Configuring a 3COM Impact IQ ISDN MODEM under Windows 95

• Requirements:
  • 3COM Impact IQ
  • Windows 95
  • Axxon Softport+ / Dualport+ 16650 / 16750 I/O card

• Summary of steps to optimize Axxon product with 3COM modem :
  • Install the board and the drivers. Connect the external 3COM modem to the Axxon Communication Port.
  • Set the Axxon Serial Port Device (Com x) to 115200 in Windows 95. Send command to switch 3COM modem to use 230K.
  • Configure the 3COM Impact IQ Modem and Axxon Serial Port for 230K transfer rates.

• Detailed Procedure :
  1. Start up HyperTerminal, or any other terminal communications program.
  2. If you are using HyperTerminal, a window will appear titled 'Phone Number' requesting a phone number. To bypass this step, use the 'Connect Using' option in this window and click on the right arrow and select the COM port that the 3ComImpact IQ is connected to (i.e.: 'Axxon Serial Port Device (Comx)'). Click on OK.
  3. In the next window, titled 'Axxon Serial Port Device (COMx) Properties', you'll need to change the Baud Rate to 115200. We will change this setting later to a higher baud rate once the Impact IQ is initialized for 230400 baud rate.
  4. You should now be at a blank screen with a blinking cursor in the upper left hand corner. The PWR and DTR LEDs on the modem should both be ON. Next, type ATZ and press [RETURN]. You should receive an OK response. If you receive something else, there may be another issue at hand that may require troubleshooting. If you don't receive any type of a response, please exit Hyperterminal (do not save the session you have just created), re-enter Hyperterminal again, and follow the above steps again.
  5. Type AT$B230400 and press [Enter]. This will switch the 3COM modem to use 230K baudrate to / from the host PC.
  6. Now the 3COM Impact IQ is configured to talk at 230,400 baud until the modem is reset.
  7. Since the host PC is communicating with the modem at 115,200 baud instead of 230,400 baud which the modem is now intialized for, the modem will appear to be NOT working.
  8. In HyperTerminal, click on 'File', and then select 'Properties'. Next, click on the 'Configure...' tab. Click on the 'Maximum Speed' selection, and change it from 115200 baudrate to 230400 baudrate. Next, click on the 'OK' tab until you are in the terminal screen where you can type AT commands.
  9. Type ATZ and press [Enter]. You should see an OK response.
  10. Next type AT\S to confirm that the modem is set to 230400 for the serial baudrate. A value of 230400 should be displayed on the screen in one of the columns.
  11. Doing the next step saves the disabled auto-bauding. If for some reason you ever need to re-enable auto-bauding, simply type AT$B0 in HyperTerminal or your communications program. This will re-enable the auto-bauding on your Impact IQ. Once you do this, the modem will stop responding since you will be talking to it at 230,400 baud instead of 115,200 baud for which it will now be set.
  12. Type AT&W and press [Enter] to save the configuration to the 3COM Impact IQ.
  13. Exit HyperTerminal.
  14. If you don't already have a Dial-Up Networking (under Start, Programs, Accessories) entry for your Impact IQ, create a new connection by selecting the 'Make New Connection' icon. You can provide a name which makes sense for your connection, such as 'Internet - ISDN'. When it says 'Select a modem', you will need to select the 3ComImpact IQ 230K option. Click on the CONFIGURE button and confirm the Baudrate is set to 230400 and press OK. Click NEXT. When asked for a phone number, enter the number for your ISDN provider or another ISDN connection and then click NEXT. Then, click on FINISH.
  15. If you already have your Impact IQ installed and working with Dial-Up Networking (under Start, Programs, Accessories), please bring up Dial-Up-Networking, highlight the entry which uses the Impact IQ (click on it once), and click on 'File, Properties'. Next, make sure that 3ComImpact IQ 230K is selected under 'Connect Using:'. Next, click on 'Configure...' and verify that the maximum speed is set to 230400 baudrate.
  16. Connect to an ISDN connection (Such as the Internet).

      Notes:

      • If you have to turn the modem off or reset it at any time, you will need to get back into HyperTerminal (or another communications program), reset the modem to autobaud mode by typing AT$B0, and then reset it back to 230400 by following the steps in this document again. This is a known issue that will be resolved in the next release of the firmware for the 3ComImpact IQ modem (which is currently in beta with a final date that is unknown at this time.)
      • The performance increase created by this patch does not increase the ISDN rate to 230K.
      • It increases the DTE (the transmission from the Impact IQ to your PC) speed to 230K. This is an increase from 115K.
      • At 115K, your ISDN can be communicating at 128K to your ISP, but it will only transfer to your PC at 115K.