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The '''ZyXEL U-1496''' was a modem widely adopted in Belgium during the early 1990s. Introduced in 1992, it supported speeds of up to 14.4 kbit/s and was considered a significant upgrade over 2400 baud devices such as the USRobotics Sportster.
{{Infobox
| name = ZyXEL U-1496
| image = ZyXEL U-1496E.jpg
| caption = A ZyXEL U-1496E modem (c. 1993)
| manufacturer = [[ZyXEL Communications]]
| type = External modem
| release date = 1992
| interfaces = RS-232 serial
| transmission speed = Up to 14.4 kbit/s
| protocols = V.32, V.32bis, V.42, MNP 4/5
| successor = ZyXEL U-336 series
}}


In Ghent, the modem became closely associated with sysops of small BBSes, including [[Yusupov's House]].<ref>{{cite journal |title=Telecom Notes: Belgium's Modem Shift |journal=EuroTelecom Monthly |date=October 1993 |pages=45–47}}</ref>
The '''ZyXEL U-1496''' was a family of high-speed analog modems produced by [[ZyXEL Communications]] in the early 1990s. The model series was notable for its combination of advanced error correction, proprietary high-speed protocols, and robust command-line configurability, making it one of the most respected modems among bulletin board system (BBS) operators and early Internet users. 


== Adoption ==
== Overview ==
The high reliability of the U-1496 made it popular among academic users, many of whom later transitioned to early Internet access via [[Trumpet Winsock]].
Introduced in 1992, the ZyXEL U-1496 supported data transmission rates of up to 14.4 kbit/s in compliance with the [[V.32bis]] standard. It also implemented [[V.42]] and [[MNP]] error correction, along with ZyXEL’s proprietary “ZyX” high-speed protocol, which enabled transfer rates beyond the official standard when communicating with other ZyXEL modems.<ref name="PCMag1993">"ZyXEL U-1496 Review," ''PC Magazine'', vol. 12, no. 18 (November 1993), pp. 126–129.</ref> 
 
The modem was available in several variants, including:
* **U-1496** – Base model with V.32bis and standard features. 
* **U-1496E** – Enhanced version supporting fax functionality (Group 3). 
* **U-1496E+** – Added support for leased line operation and voice mode. 
* **U-1496B** – Budget variant, limited to 9600 bit/s. 
 
== Technical features ==
The U-1496 used a full-sized external chassis with LED indicators for line, carrier, and error-correction states. Communication occurred via an RS-232 serial port, and the modem included a comprehensive AT command set compatible with Hayes standards, extended with numerous ZyXEL-specific parameters. 
 
Unique features included:
* **ZyX Protocol (ZyX mode):** Proprietary data compression and link management for higher throughput when connected to another ZyXEL modem. 
* **Leased-line capability:** Direct point-to-point links without dialing. 
* **Remote configuration:** Sysops could query and modify modem parameters over the line via password-protected access. 
* **Firmware upgradability:** The U-1496’s ROMs could be replaced or updated, a rare feature at the time. 
 
== Reception ==
At launch, the U-1496 was praised for its stability, compatibility, and exceptional build quality. ''PC Magazine'' and ''BYTE'' both noted its usefulness for professional and semi-professional applications, particularly BBS and corporate dial-up networks.<ref name="BYTE1993">"High-Speed Modems: Pushing the Analog Limits," ''BYTE'', vol. 18, no. 9 (September 1993), pp. 87–90.</ref> 
 
The U-1496’s proprietary ZyX protocol also made it popular among system operators (sysops) who ran high-traffic bulletin boards, as it provided faster and more reliable file transfers compared to standard protocols.<ref name="Boardwatch1994">R. Nielson, "ZyXEL U-1496E+ Tested," ''Boardwatch Magazine'', vol. 6, no. 2 (February 1994), pp. 32–35.</ref> 
 
== Successors ==
The U-1496 line was followed by the **ZyXEL U-336** series in 1995, which introduced 33.6 kbit/s speeds and [[V.34]] compatibility. By the late 1990s, the rise of affordable 56K modems and the transition to broadband rendered the U-1496 obsolete, though it continued to see niche use in amateur radio and industrial telemetry applications.<ref>"ZyXEL U-336: Modem Evolution," ''PC World Taiwan'', vol. 9, no. 3 (March 1995), pp. 22–25.</ref> 
 
