Registered: Dec 2000
Location: Beaumont, TX, USA
Posts: 388

Maybe a long distance fix...

On a whim while considering the plight of our friends here paying long distance for nightly downloads and using up their line while they have broadband access, I thought of an idea: why not do the following:

1. configure your computer (Win98, 2k, and Linux support this I believe) as a dialup server which hands out a NAT address to incoming call on your now-gathering-dust modem. Make sure there is no username or password required. Have it auto-reset the PPP connection (but not the modem) on 10 minutes idle.

2. configure the computer modem to connect without requiring a ring voltage (can't remember from my BBS days if this entails using the &L1 leased line parameter, ATA, ATH1 for off-hook, or somthing else).

3. Hack the Replay to change the modem init string to disable dialtone detection (X0).

4. Connect the computer and Replay *directly* together (i.e., not through the phone line).

Now, the Replay dials the computer (the computer ignores the dial tones), they negotiate, and the Replay's traffic is routed through the broadband connection.

If rings and dialtones are needed to make this work right, or if hacking the modem init string is too difficult, you could also use a phone line simulator. Viking Electronics (www.vikingelectronics.com) makes one that may do the trick (no pricing on their web site, just found it on a web search). You could also modify a circuit like the one at http://www.hotspot.freeserve.co.uk/...LS/tlsframe.htm (intended for UK POTS, not US).

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Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Orange Park, FL
Posts: 2433

Good idea. I would like to see if someone can make this work. However, doing it without hacking the Replay would be nice.

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Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Green Brook, NJ
Posts: 1484

Just a bump for this thread in case anyone technical would be able to do this. This would be absolutely awesome it would allow me to dump my local phone company (the only reason I have one is b/c of the replay) and rely solely on my cell phone.


Scyber

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Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Mountain View, CA
Posts: 164

quote:

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Originally posted by richardtallent:
3. Hack the Replay to change the modem init string to disable dialtone detection (X0).

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Registered: Oct 2001
Location: ed@justaddpower.net
Posts: 1

ReplayBen is COOL!

Given that this process would eliminate dial-up connect fees, I can understand why somebody "in the know" would give us a hint.

Thanks!

Ed

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Registered: Aug 1999
Location: Austin, TX USA
Posts: 1839

I don't have anything new to add to the technical details, but if this is accomplished I can get rid of my home phone line.

Cheers

------------------
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ReplayTV -- The only one that had firewire...

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Yorba Linda, CA, USA
Posts: 1509

quote:

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Originally posted by ReplayBen:
No need to "hack" the modem init string... pressing ZONES while viewing the Dialing Prefix screen during Setup gets you to the undocumented Modem Settings screen which allows you to set Wait for dial tone (Yes/No), and Dial using (Tone/Pulse).

Ben.

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Registered: Not Yet
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I've designed a circuit to connect the Replay modem to a PC modem. It provides "battery" voltage to both sides and when the Replay comes off hook, it simulates ringing to the PC. When the PC picks up, the ringing stops, and the modems should be able to connect normally.

I should finish building it this weekend, and I'll post here with details.

I have dialed my Win2K PC with the Replay by putting my 2nd phone line number into the dialing prefix, but the Replay sends a long login name and I haven't been able to create a user with the same name.

Other people have had better luck using Linux.

Sean

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Registered: Aug 2000
Location: NJ
Posts: 173

When you connect modem to modem, I don't think you can get 56K connections, can you? I think you are limited to 33.6K.

Not that this is a big deal, just curious.

Space

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Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Bedford, NH USA
Posts: 3801

Pull this one off, Sean, and post instructions here and you will be well-loved indeed.

Still feel like a schmuck letting those boxes dial in every night when I have a perfectly good cablemodem.

'Course, that would mean having to leave a 'pute powered up to handle the PPP connection...

If only someone made a PPP/modem server that would plug directly into an ethernet hub... Yeah, I know, someone probably does, and it probably costs more than a ReplayTV.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Space:
When you connect modem to modem, I don't think you can get 56K connections, can you? I think you are limited to 33.6K.

Not that this is a big deal, just curious.

Space

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I'm not sure- part of the 56K issue is the number of D/A converters in the connection, and there would be zero in this case. I had a USR ISDN modem that I could connect to with a 56K modem at >33.6K, but I'm not sure if 2 standard modems will or not. I guess I'll find out

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quote:

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Originally posted by toots:
Pull this one off, Sean, and post instructions here and you will be well-loved indeed.

Still feel like a schmuck letting those boxes dial in every night when I have a perfectly good cablemodem.

'Course, that would mean having to leave a 'pute powered up to handle the PPP connection...

If only someone made a PPP/modem server that would plug directly into an ethernet hub... Yeah, I know, someone probably does, and it probably costs more than a ReplayTV.

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Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 454

quote:

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Originally posted by seanriddle:
I'm not sure- part of the 56K issue is the number of D/A converters in the connection, and there would be zero in this case. I had a USR ISDN modem that I could connect to with a 56K modem at >33.6K, but I'm not sure if 2 standard modems will or not. I guess I'll find out

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Registered: Dec 2000
Location: Beaumont, TX, USA
Posts: 388

The modem speed is a non-issue... I think my 2020 only has a 33.6kbps modem anyway.

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Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Out there
Posts: 3045

Anyone making any progress with this yet?
Just curious.

-Gary

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Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Austin, TX, USA
Posts: 116

Ok - So I can make my Replay dial my Linux box over my second phone line without a whole lot of work. Setting up Linux to authenticate and serve an IP was not too bad either. TACACS authentication helped with the account name issues so I didn't have to hack the Replay - probably a better solution there somewhere, but I just wanted to get this portion working.

Now - let's get the damn phone lines out of the mix. Anyone out there with any telco experience that can help? I have a "line simulator" in one of the labs at work that should be able to do it, but it's probably a huge investment - serious overkill. I looked at the UK link earlier, and that is more complicated that I want to mess with at this point - I'm looking for a solution that will not require me to breadboard - idealy something cheap and off the shelf.

Lastly, any of the Replay guys want to get involved? I *love* my toy, and would rather have this as a blessed solution - or at least not create too much trouble...


Regards,
jld

ps. Anyone who uses w2k pro as a RAS server, drop me a line - I'd like to see if you can duplicate this without Linux.

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I've got my circuit nearly working- it powers 2 jacks and provides ringing voltage, but I'm trying to get it to automatically ring the PC when the Replay unit goes off hook, and stop when the PC picks up. I'm mostly there- I think just a LM339 away.

I did notice a ring down unit advertised in the latest Jameco catalog (part # 179944). It's from Cambridge Elec Labs (www.camblab.com) in MA and does exactly what's needed for about $80. I'm guessing my circuit built from Radio Shack parts is about half that, and ordering parts from Jameco would be even cheaper, but no assembly required is pretty sweet.

I looked around for other ring down boxes, but I only found ones over $200.

My W2K problem is the length of the login- W2K only seems to allow 20 or 21 characters, which is too short.

Sean

[This message has been edited by seanriddle (edited 02-12-2001).]

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Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Green Brook, NJ
Posts: 1484

Just a bump and a request whether any progress has been made here. If I had the time I would be working on it too.

Scyber

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Just got back from Radio Shack. I've got a shoebox of resistors, but no 560 ohm 1/2 W.... I'll keep you posted.

I still have to config W2K to accept the connection.

Sean

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Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Out there
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quote:

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Originally posted by seanriddle:
Just got back from Radio Shack. I've got a shoebox of resistors, but no 560 ohm 1/2 W.... I'll keep you posted.

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