netcom.com!netcomsv!decwrl!sun-barr!cs.utexas.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sai
miri.primate.wisc.edu!sdd.hp.com!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!lll-win--Moreken!angmar!scr
iv
From: scriv@angmar.llnl.gov (Mark Scrivener)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems
Subject: RE: Straw Poll of Supra and ZyXEL
Keywords: Straw Poll, Supra, ZyXEL
Date: 5 Nov 92 19:30:18 GMT
Organization: UC LLNL
Status: RO


Well the results are in! I'd like to thank everyone who took time to
respond. In my initial post, I asked people to rate the Supra and the
ZyXEL modems on a scale of -10 (worst) to +10 (best). Here are the results:

        Total responses: 40
        Total Supra:     27
        Total ZyXEL:     13     (Note: some people scored both modems,
                                       for purposes of the total I counted
                                       this as 2 responses.)

        Supra average:   +5.8
        Supra SDev        4.1

        ZyXEL average:   +8.2
        ZyXEL SDev        1.2

A histogram of responses follows:

        Score           Supra (#)       ZyXEL (#)
        -----           --------        --------
        -10             0               0
        -9              0               0
        -8              0               0
        -7              0               0
        -6              1               0
        -5              0               0
        -4              1               0
        -3              0               0
        -2              1               0
        -1              0               0
         0              0               0
         1              1               0
         2              0               0
         3              0               0
         4              1               0
         5              3               1
         6              3               0
         7              5               1
         8              5               4
         9              3               7
        10              3               0

Those persons who scored both modems ALWAYS scored the Supra LOWER than
the ZyXEL (the lowest ZyXEL score was a +5, and this person gave the
Supra a +1).

It seems that the Supra is a good modem for the money, but it has some
flaws (gets hot, latches up, sometimes has problems with connections,etc).
If you have good phone lines, don't plan on unattended operation, need
special protocalls, and are willing to tollerate the ocasional glitch,
then the Supra might be a good deal for you.

The ZyXEL, however, appears almost bullet proof. If you want the next
best thing to perfection and don't want to pay out the nose for it,
buy a ZyXEL (or so say our survey respondants). Other benifits of the
ZyXEL included better customer support, instant free ROM upgrades via
down-loadable ROM images (provided you can burn your own ROMs), and a
68000 with 2 DSP chips (providing a much more flexable engine than the
Rockwell ASICs in the Supra).

I've included a response I got that gave a nice comparision of several
modems, including the Supra and the ZyXEL. The respondant (sorry, don't
know his name) tested each modem and then ranked it on the -10 to +10
scale. His results agree with the survey.

                                        -Mark


========================================================================

::::::::::::::
zyxel_review_nonpep.txt
::::::::::::::

From: josephs@msen.com (Joseph Stroup)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems
Subject: ZyXEL Report
Date: 1 Jan 1993 12:06:28 -0500
Organization: Msen, Inc. -- Ann Arbor, Michigan
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: garnet.msen.com

I just finished testing the Zyxel U-1496E v.32b/fax/voice modem.

I don't care if every feature works but, I needed a fast and good
v32b connection. The modem works. I called the company, bought it
direct , paid cash and got it next day. I have seen no problems
on all major long distance carriers, local carriers, BT, OTC and
one line I call in Japan. I have inbound 0800 free-phone access
to my commercial system from 6 countries and no problems. I tried
to vary the voltages to the modem - no problem. I cut power, caused
surges and even droped the thing - No problem. I own USR and Telebit.
How fast is fast. The price is right and they answer their phone. I asked
for a replacement guarantee not a 15 day repair time and they agreed.
With USR I must send in red lable UPS to get fast service - generally
2 days. One of my friends just drove to the company they treated him 
great.

Now on my list of junk...
Supra - Zoom - Quicktel and other junk. Things like Infotel/Midwest Micro
don't even count.       

The bottom line the modems work for now, 24hrs 7 days a week. If I do have
problems I will post.

