[9372] in Commercialization & Privatization of the Internet
(fwd) *** GDC V.FAST modem bulletin ***
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Paul Robinson)
Fri Dec 31 02:32:18 1993
Date: Fri, 31 Dec 1993 02:31:45 -0500
From: Paul Robinson <tdarcos@access.digex.net>
To: com-priv@psi.com
Path: digex.net!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!not-for-mail
>From: lee@gdc.com (Seng-Poh Lee)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
Subject: *** GDC V.FAST modem bulletin ***
Date: 31 Dec 1993 00:09:31 -0600
Organization: General DataComm Ind. Inc., Middlebury, CT
Lines: 196
Sender: daemon@cs.utexas.edu
Message-ID: <9312310609.AA28029@gdc.com>
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu
What follows is a bulletin from General DataComm regarding the
availability of our V.FAST modem.
For LITERATURE ONLY, please call 1-800-777-4005 (outside the US, call
(203) 792-0542).
For TECHNICAL or PRODUCT questions, you may either fax your queries
to (203) 758-9129, or send e-mail to vfast@gdc.com. Please include
a daytime phone number.
Please mention that you heard about it on the Internet
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
General DataComm, Inc. 1579 Straits Turnpike. , Middlebury, CT 06762-1299
INTERNET BULLETIN
GDC ANNOUNCES V.FAST MODEM AVAILABILITY
Middlebury, CT, December 30 -- General DataComm has just announced
immediate availability of their new V.F 28.8 Series modems. These
modems operate at full duplex speeds of 28.8 Kbps (Kilobits per second)
in each direction, with compressed file speeds exceeding four times that
rate. Currently shipping V.F 28.8 models are the DeskTop standalone
modem and SpectraComm 7" high density rackmount version for central site
installations. The DataComm V.F 28.8 standard rackmount model will be
available in January. These modems are guaranteed to meet the new V.34
ITU-T recommendations as soon as it is ratified. Units purchased now
will be upgraded, free, over the phone line.
With 2- and 4-wire, synchronous and asynchronous, dial up and leased
line operations, these may be considered universal modems. Containing
the ITU-T V.21, V.22, V.22bis, V.32, V.32bis, V.34 and Bell 212A and 103
modulations and V.42/V.42bis error detection and correction with data
compression, this modem covers speeds from 300 bps to 28.8 Kbps, with
effective throughput up to 128 Kbps with data compression.
V.fast - V.fastest!
Currently there are few actual 28.8 Kbps modems in the market. Testing
the DeskTop V.F 28.8 Series against two of these has shown GDC the clear
winner in the speed race. From random, incompressible files, to data
base and graphics files so common in LAN and multi-media applications,
GDC bests the competition by as much as 100%. With over twice the speed
in many applications, using lines that are typical of over 50% of the
U.S. dial-up network, the results clearly indicate GDC modems provide
the best high-speed solution. These tests are currently being confirmed
by an independent testing laboratory.
Speed Saves
For modem users, this means that with graphics and database file
transfers, they will be cutting their phone bill in half using GDC's
modems over the other V.fast solutions, and saving significantly more
over V.32bis or slower modems. Companies and individuals looking for
high speed modems to meet their applications requirements, are sensitive
to these cost issues. Buying the wrong modem could cost many times the
price of the unit. In fact, it may be shown that, even if you were
given a competitive modem at no cost, it would pay to purchase a GDC
unit.
The GDC V.F 28,8 Series may also be equipped with high speed interfaces
- both ITU-T V.35, ITU-T V.24/V.28/ISO2593 and EIA/TIA 530-A, ITU-T
V.10/V.11/V.24/ISO 2110 are available for international and domestic
use. This is very important, since these interfaces may be required to
actually achieve the inherent speeds available using these new modems.
With approvals already received for more than 30 countries, and more on
the way, the GDC V.F 28.8 should be considered the international modem
of choice for multi-national concerns.
FLASH Flash
All GDC V.F 28.8 Series modems are currently shipping with FLASH memory,
allowing feature enhancements to the modems to be implemented by
upgrading the software electronically, rather than swapping PROM chips.
This means that obsolescence is a thing of the past, and users will be
able to keep their modems up-to-date by making a phone call and
downloading code for:
- invoking new features
- implementing code enhancements
- insuring compatibility with the V.34 standard
- establishing connectivity with new software communication
packages and other devices.
