What do I need to do to use a external USB modem to 'dial-up' the internet?
 

Hello:

I have a 'Diamond SupraMax 56K USB Modem'.

I would like to use a 'dial-up' modem connection to the internet.

Can anyone suggest how I can set this up? Do I need additional software? Is there a Slackware tutorial on 'dial-up' living somewhere on the internet?

I have kppp installed, if that helps.

lsusb shows the modem, I believe:
Bus 001 Device 006: ID 047e:2892 Agere Systems, Inc. (Lucent) Systems Soft Modem

If I disconnect the modem, the above line disappears from lsusb.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Have you read this at the Slackware site?

http://www.slackware.com/config/ppp.php

If it is a "real" full modem and not one of those "win-lite" things you should be able to fire up KPPP, configure it properly in the setup, and take it from there. No need to make it more difficult than necessary.

I was just re-reading your original post and it would appear you have a "soft" modem, aka, a "win-lite" modem. If that is, indeed, the case, then you may or may not be able to set it up. Over all these years I've never been able to make a "win-lite" modem work in Slackware. I've read it depends on the "win-lite" modem and the its chip set and there have been reports of success with a few of those "lite" modems in some Linux distributions.

Great! Thank you! :)

---------- Post added Nov 30th, 2011 at 10:53 AM ----------

Thank you! :)

Hello:

During the pppsetup, I am asked 'where is your modem?'.

How do I know?

Thanks,

Fire up KPPP and click on, Configure, Modems, New, and, finally, Modem Device. There you will find a long list of locations for your modem, including 16 related to USB connections or you can find the same "locations" in the /dev directory.
Have you determined if this is a "lite" modem or a real full modem? Please see the addition to my last post.

Hi cwizardone:

Sorry to ask this of you but how do I determine if it is a 'lite' modem or a real full modem?

I do know that it works under windows XP. The box says that it is:

1. V.92 or V.90 & V.44 ITU standard 56k
2. V.34 and backwards compatible protocols
3. Fax speeds up to 14,000 bit/s, Group lll, Class 1
4. Data compression V.42bis and MNP 5
5. Error correction V.42 LAPM and MNP 4

That's all that I know about it.

http://www.diamondmm.com/SM56USB.php

Their web site says it is a " Full featured data/fax external modem," but since it needs a windows driver and lsusb reports it as a "soft modem," I would think it is a "win-lite" modem.

You might start your search for a linux driver here,

http://martian.barrelsoutofbond.org/

However, just for chuckles, try setting it up in KPPP first. Miracles do happen. :)

I fear you may be SOL with this device.
From http://www.spinics.net/lists/linmodem/msg11977.html Date: Fri, 1 Apr 2011 15:09:23 -0400

You could attempt to load the Windows driver using ndiswrapper then try setting it up using KPPP.

Bought a USRobtics 5637 USB modem and all is well!

Marking as SOLVED.

Thanks,

Congrats. A real modem will do it almost every time.
:)
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You and Yours.