Final Note: Egghead Software admits that Zoom modem fails. They just placed
an order with ZyXEL.
-- 
Joseph Stroup  


========================================================================

::::::::::::::
zyxel_dealers.txt
::::::::::::::

From: aron@garnet.berkeley.edu (Aron Roberts)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems
Subject: Places to purchase ZyXEL modems
Date: 8 Dec 1992 20:59:15 GMT
Organization: University of California, Berkeley
Distribution: na
NNTP-Posting-Host: garnet.berkeley.edu

  With the numerous mentions here in the comp.dcom.modems newsgroup
of ZyXEL's line of modems, I thought that sharing the following 
information might prove helpful to someone, particularly since 
it appears that the computer products dealers that many of us are
most familiar with do not currently carry ZyXEL's products.

  David L. Gibbs (gibbsdl@ornl.gov) generously sent me a list of
some dealers that carry the ZyXEL modems.  In compiling this list,
he received contributions from ??? (wbe@bbn.com), Larry Sher 
(sher@bbn.com), and Paul Levin (paul@count.tct.com), as well as 
Joy at ZyXEL USA, (800) 255-4101, or (714) 693-0808:

   CTS (615) 966-3667
   Golden Everstar (714) 594-4168
   Boston Computer (617) 551 0166
   The Questor Project, Vancouver, BC (604) 682-6659
       Steve Pershing, sp@questor.org
   Eagle Computing, Newark, DE  (302) 657-9303
       Chris Pyrros, pyrros@cis.udel.edu
   SI Services, Philadelphia, PA (?), (215) 675 7507
   The Whitman Group, (301) 897-8064, (301) 424-7844
       Joshua Adler

  (There was a mention of another dealer in California, Kandy Shack,
that carries this modem line; I have not yet tried to obtain contact
info for that dealer.)  

  Dave Gibbs also mentioned that the lowest price he found on the
Zyxel 1496E (?--he didn't mention the specific model) was $349 plus 
shipping, although an unnamed BBS sysop local to him was offering 
him a $348 price.  Steve Pershing at The Questor Project is selling 
this model for $350 plus $12 shipping per modem. 

  Barton F. Bruce (Barton.Bruce@camb.com) will sell these modems
in quantity, usually but not necessarily as a result of a consulting
relationship between his consulting/integration firm and a customer.
His firm offers binary PROM images and other information (such
as specs and Q&A sheets) about ZyXEL modems via anonymous ftp 
from cca.camb.com ("or probably just camb.com"), in the zyxel
directory there.

-- 
Aron Roberts  Workstation Software Support Group . 221 Evans Hall
              University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
              aron@garnet.berkeley.edu . ucbvax!garnet!aron 
              aron@ucbgarne.bitnet . (510) 642-5974 . fax: (510) 643-5385
ok--pep[104]   




========================================================================

::::::::::::::
zyxel_details.txt
::::::::::::::

The U-1496 Series Universal Modem


U-1496+     External stand-alone model with 20x2 LCD display and menu
            control.  Includes 4 W leased line support and 16800 data,
            upgradable to ZyXEL 19.2 Kbps, 14400 Fax with Voice. 

U-1496      External stand-alone model with 20X2 LCD display and menu
            control.  Includes 4 W leased line support and 16800 data,
            14400 Fax with Voice.

U-1496E+    External stand-alone model with LED status display. Includes 
            2-wire leased and dial-up line application, with 16800 
            data upgradable to ZyXEL 19.2 Kbps, 14400 Fax with Voice.

U-1496E     External stand-alone model with LED status display. Supports 
            2-wire leased and dial-up line application, with 16800 data
            14400 Fax with Voice. 

U-1496B/144 PC internal card version. Supports 2-wire leased and dial-up 
            line application, with 14400 data, 14400 Fax.

U-1496B/168 PC internal card version. Includes 2-wire leased and dial-up 
            line application, with 16800 data, 14400 Fax and Voice.

U-1496R     Rackmount version modem card, supports 2 W leased and dial-up
            line, 16800 data upgradable to ZyXEL 19200, 14400 Fax with 
            Voice.  Can be controlled by local NMS.

