Devolo PCI 56k dial up modem

English Hardware
#1

I was working since 20 years in the area of PCs. But I am a newbie in Linux. I am not a programmer, bought version 9, 10.2 and most recently version 11.1 of suseLinux. I am highly frustrated since I can’t make my Devolo PCI 56k dial up modem (Package text: “Runs under Linux”) do its job.
I found here the respective driver. Clicking on the link, Firefox asked me “Open with Install Software”. I accepted.
Gave the root password.
The package was unpacked.
But now what?

  • I visited the Linmodem page - no clue what they are talking about.
  • I went through the Hardware list. It’s recognized in the PCI slot (Connexant devolo…)
  • I went through the modem installation, but did not know what to take(ttyACM, tty or Modem?)

I am one one step before returning to the Microsoft Empire of the evil, since I do not have the time and do not have the passion anymore to put my hands into the system motor.
If there is somebody out there, who could tell me the easiest steps to install my modem, I would return to the community of the Linux believers. Thanks in advance.

#2

/home/angi/extracts/error.png

#3

My one experience of Devolo software for Linux [homeplug encryption configuration] has been that it is actually quite competent, but just missing a detail from the instructions.

I would not attempt one click install over the internet for this, I would download the file from Devolo’s site, it is an rpm. If you do this and right click it in Konqueror, you will find that you get 5 tabs and an install button. On the File list tab, you will find [among other interesting looking documents] that the rpm contains what could become /usr/share/doc/hsfmodem-7.47.00.02oem/INSTALL, which might be worth reading.

You can use rpm2cpio to generate a cpio archive from the rpm package and then you can use cpio to extract the files to a directory of your choosing, to have a look at the interesting file before you actually do the install. Does this look like a way forward for you?

The other thing to be said, is that years ago, modems changed from having a straightforward hardware interface to being proprietary and requiring drivers which were usually only available for Windows. By the time the Linux world got around to busting open the proprietary interfaces, everything had moved on. Support for ethernet has always been good on Linux, so for a long time it has been better to use a router and connect to it with ethernet rather than persist with a modem in the PC. This may be a better solution for your problem.

#4

Thanks a zillion for your help.
I went just for curiosity to the folder /usr/share/doc/hsfmodem-7.47.00.02oem/INSTALL read it and did as it was described. (I even was able to install Konqueror but did not get the tabs and buttons :frowning: )So I entered the uninstall command in the Konsole and the install command for the hsf Modem
It told me that it’s already installed
rpm -i ml-56k-pci-2.0.i386.rpm
warning: ml-56k-pci-2.0.i386.rpm: Header V3 DSA signature: NOKEY, key ID 5dfbf7dc
package hsfmodem-7.47.00.02oem-1.i386 is already installed
I checked the Modem icon but did not see “ttySHSF0” only “ttyS0”
as the Installation document suggested.
But unfortunately it does not help me. How can I now use the modem?

Yes, you are totally right about the old analog modem connection - I am using a DSL connection right now to access the internet, but I can not use it where the PC will be established. So unfortunately I will need this modem. Again thanks a lot for your efforts. I am still willing to use Linux but I need to connect to the internet as well

#5

if you are using KDE, there should be a programme called kppp

that should enable you to configure a modem;

for those with external modems, connecting through a serial port, kppp usually saw them fine;

for a linmodem, extra trickery in the form of software seemed needed; and … I think … your programme may have provided that;

ttys0 sounds good for a modem; you can try different connections (ie ttys0 ttys1 etc in the options list) and see if any hits the sweet spot?

if this does not work for you, finding a second-hand external serial modem will give you another option

#6

I am one one step before returning to the Microsoft Empire of the evil, since I do not have the time and do not have the passion anymore to put my hands into the system motor.

I would spring $20 on a serial modem and be done with it. If you don’t have a serial port USB to serial converters run about $15.

Much cheaper than a copy of Windows, and you’ll actually “own” these items as opposed to merely “holding a license” to use your Microsoft OS on one system.

#7

OK, I understand your situation here, unfortunately you do have what is now a very minority requirement, so you are left with the dilemma of working it out or going to MS.

Sorry, I know very little about serial modems under Linux - I was onto an ISDN router about 10 years ago, before I started with Linux. But I do think this particular modem is one of the most likely to be configurable - it would probably be my choice if I had your problem, based on my experience of Devolo.

Bear in mind that the rpm would only install drivers, you would need kppp as pdc_2 suggests or an equivalent as a dialler program.

I checked the Modem icon but did not see “ttySHSF0” only “ttyS0”

This could just be a documentation discrepancy - I would want to know whether it really had found the modem and got it wrong, or whether it had failed to find one and done a dumb default. Without knowing anything about the software, I might try pulling the modem out, rebooting and seeing whether you get the same result. But you might just try kppp and discover that it all works?