General - What is MNP?

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WHAT IS MNP?
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MNP, or Microcom Networking Protocol, is a collection of de facto modem 
standards invented and defined by Microcom, a modem manufacturer.  Microcom 
was innovative and pioneering in the area of error correction and data 
compression techniques for modems.

MNP is designated by various individual specifications, called "levels" or 
"classes."  For example, MNP Level 4 or MNP Class 4 both identify Microcom's 
4th modem technology specification.

MNP classes cover a variety of modem technologies, but the most common are for 
error correction and data compression.  MNP Levels 1 through 4 cover various
forms of error correction.  Level 4 also has some performance enhancement 
benefits as well.  MNP Level 5 offers data compression.  MNP Levels 7 and 10 
are also found in some of today's modems, although Levels 1 through 5 are the 
ones you're most apt to encounter.

Levels 1 through 5 are widely supported, but compared to the international 
standards V.42 (error correction) and V.42bis (data compression), the MNP de 
facto standards are not as robust.  

- END -
ESOFT004
Rev. 10/93

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