lines of crap into the text, ESCapes to command mode, backs up a
pararaph, and then deletes to top of text. undo only goes back one
command, so I can't easily repair the damage.
 
   This simply isn't a concern with MNP. If the line noise gets so
bad that no data gets through, the connection is broken and I simply
have to recover the working text from the saved buffer.
 
   On the other hand, MNP (especially the higher levels) can
introduce delays in passing keytrokes to the host and receiving the
echo. Combined with the buffers that inevitably come with MNP modems,
this can annoy someone who's used to 'instant' response.
 
 > How compatible is MNP-5? If I get ye-old 2400 Hayes clone type
 > modem with MNP-5 will "any" MNP-5 modem be able to connect in
 > "auto-reliable" mode? Will such popular modems as the HST and
 > Hayes "V" type modems be able to connect?
 
   Beware. Some early 9600+ bps modems (Telebit Trailblazer, Hayes
V-series with X.25 or LAP-B only) don't support MNP. Any modem that
says "MNP" or "V.42" should provide an error-free connection to any
other modem with either of those markings on it.
 
 > Should the speed we talk to the modem at (from /etc/getty and
 > uucico) be locked at 4800bps or 9600bps or ??
 
   Locked port speeds usually give the best performance.
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