modems (Score 1)

I've just shipped an embedded product based around Linux where we had exactly this problem. In the process of development I've tested a lot of winmodems under Linux, our main problem has been consistency of supply in Europe. The really good drivers are the open source Lucent driver, the SmartLink driver and Linuxant's closed source Conexant driver. It pains me to say it, but our best available choice was to license the driver from Linuxant. Even factoring in the cost of the driver, the modems were still cheaper and more solidly available than the Smartlink based winmodens, and in tests the performance of the Linuxant driver was excellent. I dont know what the market is like in the US, but in the winmodem market in Europe almost all readily available ( in serious amounts - 1000+ units ) are Conexant based. If you're selling more than a few hundred units, I would recommend biting the bullet and buying in the Linuxant driver. To give you an idea, the Smartlink modems were working out around $18 a unit, while a Conexant based winmodem we could normally pick up for around $3 ( if you were buying a couple of hundred at a time ). Add in a few bucks for the driver and you're still better off than buying a card with an open source driver. Unfortunately that's the reality at the minute with manufacturing Linux based products - particularly when you are dealing with difficult hardware sectors like winmodems.