This page is optimized for viewing with Lynx ;-)

PCI modems and Linux

Most PCI modems are lacking standard modem parts (a controller and occasionally some other things) and only work under Linux if particular drivers have been written. If you want to find out whether you have a true modem (controller-based) or a fake modem (controllerless or software-based), see Winmodems are not modems for the list of what is known to be modems or instead nonmodems and for the current events. If you have a nonmodem and are looking for a driver, see Linmodems.org: Linux Winmodem Support.

There are several controller-based (true) PCI modems. The installation procedure for most controller-based PCI modems seems to be the same:

Installation of V90 PCI modem (on the example of a modem with Topic chipset)

You need to find the IRQ and first I/O address of the device from the /proc/pci file and then use setserial to configure the serial port:


# cat /proc/pci

  Bus  0, device  10, function  0:
    Communication controller: PCI device 151f:0000 (TOPIC SEMICONDUCTOR Corp) (rev 0).
      IRQ 12.
      I/O at 0xbc00 [0xbc07].

# cd /dev; test -c ttyS3 || ./MAKEDEV ttyS3; chmod 666 /dev/ttyS3
# setserial /dev/ttyS3 uart 16550A port 0xbc00 irq 12 baud_base 115200 spd_vhi skip_test
# ln -sf /dev/ttyS3 /dev/modem

You can use any other ttyS? device as well. Make sure that the setserial command is issued each time upon the boot-up, making a necessary addition somewhere in /etc/init.d/ or /etc/rc.d/, depending upon your distribution.

Below is a list of a few such modems (not all of them are specified as Linux-compatible), with occasional links to installation instructions for Linux users.

Mainpine RockForce Multi-port modem cards: DUO+(2 ports), QUATRO+(4 ports), and OCTO+(8 ports). All are fully Linux compatible. Installation Instructions for Kernel 2.4.x distributions are found here. Kernel 2.6.x distributions automatically configure these boards during boot. According to the shop, we do a lot of work with Linux users and want to make sure anyone that is looking for a good alternative for multi-port cards with a simple installation can find us easier. (Added on February 2, 2007).
SmartLink 5634PCV SurfRider. Got it from a local store for $40; explicitly specified as DOS/Windows/Linux compatible on a box, along with "Full Error Correction" feature. See installation above.
ATI3 gives the answer "TP560 Data/Fax/Voice 56K Modem".
Topic FM-56PCI-TP (same or similar to the above model).
Multitech's MultiModem, model MT5634ZPX-PCI was confirmed to work under Linux.
Actiontec's PCI56012-01CW 56K Internal PCI Call Waiting Modem (installation, manual).
IBM's PCI V.90 56 Data/Fax Modem, model 33L4618; same as Actiontec's PCI56012/PM560LKI.
3Com/U.S. Robotics's 3CP5610.
3Com/U.S. Robotics's 3CP5613 Internet Gaming Modem (V.90 or x2, _not_ K56Flex).
Model 0727, V.90 56K Internal Voice Faxmodem PCI Model 3CP2976-OEM-50 [OEM "Hawk"]
Model 0726, V.90 56K Internal Faxmodem PCI Model 3CP2977-OEM-50 [OEM "Condor"].

Not all of these modems are explicitly mentioned to be Linux compatible. There may be more controller-based PCI modems listed at Winmodems are not modems.

56K PCI Pro is compatible with the latest in PC operating systems

Disclaimer: No responsibility for any loss and/or damages incurred as a result of using this document (or otherwise not using it) is assumed whatsoever. I do not help with configuring PCI modems simply because I have never had one.

Written by Andrew Comech

The latest version lives at http://www.math.sunysb.edu/~comech/tools/PCImodems.html