Fax2Send - How Do I....?

A practical guide to commonly asked topics

Updated March 13, 2007

also checkout the "FAQ" page

How do I become a reseller?

Complete the application form on the Fax2Send web site.

How do I buy Fax2Send if I don't want to use a credit card?

You can pay be EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer). On request we will supply our bank details. Payments take up to 5 working days to arrive. When payment is confirmed we will email the license keys for the license that has been purchased.

How do I check if my modem is working, I don't get a response?

The reason why Fax2Send can't initialise the modem is because it gets no response when it sends commands. The easiest way is to run the modem initialization utility which will test the modem and report whether it is working and can be used with Fax2Send. Login as root and type:

/usr/lib/fax2send/interface/class2 -t -nfaxmodem

Where "faxmodem" is the name of your modem as shown in the config file in "devices"

You can also check this out for yourself with the following commands:

/usr/lib/fax2send/bin/faxshut
/usr/lib/fax2send/bin/ufxtalk faxmodem

This command lets you talk directly to the modem. Type:

AT

you should get either an OK or a 0 in response. If you don't then you need to look at your modem setup. Try:

ATE1V1Q0

..that turns on echo, verbose mode and modem responses.
If still no response, check cables and connection to serial port.

BACK TO TOP

How do I configure my PC Client?

Configuring the PC Client is a two step process:

1. On the PC run the program Start/Programs/Fax2Send/Configure

   Fax2Send server Host Name is the name of your Linux server with the Fax2Send server installed, or alternately, can also be the absolute IP address - for example 192.168.0.104 (IMPORTANT - the Fax2Send Linux server must have an absolute IP address and not a dynamic address from a separate DHCP server)

   Do not change the Port Number unless told to do so by your network administrator

2. On the Fax2Send server add a user using the X-Windows config tool as username@host

   username is the MS Windows username (eg Fred) and host is the networking name for the PC (eg Sinope). So the entry would be fred@sinope

   IMPORTANT - If using DNS, make sure the entry in the 'Host' entry on the DNS tab is correct (Start/Programs/Control Panel/Network then highlight the TCP/IP entry for your network card and click on Properties then the DNS tab) it should be the same as the Computer name on the Identification tab of the Network setup Start/Programs/Control Panel/Network

Fax2Send does not do anything fancy to allow a logon of the user but it does look at the hostname. If this is not valid you can get errors like "Connection to host refused" The username can be any entry and does not have to be the Windows login name.

BACK TO TOP

How do I delete the faxes I have sent?

Fax2Send keeps images of faxes sent (and received) in an image cache on the server. An individual fax cannot be deleted in the conventional sense but will be removed automatically after a preset time to stay in this cache has passed. The parameter "Stay_Time" (its in Queue Settings) controls how long the image is kept and Audit_Stay_Time controls how long the header (or queue) entry is kept. Both can be changed by using the X-Windows configuration tool or by manually editing the config file. For more information follow this LINK

If you use the MS Windows client and drag and drop the fax to "Trash" this does not delete the fax but rather masks it from display by the PC client.

How do I dial without waiting for a dial tone?

You just need to alter the Predial and Init_String parameters in the
[faxmodem] section of /etc/fax2send/config.

For example, Init_String=ATX0 will make the modem blind dial.

..and if you want to dial 1234 before the number try

Predial=T1234

You can add a "," to pause the dial or W to wait for a new dial tone.

e.g Predial=1234W or 1234,

Restart Fax2Send after making changes.

How do I enter the License keys I have purchased?

In both cases login as root:

1. The easiest way is to use the X-Windows config tool. The 'package' button will open the configuration options. First click on the "LICENSE" radio button and enter the keys you have been given. Then click on the "Control" radio button and then "Restart".to reread the license entry you have just changed.
2. If you are not using the X-Windows Client you can also manually enter the keys by editing /etc/fax2send/LICENSE. The Registration number should be put on the first line and the License number on the second. You will then need to stop and restart the server with the following commands:

• /usr/lib/fax2send/bin/faxshut
• /usr/lib/fax2send/bin/faxdaemon

BACK TO TOP

How do I fax using my ISDN card?

