Thank you very much for the quality response. I think I have a better
understanding now of the new product.
To clarify one last point. I believe I understand that Livingston will
use their existing analog modem code and incorporate just "The 56K
Modulation Code" from lucent.
If this is correct then one of my greatest fears is put to rest. I was
concerned that the entire modem code was being replaced, and as such we
would be back at the starting gate, like the inital release of of OS for
the PM3.
We did have some PPP and other assorted problems with the first
release of the code (Some of our normal users could not handshake
properly/would connect but did not have routing etc), but as we only had a
small pool of testers working with us on that new code, it was not a
serious situation. Those problems were cleared up and the PM3's have
served us well.
I do expect some problems/changes in the K56Flex code as it is put to the
test, but did not want to face problems with our normal modem users.
Again, thanks for the quality answer and this reafirms my decision to
stick with the Livingston product.
Regards,
Steve Haynes
CEO ExisNet, Inc.
1-757-552-1009
On Sat, 19 Apr 1997, Joe Sasek wrote:
>Hi Steve, I'll attempt to answer your questions below:
>
>>>Well I just sent out the first notice to those of you who registered for the
>>>K56flex upgrade. So you should see it soon, if not already.
>>
>>
>>I am glad we at least have some sort of date now. We have, as I am sure
>>ALL PM3 users, been beat up on getting 56k going.
>>
>>We have lots of questions that need to be answered so we can make quality
>>decisions on the deployment of these new DSP's:
>>
>> 1. As the notice got out 2 weeks late, does that mean we will hear
>> something (get our tracking number) in 2-4 weeks?
>
>Yes.
>
>> 2. Does receiving the tracking number mean it has been shipped? If
>> not how long after should we receive it. We have many many
>> customers that are beating us up on the x2/k56 issue and I would
>> like to be able to give them a date that we hope to have it online.
>> We registered very early and our # is 18, so I assume we should get
>> ours in the first group??
>
>We're not sure of the _exact_ shipping dates as of yet. The 56K stuff is not
>officially in beta as of yet. Things are progressing day to day and its
>really difficult to give an _exact_ date. Our objective and plan is to get
>everyone the upgrade in as close to real time once the product is production
>ready. I expect official early beta testing to begin as early as late next week.
>
>> 3. I am assuming that we will receive a NEW operating system with the
>> new cards for the PM-3's that has the new modem code....and will
>> this new code have already been alpha/beta tested by
>> lucent/livingston?
>
>Absolutely! As hopefully our history and reputation prove, we will not ship
>something that is not ready for prime time. Obviously there are operational
>environments that will be difficult to replicate in our labs ;-) but we
>won't _rush_ this out the door. We will sacrifice time to market for
>quality, this time and every time if necessary.
>
>> 4. Will Livingston be able to make modem code changes for these new
>> cards, or will we have to wait for lucent to release bug fixes for
>> the DSP's?
>
>I think the "bad rap" or concern in this area comes from modems that we're
>integrated via ROM (read only memory) implementations in the past. This
>solution _is_ a completely RAM based DSP and in that way _exactly_ as the
>current standard. Our development relationship with Lucent will allow us to
>provide and "modem fixes" that are possibly needed in a very time efficient
>fashion.
>
>> Livingston was VERY responsive during the PM3 release, because it
>> was livingstons modem code.
>
>Thank You! Hopefully we're _always_ VERY responsive!
>
>> 5. Is the code for the new Lucent DSP cards going to be
>> livingston or lucent code for the DSP's? If it is Lucents code,
>> will Livingston be able to make changes to fit the PM3's DSP's??
>
>The modem modulation code is Lucent code. We have the ability to manipulate
>_any_ code specific to the PM3.
>
>>I am sure you can tell we are VERY concerned about the NEW modem code for
>>the DSP's. We were in a position of only offering the digital modems to a
>>small group of TESTERS (That could be redirected back to our main dialin
>>modems if thay had problems connecting to the PM3's) when we purchased our
>>first PM3's. Now the PM3's are in our ring down from our analog lines and
>>are used hard EVERY day.
>
>I'll take this as a great compliment. Livingston not being a modem company
>faced significant competitive skepticism that we could deliver the PM3
>design as it had been promised to customers. Many of you that waited for
>PM3's to be delivered definitely I think we're concerned that we'd be a good
>modem solution provider as well. Our objective with the new modems is that
>they be of equal or better quality both from a performance and inter
>operability perspective of they won't get out the door. The beta process
>will help to prove this, and the news (as it always does)! will travel very
>quickly via this group I'm sure ;-)
>
>>As everyone remembers there were lots of problems with the first batches
>>of code for the PM3, and it took awhile before the code was stable for all
>>to use.
>
>What do you mean lot's ;-( I actually think if you consider the problems
>that existed before PM3 with modems), that we've made a quantum leap in
>designing out what had been acceptable bad modem designs. I get your point
>though loud and clear!
>
>>Because all of our PM3's are production units now, we will not have the
>>ability to segment the NEW code to testers only.
>
>Point taken.
>
>>Will the code that will be shipped with the new DSP's have been tested
>>by Livingston/Lucent prior to release with the new boards??
>
>Again absolutely as described above.
>
>>Thank you in advance for taking the time to give quality answers to our
>>questions. We will use your response to make VERY important decisions on
>>how we deploy these new cards.
>
>Thanks for providing me a forum to answer these questions that are likely of
>interest to a great number of those on the list!
>
>>Regards,
>>
>>Steve Haynes
>>CEO ExisNet, Inc.
>>1-757-552-1009
>
>Regards,
>
>Joe Sasek
>--------
>==================================================================
>Livingston Enterprises, Inc. Joe Sasek
>4464 Willow Road V.P. Sales & Marketing
>Pleasanton, CA 94588 joe@livingston.com
>http://www.livingston.com/ (800) 458-9966
>(510) 426-0770 Phone (510) 426-8951 Fax
>==================================================================
>