Saturday, July 9, 2011

TRENDnet 56K External Data/Fax/TAM Modem TFM-560X (Blue)


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TRENDnets TFM-560X is the latest in communication innovation. The TFM-560X is V.90 and K56flex ultra fast 56Kbps voice/fax modem that provides users with the highest possible data communication rates, reliable error-free transmissions, and widespread interoperability with other users. The TFM-560X also supports Group 3 fax send-and-receive functions. Free communication software and serial cable are included with the TFM-560X for quick and easy startup. TRENDnets TFM-560X is also compatible with all communication software and capable of utilizing the Hayes AT-command set.

This review is from : TRENDnet 56K External Data/Fax/TAM Modem TFM-560X (Blue)
This fax modem is a workhorse! . I've procured more than a dozen of these and deployed most of them in our datacentres. We use them with Hylafax software on Linux running 7x24. Each one requires a USB to serial adapter so that a single server can manage several of them. So far, after almost a year in service, none of them has failed. These units are very compact and stack reasonably well. The only drawback to using them outside of the U.S. is that we had to procure our own 9V AC (not DC) transformers for 230V power outlets. But at this very affordable price, I definitely didn't expect a switchable power supply handling 110-240V.
TRENDnet 56K External Data/Fax/TAM Modem TFM-560X (Blue) Reviews
So far so good! My TRENDnet 56k humming along nicely... . After a nasty bit of malware rendered my computer useless, I had to wipe the hard drive, and there went my Windows XP right along with it! Decided after some thought to give a Linux OS a chance, and settled on Ubuntu 8.10.

Only problem is, due to finances at the moment, I have to use dial up for my internet access. But, it was a pain getting my internal winmodem recognized by Ubuntu. Research on the Ubuntu forums suggested an external modem would solve my problem, and the TRENDnet 56K External Data/Fax/TAM Modem (V.92,Kflex56) was recommended by several different forum members as being compatible with any Linux distro. I also came across several good reviews online of this product, and it was well within my price range, so I decided to give it a try.

I have never ordered anything through Amazon before, but they do make the process extremely easy and painless! I opted for the free shipping. A tentative shipping date was given, but the actual arrival date was a few days later. (Still within the promised shipping time however)

The first thing I have to say is, I was a little surprised when, upon arrival, I opened the box from Amazon to find my modem (albeit, in a shrinkwrapped box from the manufacturer) flopping about inside the larger Amazon box with about 2 inches of empty space around it! Only one air-filled, plastic packing pillow was included as protection. Looked like it was included as an afterthought. I was a bit peeved about that, but thought I'd let it slide as long as the item arrived in working order,(but knew it would definitely merit a mention in my review!)

I carefully opened the inner box from the manufacturer and gave every item a good looking over. And what do you know? The AC adapter had a large nick in the wire, exposing the copper strands within. There was no way I was going to plug THAT into an outlet. (I have to reiterate: The defective, damaged AC adapter was NOT the fault of Amazon, as the modem and its contents came in a box shrink wrapped by the manufacturer.) *sigh*

Amazon recommends that if an item arrives with a defective part, that you try to contact the manufacturer for a replacement. I was surprised by that, but in this case it worked out because TRENDnet's headquarters is located within driving distance of where I live. I have to say that TRENDnet has superior customer service, and they replaced the damaged adapter immediately and without question.

Now, since I was using this external serial modem with a Linux OS and not Windows, it did take a few days of research and entering code into a terminal to get this thing recognized and working. (By the way, all the tutorials for Ubuntu say to use Network Manager to configure the modem, but Network Manager doesn't come already installed with Ubuntu. It's something you have to download - when your online! But if you're trying to GET online, well,...THAT's why you have to enter the code in the command line interface, terminal window. Not difficult once you know what to do!)

So, after I entered in a few lines of code, I heard the modem click on, come to life and start dialing out. And just like that I was online and able to start browsing. I'm using it right now to write this. Yay!

So far, so good. This TRENDnet 56K external serial modem works very well, and plays nice with Ubuntu. And as I said earlier, it is inexpensive and enables anyone to be able to get online cheaply. I've seen other external modems for twice the price, which I think is unnecessary.

If you find yourself limited to dialup, and like me are using a Linux OS that won't recognize your internal winmodem, save yourself the headache and purchase this TRENDnet modem. In my case it was a life saver!




TRENDnet Modem . Works with Linux. Lots of blinking lights.
Hard to release the RJ-11 jack once you've snapped it in.
TRENDnet 56K External Data/Fax/TAM Modem TFM-560X (Blue) Opinions
Piece of cake on Linux . Buying any networking hardware for a Linux computer can be nerve-wracking, as you can never be QUITE sure of the compatibility. This external modem was the easiest configuration and set up I've ever had, and I was up and running in under 5 minutes, even with an old distro (SUSE 8.0 and 8.2 from years 2002 and 2003 respectively). No tricks, no driver, no funky configuration, no worries. Works perfectly, and its performance is surprisingly good. For bonus points, lots of blinkenlights (all red).

I'm very satisfied.
Works Great! . Works Great, always connects at the highest speed, easy to install. Was having problems with my pci modem, so I ripped it out and got this external. It works better than the internal ever did.
Flawless performance . I have used the TFM-560X V.92 for 3 months with no problems. Web speed test shows 48k connect. I use it about 2-3hrs a day, always connects with no dropped calls, yet. Simple driver install, had it running in 5min. Excellent performance for an external 56k hardware based modem.
Good modem good price. . Works great on my XP computer but for some reason my Vista machine it
doesn't work as well. On that computer, I use a TUS9 adapter (trendnet also)
to make it a usb external modem. I need to tweak the settings. The support is the best I've ever had, and the easiest to use website. The modem is well designed and built. This company makes about everything you would ever need
as related to computer hardware. No question in my mind it will last forever.
GREAT PRODUCT . I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR A PRODUCT THAT WORKS SO WELL AND DOES NOT COST AN ARM AND A LEG. I WILL SHOP WITH THEM AGAIN.

Cons Review
Not on noisy lines! . I'm a retired systems manager. Using the included cable and PC's serial port, the Thendnet TFM-560X connected at speeds of 16.2-24 kilobits per second to three different ISP access sites. By way of comparison, my soft modems usually connect at 31-40kps to the same sites on noisy dial-up line days like this. Recommend you buy another modem.
Why bother? . Unable to get drivers for any OS other than XP and earlier. Not even Vista. Of course, my Win 7 wouldn't even work since it could not find a driver that would accommodate it. Even going to their website was a bust. I'm sure it would work fine with Win 98 or 3.3. Anything newer than XP, forget it!



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Product Details

EAN : 0710931301069
UPC : 710931301069
MPN : 0710931301069
Brand : TRENDnet
Weight : 2 pounds
Height : 3 inches
Length : 9 inches
Width : 7 inches
Binding : Personal Computers
Format : CD
Hardware Platform : Pc
Manufacturer : Trendware Usa
Model : TFM-560X
Operating System : Windows
Platform : Windows
Publisher : Trendware Usa
SKU : DBL-Q72595
Studio : Trendware Usa

Where To Buy


You can buy TRENDnet 56K External Data/Fax/TAM Modem TFM-560X (Blue) on Amazon . Click here to Read More