Modem chipsets on High Definition Audio (HDA) cards =========================================== This is an increasing popular type of audio card, which may host one of a variety of modem chips on the audio card Subsystem. These modems are prevalent within newer PCs. As of January 2009, there are three cases with respect to Linux support. These can be usually be distinguished under Linux by the ALSA (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture) diagnostics written to the /proc/asound/ subfolders. 1) The first case family have in common a Silicon Instruments Si3054 "base" chip with a typical diagnostic file /proc/asound/card0/codec#1 including initial lines like: -------------------------- Codec: Generic 11c1 Si3054 Address: 1 Vendor Id: 0x11c13026 -------------------------- wherein 11c1 is the chip manufacture designation and 3026 one of the chips 11c1 produces. Manufacturer information is written on the Si3054 base, showing final chip designations currently among one of: 163c3055 163c3155 11c13026 11c13055 11c13155 10573055 10573057 10573155 11063288 15433155 18540018 . These designations specify the software to be used under Microsoft. But under Linux, this 3rd case family are supported at a "low level" by a single audio+modem driver, snd-hda-intel, which is included in the ALSA code. The driver accesses the modem chip most directly. But most of the higher level COMM functionalities are provided by a non-driver utility "slmodemd", which will be described in more detail below. There is service for both Intel and x86_64 architectures, even though slmodemd utility must be compiled with 32 bit resources. 2) The second class is comprized of two chips manufactured by 14f1 (Conexant designation) whose file /proc/asound/card0/codec#1 file includes lines like: -------------------------- Codec: Conexant ID 2bfa Address: 1 Vendor Id: 0x14f12bfa -------------------------- reporting the modem chip 14f12bfa . This chip and a newer 14f12c06 chip can only be supported through the hsfmodem software from http://www.linuxant.com. The test installation only provides for 14,400 mH speed. A software key must be purchased for $25 USA, to activate full speed service, but it is good for all future kernel updates. There is support for both Intel and AMD (x86_64) processor architectures. Unfortunately there is currently no support for x86_64 motherboards. However installations for Intel motherboards which typically work on x86_64 boards, and there on will support modem usage. 3) The 3nd case is 11c11040 chip manufactured by LSI Inc (which absorbed the former 11c1 designation of Agere Systems Inc.) with a diagnostic report like: -------------------------- Codec: LSI ID 1040 Address: 1 Vendor Id: 0x11c11040 -------------------------- There is software provided by LSI from which a driver pair agrmodem + agrserial can be compiled. The first kernels supported were the 2.6.21 releases. Volunteers have been able to update the Open Source code components for support upto 2.6.27 series kernels. For details see: http://linmodems.technion.ac.il/packages/ltmodem/11c11040/ Currently these drivers cannot serve kernel + modules installations specific for x86_64 motherboards, because the agrmodem driver has a precompiled 32 bit component which cannot be be incorporated into 64 bit drivers. However these motherboards do typically function with kernel + module sets for Intel architecture motherboards, with some minor lose in overall performance. The AC'97 modem family - to follow ==================== On Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 3:48 PM, Marvin Stodolsky <marvin.stodolsky@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: > Andrew, > > Re: I'd love to find all the winmodem drivers >currently< available for Linux, > A worth while endeavor, but the question really should be "which > chipsets have drivers under Linux, for which processors, up to which > kernel release??". > > Essentially all the answers are embedded within my scanModem utility, > but are not user friendly to readout, unless you are already literate > in bash scripts. Herein I'll provide a cartoon explanation, and time > permitting it may be made more robust in the future. The primary goal > herein is to correct some mis-conceptions in > http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=82608. > > MarvS, scanModem maintainer > > INTRODUCTION > > 1) It is not possible to write drivers for winmodems from scratch, > because Proprietary information on the chipsets will not be provided > by the chipset manufacturers. They are making their Profits by > selling a combined package of chipset hardware + supporting Microsoft > compatible software to modem assemblers. > > Nethertheless, over the years, some have provided some free support > for Linux. Typically there is a pre-compiled and hence encrypted > component, which protects critical Proprietary information, including > Copyrighted compression protocols and information on detailed chipset > design hardware. It is usually independent of kernel version. This > pre-compiled component is typically 0.5-1 MB in size, and the largest > code component, There is an additionally an Open Source (though > usually still Proprietary) component , which must be updated with > changes in the Linux kernel code. Fortunately, there has been a > dispersed crew of Linux volunteers (to be later acknowledged) that > have been able to keep most modem chipsets serviceable, given minimal > initial Linux support from the chipset manufacturers. > > What is the best role for Ubuntu? Ubuntu cannot be expected to write > drivers. However it would be beneficial if someone from Ubuntu were > assigned to track how their special kernel changes affect ongoing > modem services. For example, there was service for the Agere/LSI > 11c11040 chipset under the 2.6.24 kernels, which has been lost under > the Ubuntu variant of the snd-hda-intel code for 2.6.25 and later > kernels. > Additionally, serviceable drivers could be put in .deb packages for > easiest installation. > > # End Introduction, specific chipset cases to follow. > > > > > > On Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 3:38 AM, andrew /// <andrewonthenet@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: >> Hi, I've just been reading this > >> http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=82608 > thread at the ubuntu >> forum "winmodem out of the box?" with a poll >> and I'd love to find all the winmodem drivers >currently< available for Linux, >> I'ma check all the driver sites and was just wondering if you have a >> database/list of all the drivers that have worked over the years? ( It >> certainly looked like you did, by what was said while I ran scanModem >> ) >> any help/advice you can give me would be much appreciated, thanx >> >
