[KNOWLEDGE BASE] [MODEMS

 WHAT DOES EACH INITIALISATION STRING COMMAND DO? 

[&Xx] [\Xx] [%Xx] [misc] [S=]

&An - "Originate/Answer Mode Selection" - When in auto-answer mode this option selects originate or answer mode.

  • &A0 - Enables answer mode
  • &A1 - Enables originate mode

&Bn - "Auto-Retrain Detection" - If poor line or connection quality is detected this option controls auto-retrain.

  • &B0 - Disable auto-retrain (modem hangs up)
  • &B1 - Enable auto-retrain

&Cn - "DCD Option" - Selects whether DCD option is enabled or not.

  • &C0 - DCD always enabled
  • &C1 - DCD enabled after a carrier signal is detected

&Dn - "Modem Response to DTR Option" - Interprets the ON to OFF transmission of the DTR signal from the DTE. The response of this command can be modified by the &Q settings of some modems.

  • &D0 - DTR is assumed to be on
  • &D1 - DTR drop causes the modem back to command mode, but does not drop
  • &D2 - DTR drop causes modem to hang up
  • &D3 - DTR drop causes the modem to be reinitialised

 &Fn - "active Profile/Factory Defaults" - Sets the values loaded in the active profile to the values that are set in the default profile.

  • &F - Default profile (works with almost all modems)
  • &F1 - Default profile #2 (works with many modems)
  • &F2 - Default profile #3 (works with some modems)

&Gn - "Guard Tone Option" - Sets the modem to transmit a guard tone using v.22/v.22bis.

  • &G0 - Guard tone is disabled
  • &G1 - A 550Hz guard tone is enabled
  • &G2 - A 18000Hz guard tone is enabled

&Jn - "Jack Type Selection" - Selects the phone jack type.

  • &J0 - Selects RJ-11, RJ-41s or RJ-45s
  • &J1 - Selects RJ-12 or RJ-13

&Kn - "Flow Control Selection" - Selects the flow control options.

  • &K0 - Flow control disabled
  • &K1 - Normally unused (deals with RTS/CTS)
  • &K2 - Normally unused (deals with XON/XOFF)
  • &K3 - Enable RTS/CTS flow control
  • &K4 - Enable XON/XOFF flow control
  • &K5 - Enable transparent XON/XOFF flow control
  • &K6 - Enable unidirectional XON/XOFF flow control

&Ln - "Line Type Selection" - This option selects the type of line the modem is using.

  • &L0 - Selects public switched telephone network (normal dialup)
  • &L1 - Selects leased line

&Mn - "Communication Mode Selection" - This command selects the communications mode.

  • &M0 - Asynchronous
  • &M1 - Synchronous connect mode, asynchronous offline command mode
  • &M2 - Synchronous connect mode, asynchronous offline command mode (DTR set to high)
  • &M3 - Synchronous connect mode

&Pn - "Make/Break Ratio for Pulse Dialing" - Selects the make/break ratio for pulse dialing.

  • &P0 - North America: selects 39%-61% make/break ratio at 10 pulses per second
  • &P1 - Europe: selects 33%-67% make/break ratio at 10 pulses per second
  • &P2 - Selects 39%-61% make/break ratio at 20 pulses per second
  • &P3 - selects 33%-67% make/break ratio at 20 pulses per second

&Qn - "Communications Mode Option Selection" - Selects the communication mode options sometimes affecting the &Dn command.

  • &Q0 - Asynchronous mode, the serial port speed will follow the connection speed
  • &Q1 - Asynchronous off-line command mode, synchronous connect mode
  • &Q2 - Asynchronous off-line command mode, synchronous connect mode (this option will also have the modem the first number in its directory)
  • &Q3 - Asynchronous off-line command mode (low DTR), synchronous connect mode (high DTR)
  • &Q4 - Auto-synchronous mode
  • &Q5 - Error correction mode
  • &Q6 - Buffered asynchronous mode

&Rn - "RTS/CTS Option Selection" - This command will select the options for RTS/CTS.

  • &R0 - Sets CTS to follow RTS in data mode, RTS will be ignored in command mode
  • &R1 - Sets CTS forced to high, RTS will be ignored

&Sn - "DSR Option Selection" - This command selects the DSR option.

  • &S0 - Force DSR high
  • &S1 - Force DSR high during handshake and connection
  • &S2 - Force DSR high when connected

&Tn - "Test Option Selection" - Selects the test mode options.

  • &T0 - End test
  • &T1 - Begin a local analogue loop-back test
  • &T3 - Begin a local digital loop-back test
  • &T4 - Allow a remote digital loop-back test
  • &T5 - Disallow a remote digital loop-back test
  • &T6 - Request a remote digital loop-back test
  • &T7 - Request a remote digital loop-back test and a self test
  • &T8 - Start a local analogue loop-back and self test

&V - "Active and Stored Configuration Display" - Display the active and stored configuration profiles.

