"David C. Ables" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > I'm a debian newbie stuck with an annoying winmodem, so I'm about to buy an > external modem for my system. (the diamond supraexpress 56e has been > recommended to me.) > > my question is whether linux supports usb modems. the hardware-howto only > mentions serial and internal modems, and I know usb is just making its way > into the linux kernel.
There is some support for SOME USB modems. Unfortunately yours is on the list as "not supported". You can read up on the support yourself on http://www.linux-usb.org. It's not trivial for a newbie to add USB support to a stock 2.2.x kernel that comes with potato. You either have to get the kernel source for a 2.2.x kernel and apply the USB backport patch (available via the aforementioned web page), or install a 2.3.x "development" kernel. > I'd also be interested in modem recommendations. I'd like eventually to set > up my linux box as a ppp server when I eventually get a cablemodem. Well, while it's probably a bit pricey I have an externl USR 56k Voicemodem. It supports USB *OR* serial and since I use the serial connection it works like a champ with Win98 or Linux. Maybe there are other modems that have dual connections (serial and USB)? I'd get one of those. USB support for Linux is still under development. Gary