U-1496RN    Rackmount version modem card, supports 4/2 W leased and dial-up
            line, 16800 data upgradable to ZyXEL 19200, 14400 Fax with 
            Voice.  Can be controlled by local and remote NMS.

RS-1600     Rack System Chassis with 16 modem slots and 40 X 4 LCD display
            and Menu Tree, single power supply.

RS-1600N    Rack System Chassis with 16 modem slots and 40 X 4 LCD display
            and Menu Tree, with redundant power supply (1993/1q) and NMS 
            control card, NMS software (1993/1q).

Compatibility


The ZyXEL U-1496 series modem is a high performance universal modem capable 
of transmission speed of up to 19.2/16.8 Kbps on a 2-wire full duplex mode. 
Universal compatibility covers a broad range of CCITT and BELL standards, 
and provides data compression and error free transmission.

Various operation modes that can be achieved are listed in the following 
table:

                Bit rate        Baud rate       Modulation      Carrier 
                (+/-0.01%)      (+/-0.01%)                      Freq   
                bps             baud                            Hz    

ZyX 19200       19,200
ZyX 16800       16,800
V.33            14,400          2400            128-TCM         1800  
V.33            12,000          2400            64-TCM          1800  
V.32bis         14,400          2400            128-TCM         1800  
V.32bis         12,000          2400            64-TCM          1800  
V.32bis         9,600           2400            32-TCM          1800  
V.32bis         7,200           2400            16-TCM          1800  
V.32            9,600           2400            32-TCM          1800  
V.32 uncoded    9,600           2400            16-QAM          1800  
V.32            4,800           2400            4-DPSK          1800  
V.29            9,600           2400            16-QAM          1700  
V.29            7,200           2400            8-QAM           1700  
V.29            4,800           2400            4-DPSK          1700  
V.27ter         4,800           1600            8-PSK           1800  
V.27ter         2,400           1200            4-DPSK          1800  
V.22bis         2,400           600             16-QAM          1200  Orig. 
                                                                2400  Ans.
V.22            1,200           600             4-DPSK          1200  Orig. 
(BELL 212A)                                                     2400  Ans.
G3 Fax  implemented according to T.30, V.17, V.29 and V.27ter.

1800 Hz guard tone for V.22bis/V.22 answer mode, 6 dB below data signal level.

Note:   The U-1496R, U-1496E, U-1496E+, and U-1496B do not support the
        V.33 14.4/12.0, V.29 9.6/7.2/4.8, or V.27ter 4.8/2.4 Kpbs standards.

All models have the G3 Fax send and receive capability with PC Fax software
Mac software available as an option.


The U-1496 Series Standard Features

        Synchronous/Asynchronous operations for external stand-
        alone model and rackmount model.

        Asynchronous operations for PC internal card model.

        MNP class 3/4/5 error correction/data compression.

        V.42/V.42bis error correction/data compression.

        Extended AT command set.

        V.25bis command set.  (Not available on U-1496B)

        Operate on 2-wire dial-up line or 2/4-wire leased line.
        (4-wire leased line on U-1496, U-1496+, and U-1496R only)

        Auto-dial/answer and Manual originate/answer.

        Tone/Pulse dialing.

        Dial tone, busy, and ringback detection.

        Programmable speaker volume control.

        Non-volatile memory storage.

        Diagnostics available for:
                Modem full self test
                Analog loopback (w/ self test)
                Remote digital loopback (w/ self test)
                Digital loopback

        XON/XOFF or RTS/CTS flow control.

        Line status monitoring available for: (U-1496, U-1496+, U-1496R)
                Signal-to-noise ratio
                Receive signal level
                Frequency offset
                Phase jitter
                Retrain granted
                Retrain requested
                Round trip echo delay
                Carrier loss counter

        20 X 2  LCD display and directional keypads. (U-1496, U-1496+)

        G3 Fax capability.

