CIS 130  Lab Four     Plan how to install, configure, and test a modem
Fall,1998/Spring, 1999.
     
The goal is to produce a detailed plan for setting up a PC to connect to
"hills" as a small group.  You will have some time to discuss this face to
face, then I want you to continue to discuss it via e-mail (you might set
up an addressbook list for each other), and circulate drafts of your plan.
It's okay to meet again face to face outside of class as well.  Your group
will meet once more in class.  Each group needs at least three students.

When you are satisfied with your plan, then one member of the group should
e-mail me the plan with a cc: to each group member.  If you can agree on
the needed steps and settings that is fine.  If not, then please point out
where you disagree. Select a backup person to submit the plan in case the
first person gets sick or something.

Use the Subject line:  CIS 130 (day or eve) Lab 4 - "your groupname"
       
Here's the situation: 
     Your group has a Pentium 100 MHz PC with 16 MB RAM and 500 MB hard
disk. You want to use it to connect to hills with some telecom shareware
for dial-up terminal sessions (NOT a network or slip/ppp connection). 
Your computer runs Windows 95.  It has two built-in serial ports, with
COM1 used for the mouse. There is nothing currently on COM2.  They have
the default interrupts.  Someone got upset with Windows Plug and Play and
has disabled it, so you will need to configure your system manually.  Your
computer does not have a modem.  Your office does have a phone line. You
have access to a copy of some dialup terminal telecommunications software,
like Telix 3.22 for DOS or Hyperterm for Win95, and will set it up.
     
The plan should include:

 0. The nickname for your group, and a list of its members.
 1. Specifications for the modem you agree to buy and any other components
(the modem can be external or internal, but you can get just one). 
 2. Steps to install/connect the modem to your PC for you OS.  Be sure to
include which serial port and interrupt you use, and how you can check for
problems. Where is the UART for your configuration?
 3. Important settings for communication software defaults, including: 
                serial port
                maximum DTE speed, 
                number of start, stop, parity, and data bits
                flow control
                terminal emulation
 NOTE: For this, I am looking not for specific telecom software commands
       to setup a feature, but the value you would set the feature to. 
 4. Testing the connection: (using a few AT commands) 
         how to test that the telecom software and the modem are talking. 
         how to test dialing out and logging into your hills account. 
 5. Other important configuration
         what is a modem initialization string? 
         what is a dialing directory entry and how does it save time? 
 6a. How long would it take to send a 115,200 byte data file at 14,400 bps
asynchronously (without compression)? 
 6b. If the modem to modem speed is 28,800 bps, and it sends 3400 signal
changes per second, about how many bits per baud are being sent. 
 6c. If the DTE speed is 28,800, and the modems can do compression, how
long would it take to send the data file. 

 7.  Also include a sentence on how it was to work together, both face to
face, and via e-mail.  Did you notice a difference ?