UPDATE: Seems newer versions of this modem may no longer work. Other sites indicate this may be a country code setting or other issue. See end of post, and comments below.
For a long time, I wanted to be able to run NCID to send caller ID information to my squeezebox, to my MythTV box, to my laptop via growl and NCIDStatusBar, etc – but the hangup was a decent modem. PCI WinModems are largely useless; I have no desire to run binary blobs even if I happen to find one somewhere that works. External serial modems are a possibility but it’s another AC adapter brick, more cables, and heck my server doesn’t even have a serial port.
So I was very pleased to find that Conexant has a new usb chipset (CX93010 + CX20548) which implements the USB CDC (Communication Device Class) standard.
I bought the Rosewill RNX-56USB modem from newegg.com, and with a minor patch, it’s all working beautifully. I find it a bit funny that in the age of fiber to the home, there’s finally a usable hardware modem again.
UPDATE: Steve, in comments below, points out:
Rosewill support confirms that recent shipments of the modem do not report CID due to an unknown change at the manufacturing level. They say it is out of their hands as the modem is not actually made by them.”
Well, that is a bummer indeed, although information seems sketchy at this point. Try making sure you’ve set the proper country code with AT+GCI=
<proper code>, for starters.
Cool! I was just trying to do the exact same thing (CID to squeezebox).
Thanks!
Sweet! Just about ready to ditch my AMD Athlon XP 2100+ and USR RS-232 Sportster and needed a modem solution.
Thank you for introducing me to NCID… I had developed my own custom server(linux)/client(win32), but my server has always been a bit of a “hack”. Now that I have learned about NCID, I will be adapting my client to use it (I’m about an hour or so away from being complete, if that far).
Chris, the NCID author may be interested in your client as well, you should let him know about it too. :)
Yep, we have definitely been chatting about it.
Hey, did you have to do anything special to get the Rosewill RNX-56USB to display callerID data? Seems like despite the AT+VCID=1 init string that I provide, the modem will not display callerid info!
The modem init string I use w/ ncid is:
set initcid = "AT+VCID=1;+GCI?;+MS?"
I just picked up one of these modems to use with ncid and can’t get any caller id’s out of if either. I’ve tried the init string mentioned above, i’ve also tried it on a mac and windows and it never seems to report the called id even though another phone on the same line does.
Any idea what my problem could be?
Steve, not sure … it just worked for me, bummer. Do you have it on the right side of a DSL Filter? :)
The lsusb -v output is this, if it helps at all:
Bus 003 Device 007: ID 0572:1321 Conexant Systems (Rockwell), Inc.
Device Descriptor:
bLength 18
bDescriptorType 1
bcdUSB 1.10
bDeviceClass 2 Communications
bDeviceSubClass 0
bDeviceProtocol 0
bMaxPacketSize0 64
idVendor 0x0572 Conexant Systems (Rockwell), Inc.
idProduct 0x1321
bcdDevice 1.00
iManufacturer 1 Conexant
iProduct 2 USB Modem
iSerial 3 24680246
bNumConfigurations 2
Configuration Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 2
wTotalLength 73
bNumInterfaces 2
bConfigurationValue 1
iConfiguration 0
bmAttributes 0x80
MaxPower 100mA
Interface Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 4
bInterfaceNumber 0
bAlternateSetting 0
bNumEndpoints 1
bInterfaceClass 2 Communications
bInterfaceSubClass 2 Abstract (modem)
bInterfaceProtocol 1 AT-commands (v.25ter)
iInterface 0
Endpoint Descriptor:
bLength 7
bDescriptorType 5
bEndpointAddress 0x81 EP 1 IN
bmAttributes 3
Transfer Type Interrupt
Synch Type None
Usage Type Data
wMaxPacketSize 0x0040 1x 64 bytes
bInterval 128
Interface Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 4
bInterfaceNumber 1
bAlternateSetting 0
bNumEndpoints 2
bInterfaceClass 10 CDC Data
bInterfaceSubClass 0 Unused
bInterfaceProtocol 0
iInterface 0
Endpoint Descriptor:
bLength 7
bDescriptorType 5
bEndpointAddress 0x82 EP 2 IN
bmAttributes 2
Transfer Type Bulk
Synch Type None
Usage Type Data
