I've connected two computers using two 56K modems but I never connect at more than 33Kb, why?

A. The problem is that your modems cannot send faster than 33.6k. The56k technologies, such as X2, K56flex and the new standard V.90 are asymmetric- 56k from a service such as an ISP to you, and 33.6k (maximum negotiated rate,may be less) from you to an ISP.

Having one of your V.90 modems call the other won't create a connectionfaster than 33.6k since neither side can transmit faster than 33.6k. The 56Kbis possible because the line from your house to the telephone company switchingoffice is analog, and that the rest of the path from the CO to the service(ISP) is 100% digital. At the service end, they specifically install digitalmodems designed to operate as the service end of V.90/X2/K56flex connection.

This means you would need on of the boxes the same kind of modem that an ISPwould buy. You may find however that you can't get one of those without alsohaving the digital phone circuit to connect it to.

If you need 56Kb look at ISDN. The easiest way to setup a system which canaccept 56K V90 incoming connections is to get an ISDN2 or home highway and a3COM Courier-I modem. The Courier-I can act as a standard and ISDN modem. Itwill also act in V90 mode as a server it it detects an incoming analogue callacross the ISDN.