Systemetrics Inc.

Systemetrics sells and supports MultiTech ZDX-series modems, pre-configured and tested for use with PageMate. If you have a MultiTech ZDX-series modem from any other source, you can set it up for use with PageMate (consistent with data communications standards in North America) by connecting to the modem's serial port with a terminal or terminal emulator and typing the following commands

AT&F0
ATM0X0&E0&E3&E13&E14%E5$E0&D0
AT$MB1200$SB1200$BA0&W0
ATS0=0S7=60&W0

Terminate each line with a carriage return. The modem should reply "OK" after each line is entered.

Lest we leave you with the impression that you must have a MultiTech modem for use with PageMate, let us dispell the notion by telling you that many people use many other modem brands and models. One of the most popular and widely-used alternates is U.S. Robotics (3Com). Setup of a U.S. Robotics modem can be complicated by the fact that different models may use different command sets. But for setup of a U.S. Robotics 56K FAX modem, we suggest using the following as a starting point for a command string to initialize the modem NVRAM:

AT&F1X3&H3&K0&M0&N2&R1&U1&W0

The most important common objective in setting up any modem for use with paging is to first reset the modem to factory defaults, and then

Disable error correction
Disable data compression
Enable verbose command response
Set the modem to operate at a fixed speed at1200 baud

Depending on what factory defaults are provided with a modem, there may be other characteristics that might also need to be changed. After all required changes have been made, the modem characteristics should be saved in NVRAM so they become the power-on defaults for the modem.

If you are or will be using PageMate Server or PageMate Workstation on Windows NT, you should know that it is important that your modem not be configured under Windows NT. This may be counter-intuitive, but it is necessary to keep Windows NT from trying to manage the modem (in conflict with PageMate's control of the modem). Too many cooks spoil the broth. For additional information, see PageMate Windows NT Server Application Note #1.

If you are or will be using PageMate Server on OpenVMS, you should know that you can connect modems to your OpenVMS system via a terminal server using reverse LAT or any other communications protocol that provides a persistent connection through a pre-defined device or pseudo-device name. Additional information about setting up modems for reverse LAT connection under OpenVMS is provided in Appendices in the PageMate OpenVMS Server User's Guide.

Whatever brand and model of modem you use, and whatever method you use to connect it or them (up to 10 modems) to your PageMate Server system, you should be aware that PageMate modems must be dedicated for use by PageMate. They cannot be shared with any other applications or used for any purpose other than paging.

After setting up your modem and connecting it to your PageMate Server system, you can perform a simple and very useful test to demonstrate connectivity between your computer and your modem. The basic steps to perform in this test are:

From a display window on your PageMate Server system, use an appropriate tool or software facility provided with your operating system to establish a connection to the port through which your modem is connected. On Windows NT, the tool you use might be HyperTerminal. On UNIX, it might be cu or kermit. On OpenVMS, it might be the SET HOST/DTE command.
Type the characters "AT", followed by a carriage return. Within 2 seconds after you type AT<cr>, you should see an "OK" reply from the modem.
If your connection to the modem port is stable (does not automatically disconnect), and if you receive an OK response from the modem, you can be reasonably assured that you have a good communications path between your PageMate Server system and the modem, and that the modem is powered up and working. If you do not receive an OK response from the modem, you can be reasonably certain that there is a communications problem that must be resolved before you can proceed with the installation and use of PageMate.

This test will not prove anything about the appropriate setup of NVRAM characteristics in your modem, but it will, at least, prove that you have communications between your computer and your modem, a simple but necessary prerequisite that can be easily overlooked.