Fax Server - User Interfaces

User Interfaces

For outgoing faxes, several methods are available to the user:

• An e-mail message (with optional attachments) can be sent to a special e-mail address; the fax server monitoring that address converts all such messages into fax format and transmits them.
• The user can tell his computer to "print" a document using a "virtual printer" which, instead of producing a paper printout, sends the document to the fax server, which then transmits it.
• A web interface can be used, allowing files to be uploaded, and transmitted to the fax server for faxing.
• Special client software may be used.

For incoming faxes, several user interfaces may be available:

• The user may be sent an e-mail message for each fax received, with the pages included as attachments, typically in either TIFF or PDF format.
• Incoming faxes may be stored in a dedicated file directory, which the user can monitor.
• A website may allow users to log in and check for received faxes.
• Special client software may be used.