It should give you a better understanding about how your modem operates and what your modem needs to stay in tip top shape. Your modem is made up of various computer chips which tell the modem what to do to handle using a phone line. Some modems have fewer chips than others, these are called Winmodems . Winmodems are modems which can ONLY be used on computers with Microsoft Windows. MS Windows is required because instructions which are normally performed in chips on the modem are instead ran by your PC's processor.
Computer chips vary in their functions and some can even be updated with new instructions.
The ability of modem chips to be upgraded is called, Firmware . Firmware, and the other computer chips, make up what kind of features and protocols your modem can support. Firmware upgrades are also designed to correct bugs or problems with certain instructions. Modem Drivers tell your computer what instructions to send to the modem to make it perform different tasks. Just as firmware is designed to tell your modem how to handle the phone line, drivers tell your computer how to handle the firmware or other chips on the modem.