Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!apple!netcomsv!noring
From: noring@netcom.COM (Jon Noring)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems
Subject: 16550A UART, Needed?
Message-ID: <1991May21.163229.6631@netcom.COM>
Date: 21 May 91 16:32:29 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  UNIX System {408 241-9760 guest}
Lines: 42

Hello,

A couple of weeks ago, I posted a request for info on high-speed modems
(9600+ baud) for my pc.  My main reason for wanting a higher speed modem
(I now use a 2400 baud Everex internal w/MNP5) is for file downloading from
BBS's and from Netcom.  I received a couple of replies (thanks to those who
replied), but I was hoping for a little more feedback (there were five others
who replied wanting to know what I found out, but I have little to report).
Can I conclude that most of you guys (and gals) don't know much about the
subject to comment on it?

Anyway, I've begun to educate myself on the subject.  The other day,
while looking at the articles on asynchronous communications in PC Magazine
of April 30, 1991, I came across an article entitled "The 16550A UART:
Breaking Old Bottlenecks", with the summary: "FIFO.COM can help you activate
the UART buffer on your side of a high-speed link".  Included with the
article was a DEBUG script for FIFO.COM, a program that activates the 16550A
UART's FIFO buffer.  Overall, the article gave me the impression that I
should have a 16550A UART (along with appropriate communications software)
if I get a high speed modem.

I ran FIFO.COM on my 386-33 pc (Omnitel motherboard) and the program said
that I didn't have a 16550A UART, rather that I had an 8250.

The main question:  Is it really worthwhile replacing my current 8250 UART
with a 16550A when I get a 9600+ modem, or are the gains minimal? (of course,
I'll have to make sure that my communications software fully takes advantage
of the 16550A UART).

Any help out there  would be most appreciated.
-- 
=============================================================================
| Jon Noring          | noring@netcom.netcom.com | "The dogs bark, but the  |
| JKN International   | IP    : 192.100.81.100   |  caravan moves on."      |
| 754 Catalina Drive  | Phone : (415) 294-8153   | "Pack your lunch, sit in |
| Livermore, CA 94550 | V-Mail: (415) 862-1101   |  the bushes, and watch." |
=============================================================================
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are those of JKN International.  I own it.

"If you make $50,000 today, you have the same buying power as the average
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nationally recognized Certified Financial Planner;  quoted in 1987.