Currently only EICON active ISDN cards can be used with Fax2Send as they provide a specific class 2 utility that translates Class 2 commands.

Unfortunately ISDN4LINUX does not support class 2 at present although there is independent development to address this so it is not possible to use an ISDN card for faxing unless the manufacturer provides a specific driver like Eicon do for their fax cards

There are very few drivers that support Class2 faxing (yet). You can see the current status at the web page
http://www.isdn4linux.de/faq/i4lfaq-3.html#ss3.4 .

Assuming that your card does support fax - this is what I think you will have to do:

1. You need to use the tty emulation port for the ISDN sub-system /dev/ttyI0 or /dev/ttyI1 etc. These ports present software with an AT style interface i.e. A software modem.
2. You may need to recompile your kernel with Class 2 AT Commands enabled in the tty sub-system. I had to do this on RH7.
3. You also need to include your MSN/EAZ in the init string for the modem.

In summary:

• Check out the page http://www.isdn4linux.de/faq/i4lfaq-3.html#ss3.4 to
  see if your ISDN card is supported for fax.
• Enable the kernel option for FCLASS2 (CONFIG_ISDN_TTY_FAX=Y).
• Edit /etc/fax2send/config and set Device=/dev/ttyI0 and
  Init_String=ATZ&E<your msn> in the [faxmodem] section

BACK TO TOP

How do I find out my license number?

For all V2.1-x licenses either use the X-Windows config tool and click on the 2License" radio button or look in the file /etc/fax2send/LICENSE

For V1.1.x licenses run the command:

/usr/lib/fax2send/bin/faxlicence -i

How do I get Fax2Send to email me notification of fax status

All V2.1 versions

You can get Fax2Send to email notification of failed/retry/engaged/no answer/etc by using Loglink. We have a script which you can download from HERE. (Note: Right-click on Linux platform as tar download)

Set "loglink=loglink" in the [General] section of the config file

How do I get it working with Sendmail?

Unfortunately although this will normally do the trick it may not work with your Sendmail implementation. If it doesn't email support giving your license registration number and details of the Linux distribution you are using.

Fax2Send now includes a delivery agent for sendmail. To configure the delivery agent:

1. cd /usr/lib/sendmail-cf/cf
2. Edit your sendmail config file (e.g redhat.mc) and add the line:
   MAILER(fax2send)
3. Compile using m4.
   e.g m4 redhat.mc > redhat.cf
4. Copy new .cf file to /etc/sendmail.cf.
   e.g cp redhat.cf /etc/sendmail.cf
5. Restart sendmail.
   e.g /etc/rc.d/init.d/sendmail stop
   /etc/rc.d/init.d/sendmail start
   
   To send e-mail through fax2send the e-mail address should look like:
   
   username@faxnumber.fax e.g Joe.User@1234567890.fax
   
   There are a few options that can be played with in the perl script:
   
   /usr/lib/fax2send/bin/mail2fax.
   
   At the moment it makes NO attempt to deal with attachments at all

How do I on the server insert images into PCL or ASCII files?

The Images need to be black and white (not greyscale or color). For BMP files convert the file into pure PCL by using the command bmpunpack (/usr/lib/fax2send/bin):

bmpunpack -ohp-logo file.bmp -ofile.pcl

Then use @@file.pcl as it saves the system having to do this everytime you use it

Fot more information see the entry in the FAQ Page

BACK TO TOP

How do I install my Windows printer for Fax2Send

The FAX2SEND printer can sometimes fail to install successfully on Windows 98 or Windows 2000. This doesn't mean that you cannot use the software since the printer can be installed manually.

