From hoffmann@MIT.EDU Wed Jul 11 11:58:45 1990
From: hoffmann@MIT.EDU (Ron M. Hoffmann)
Date: Wed, 11 Jul 90 11:39:26 -0400
To: staff@ATHENA.MIT.EDU
Subject: testers for new modem pool settings

We have been working with Telecommuncations Systems
to enhance the incoming 5ESS modem pool facilities
and correct bugs in the behaviour of the modems.

The following have been implemented in a small "test
pool" which you are invited to help test before the
settings are propagated to the main modem pool that
users see by default:

   1. These modems will be dedicated to incoming-only
      service which permits their functionality to
      be optimized.  For example, we will now be able
      to support incoming MNP connections.  MNP stands
      for "Microcom Networking Protocol" (probably TM),
      a scheme for error detection and correction, and
      data compression, depending on the level supported
      by your modem.  The ones in the pool support
      levels 1-5 inclusive; level 5 includes compression
      which can make a 2400 b/s connection have an
      effective throughput of 4800 b/s.

   2. Some bugs in the firmware have been fixed
      so that handshaking with the digital side of
      the pool now works correctly.  The user-visible
      part of this is that the CPT banner will now
      be visible to modem users.  This will now make
      this message useful for informational purposes.

TO USE THE POOL to call Athena, use 258-6125 instead of
258-7000.  This will connect you to the cisco CPTs through
the test pool instead of the production pool.

THE TEST MODEM POOL CONTAINS ONLY THREE (3) MODEMS.  YOU
WILL GET A BUSY SIGNAL IF ALL OF THEM ARE IN USE.

THE SETTINGS ON THESE MODEMS ARE GUARANTEED TO BE CONSISTENT
ONLY BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 6PM AND 6AM; AT&T staff may
alter settings during business hours to experiment with
other options but will restore the test settings before
leaving for the day.

Send your bug reports to bug-pad@mit.edu .  Please don't send
reports like "Kermit doesn't work" without lots of backup
information about your software/hardware and the circumstances
of the failure, or we won't have a prayer of trying to
replicate your problem.

Last, but not least, thanks very much for trying out the new
settings if you can.

-Dennis Baron,
 Ron Hoffmann