Fax Server

[Callinectes]

Can anyone tell me if the built-in fax server can handle multiple inbound faxes simultaneously?

 

[OlegR_3CX]

Yes, 3CX can simultaneously receive multiple calls and FAXes

 

[Callinectes]

Yes, 3CX can simultaneously receive multiple calls and FAXes

Thank you.

 

[VoIPTools]

The short answer is indeed "yes" as mentioned by @OlegR_3CX, however, this question is about a very basic feature of 3CX, so perhaps it might be prudent to also mention some of the other factors that could impact whether you can receive multiple simultaneous faxes. For example:

• How many simultaneous calls does your 3CX license support?
• How many trunks (call paths) do you have?
• How many of the available call paths are already in use?

It should also be noted that the 3CX fax server is for inbound faxes only. If you want to send outbound faxes, you will need to use an internet-based service like EFax, or connect a fax machine (via analog port) to 3CX (implying the use of an analog gateway). Use of analog gateways with a hosted 3CX while may be possible is not supported.

As an alternative to using the built-in 3CX fax server, you may want to look into a dedicated fax server. However, if you already have an investment in fax machines, there are also small hardware devices (plus service) you can use that connect your fax machine to the internet.

These devices typically have both a network and analog ports. The network port is used to connect to the internet over HTTPS and an analog port to connect to the fax machine. These devices make it simple to use a existing fax machine without needing to purchase a POTS (analog) phone line or implement an analog gateway with 3CX.

 

[Callinectes]

The short answer is indeed "yes" as mentioned by @OlegR_3CX, however, this question is about a very basic feature of 3CX, so perhaps it might be prudent to also mention some of the other factors that could impact whether you can receive multiple simultaneous faxes. For example:

• How many simultaneous calls does your 3CX license support?
• How many trunks (call paths) do you have?
• How many of the available call paths are already in use?

It should also be noted that the 3CX fax server is for inbound faxes only. If you want to send outbound faxes, you will need to use an internet-based service like EFax, or connect a fax machine (via analog port) to 3CX (implying the use of an analog gateway). Use of analog gateways with a hosted 3CX while may be possible is not supported.

As an alternative to using the built-in 3CX fax server, you may want to look into a dedicated fax server. However, if you already have an investment in fax machines, there are also small hardware devices (plus service) you can use that connect your fax machine to the internet.

These devices typically have both a network and analog ports. The network port is used to connect to the internet over HTTPS and an analog port to connect to the fax machine. These devices make it simple to use a existing fax machine without needing to purchase a POTS (analog) phone line or implement an analog gateway with 3CX.

Yes, this is understood. Thank you.

 

[KMorley]

The short answer is indeed "yes" as mentioned by @OlegR_3CX, however, this question is about a very basic feature of 3CX, so perhaps it might be prudent to also mention some of the other factors that could impact whether you can receive multiple simultaneous faxes. For example:

• How many simultaneous calls does your 3CX license support?
• How many trunks (call paths) do you have?
• How many of the available call paths are already in use?

It should also be noted that the 3CX fax server is for inbound faxes only. If you want to send outbound faxes, you will need to use an internet-based service like EFax, or connect a fax machine (via analog port) to 3CX (implying the use of an analog gateway). Use of analog gateways with a hosted 3CX while may be possible is not supported.

As an alternative to using the built-in 3CX fax server, you may want to look into a dedicated fax server. However, if you already have an investment in fax machines, there are also small hardware devices (plus service) you can use that connect your fax machine to the internet.

These devices typically have both a network and analog ports. The network port is used to connect to the internet over HTTPS and an analog port to connect to the fax machine. These devices make it simple to use a existing fax machine without needing to purchase a POTS (analog) phone line or implement an analog gateway with 3CX.

Matthew:

Thanks for that information - it's very helpful. You mention "small hardware devices plus service". Can you list specifics of a few of these devices/services?

I have a project with three fax machines and I'm questioning whether I want to integrate that with 3CX or just do something simple. I understand the concept of the "small devices/services", but would appreciate having a manufacturer name or two so I can start evaluating.

Thanks!

 

[Callinectes]

Matthew:

Thanks for that information - it's very helpful. You mention "small hardware devices plus service". Can you list specifics of a few of these devices/services?

I have a project with three fax machines and I'm questioning whether I want to integrate that with 3CX or just do something simple. I understand the concept of the "small devices/services", but would appreciate having a manufacturer name or two so I can start evaluating.

Thanks!

I can tell you that through Vitelity (though I'm sure many other providers have similar service) we have access to their digital fax service they call vFax. This is a fully standardized fax service that converts faxes to/from digital formats (received are PDF but can transmit many different formats which the service will transcode for fax transmittal). To this service we can add what they call a Fax Enable device which is just a special ATA that works with this vFax platform but which has an analog interface to connect to standard fax machines - in particular they use the AudioCodes MP202 ATA (at least that's the only one we've seen). I know they go way beyond T.38 or anything like that - faxes transmitted to/from the device on the fax service via an SSL connection and not in a real time stream (I'm not sure of the details here) which makes them extremely reliable. Once faxes are received by the ATA in full only then are they sent to the fax machine/fax service. The service is very affordable as well, though if you're only interested in receiving faxes and PDFs are okay then the built-in fax server has proved to be very good and much less expensive with carriers that can handle T.38.

 

[VoIPTools]

There are several hardware manufacturers that I am aware of but not necessarily used:

AudioCodes: https://www.faxata.com/

Seems to be a popular example after a brief google search. You might want to start there?