1. From Start/Settings/Printers select "Add Printer"
2. Click Next until you need to select the printer port
3. Click on the button marked "Add Port"
4. Select "Local Port" from the list and click on "New Port"
5. For port name enter-C:\Program Files\Beacon\Fax2Send\FAX2SEND.PRN"
6. For the manufacturer select "HP"
7. For the Printer select "HP LaserJet III"
8. If necessary install the driver from the Windows disk
9. Call your printer "FAX2SEND"
10. Do not perform the printer test

BACK TO TOP

How do I use route inbound faxes using Direct Inward Dialing (DID)?

This feature was only supported using DCE faxmodems as it is not part of any modem standard and therefore requires that a driver is written for each modem that supports this feature. It works by using the DTMF tones that the DCE faxmodem can pass to Fax2Send. This also needs a compatible PABX which supports this feature.

DCE went out of business in 2002.

How do I use the config tool as it doesn't seem to be there...? X-Windows client

This was a caused by an error which meant that this part of Fax2Send server was ommitted from the download between February 23 to 27 after the new version V2.1-4 was introduced. Only downloads made between these dates are effected. To remedy this run this command:

#!/bin/sh
if test -z "$DISPLAY"
then
echo "$0 must be run under X"
exit 1
fi

cd ${UFXLIB-/usr/lib/fax2send}/tcl
tty > /dev/null 2>&1
if test $? -eq 0
then
wish -f config.tcl "$@"
else
wish -f config.tcl "$@" > /dev/null 2>&1
fi

BACK TO TOP

How do I use the Fax2Send X-Windows client on a Linux workstation connected to the Fax2Send server?

We do not provide a stand-alone X-Windows client for Fax2Send, so it is necessary to point at the server to run this application. I use the following method:

1. On the Linux client login as root and enter:

DISPLAY=hostname:0
export DISPLAY

...where "hostname" is the IP address or name (if you have a host table or DNS server) of your Fax2Send server.

2. On the server login as root and enter:

xhost +

Note: You have to be logged on as root on the Linux workstation to use it

BACK TO TOP

Set-up the Fax2Send PC Client Phone Book?

The PC Client uses an ODBC data source to keep Contact, Fax Numbers and other information. This is created using an external application which can be any of the following:

• Text files - *.txt or *.csv
• Excel files - *.xls
• MS Access - *.mdb
• dBase files - *.dbf

or any of the other sources shown in the ODBC Data Administrator window.

Step One:

Create a data source using any of the above applications.

Step Two

Open the "ODBC Data Source Administrator" application

• On Windows 98/ME this is in Control Panel
• On Windows 2000 this is in Control Panel/Administrative Tools

1. Select the appropriate data source and left-click on "Add"
2. The "Create New Data Source" dialog will appear. It should already have the correct driver highlighted, left-click on "Finish"
3. The "ODBC Text Setup" dialog will appear. Uncheck "Use current directory" then left-click on "Select Directory" and left-click on "OK"

Step 3

1. From the main Fax2Send PC Client windows click on the "Compose Fax" button (the first from the left)
2. On the "Prepare fax Message dialog box left-click on the "To" button

3. The "Contact List" dialog appears. left-click on the "configure" button at the top

4. The "Configure Phonebook" dialog appears. Left-click on the "Browse/Connect" button next to the Database Name field (which will be blank)

5. The "DBVIEW" dialog appears with the warning "Continuing will remove table and field information", left-click on "OK"

6. The "Select Data Source" dialog box appears. Choose the "Machine data Source" tab and then the data source you added in Step Two above, you will then return to the "Configure Phonebook" dialog
7. Left-click on the "Browse/Select" button next to the "Table Name" field
8. The "DBVIEW" dialog appears with the warning "Continuing will remove field information", left-click on "OK"
9. The files that can be used, which are in the directory you selected are displayed, choose the data source you set up and left-click on "OK"
10. You will return to the "Configure Phonebook" dialog, left-click on the "Select Fields" button
11. Choose the fields you want to display from the drop down box. "Yes" will show the field header you typed in to the data source file (if you put column headings in). Other selctions will override your column headings. "No" (default) means the column will not be displayed
12. Left-click on "OK"

You will now be able to use the Phone book you created in Step 1

BACK TO TOP

let all my users look at faxes we have sent?