wMaxPacketSize 0x0040 1x 64 bytes
bInterval 1
Endpoint Descriptor:
bLength 7
bDescriptorType 5
bEndpointAddress 0x02 EP 2 OUT
bmAttributes 2
Transfer Type Bulk
Synch Type None
Usage Type Data
wMaxPacketSize 0x0040 1x 64 bytes
bInterval 1
CDC Header:
bcdCDC 1.10
CDC Call Management:
bmCapabilities 0x03
call management
use DataInterface
bDataInterface 1
CDC ACM:
bmCapabilities 0x07
sends break
line coding and serial state
get/set/clear comm features
CDC Union:
bMasterInterface 0
bSlaveInterface 1
Country Selection:
iCountryCodeRelDate 4 04052004
wCountryCode 0x4803
Configuration Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 2
wTotalLength 96
bNumInterfaces 3
bConfigurationValue 2
iConfiguration 0
bmAttributes 0x80
MaxPower 100mA
Interface Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 4
bInterfaceNumber 0
bAlternateSetting 0
bNumEndpoints 1
bInterfaceClass 2 Communications
bInterfaceSubClass 2 Abstract (modem)
bInterfaceProtocol 1 AT-commands (v.25ter)
iInterface 0
Endpoint Descriptor:
bLength 7
bDescriptorType 5
bEndpointAddress 0x81 EP 1 IN
bmAttributes 3
Transfer Type Interrupt
Synch Type None
Usage Type Data
wMaxPacketSize 0x0040 1x 64 bytes
bInterval 128
Interface Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 4
bInterfaceNumber 1
bAlternateSetting 0
bNumEndpoints 2
bInterfaceClass 10 CDC Data
bInterfaceSubClass 0 Unused
bInterfaceProtocol 0
iInterface 0
Endpoint Descriptor:
bLength 7
bDescriptorType 5
bEndpointAddress 0x82 EP 2 IN
bmAttributes 2
Transfer Type Bulk
Synch Type None
Usage Type Data
wMaxPacketSize 0x0040 1x 64 bytes
bInterval 10
Endpoint Descriptor:
bLength 7
bDescriptorType 5
bEndpointAddress 0x02 EP 2 OUT
bmAttributes 2
Transfer Type Bulk
Synch Type None
Usage Type Data
wMaxPacketSize 0x0040 1x 64 bytes
bInterval 10
Interface Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 4
bInterfaceNumber 2
bAlternateSetting 0
bNumEndpoints 2
bInterfaceClass 10 CDC Data
bInterfaceSubClass 0 Unused
bInterfaceProtocol 0
iInterface 0
Endpoint Descriptor:
bLength 7
bDescriptorType 5
bEndpointAddress 0x83 EP 3 IN
bmAttributes 2
Transfer Type Bulk
Synch Type None
Usage Type Data
wMaxPacketSize 0x0040 1x 64 bytes
bInterval 1
Endpoint Descriptor:
bLength 7
bDescriptorType 5
bEndpointAddress 0x03 EP 3 OUT
bmAttributes 2
Transfer Type Bulk
Synch Type None
Usage Type Data
wMaxPacketSize 0x0040 1x 64 bytes
bInterval 1
CDC Header:
bcdCDC 1.10
CDC Call Management:
bmCapabilities 0x03
call management
use DataInterface
bDataInterface 1
CDC ACM:
bmCapabilities 0x07
sends break
line coding and serial state
get/set/clear comm features
CDC Union:
bMasterInterface 0
bSlaveInterface 1
Country Selection:
iCountryCodeRelDate 4 04052004
wCountryCode 0x4803
The modem seems to function fine and Linux has no trouble talking to it, same with OS X and windows. I’m on FIOS for my phones but they seems to get caller id fine.
I’ve seen other mention on the web of people not getting the modem to ever report caller id, so maybe some of them are defective. I sent it back for an exchange and will see if the next one works.
Your captias are preventing people from posting
Are they? How did you manage? Let me try ….
Steve asked me to post this for him:
I just received a RNX-56USB from new egg today (12-14-2011) I can verify that kernel 2.6.33.2 is already patched and the modem functions.
The basic modem appears to work fine, but CID does not work. using ncidd in debug mode, ie nicdd -Dv3 we find:
Modem set for CallerID.
Network Port: 3333
Debug Mode
Not using PID file, there was no '-P' option.
Modem is fd 4
CIDINFO: *LINE*-*RING*1*TIME*18:43:25*
CIDINFO: *LINE*-*RING*2*TIME*18:43:31*
CID: *DATE*12142011*TIME*1843*LINE*-*NMBR*RING*MESG*NONE*NAME*No Caller ID*
CIDINFO: *LINE*-*RING*0*TIME*18:43:38*
Checking with minicom we find:
Welcome to minicom 2.5
OPTIONS: I18n
Compiled on Oct 28 2011, 20:44:15.
Port /dev/ttyACM0
Press CTRL-A Z for help on special keys
ATZ
OK
AT+VCID=1;+GCI?;+MS?
+GCI: B5
+MS: V92,1,300,48000,300,56000
OK
RING
RING
RING
No caller id data.
Looking at the device, lsusb -v (only showing device information)
Bus 004 Device 027: ID 0572:1321 Conexant Systems (Rockwell), Inc.
