Modem interoperability problem

[Russell J Dwarshuis]

There is an interoperability problem between MichNet GDC modems and all
V.90 modems (the new 56k modem standard).  A V.8 protocol problem either
causes V.90 modems to connect at V.32bis (14400 bps) or not connect at all
when dialing into GDC modems - they do not fall back to V.34 like they're
supposed to. 

The work around is to disable V.90 on the client modem.  For 3Com/USRobotics
Courier modems, use the ats58=32 command.  For Sportsters, use ats32=66.  
I have only been able to verify the command on a Courier.  For Rockwell 
based chipsets (almost all others)  the command is probably at+ms=11,0 
(force V.34) although I haven't yet been able to verify that, either.

GDC has released a version of code that fixes the problem.  We have 
started upgrading modems this week.  It will take approximately six weeks
to complete all the upgrades because we wish to minimize disruption and 
so will only be doing the upgrades during the early morning hours.  

Upgrading a modem necessitates disconnecting any user who may happened to
be dialed into it at the time, and that modem will ring-no answer during
the upgrade.  The other modems in the hunt group will continue to function
normally.  We will send out one message a week to michnet-inform listing
the hunt groups that we will upgrade that week. 

                                            
                                            -Russell Dwarshuis
                                             Engineer, Michnet Operations