Anyone here familiar with the Xircom 28.8K PCMCIA modem?

I haven't used a 28.8K (or > 14,4k) modem prior to this, so is it always
that difficult to set up for a 28.8K connection? I don't remember it
being such a problem when I started using 14.4k. My problem is
difficulty with a consistent high speed connection. I have tried
gradually going up the scale and the most consistent connection I can
get is 21600 LAP-M V42bis.

I think the problem is probably due to the phone line but twice already
Telstra has said the line checked out fine. I once got a beautiful 26400
without error correction or compression (is this possible ?) that lasted
for hours but most times I get a 26400 LAP-M v42bis that would drop off
after minutes.


Anyway, I have a few queries regarding high speed modem in general:

1) What is the major difference between v32bis and v34 at 14.4k? Is v34
more reliable?

2) Should I enable v32/v32bis/v34 automatic retrain?
   -the modem has one switch for v32 and one for v32/v32bis/v32terbo.

3) Should I enable MNP5?

4) Should I enable auto-fallback?
   -BTW how do I know if auto falback is in action? Does the modem make
   a handshake noise?

5) What is the difference between reliable and auto-reliable v42?

6) Should I enable Trellis encoding? (What does this do anyway)

7) I use this mainly for Internet so should I turn this on: Conditional
data compression. A LAP-M connection negotiates v42bis. An MNP
connection does not negotiate MNP5 data compression.

8) When a high speed modem is handshaking and finds that the line is not
up to scratch, in what sequence does it drop back? eg does it go
28.8k+EC+Data compression -> 28.8k without EC/compression or straight to
26400+EC+compression? I'm curious because I have EC+compression set all
the time but when I check the statistics I sometimes get a connection
without EC or compression. I thought that the modem would have
preferentially chosen a slower speed.

Thanks.

mslim{at}ne.com.au

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