There are a few different types of modems out on the market nowadays. The three most common are hardware modems, Controller less modems and software modems.

1. Hardware modems
All hardware based modems contain all essential parts making it capable of handling all of the communication process by itself. The only information would be required from the computer's operating system is to tell the modem what number it is calling, when to make the call and when to hang up. Hardware based modems work with every operating system from Apple Macintosh, DOS, All versions of Windows and UNIX. Because all the communication is up to the modem it often handles bad/fluctuating phone line conditions much better than software based modems.

A hardware based modem does not rely on the computer's CPU to do the processing of the information to send over the net. A Hardware modem requires nothing more from the computer's CPU after it is connected. Hence, it is much better at sending and receiving packet information and correcting errors. All external modems are hardware modems which connect to your system's serial port through a cable.

2. Controller less Modems
A controller less modem would still contains a hardware data pump but does all its Data Controller functions in software. This has two main advantages. The first advantage is s that by excluding one of the main chips from the modem it cuts the cost for producing those modems by $20 to $30. It makes it cheaper for you to buy. The second is that the modem can be more easily upgraded to newer firmware by simply installing new software provided by the manufacturer.

Thee main disadvantage is that because a major part of the modem is based in software, it is required that your computer be specifically running a specific operation system like Windows 95/98 type to work properly. These modems may not work in Window NT 4 or 2000 environments and will not work in any Linux or UNIX based operating system. Additionally, a controller less modem sometimes has difficulties with phone lines that are not optimal or have frequent changes in conditions causing slowdowns, disconnections or even not being able to negotiate a connection.

3. Software Modems:
In these modems, both the Data Pump and the Data Controller are removed from the modem and emulated in software. Now the modem contains only the basic circuitry to connect to the telephone network. Nearly every other function is done by the computer and the CPU. Because the modem is now depending on software, conditions are programmed into the software to tell the modem how to react under various circumstances. If a condition on a phone line does not match a condition it is programmed with the modem reacts very poorly causing disconnects, slow connections, constant retains and often achingly slow speeds.

If you have any of these types of problems your first action should be to locate a firmware or driver update which may have more programmed variables then your current version. These modems do cause more problems but as they are inexpensive to manufacture and incredibly cheap to sell, they still continue to be a part of modem market.

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