Why have a fax server and fax forward extensions? Isn't it redundant?

[will_pvh]

I am working through an issue with fax to email where many faxes being sent to us by clients are failing to be sent. While doing this I've been trying to wrap my head around the fax server, fax forward extensions, and fax extensions. Am I crazy to feel like the fax server extension is just essentially the same as a fax forward extension? I guess I'm not understanding each one's place. Any assistance would help. Thanks!

 

[Guillaume Bourgeois]

A FAX extension does not forward received faxes via email. It is intended to be configured on a SIP device.

Unlike Fax Forward Extensions, this is designed to forward incoming faxes via email.

https://www.3cx.com/docs/sip-trunk-faxing/

 

[Montanstahl SA]

Hi Guillaume,

I’m having trouble understanding the difference between Fax Server and Fax Forward. As far as I can tell, both involve setting a DID number to route fax calls and an email address to which the converted PDF is sent.

The main difference I see is that with Fax Server, I can’t select an existing extension to use for the email address; instead, I can directly enter the email address. On the other hand, Fax Forward allows me to select an existing extension.

Additionally, with Fax Server, I have the option to enable "G.711 to T.38 fallback" and enter an authentication ID and password, but I’m not sure what their purpose is.

Could you please help clarify these points?

Thank you!

 

[SnakeRiverWebDevelopment]

Looks like a Fax Forward is used if you have more than one Fax DID, A Fax extension would be used if you have more than one Device receiving faxes AKA FXS/ATA gateway as stated here https://www.3cx.com/docs/sip-trunk-faxing/

 

[Montanstahl SA]

That makes sense, but I’m still not sure why the Fax Server menu has a dedicated ID and password, while the Fax Forward doesn’t. Also, I noticed that the "G.711 to T.38 fallback" option is only available on the Fax Server and not on the Fax Forward. Could you help clarify that?

 

[SnakeRiverWebDevelopment]

Fax Forward just Forwards to another email, as for why the fax server has Authentication ID & Password is unknown to me. "G.711 to T.38 fallback" is at the server level, and Forward, Extension would have the same property's

 

[Montanstahl SA]

Fair enough, thanks a lot for clearing that up!

 

[NicholasP_3CX]

Let me clarify a few things here

The FAX Server will always be the one that handles the faxes. It is essentially an internal SIP endpoint with its own extension number, hence the SIP credentials.

It also has an email address to send the fax as soon as it comes in.

The FAX Forwarding is essentially an additional routing where you can add a DID and select a user to receive the fax, instead of the main FAX SERVER destination.

This could be a departmental fax for example.

The FAX Extension is a physical fax machine connected onto an FXS gateway to send and receive faxes the traditional way.

 

[Montanstahl SA]

Thanks, You really cleared up all the details I was missing. Appreciate it!