I would like a install a 56K FaxPhone modem for phone dialing (Gnome PPP) and possibly Fax later.
I am considering buying a US Robotics 56K, model USR 5637 external USB modem.

I use Ubuntu 8.10 which has a 2.67 kernel.
I connect to the internet by DSL using an Ethernet modem (SBCGlobal).

The installation instructions for the USR modem read in part:

Linux Kernel 2.4.20 or Higher
You need a USB modem driver (CDC ACM) compiled into a Linux ker-
nel 2.4.20 or higher or as a loadable module for your kernel. Installation
of the modem under these kernels is fully automatic provided your kernel
has the Plug and Play module enabled (default). You do not need to install
any drivers off the USRobotics installation CD-ROM.
In a different place it warns you to uninstall any other modems connected to the computer.

I assume the (CDC ACM) is present as it permits the PNP installation of the Ethernet modem.

In view of the warning about uninstall, does this mean that the 56K modem would be incompatible with, or prevent the use of the Ethernet modem? Or can they work independently?

Thanks
Ted Asner

Hi -

Your first (and, basically *only*) question is whether or not the modem is compatible with Linux (most consumer modems are "WinModems", and a large number of WinModems *aren't* compatible with Linux).

In your case, the US Robotics usr5638 USB modem should work fine:

http://www.technologytoday.com/us-ro...-business-use/

Second question: can your PPP/modem coexist peacefully with your DSL? The answer is "Sure!". Remember: they're two different interfaces. And Linux (like Windows, Mac and most contemporary OS's) support this. It's similar to adding another NIC (and possibly connecting it to a different subnet), to dialling in to a VPN, or even to firing up a virtual machine. No problem!

'Hope that helps .. PSM