Organization: L'AISON - Local Area Information Server Open Network
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1993 08:26:01 EDT
Subject: AT&T DataPort 14.4
Lines: 40
I just received the AT&T DataPort 14.4 v.32bis data modems from AT&T Paradyne
and installed them on my bbs. The modems have only been in operation for a few
days, but, so far, the results are favorable. Among user comments:
-the AT&T modem negotiates faster (than the Hayes Optima it replaced)
-the AT&T demonstrated the ability to fallback from 14.4 to 12,200 to 9600 and then fall-forward,working
up to 14,400 as line quality improved. (The Practical Peripherals 14400 FXSA
it replaced would never seem to do this.)
Some other casual observations:
The DataPort (external) is housed in a beige-brown plastic case. The modem is
built on a single PC board, using all surface mount components. About half of
the circuit board in covered by a soldered-on metal shield with perforated
holes, which obscures the view of the components underneath. Beneath the
shield, a MC68302 is used as the cpu; an AT&T DSP chip is also present. Eight
incredibly tiny LEDs are mounted across the front, and appear much larger when
viewed through the diffuser screen built in the front panel bezel.
One interesting item: there is no socketed ROM on the board. I called AT&T
Tech Support to ask them if there were any way to field upgrade the modem, and
they confirmed that there was not. However, they stated that the modem had
been very thoroughly tested and would not likely need firmware upgrades. (Note
that other modems in the AT&T line, the 3800 series for example, can download
firmware revisions and upgrade themselves, although these are considerably
more expensive than the 3700 series DataPort.)
The AT command set is somewhat different from the "Hayes-standard". On some
commands fewer options are available, while on others a vast array of options
is presented. A spiral bound manual covers all the features, functions, and
commands in terse detail, and it is well organized.
I believe the modem is supposed to be priced at about $500 (retail). AT&T are currently selling it to sys-ops at a very aggressive price, less than half of that, in fact, on a promotional