Many of today's modems are based on modified V.32bis chip sets
incorporating proprietary modulation firmware which cannot be upgraded
to V.34 when the standard is ratified. Phrases like "V.fast
technology", "V.32terbo", "V.fast Class" are commonly used to infer
compliance with the V.fast recommendations. This may not, in fact,
become a reality when the standard becomes available.
GDC guarantees its modems can be upgraded to the V.34 standard via
download. Competitive modems still have to physically update the
hardware as well as the software when upgrading products. Loss of the
use of the modem while transporting it to and from the manufacturer for
upgrade, disruption of service while the service technician replaces the
chip and tests it, and the costs of providing services during these
times are typical costs associated with other modem updates for your
prospect. "These costs are avoided using the new GDC software upgrade
technology. With GDC, a phone call does it all." says Dick Drake,
Director of Marketing for Transmission Products.
In January, GDC will begin compliance testing with the proposed V.34
standard, insuring GDC will be ready to implement the changes necessary
when the standard is ratified. In addition, there are a number of new
features already in the works. These include: Automatic Dial Restoral
(ADR) for backup of leased lines with dial circuits; Password and
Security Callback; V.25bis serial dialing (sync and async); and Remote
Configuration of modems from other locations.
How Upgrades Work
There are two characteristics built into the V.F 28.8 that allow
upgrades to be achieved over the phone line. First is the ability of
the hardware, in this case a universal communications platform, to
change it's functionality based on the resident software provided.
The second characteristic is the ability to download the modem-defining
software by connecting to the GDC Bulletin Board (BBS). The new
software containing the desired features and operational characteristics
- the modem personality - for the upgrade are then loaded down to the
internal FLASH memory of the V.F 28.8 modem.
Since the modem has the capability of storing up to four custom
configurations, along with four fixed pre-defined profiles, and up to
ten customer-defined phone numbers, these are also saved so the customer
retains all unique operational parameters during this upgrade process.
Safety Concerns
In addition to the approved modem standards, many modem customers are
concerned with safety issues. The V.F 28.8 Series has passed UL safety
tests for lightning protection (UL1459) and for flammability (UL94V0).
And heat is not an issue. With less than 6 watts of power consumption,
our V.fast modems produce much less heat than our competitors with 12
watts, or more. This translates into greater safety, reliability, and
savings for the customer.
Digital Impact
In some cases, users may wish to use the new V.F 28.8 modems as a
substitute for, or backup of, digital circuits. With effective
throughput speeds exceeding 100 Kbps, applications abound:
1. The V.F 28.8 Series is ideally suited for backup of Switched 56 Kbps
analog or 64 Kbps digital leased lines using the dial-up network.
Speeds are now compatible with many LAN-to-LAN applications. This
insures both reliability and cost efficiencies.
2. Many managers are taking a hard look at the costs of upgrading to an
all-digital network. Some of the benefits they see by staying with
high-speed modems are:
a. Modems fit in existing networks, and can be incrementally
added as required versus installing a whole new digital system.
b. Modems provide the only universal connectivity worldwide.
c. Installation, training and support are all minimized
with modems versus having to retrain, re-equip, and
re-educate the department when switching to new technology.
d. Modem technology is inherently more cost effective.
e. Most MIS managers are more "comfortable" with modem
technology, and the GDC V.F 28.8 Series may be changed
into a managed modem with minimum network disruption with
a simple download. Equipment obsolescence is virtually
eliminated.
3. Generic applications, using modems as just another design element,
are appearing from non-traditional sources. Applications
from medical (CAT scan data transfer), to multi-media (training
and manual field updates) are appearing daily. Many of these,
due to larger file sizes, require higher speeds and universal
transport - ideal for the GDC V.F 28.8 Series modems.
4. Most large users have occasion to work overseas. Many are
multi-national. The GDC V.F 28.8 Series is currently
homologated (approved for use) in thirty countries. In most
cases, GDC is the only game in town (and country). "It would
be a shame for a user to get new V.fast modems for his U.S.
offices and then find out that his overseas offices, where he
spends big communications bucks, can't use all the available
speed because they implemented a proprietary system with a
modem not approved in this country." said Drake.
General DataComm, Inc. is a leading provider of multimedia networks and
telecommunications equipment worldwide. Based in Connecticut, GDC
serves corporate customers and telephone operating companies throughout
the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia/New Zealand.
--
Paul Robinson - paul@tdr.com / tdarcos@MCIMail.com / tdarcos@access.digex.net
Voted "Largest Polluter of the (IETF) list" by Randy Bush <randy@psg.com>
Voted "Largest Polluter of digex.general" by Mike <voss@orange.digex.net>
