I don think its that difficult & impossible to setup an internal modem on linux.. especially connexant ones !!! its just a couple of hrs of search & u will be able to run it.. coz.. i ve learned it from from my experiences..

I have tried the following modems on redhat

Motorola sm56 pci internal on redhat 7.1

Motorola stopped giving new versions of drivers thats y i had to change the modem

I tried a extenal Modem ..that was just plug & play

I tried a 56k HSF internal modem on redhat 8, it worked perfectly..

i know a couple of guys arund who run hcf / hsf version of conexat chipsets on linux.. all on redhat 8 of course.

currently i use a PCtel 56 k internal modem on linux ( exchanged with motorola ) it too works perfectly !!

i feel that that the problem is with ur distro of linux.. redhat will support conexant chipsets.. no doubt in that !!

External modems are easy to be installed ..but y waste money buying new h/w when u can get the stuff you have up & running ????

PLease let know if u r able to run the modem on redhat !!