&Wn - "Active Profile Write" - Stores the values for the active profile in non-volatile RAM.

  • &W0 - Write active profile into stored profile 0
  • &W1 - Write active profile into stored profile 1

&Xn - "DTE Transmit Clock Source" - This option selects the clock source for DTE transmit.

  • &X0 - Modem
  • &X1 - DTE
  • &X2  Modem generates the clock with regards to the receiving carrier signal

&Yn - "Active Profile Read" - After a hard-reset this option will restore a stored profile into the active profile.

  • &Y0 - Restore from stored profile 0
  • &Y1 - Restore from stored profile 1

&Zn=x - "Telephone Number Write" - Write telephone number x to location n.


\An - "Max Transmit Block Size" - This command specifies the maximum transmittable MNP block size.

  • \A0 - 64 characters
  • \A1 - 128 characters
  • \A2 - 192 characters
  • \A3 - 256 characters

\Bn - "Send Break" - Sends a break to the modem. 'n' is a value ranging from 1-9, where 1 is .1 seconds and 9 is .9 seconds.

\Cn - "Auto-Reliable Time Buffer" - In auto-reliable mode this command controls how data is handled.

  • \C0 - Data is to be discarded
  • \C1 - Data is to be buffered
  • \C2 - Data is to be discarded, modem returns to normal mode after receiving the auto-reliable fallback character

\En - "Data Echo" - Selects whether or not the modem echoes received data.

  • \E0 - Disabled
  • \E1 - Enabled

\Gn - "Flow Control" - Selects whether or not the modem port uses flow control.

  • \G0 - Disabled
  • \G1 - Enabled

\Jn - "Serial Port Operation" - Selects how the serial port speed is handled.

  • \J0 - Serial port speed remains locked
  • \J1 - Serial port speed is to follow the connect speed

\Kn - "Break Type Select" - Configures the action taken by the break signal.

  • \K0 - When the modem receives a break from the remote modem, the buffers are cleared and a break is sent to the DTE. When the modem receives a break from the DTE, Online command mode is enabled and no break is sent to the remote modem. When the modem receives a break from '\B', a break is sent to the remote modem and the buffer is cleared.
  • \K1 - When the modem receives a break from the remote modem, the buffers are cleared and a break is sent to the DTE. When the modem receives a break from the DTE, a break is sent to the remote modem and the buffers are cleared. When the modem receives a break from '\B', a break is sent to the remote modem and the buffer is cleared.
  • \K2 - When the modem receives a break from the remote modem, a break is sent to immediately to DTE. When the modem receives a break from the DTE, Online command mode is enabled and no break is sent to the remote modem. When the modem receives a break from '\B', a break is immediately sent to the remote modem.
  • \K3 - When the modem receives a break from the remote modem, a break is sent immediately to DTE. When the modem receives a break from the DTE, a break is sent immediately to the remote modem. When the modem receives a break from '\B', a break is immediately sent to the remote modem.
  • \K4 - When the modem receives a break from the remote modem, a break is sent to the DTE with the received data. When the modem receives a break from the DTE, Online command mode is enabled and no break is sent to the remote modem. When the modem receives a break from '/B', a break is sent with the transmitted data.
  • \K5 - When the modem receives a break from the remote modem, a break is sent to the DTE with the received data. When the modem receives a break from the DTE, a break is sent with the transmitted data. When the modem receives a break from '\B', a break is sent with the transmitted data.

\Ln - "MNP Mode Select" - This option selects the MNP link transfer mode.

  • \L0 - Stream mode
  • \L1 - Block mode

\Nn - "Connection Type" - This command will control which type of connection that the modem will operate in.

  • \N0 - Normal mode
  • \N1 - Direct mode
  • \N2 - MNP reliable mode
  • \N3 - Auto-reliable or MNP auto-reliable mode
  • \N4 - v.42 reliable mode
  • \N5 - v.42 auto-reliable or MNP auto-reliable mode
  • \N6 - Reliable mode
  • \N7 - Auto-reliable mode

\O - "MNP Reliable Mode Initiation" - This command will initiate MNP reliable mode from normal or direct mode.

\Qn - "Flow Control Type Select" - This command will select the type of flow control that the modem will operate with.

  • \Q0 - Disable flow control
  • \Q1 - Bi-directional XON/XOFF
  • \Q2 - CTS flow control by DCE
  • \Q3 - Bi-directional RTS/CTS
  • \Q4 - Unidirectional XON/XOFF by DCE
  • \Q5 - CTS forced low for pre-connection, then CTS by DCE control takes over or unidirectional XON/XOFF by DTE will
  • \Q6 - Bi-directional RTS/CTS or RTS by DTE after connection

\Tn - "Inactivity Timer" - This command will tell the modem how long to wait before disconnecting after not receiving any information. Measured in seconds, the value of 'n' can be in the range 0-255.

\U - "MNP Reliable Mode Acceptance" - This command will tell the modem to accept a remote modems request for MNP reliable mode.

