Uses of fax servers
A fax server is a server computer that is a part of a network of computers, usually a local area network, also referred to as a LAN that enables computer users on the network to send fax messages through the system server. The fax server usually involves a computer program and modems that have the capability of sending and transmitting faxes.
Fax servers use either a dedicated modem, also known as a dedicated fax board connected to the computer server or a software modem emulator. This is a modern device used to transmit the fax signals using IP or internet protocol technology. This technology is also referred to as T.38 technology and is specifically designed to transmit fax signals across an internet network.
A fax server can be used to send or receive fax messages. This can be done is several formats. These include sending an email message to a recipient but choosing an option on the printer so the message is sent and transmitted as a fax document; A user can also use the internet as the interface. A web page with the relevant information can be used to send the information or document to a remote receiver using the fax server. Messages sent as email messages using the fax server will detect all such messages and covert them to fax messages upon which they are transmitted to the necessary format.
Receiving fax messages is possible using the fax server, however, additional equipment and a user interface are necessary. A receiver can receive regular fax messages as well as an email message for every fax received. The fax messages are received as email attachments in either PDF or TIFF formats.
There are plenty of benefits using fax servers over regular fax machines. These benefits include convenience as faxes can easily be received and transmitted from any workstation within the LAN; a regular computer printer can be used to print these faxes, jammed or unsent faxes can easily be re-sent without resorting to the fax machine.
Further information regarding fax servers can be obtained from the online encyclopedia Wikipedia.