An upgraded feature in server release V2.1-11. It also needs PC Client V2.1-11 to be installed.

An additional parameter in the [General] section of the config file has been introduced "Outbound_Image_Security_Level=x" where x is:

• 0 - no viewing restrictions
• 1 - users of same name can view images
• 2 - only users of same name on same host can view images

Configure the routing to be able to use the new email sorting feature?

Amend the following line in the intrayactions file (/etc/fax2send/intrayactions):

Unsorted~~~

Examples:

Unsorted~~~nikg@fax2send.com

Unsorted~~~nikg@fax2send.com sales@fax2send.com

The first example will forward all received faxes to nikg@fax2send.com. Note that you can have multiple email addresses to forward received faxes to, separated by a space.

mimencode also needs to be installed on the Linux server. To check if this is installed, open a terminal window and type "mimencode" at the command line. If it is not installed it can be found on the one of your Linux distributions CD's. Open your rpm manager to find it. A copy for Red Hat and Mandrake can be downloaded from our FTP server.........DOWNLOAD MIMENCODE

Note

If the mailserver is not running on the machine that is hosting Fax2Send then the "Server" setting in the [InboundFax2Mail] section of the config file (/etc/fax2send/config) needs to be changed to the name of the SMTP mail server used. Alternatively, if no DNS server is available, the IP address of the machine. See example extract from the config file below, where the mailserver has been changed to "earth" which is highlighted for clarity in red

[InboundFax2Mail]
# Width of JPG images
JPEGWidth=600
# Make message compatible with KMail
Kmail=no
# Use in-line images
InLine=yes
# Include original TIF file with message
TIF=yes
# SMTP Server to route inbound fax messages
Server=earth

BACK TO TOP

Remove / de-install the Fax2Send server?

RPM installs

For Fax2Send when installed using the rpm on Linux distributions or downloads login as root and enter the following from the command line:

rpm -e Fax2SendComplete

Please note: The above command will only remove those files originally installed and not additional directories or files created when running Fax2Send server. These have to be manually deleted. This is not an error but a restriction in the un-install function of rpm

TAR install

If Fax2Send server has been installed from using the tgz download you will need to login as root and go to the directory that you unpacked the tgz to:

1. cd installdirectory
2. ./deinstall

Remove / de-install the Fax2Send PC Client?

1. Open the Control Panel - START/Settings/Control Panel
2. Double-click on "Add/Remove Applications"
3. Find Fax2Send and click on "Change/Remove"
4. After this is complete close "Add/Remove Applications"
5. Delete the directory /Program Files/Beacon/Fax2Send
6. Open the Printers windows /START/Settings/Printers
7. Delete the FAX2SEND printer

BACK TO TOP

Configure Postfix to act as a mail-to-fax gateway?

Add the following two lines to the configuration file /etc/postfix/master.cf:

fax unix - n n - 5 pipe
flags= user=fax argv=/usr/lib/fax2send/bin/postfix2fax ${recipient} ${sender}

Add the following line to the configuration file /etc/postfix/transport:

.fax fax:localhost

Call "postmap transport".
Restart the Postfix daemon

Check that /etc/postfix/main.cf contains the line:

transport_maps=hash:/etc/postfix/transport

Save the following script as "postfix2fax" in the directory /usr/lib/fax2send/bin:

#! /bin/bash

NUMBER=`echo $1 | sed -e 's/\.fax$//' | sed -e 's/.*@//'`
USER='fax'

/usr/lib/fax2send/bin/mail2fax $USER $NUMBER $2

# End of script

Then change the file permissions with the command:

chmod uo+x /usr/lib/fax2send/bin/postfix2fax

Thanks to Stefan-Michael. Günther (in-put GbR) for this contribution

BACK TO TOP

Run Fax2Send with Lotus Domino on a single server?

