Posted: 2/22/2009 8:24:05 AM EDT
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Old School Networking Question: I need to connect two computers together using their 56k dialup modems. They will both be using XP Pro. When connected, the connection must look to the computer like a standard network connection. It has been a very long time since I have used a dialup modem (pre XP days), but I am pretty sure that your connection to dialup internet looks similar to broadband from the view in the network connections control panel. I would also appreciate not needing to fake a dial tone, or even actually have to dial a number. It would be nice if the modems just "assumed" that they were already connected and immediately began talking to each other. I really hope that I don not need to write a custom driver for this project.  I will put up more details about the project along with pictures of what I am working on if anyone is really interested.  Does anyone have any good ideas? MAX |
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Quoted:
Old School Networking Question: I need to connect two computers together using their 56k dialup modems. They will both be using XP Pro. When connected, the connection must look to the computer like a standard network connection. It has been a very long time since I have used a dialup modem (pre XP days), but I am pretty sure that your connection to dialup internet lookes similar to broadband from the view in the network connections control panel. I would also apreciate not needing to fake a dial tone, or even actually have to dial a number. It would be nice if the modems just "assumed" that they were already connected and immidiately began talking to each other. I really hope that I don not need to write a custom driver for this project.
I will put up more details about the project along with pictures of what I am working on if anyone is really interested.
Does anyone have any good ideas? MAX Just Sneakernet the Info over on a Floppy Diskette....(Old School Solution) |
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Quoted:
Why? this. why do you NEED to connect them with a phone line? Why not add a second/third/fouth ethernet card to each computer and get a cross-over cable? Then all you do is plug them together, set permissions and you've created a tiny network. You can get all the parts at best buy or even wally world and it's really easy to just plug in the ethernet cards into an empty slot, after you've removed your computer tower's case. 56K data connection (modem) vs MegaBit or GigaBit ethernet - no contest, ethernet wins. |
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OK, time for more information. You guys asked for it! I have a custom application that sends UDP (and some TCP) packets over a LAN between two computers. These computers are not connected to the internet. In fact, they are outside; laptops attached to generators for power. The application works great. Right now there is a wireless router connecting them. The problem is that wireless can only take you so far. These computers need to communicate at ranges exceeding 20 miles. Cell phones are not an option as there is no coverage in the area. Instead we are using high power radio transmitters to send the tones from voice modems over the air. This idea should work, but it is exceedingly difficult to "convince" the computers to form a network over the phone link when there is none of the "services" provided by the phone company. Things that are lacking include a dial tone, phone switch board, etc. MAX |
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Instead we are using high power radio transmitters to send the tones from voice modems over the air. This idea should work, but it is exceedingly difficult to "convince" the computers to form a network over the phone link when there is none of the "services" provided by the phone company.
Isn't there a network protocol that use HAM radio as the medium? You may want to check on the HAM board here. Otherwise if you're just trying to convince your modems that the sounds they are hearing are from phone lines, you should be able to setup the "initiator" to start chirping without waiting for a dial tone, and for the "receiver" to be always on and not waiting for a "ring". If you are asking exactly how to do this under XP, I cannot help with specifics. Again, sorry for the lack of concrete help, WhyTanFox Original post: ...what I really hate about MS operating systems is that everything important is covered with a gloss of eye-candy and wizards. I've set up null-modem networks before, under Win98, but for the life of me cannot figure out how to do it under XP. You may have luck buying a null-modem cable (good luck finding one) and just hooking it up between the serial ports on the back of either PC (if they have serial ports) and banging away at New Network Connection wizards until something works. If you really want to use modems to "dial" into another computer, then I am at a loss.
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When connected, the connection must look to the computer like a standard network connection. As already suggested, using a cross-over ethernet cable is probably your best bet.
Sorry for the lack of help, WhyTanFox |
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Yes, this can be done, I've done it but it's been long enough ago that step by step instruction is impossible for me to provide. In fact, you've got several options, if they're close enough together some of the above wired suggestions will work. If they're distant but phone lines are available you can probably do it using something like Hyperterm, but a targeted software solution that can handle the connection for you would be a better option. Sorry, the names of such software escape me, but this isn't much different than running a game server, or a BBS, over a phone line, both of which I've done in years gone by. But it's been a minimum of 10-12 years since I've been involved in phone line networking and the details have died with their associated brain cells. |
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OK sorry. Your original description did not have sufficient detail. I thought you were just connecting two computers with a modem on a phone line and that's no big deal.
I have connected two computers in the same room via modem without going through the phone. This has been 20 years ago and it was before I had a network. I think there is a way to force a dial and force an answer and once one modem hears the other they negotiate and it works. You should be able to test this easy. It's probably something like an ATDT and an ATA on the other computer. I don't remember but it should be easy to google an AT command set manual and figure it out. At 20mi I have to ask. Do you have LOS? You may have a lot better luck with wireless. It seems odd but this distance is not that bad. |