Device Descriptor:
bLength 18
bDescriptorType 1
bcdUSB 1.10
bDeviceClass 2 Communications
bDeviceSubClass 0
bDeviceProtocol 0
bMaxPacketSize0 64
idVendor 0x0572 Conexant Systems (Rockwell), Inc.
idProduct 0x1321
bcdDevice 1.00
iManufacturer 1 Conexant
iProduct 2 USB Modem
iSerial 3 24680246
bNumConfigurations 2
Configuration Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 2
wTotalLength 73
bNumInterfaces 2
bConfigurationValue 1
iConfiguration 0
bmAttributes 0x80
(Bus Powered)
MaxPower 100mA
Interface Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 4
bInterfaceNumber 0
bAlternateSetting 0
bNumEndpoints 1
bInterfaceClass 2 Communications
bInterfaceSubClass 2 Abstract (modem)
bInterfaceProtocol 1 AT-commands (v.25ter)
iInterface 0
Endpoint Descriptor:
bLength 7
bDescriptorType 5
bEndpointAddress 0x81 EP 1 IN
bmAttributes 3
Transfer Type Interrupt
Synch Type None
Usage Type Data
wMaxPacketSize 0x0040 1x 64 bytes
bInterval 128
Interface Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 4
bInterfaceNumber 1
bAlternateSetting 0
bNumEndpoints 2
bInterfaceClass 10 CDC Data
bInterfaceSubClass 0 Unused
bInterfaceProtocol 0
iInterface 0
Endpoint Descriptor:
bLength 7
bDescriptorType 5
bEndpointAddress 0x82 EP 2 IN
bmAttributes 2
Transfer Type Bulk
Synch Type None
Usage Type Data
wMaxPacketSize 0x0040 1x 64 bytes
bInterval 1
Endpoint Descriptor:
bLength 7
bDescriptorType 5
bEndpointAddress 0x02 EP 2 OUT
bmAttributes 2
Transfer Type Bulk
Synch Type None
Usage Type Data
wMaxPacketSize 0x0040 1x 64 bytes
bInterval 1
CDC Header:
bcdCDC 1.10
CDC Call Management:
bmCapabilities 0x03
call management
use DataInterface
bDataInterface 1
CDC ACM:
bmCapabilities 0x07
sends break
line coding and serial state
get/set/clear comm features
CDC Union:
bMasterInterface 0
bSlaveInterface 1
Country Selection:
iCountryCodeRelDate 4 04052004
wCountryCode 0x4803
Configuration Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 2
wTotalLength 96
bNumInterfaces 3
bConfigurationValue 2
iConfiguration 0
bmAttributes 0x80
(Bus Powered)
MaxPower 100mA
Interface Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 4
bInterfaceNumber 0
bAlternateSetting 0
bNumEndpoints 1
bInterfaceClass 2 Communications
bInterfaceSubClass 2 Abstract (modem)
bInterfaceProtocol 1 AT-commands (v.25ter)
iInterface 0
Endpoint Descriptor:
bLength 7
bDescriptorType 5
bEndpointAddress 0x81 EP 1 IN
bmAttributes 3
Transfer Type Interrupt
Synch Type None
Usage Type Data
wMaxPacketSize 0x0040 1x 64 bytes
bInterval 128
Interface Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 4
bInterfaceNumber 1
bAlternateSetting 0
bNumEndpoints 2
bInterfaceClass 10 CDC Data
bInterfaceSubClass 0 Unused
bInterfaceProtocol 0
iInterface 0
Endpoint Descriptor:
bLength 7
bDescriptorType 5
bEndpointAddress 0x82 EP 2 IN
bmAttributes 2
Transfer Type Bulk
Synch Type None
Usage Type Data
wMaxPacketSize 0x0040 1x 64 bytes
bInterval 10
Endpoint Descriptor:
bLength 7
bDescriptorType 5
bEndpointAddress 0x02 EP 2 OUT
bmAttributes 2
Transfer Type Bulk
Synch Type None
Usage Type Data
wMaxPacketSize 0x0040 1x 64 bytes
bInterval 10
Interface Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 4
bInterfaceNumber 2
bAlternateSetting 0
bNumEndpoints 2
bInterfaceClass 10 CDC Data
bInterfaceSubClass 0 Unused
bInterfaceProtocol 0
iInterface 0
Endpoint Descriptor:
bLength 7
bDescriptorType 5
bEndpointAddress 0x83 EP 3 IN
bmAttributes 2
Transfer Type Bulk
Synch Type None
Usage Type Data
wMaxPacketSize 0x0040 1x 64 bytes
bInterval 1
Endpoint Descriptor:
bLength 7
bDescriptorType 5
bEndpointAddress 0x03 EP 3 OUT
bmAttributes 2
Transfer Type Bulk
Synch Type None
Usage Type Data
wMaxPacketSize 0x0040 1x 64 bytes
bInterval 1
CDC Header:
bcdCDC 1.10
CDC Call Management:
bmCapabilities 0x03
call management
use DataInterface
bDataInterface 1
CDC ACM:
bmCapabilities 0x07
sends break
line coding and serial state
get/set/clear comm features
CDC Union:
bMasterInterface 0
bSlaveInterface 1
Country Selection:
iCountryCodeRelDate 4 04052004
wCountryCode 0x4803
Device Status: 0x0000
(Bus Powered)
Finally, some digging around on the net i found this.
http://www.identafone.com/modems.html
Quoting from the above site:
” Manufacture: Rosewill
Windows XP, Vista
Model: RNX-56USB (USB)
Works well in TAPI mode
Works with Bell Canada CID.
UPDATE: Rosewill support confirms that recent shipments of the modem do not report CID due to an unknown change at the manufacturing level. They say it is out of their hands as the modem is not actually made by them.”
Looks like this modem is out, bummed indeed.