Requirements:

1. Postfix installed
2. Postfix configured as email-to-fax-gateway
3. Domino must not use port 25 as the smtp port, since Postfix will use this port. Notes clients normally don't connect to the Domino via port 25, so this should not cause a problem.

Configuration of the Domino Server:

1. Start the Domino Administrator and open the menu "Domain"
2. Choose "Messaging" and the sub entry "Domains"
3. "Add Domain" -> "Foreign SMTP Domain"
4. The new domain has the ending "*.fax"
5. "Should be routed to: " Enter the local IP-address
   

If incoming faxes are to be forwarded via mail, Postfix has to be configured to forward the mails to the SMTP-Port
of the Domino Server.

Remember: You have to change the SMTP-Port of the Domino-Server

Configuration of the Postfix-daemon

1. In the configuration file /etc/postfix/main.cf the parameter myhostname has to be set to a value that's different from the server's name.
   Otherwise Postfix refuses to forward mail because the Domino uses the same name as Postfix.
   e.g. myhostname=postfix.mydomain.com
2. In the configuration file /etc/postfix/transport you have to enter the following line:

fax2send.com smtp:[LOCAL IP-ADDRESS]:10025

This tells Postfix to forward all mail to port 10025 an the local host. Set up the Domino Server to use port 10025 as the new SMTP port. Replace fax2send.com with your own domain

Do not forget to call "postmap transport" and to restart the Postfix daemon.

Thanks to Stefan-Michael. Günther (in-put GbR) for this contribution

BACK TO TOP

Change the PC Client default Image Viewer?

1. Left-click on "Options" on the main menu bar
2. Left-click on "General"
3. Left-click on the "Image Viewer" button
4. Choose one of the radio buttons:

"default application registered for the TIF file type" (as set in Windows Explorer Tools/Folder Options/File Types)

"Windows preview Imaging Application" (Kodak imaging on Windows 98 & W2K, Fax & Image Viewer on XP/XP Pro)

""The applications specified below" (either type in the full path to the application or browse using the >> button

5. Check the "Show this the next time I open an image" tick box to avoid this dialog box opening each time an image is opened.

BACK TO TOP

Find out what version of Fax2Send Server I am running?

Type the command "fax2stat -v" at the command line in a terminal session

BACK TO TOP

Set up a Linux printer for Fax2Send under CUPS

Use your Linux X-Windows tools to set up a HP LaserJet III as a local printer (e.g. PrinterDrake using Mandrake). Change the port to /dev/fax2send (it was probably set-up as /dev/lp0 if the parallel port was selected, or /dev/usb/lp0 if a USB port was selected). You will now be able to print to the fax2send printer direct from applications when using X-WIndows. Make sure the Fax2Send X-Windows client is running by typing

xfax2send&

..at the command prompt in a terminal window. The "&" means that the terminal window is released. You must ensure that the terminal window is not closed or the client will be terminated

BACK TO TOP

Faxing images?

Fax2Send handles some images directly (.bmp, ,.tif) but if you want to fax jpeg or gif images you need to open the image in an image program (Irfanview recommended on MS Windows) and print to the Fax2Send printer. This is true using either the Fax2Send PC or X-Windows clients. If using the X-Windows client you will need to set-up the Fax2Send printer under CUPS. See the topic above.

Note, some PC image applications (e.g. Fireworks) don't handle printing very well.

BACK TO TOP

How do I see all sent faxes not just todays?

When installed the default time to keep a copy of the fax image sent is 60 minutes, the header record to show that the fax was sent is kept for 30 days. To change these values you will need to edit the config file (/etc/fax2send/config) and change the following (shown with default settings):

# Number of minutes requests stay in current queue.
Stay_Time=60

# Number of days requests stay in old queue.
Audit_Stay_Time=31

These are in the [Gereral] section. The first value defines how long a copy of the image is kept. The second how long a record of the transmission is retained. Note that the first is in minutes while the second is in days. If a value of 0 (zero) is used they will be retained indefinitely providing disk space is available. After any change the Fax2Send server has to be restarted to reread the configuration files.

BACK TO TOP