2. Introduction to Computer Networks Introduction to Computer Networks

3. Sharing Fax Modems Just like printers, fax modems can be shared to a network. This lesson focuses on sharing a fax modem.

4. Fax Modem Overview The shared fax server does for fax communication what a shared printer does for printing: it makes fax capabilities available to all users on the network, so that they do not have to leave their desks in order to send a fax.The shared fax server does for fax communication what a shared printer does for printing: it makes fax capabilities available to all users on the network, so that they do not have to leave their desks in order to send a fax. A good fax-server service allows an administrator to monitor incoming faxes and route them to the intended recipient, while discarding others, such as advertisements.A good fax-server service allows an administrator to monitor incoming faxes and route them to the intended recipient, while discarding others, such as advertisements. Some network fax utilities allow users to link their e-mail addresses to a fax number. This will automatically route faxes to the intended recipient.Some network fax utilities allow users to link their e-mail addresses to a fax number. This will automatically route faxes to the intended recipient.

5. Routing Faxes (1) Faxes arrive at a fax machine with no electronic addressing information; therefore, some thought needs to be given to how they will be routed.Faxes arrive at a fax machine with no electronic addressing information; therefore, some thought needs to be given to how they will be routed. Several methods for routing faxes exist. The following list describes some of the available options:Several methods for routing faxes exist. The following list describes some of the available options: Optical character recognition (OCR) software converts the cover sheet to text and searches for the name of the recipient of the fax.Optical character recognition (OCR) software converts the cover sheet to text and searches for the name of the recipient of the fax.

6. Routing Faxes (2) Intelligent character recognition (ICR) software converts the cover sheet to text and searches for the name of the recipient of the fax. ICR is slower, but more powerful than OCR.Intelligent character recognition (ICR) software converts the cover sheet to text and searches for the name of the recipient of the fax. ICR is slower, but more powerful than OCR. T.30 subaddressing is a modified version of the T.30 fax protocol that allows the fax sender to use an extension number that is used to route the fax.T.30 subaddressing is a modified version of the T.30 fax protocol that allows the fax sender to use an extension number that is used to route the fax. Bar-code routing allows the fax sender to put a bar code on the cover sheet identifying the recipient of the fax.Bar-code routing allows the fax sender to put a bar code on the cover sheet identifying the recipient of the fax.

7. Routing Faxes (3) Transmission station identification (TSI) routing uses the number of the sender's fax machine to route the fax. The drawback is that all faxes from a certain machine go to the same person.Transmission station identification (TSI) routing uses the number of the sender's fax machine to route the fax. The drawback is that all faxes from a certain machine go to the same person. Received fax-line routing uses multiple fax lines and modems. All faxes that are received on a given fax line are routed to a particular user or group.Received fax-line routing uses multiple fax lines and modems. All faxes that are received on a given fax line are routed to a particular user or group. Direct Inward Dialing (DID) uses trunk line and associats with multiple telephone numbers. Calls can be routed to different numbers, and incoming calls can be routed to the correct person.Direct Inward Dialing (DID) uses trunk line and associats with multiple telephone numbers. Calls can be routed to different numbers, and incoming calls can be routed to the correct person.

8. Fax-Server Enhancements The administrator can also purchase software to maximize the fax server.The administrator can also purchase software to maximize the fax server. For example, a fax gateway allows users to send faxes from word-processing packages, databases, spreadsheets, e-mail, and almost any other application.For example, a fax gateway allows users to send faxes from word-processing packages, databases, spreadsheets, e-mail, and almost any other application. It also provides a dedicated fax server that gives all network users access to the fax server.It also provides a dedicated fax server that gives all network users access to the fax server.