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Fax over IP Requirements
To implement and deploy a successful fax over IP configuration using Imecom DM Fax Server software, it's important to understand what fax over IP is and how it works.
How does Fax Over IP work?
Traditional fax transmissions are based on the T.30 protocol and occur over a circuit-switched network - analog lines, digital voice T1, PRI ISDN, etc. Fax over IP is based on the T.38 protocol. When a fax is sent/received over IP, the fax travels over a packet-switched network.
Understanding how faxes are sent over an IP network requires a basic understanding of the T.38 and T.30 protocols.
- T.38 is the protocol that describes the process for sending and receiving faxes in real-time over a packet-switched network.
- T.30 is the protocol that describes the communication process between two fax devices on a circuit-switched network.
Click here for a detailed description of how fax over IP works.
Understanding VoIP Protocols
Prior to implementing DM Fax Server for FoIP, it is necessary to determine which VoIP protocol will be used on your IP network. Presently, DM Fax Server supports three VoIP protocols:
- Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)
- SIP is an Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) protocol for creating, modifying, and terminating sessions with one or multiple participants. It can be used for multimedia elements such as voice, chat, video, gaming, etc. SIP is widely used as a signaling protocol for VoIP.
- H.323
- H.323 is an Internet Telecommunications Union (ITU) standard and protocol. Similar to SIP, H.323 is used for multimedia communication over packed-switched networks and is often used as a signaling protocol for VoIP.
- Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP)
- MGCP is an Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) standard and protocol that enables communication with gateway interface devices between IP and circuit-switched networks
FoIP Requirements
In order for fax over IP to function successfully, the Imecom DM Fax Server must interface with an IP telephony system or VoIP gateway that supports:
- T.38
- SIP, H.323, or MGCP
It is important to note that while many VoIP system/gateway vendors claim to support T.38, not all do, or do it well enough. T.38 is designed to preserve the traditional fax experience, and ensures that faxes are successfully sent and received. T.38 will make adjustments for jitter, latency, and packet loss, which are inherent in all IP networks. This is important as fax devices are sensitive to timing. Without strong T.38 support, fax devices cannot reliably send and receive faxes over an IP network.
Imecom Group and Cantata Technology are continuously working with VoIP system vendors to establish compatibility between DM Fax Server/Brooktrout FoIP products and various VoIP systems and gateways. Click here for a list of supported IP telephony products.
