Configuring FAX lines & Devices

Introduction to fax lines & devices

In the FAX server configuration program, you can set up fax devices and fax lines. You can use modems, ISDN cards or fax boards as fax devices. Once you have installed the fax devices, you can create fax lines in the Lines/Devices configuration node. A fax line is a physical telephone line and must be associated with a modem or a port on an ISDN card or fax board. If you have a multi line device, such as an ISDN card or a fax board, you can associate multiple fax lines to a single device.

FAXmaker configuration program

You can use the built in fax modem drivers of Windows 2000/XP/2003. To do this, the modems must be already installed, and the Microsoft fax service must be started, before you add FAXmaker fax lines. Follow these steps prior to installing the FAXmaker fax lines so that FAXmaker will detect the Microsoft Fax Driver:

Make sure you have installed your modems in Windows 2000/2003.
From Control Panel->Administrative Tools->Services applet check that the `Fax Service' is started and is set to `Automatic'.
Configure your fax devices from the Control panel->Fax applet. For more information check out the Microsoft FAQ's.

Now you can install fax lines that use the Microsoft fax modem drivers.

Which modem drivers should I use?

For some modems, the Windows modem drivers might work better for you, since GFI cannot offer you such a wide range of modem support as Microsoft can. However, in some cases, especially with GFI approved modems, such as Multitech, it can be better to use the GFI modem drivers. The GFI modem drivers include DTMF routing capability if you use a Multitech voice modem.

The advantages of the Microsoft Fax modem drivers are wider modem support and the possibility of sharing the modem with another application. In addition, you get 2D faxing which can give faster transmission to some fax machines. For both types of drivers, a quality fax modem is recommended!

I You can have a maximum of 2 fax lines using Windows 2000 fax drivers and a maximum of 4 fax lines using Windows 2003 fax drivers! Use fax boards or ISDN cards to increase beyond 2 fax lines per server. Note that Windows 2003 enterprise version has no limitation on the number of fax lines used.