== Legacy ==
The ZyXEL U-1496 remains a reference point in discussions of early 1990s modem design. Its combination of reliability, configurability, and engineering transparency made it a preferred tool for enthusiasts and professionals alike. Collectors and retrocomputing hobbyists continue to restore and use U-1496 units for vintage network demonstrations and [[BBS]] reconstructions.<ref>J. Lemaire, "The Golden Age of Modems," ''RetroTech Journal'', vol. 2, no. 1 (2018), pp. 44–49.</ref> 


== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[Yusupov's House]]
* [[V.32bis]]
* [[Modem]]
* [[ZyXEL Communications]]
* [[Bulletin board system]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
<references />


[[Category:Modems]]
[[Category:Modems]]
[[Category:History of the Internet in Belgium]]
[[Category:ZyXEL products]]
[[Category:1990s in technology]]
[[Category:Computer networking hardware]]
[[Category:1990s computer hardware]]

Revision as of 14:02, 4 October 2025

ZyXEL U-1496
File:ZyXEL U-1496E.jpg
A ZyXEL U-1496E modem (c. 1993)
typeExternal modem
interfacesRS-232 serial
successorZyXEL U-336 series
protocolsV.32, V.32bis, V.42, MNP 4/5
manufacturerZyXEL Communications
transmission speedUp to 14.4 kbit/s
release date1992

The ZyXEL U-1496 was a family of high-speed analog modems produced by ZyXEL Communications in the early 1990s. The model series was notable for its combination of advanced error correction, proprietary high-speed protocols, and robust command-line configurability, making it one of the most respected modems among bulletin board system (BBS) operators and early Internet users.

Overview

Introduced in 1992, the ZyXEL U-1496 supported data transmission rates of up to 14.4 kbit/s in compliance with the V.32bis standard. It also implemented V.42 and MNP error correction, along with ZyXEL’s proprietary “ZyX” high-speed protocol, which enabled transfer rates beyond the official standard when communicating with other ZyXEL modems.[1]

The modem was available in several variants, including:

  • **U-1496** – Base model with V.32bis and standard features.
  • **U-1496E** – Enhanced version supporting fax functionality (Group 3).
  • **U-1496E+** – Added support for leased line operation and voice mode.
  • **U-1496B** – Budget variant, limited to 9600 bit/s.

Technical features

The U-1496 used a full-sized external chassis with LED indicators for line, carrier, and error-correction states. Communication occurred via an RS-232 serial port, and the modem included a comprehensive AT command set compatible with Hayes standards, extended with numerous ZyXEL-specific parameters.

Unique features included:

  • **ZyX Protocol (ZyX mode):** Proprietary data compression and link management for higher throughput when connected to another ZyXEL modem.
  • **Leased-line capability:** Direct point-to-point links without dialing.
  • **Remote configuration:** Sysops could query and modify modem parameters over the line via password-protected access.
  • **Firmware upgradability:** The U-1496’s ROMs could be replaced or updated, a rare feature at the time.

Reception

At launch, the U-1496 was praised for its stability, compatibility, and exceptional build quality. PC Magazine and BYTE both noted its usefulness for professional and semi-professional applications, particularly BBS and corporate dial-up networks.[2]

The U-1496’s proprietary ZyX protocol also made it popular among system operators (sysops) who ran high-traffic bulletin boards, as it provided faster and more reliable file transfers compared to standard protocols.[3]

Successors

The U-1496 line was followed by the **ZyXEL U-336** series in 1995, which introduced 33.6 kbit/s speeds and V.34 compatibility. By the late 1990s, the rise of affordable 56K modems and the transition to broadband rendered the U-1496 obsolete, though it continued to see niche use in amateur radio and industrial telemetry applications.[4]

Legacy

The ZyXEL U-1496 remains a reference point in discussions of early 1990s modem design. Its combination of reliability, configurability, and engineering transparency made it a preferred tool for enthusiasts and professionals alike. Collectors and retrocomputing hobbyists continue to restore and use U-1496 units for vintage network demonstrations and BBS reconstructions.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "ZyXEL U-1496 Review," PC Magazine, vol. 12, no. 18 (November 1993), pp. 126–129.
  2. ↑ "High-Speed Modems: Pushing the Analog Limits," BYTE, vol. 18, no. 9 (September 1993), pp. 87–90.
  3. ↑ R. Nielson, "ZyXEL U-1496E+ Tested," Boardwatch Magazine, vol. 6, no. 2 (February 1994), pp. 32–35.
  4. ↑ "ZyXEL U-336: Modem Evolution," PC World Taiwan, vol. 9, no. 3 (March 1995), pp. 22–25.
  5. ↑ J. Lemaire, "The Golden Age of Modems," RetroTech Journal, vol. 2, no. 1 (2018), pp. 44–49.
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