Linksys PCMLM56 User Manual page 57

Comm Software
make the total number of 1's in the character even or
odd, depending on which type of parity is used. Most
computers use no parity.
Stop bits are separator bits that are inserted between
every set of 7 or 8 communication bits. Most stop bit
sequences are only 1 bit long. Tell your communications
software to use a stop bit of 1 bit.
When users refer to the bit, parity, and stop bit settings
of a modem, they usually run the values together. 8-N-1
means "use 8 bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit." 7-Odd-0
means "use 7 bits, an odd parity, and no stop bits."
Downloading
The process of getting a file from another computer by
modem is called downloading. In order to successfully
download a file, you need to make sure that your com-
munications software is using the same download proto-
col as the computer you're communicating with. A pro-
tocol is nothing more than an agreed-upon standard of
download rules and procedures.
For downloading data from one modem to another, such
as through a BBS, (Bulliten Board System), the most
popular download protocols are Xmodem-CRC and
Zmodem. Zmodem is the easiest to use. If possible,
configure your communications software so that it uses
Zmodem.
When you download a file from another computer or a
BBS, the procedure will normally go something like
this:
1. You tell your communications software to initalize the
modem and dial the number of the computer you want
to access.
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