\Vn - "Set Extended Result Codes" - Sets whether or not extended result codes are enabled or not.

  • \V0 - Disabled
  • \V1 - Enabled

\Wn - "v.23 Split Speed Control" - This command determines whether v.23 split speed control will be used or not.

  • \W0 - Disabled
  • \W1 - Enabled

\Xn - "XON/XOFF Pass Through" - This command determines whether or not XON/XOFF signals are sent to the remote modem.

  • \X0 - Not sent
  • \X1 - Sent

\Y - "Reliable Mode Conversion" - This command will convert to reliable mode from normal or direct mode.

\Z - "Normal Mode Activation" - This command will switch from MNP mode to normal mode.


%An - "Auto-Reliable Fallback Character Selection" - This command selects the character to be used for auto-reliable fallback.

  • %A0 - Disable auto-reliable fallback characters

  • %A1 through to %A127 - Selects an ASCII character for auto-reliable fallback

%Cn - "Data Compression" - This command selects the data compression.

  • %C0 - Disable data compression

  • %C1 - MNP5

  • %C2 - v.42bis

  • %C3 - MNP5 and v.42bis

%En - "Auto-Retrain" - This command selects the auto-retrain and fallback/fall-forward modes.

  • %E0 - Disable auto-retrain

  • %E1 - Enable auto-retrain

  • %E2 - Enable auto-fallback/fall-forward

%Fn - "v.23 Mode Select" - This command selects the mode of operation for v.23 split speed.

  • %F0 - Disable v.23

  • %F1 - Split speed: 75bps upstream/1200bps downstream

  • %F2 - Split speed: 1200bps upstream/75bps downstream

  • %F3 - Half duplex: 1200bps upstream/1200bps downstream

%Gn - "Auto-Fallback/Fall-Forward" - This command turns auto fallback/fall-forward on or off.

  • %G0 - Disabled

  • %G1 - Enabled

%L - "Line Signal Level Return" - This command returns the line signal level.

%Q - "Line Signal Quality Return" - This command returns the line signal quality.

%TTn - "Test Mode" - This command is used for the line tests using PTT test signals.


*Hn - "Link Negotiation (MNP10)" - This command selects the link negotiation speed for MNP10.

  • *H0 - Highest speed possible

  • *H1 - 1200bps

  • *H2 - 4800bps

"Hn - "v.42bis Compression Options" - This command selects different modes for v.42bis.

  • "H0 - Disabled

  • "H1 - When transmitting v.42bis is enabled

  • "H2 - When receiving v.42bis is enabled

  • "H3 - v.42bis is enabled both when transmitting and receiving

"Nn - "v.42bis Data Size" - Selects the block size of the v.42bis data.

  • "N0 - 512 bytes

  • "N1 - 1024 bytes

  • "N2 - 1536 bytes

"On - "v.42bis Max String Length" - This command selects the string length of the v.42bis compression option. The range of 'n' is from 6-64 characters.

-Jn - "v.42bis Detect Control" - This command enables or disables v.42bis detection.

  • -J0 - Disabled

  • -J1 - Enabled

-Kn - "Extended MNP Control" - This command selects whether or not extended MNP services are used.

  • -K0 - Disabled

  • -K1 - Enabled

  • -K2 - Enabled except during answer mode

-Qn - "MNP10 Fallback Control" - This command allows or disallows MNP10 to fallback to 2400bps or 1200bps.

  • -Q0 - Disabled

  • -Q1 - Enabled

)Mn - "Power Level Adjustment" - this command controls the power level adjustment when transmitting during the MNP10 link negotiation.

  • )M0 - Disabled

  • )M1 - Enabled

@Mn - "Transmission Level" - This command controls the signal level for the transmission.

  • @M0 - -26dBm

  • @M1 - -30dBm

  • @M2 - -10dBm

:En - "v.32 Compromise Equalizer Control" - This command enables or disables the v.32 compromise equalizer.

  • :E0 - Disabled

  • :E1 - Enabled

+MS=n - "Modulation" - This command can select the active protocol, automode selection, min and max tx rates, min and max rx rates, and/or the x law. This command varies from modem to modem and is seldom used for non-56k modems. It would be best to consult the modem chipset for proper modulation control.


S10=n - "Loss of Carrier Response" - This command tells the modem how long to wait until hanging up after losing the carrier signal. The setting, 'n' ranges from 1-255 and is measured in .1 second intervals.

S25=n - "DTR Ignore Time" - This command sets the max amount of time that a change in the DTR signal will be ignored before the modem hangs up. The setting, 'n' ranges from 0-255 and is measured in .1 second intervals.

S30=n - "Inactivity Timer" - This command sets the max amount of time that the modem will wait for DTE and DCE to become active before hanging up. 'n' ranges from 0-255 and is measured in 10 second intervals.

S91-n - "Transmission Level" - This command sets the signal level for a transmission. The setting 'n' ranges from 1-15 and is measured in units of -1dBm.