This enables vendors to be more aggressive in keeping up with modem technology. Separating the modem database from system software makes sense, because vendors don't have to wait for stable system software to be developed to supply new modem capabilities. Of course, if you mix and match products, it's harder to track connection problems. Interoperability is still a dream and where devices are interoperable, we found they are rarely seamless. Radical changes in the PC Card standard occurred between versions 1.0 and 2.1 in less than four years.
Products tend to lag the standards issuance as new cards are designed and brought to market.
A device introduced today may not play well with PC Cards built to a future standard, and vice versa. Keeping Up With the Cards Deciding on a vendor that is committed to keeping current with technology is crucial to a successful PC Card remote-access solution. In testing these cards, we found that not all PC Card modems adhere strictly to version 2.1 of the PC Card standard and some even produce unexpected results when used in a PC Card remote-access server. The problems ranged from not working, or working sporadically, to locking up the port, and worse, causing the server to reboot. To some degree, finding PC Cards and devices that will work well together is a matter of trial and error.