Recommendations - fax(modem) card for email/fax server?
12 August 2002, 12:07 PM
#1
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Was thinking of putting in some fax server software on the email server, which permits users to send faxes via their email clients.
What I don't want is the fax/modem card, which is currently some kind of s/w based modem, to cripple the cpu with over utilisation whenever a fax is sent.
Does anyone have any recommendations as to what fax(modem) to use which will hardly bother the PC's CPU when sending/receiving transmissions ?
Thanks in advance,
-Darren
What I don't want is the fax/modem card, which is currently some kind of s/w based modem, to cripple the cpu with over utilisation whenever a fax is sent.
Does anyone have any recommendations as to what fax(modem) to use which will hardly bother the PC's CPU when sending/receiving transmissions ?
Thanks in advance,
-Darren
13 August 2002, 10:13 AM
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I was wary of even external modems, as I do believe some of them ARE 'softmodem' varieties.
Brooktrout - ok, will check it out. But why do I get the feeling its gonna be expensive ?
Thanks again,
-Darren
Brooktrout - ok, will check it out. But why do I get the feeling its gonna be expensive ?
Thanks again,
-Darren
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13 August 2002, 01:51 PM
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All I'm after is a single modem which won't hassle the host CPU!
If this means a little external modem with an onboard DSP great. The fax server software just needs access to 'a modem'
Any recommendations would be welcome.
-DV
If this means a little external modem with an onboard DSP great. The fax server software just needs access to 'a modem'
Any recommendations would be welcome.
-DV
13 August 2002, 02:31 PM
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Darren - it's a bit more complicated than that as Brooktrout do 7 different types of cards! 
A bif of advice, never use a class 2 modem for fax software as these cause more problems in the long run than they are worth, although they are initially cheap.
Call me on 01628 852013 if you want to discuss anything.
Scott
A bif of advice, never use a class 2 modem for fax software as these cause more problems in the long run than they are worth, although they are initially cheap.
Call me on 01628 852013 if you want to discuss anything.
Scott
13 August 2002, 03:11 PM
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Also, do you require inbound faxes to be sent to a users inbox directly? If so, then ignore analogue cards as this is not possible (unless you use OCR, which is v. expensive ;-)).
13 August 2002, 04:52 PM
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The best "standard" modems for faxing seem to be MultiTech.
In the days of a sub £20 win/soft modem, it seems steep paying nearly £100 for a 56k modem but they are recommended by people like GFI etc.
In the days of a sub £20 win/soft modem, it seems steep paying nearly £100 for a 56k modem but they are recommended by people like GFI etc.
14 August 2002, 01:27 AM
#13
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Best modems I've come across are the 3com/USR Couriers. Expensive at ~£175 but work unfailing. Although my experience with them has been primarily data, not fax. But then again, there's no great difference between the two functions.
14 August 2002, 08:44 AM
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DazV Class 2 modems are more hassle than they are worth with regards to faxing for the the following reasons:-
1. They do not have the T.30 standard installed
This is the handshaking protocol used by all faxes machines when talking to one another - the affect of Class 2 modems not having this is that it most of time it takes 2 or more attempts to connect to the other fax machine, as it does not understand what is being said during the handshake
2. They do not have any fax compression
Brooktrout/Dialogic cards use MMR compression ratio which all modern fax machines understand. MMR compresses the fax image down to the smallest possible size, and allows for faster transmission speed - typically 50% or so quicker than a Class 2. Knock on from this is less call time, and cheaper call costs. This is more so the case considering all fax machines will only transfer at 14.4
3. They do not have API's.
API's allow the sending fax software to receive information back from the card stating what happened to the fax i.e. It was sent, or if it failed, for what reason - wrong number, voice answered the phone, engaged, etc.....
4. They do not have DSP's
CPU sits there processing everything, whereas Brooktrout/Dialogic cards take most of this process
5. Purely analogue based normally
Restricts long term use, if you wish to utilise inbound routing - but as this is not required at the moment do not worry about it.
6. Brooktrout/Dialogic cards only understand faxing
56k modems with fax facilities will obviously allow data to be sent across them, and therefore you will need to put in placed measures to stop this happening. Brooktrout/Dialogic cards will only ever understand fax machines speaking to them, and nothing else.
Scott
(Edited to add point no. 6)
[Edited by Scott W - 8/14/2002 8:46:48 AM]
1. They do not have the T.30 standard installed
This is the handshaking protocol used by all faxes machines when talking to one another - the affect of Class 2 modems not having this is that it most of time it takes 2 or more attempts to connect to the other fax machine, as it does not understand what is being said during the handshake
2. They do not have any fax compression
Brooktrout/Dialogic cards use MMR compression ratio which all modern fax machines understand. MMR compresses the fax image down to the smallest possible size, and allows for faster transmission speed - typically 50% or so quicker than a Class 2. Knock on from this is less call time, and cheaper call costs. This is more so the case considering all fax machines will only transfer at 14.4
3. They do not have API's.
API's allow the sending fax software to receive information back from the card stating what happened to the fax i.e. It was sent, or if it failed, for what reason - wrong number, voice answered the phone, engaged, etc.....
4. They do not have DSP's
CPU sits there processing everything, whereas Brooktrout/Dialogic cards take most of this process
5. Purely analogue based normally
Restricts long term use, if you wish to utilise inbound routing - but as this is not required at the moment do not worry about it.
6. Brooktrout/Dialogic cards only understand faxing
56k modems with fax facilities will obviously allow data to be sent across them, and therefore you will need to put in placed measures to stop this happening. Brooktrout/Dialogic cards will only ever understand fax machines speaking to them, and nothing else.
Scott
(Edited to add point no. 6
)[Edited by Scott W - 8/14/2002 8:46:48 AM]
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