        Caller ID (CND) support

        Distinctive Ring

        Voice Digitizing
                ADPCM 3 bit 28800 bps
                ADPCM 2 bit 19600 bps
                CELP         9600 bps (only in Plus models)



MODEM FEATURE CHART
                                   ZyXEL   ZyXEL  ZyXEL   ZyXEL    ZyXEL 
                                   U-1496+ U-1496 U-1496B U-1496E+ U-1496E
                                   
                                        
Physical                           EXT     EXT    INT     EXT      EXT

External Model                     V       V              V        V
Internal Model                                    V
Number of LED lights               6       6      N/A     12       12
Full LCD Menu Tree                 V       V

Speed and Compatibility                         
                                   
ZyXEL 19.2 Kbps                    *                      *
ZyXEL 16.8 Kbps                    V       V      Opt.    V        V
V.32bis 14.4, 12.0, 7.2 kbps       V       V      V       V        V
V.32 9.6, 4.8 kbps                 V       V      V       V        V
V.23 1200/75 bps                   V       V      V       V        V
V.22bis 2400 bps                   V       V      V       V        V
V.22/BELL 212A 1200 bps            V       V      V       V        V
V.21/BELL 103 300 bps              V       V      V       V        V
V.33 14.4, 12.0 kbps               V       V
V.29 9.6, 7.2, 4.8 kbps            V       V
V.27ter 4.8, 2.4 kbps              V       V
HST 14.4, 12.0, 9.6, 4.8 kbps                   
G3 FAX, 9.6 kpbs                   V       V      V       V        V
G3 FAX, V.17 14,400 kbps           V       V      V       V        V
EIA Class 2 FAX Standard           V       V      V       V        V
Asynchronous Transmission          V       V      V       V        V
Synchronous Transmission           V       V              V        V
Dynamic Online Full back/forward   V       V      V       V        V
Auto Speed Detect                  V       V      V       V        V

Error Correction/Data Compression                       
MNP 3-4                            V       V      V       V        V
MNP 5                              V       V      V       V        V
V.42                               V       V      V       V        V
V.42bis                            V       V      V       V        V

Throughput / DTE rate              

Max. Throughput Possible (K)       76.8    57.6   57.6    76.8     57.6
DTE speed (K) (max)                76.8    57.6   57.6    76.8     57.6



                                   ZyXEL   ZyXEL  ZyXEL   ZyXEL    ZyXEL
                                   U-1496+ U-1496 U-1496B U-1496E+ U-1496E
Operation Mode                          

2-Wire Dial Up                     V       V      V       V        V
2-Wire Leased                      V       V      V       V        V
4-Wire Leased                      V       V
Dial Backup                        V       V

Diagnostic Modes                                

Remote Digital Loopback            V       V      V       V        V
Analog Loopback                    V       V      V       V        V
Digital Loopback                   V       V      V       V        V
On line, line condition monitoring V       V
Read/Write Remote Configuration    V       V      V       V        V
Reset Remote Configuration         V       V      V       V        V

Security                                

Password Protection                V       V      V       V        V
Automatic Call Back                V       V      V       V        V

Other 

Caller ID (CND) detection          V       V      V       V        V
Distinctive Ring                   V       V      V       V        V
Voice Digitizing                   V       V      Opt.    V        V

Also Included                           

Telephone Cord (RJ-11)             V       V      V       V        V
RJ-45 Cord                         V       V
AC Power Adaptor                   V       V              V        V
Communication Software                  
ZFAX Voice and Fax Utility         V       V      V       V        V
Warranty, Parts and Labor (years)  5       5      5       5        5
Money Back (days)                  30      30     30      30       30

V = Standard Feature        
* = Can be upgraded         
Opt. = Optional

List Price                        $989     899    449     649      469
                                                  469 for U-1496B/168        

U-1496R has features that are similar to U-1496E+ and U-1496RN has features
that are similar to U-1496+, both U-1496R and U-1496RN will utilize the 
40 X 4 LCD display and Menu Tree that come with the Rack.

U-1496R   $  899
U-1496RN  $ 1099
RS1600    $ 1299
RS1600N   $ 1950



Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems