Hello,

I want to be able to hookup 5+ modems to one PC can this be
done and how?

I can not fit 5+ modems in my current pc so is there a way that I can
get something like a pc case or something to hold say 5-10 modem
that I can control from one pc?

any ideas?

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Request for Question Clarification by cynthia-ga on 08 Apr 2006 00:25 PDT

Why do you want 5 modems hooked up to one computer?

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Clarification of Question by jetes-ga on 08 Apr 2006 00:35 PDT

I want to as I still use dial up and I have 6 phone lines in my office for one.

Also I want to test to see multiple times when my employees answer the
phones and when they do not.

Hope this helps

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Clarification of Question by jetes-ga on 08 Apr 2006 00:37 PDT

This way I do not have to keep to unplug the lines all the time

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Request for Question Clarification by sublime1-ga on 08 Apr 2006 01:06 PDT

See if this page from WikiHow helps:
http://wiki.ehow.com/Set-Up-a-Home-PC-With-Multiple-Modems-and-Phone-Lines

Let me know...

sublime1-ga

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Clarification of Question by jetes-ga on 08 Apr 2006 01:16 PDT

I seen this page as well..

It show only two modems to one pc. I will need 5+ or so to be
controled by one pc. So this means some other type of hardware.. A
Modem server, or something that can hold 5 modems or a ISA card modem
that has 5+ modem lines available.

5 is the very min. that I need.

Thank you for your help so far.

Dear jetes,


A conglomeration of several modems is called a modem bank. The specialized
hardware you need to set up a modem bank is called a modem chassis. This
is essentially a box with many slots into which you can plug modem cards.


To give you an idea of what a modem chassis looks like and how much
you can expect to pay for one, here is a current listing from eBay for
a seven-slot chassis made by Microcom, which was one of the foremost
manufacturers in the heyday of modem banks.

eBay: Compaq 6100 M1 7-Slot Microcom 178680-001 Fully Loaded
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5817214572&category=51210


If you search for the word "chassis" on the following page, you will
find listings for several 16-slot modem chassis from Microcom. Because
modem banks are an obsolescent technology with little demand nowadays,
you will most likely have to buy a used modem chassis.

DCE Express: Microcom Legacy Products
http://www.dceexpress.com/Microcom_Legacy.htm


Another name for a modem chassis is "modem rack". The following product
listing includes several Microcom 16-slot racks, along with Microcom
modem cards. National Data Mux, the company selling these and other
used networking products, will send you a catalog if you fill out their
web form.

National Data Mux: Microcom Products
http://www.nationaldatamux.com/microcom.htm

National Data Mux: Brochure Request Page
http://www.nationaldatamux.com/brochure.htm


Another dealer in modem racks and modem cards is Modem Express, which
sells all the major brands, including Microcom.

Modem Express: About
http://www.modemexpress.com/about.htm

Modem Express: Contact
http://www.modemexpress.com/contact.htm


A good alternative to setting up a standalone modem rack is the 
Rapidport/4 modem from Digi. The Rapidport/4 is a single unit that 
contains four integrated modems. It plugs into your PC's USB port,
and it also has a port that lets you hook up additional Rapidport/4 
units. You can link up to five of these units for a total of 20 modems
on a single PC.

    The Rapidport/4 four-port USB modem module is a flexible USB based
    remote access solution for Windows platforms. This external,
    user-installable solution plugs into an existing USB port of a
    PC, thin client or server, providing four 56K V.92 modems.

    With its built-in USB hub, you can daisy-chain up to five
    Rapidport/4 units for up to 20 modems from a single USB port
    on your PC or server.  Rapidport/4 gives network users access
    to ISP, fax and other dial-up applications supported by Windows
    operating systems.

Digi: Rapidport/4 USB Modems
http://www.digi.com/products/usb/rapidport4.jsp


Finally, you can buy multiport modem cards with room to plug in up to
eight modems, which you must buy separately.

Comtrol: RocketModem Multimodem Products
http://www.comtrol.com/products/rocketmodem.asp

Digi: AccelePort RAS Family
http://www.digi.com/products/multiportserialcards/acceleportrasfamily.jsp

MultiTech Systems: MultiModem ISI
http://multitech.com/PRODUCTS/Families/MultiModemISI/

PC Micro: Digital Multi-Modem Cards for Server Based Remote Access
http://pcmicro.com/patton/2977/

Perle: PCI-RAS 4 and 8 Multi-Modem Cards
http://www.perle.com/products/prod_family/modem_cards/index.html


It has been a pleasure to answer your question. If you have any concerns
about the completeness or accuracy of my research, please advise me
through a Clarification Request and give me a chance to fully meet your
needs before you rate this answer.

Regards,

leapinglizard


Search strategy:

modem bank pc
://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=modem+bank+pc&btnG=Search&meta=

microcom modem chassis
://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=microcom+modem+chassis&btnG=Search&meta=

multimodem card
://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=multimodem+card&btnG=Search&meta=

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Request for Answer Clarification by jetes-ga on 12 Apr 2006 21:00 PDT

My question is..

If I go with the Compaq 6100 M1 7-Slot Microcom on ebay how can I
control if with a second PC running windows.

Also will I be able to use multiple dial up windows (Phone dialers)
with the pc running WIndows XP.

Also does the Compaq 6100 M1 7-Slot Microcom run any software or is it all hardware?

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Clarification of Answer by leapinglizard-ga on 14 Apr 2006 08:04 PDT

The Microcom modem chassis is a piece of hardware with embedded
low-level software. To control it from your PC, however, you will need
high-level modem-pooling software such as ModemServe from PC Micro. I
do not know if ModemServe in particular supports that modem chassis,
but you can call PC Micro at 1-805-493-8388 to ask about hardware
compatibility. I do know that ModemServe works with external USB
modems such as the Rapidport/4, and with internal modem cards such as
the ones I mention above.

PC Micro: ModemServe
http://pcmicro.com/modemserve/

leapinglizard

Phone company web site?  Old telephone equipment?

Industrial Computer Source used to sell extension cabinets for
computer running out of slots.

No luck just check there..

Not sure I have seen some things on ebay called modem servers?

Can they be controled by WIN XP by eithernet or Com ports?

Any ideas maybe this would work

We used to use Digicom boards - 16 COM ports per board

You could probably use USB with hubs and USB <-> RS232 converters

Realistically your exchange hardware probably has an RS232 port that
piles out information for diagnosis

- a pal of mine bought a fairly standard exchange, and looked into the
diagnostics port - he now monitors everything
- the suppliers are interested in his software

I can't see how using modems will help you with call monitoring
... unless you have no exchange, just six straight lines, and want to
pick up calls and shove them into a voice mail system.