gordon@cs.mcgill.ca (Gordon ROULEAU) (04/30/91)
The question: >> Like many university campuses, we find ourselves in the situation >>where we want to integrate FAX sending with our existing SMTP infra- >>structure, ie. use mail addresses of the form <phone-number>@fax.<domain> >>and mail text files to the fax gateway. This scheme allows us to either >>send mail directly to the fax gateway or via a list server, just like any >>regular mail. The real problem is finding a supported commercial FAX >>package that can receive SMTP mail and deal with phone numbers embedded >>in addresses. If anyone knows about such a product please let me know... And... Although I've received several public domain answers, I'm going to restrict this to commercial packages in the interest of not being too long (well almost, Henry Minsky's netfax package sneeked in). All the products listed run on either a Sun, or a PC running Xenix and connected to a Sun via rs232 cabling. ------------------------------- >From: "Perry E. Metzger" <metzger@watson.ibm.com> > >You have no such need whatsoever. > >Any fax package that can be started automatically can be used with >sendmail in the manner you describe. (I bet that similar tricks can be >used for any other major mailer.) > >1. Add "fax.domain..." as an alias for your fax server machine in to > the domain databse. > >2. Add lines into your sendmail.cf on the fax server machine so that > it knows that mail addressed to "fax.domain..." should be passed to > a new mailer which you will create as a shell script. > >3. Write a simple shell script that does some access control, strips > appropriate headers, extracts the phone number from the To: line, > and sends the fax out with the command line your commercial fax > package wants. > >All told, this should take you no more than one hour to set up, most >of that being spent hacking sendmail if you know nothing of sendmail. I spoke with people at Computer Signal Corp., Perfect Byte, and The Bristol Group; all have command line access to their packages. CSC is sending me their CD-ROM demo (see below). --gord. ------------------------------- >From: "Anthony A. Datri" <datri@concave.convex.com> > >The stuff from PerfectByte has this capability, but I've been having a >bitch of a time trying to get their modem-interacting software to work. >There's a company called Computer Signal Corporation that has a product >that looks more attractive. If you call 800-835-3365 they'll send you a >free CD-ROM demo. ------------------------------- For those who haven't seen this already, the following provides a detailed overview of products: >From: Stefan Mochnacki <stefan@centaur.astro.utoronto.ca> > >read and enjoy ! > > >A few weeks ago, in v9n375, I asked about integrating FAX and e-mail >on a network. I received MANY useful replies, and I particularly thank: > >chucks@sne42n.orl.mmc.com >John Hasley<hasley@andy.bgsu.edu> >Fuat C. Baran <fuat@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu> > "C.R. Ritson" <C.R.Ritson@newcastle.ac.uk> >Phillip.Everson@UK.Sun.COM (Phillip Everson) >Nicolas Chrissakis <nicolas@csi.forth.gr> >jec@inf.rl.ac.uk (John E Chandler) >srm@unify.com (Steve Maraglia) >John E.Phillips <uunet!pcgbase!jep> >Les.Zsampar@Canada.Sun.COM (Les Zsampar) >Marek.Krawus@cc.uq.oz.au >gmd@uunet.UU.NET (George MacDonald) >paul@moore.com (Paul Maclauchlan) >hqm@ai.mit.edu (Henry Minsky) >allen@QAL.Berkeley.Edu >oattes@madhaus.utcs.utoronto.ca > "Amir J. Katz (Xpert" <sn4idc8!amirk@uunet.uu.net> >rafael@@decwrl.dec.com (Le Jazz) >Brian Beattie - Dunlap Observatory <beattie> >sn4idc8!amirk@uunet.UU.NET (Amir J. Katz (Xpert)) >whitney!siddiqi@sunkist.West.Sun.COM (Arshad M Siddiqi) >aut!sbader@hasler.ascom.ch >Robert J. Moorhead <rjm@Zeus.ERC.MsState.Edu> > > >I consider only packages which do BOTH outgoing and incoming FAXes; >there are other packages which do only outgoing FAXes. I have received >literature from several vendors, and I have corresponded with the author >of a free package. A highly edited summary follows. The packages are, in >very roughly descending order of cost: > > >1. Qfax (Choreo Systems ) >2. IsoFax (Bristol Group) >3. FAXModem 9600 (Perfect Byte) >4. Unifax (Faxxis International) >5. FAXView (Sun) >6. VSI*FAX (V-Systems) >7. Trufax (COS Inc.) >8. netfax (Henry Minsky, MIT Media Lab) > >Additional info: > >9. S-Bus based products. > >################################################################ > >1. Qfax > > Vendor: Choreo Systems Inc. > 47 Colbourne Street, Suite 300, > Toronto, Ontario M5E 1P8, CANADA > Tel: (416)-360-0516 FAX: (416)-359-1172 > Attn: Chris Strybos > >[ Received literature and FAXes - SWM ] > >This system uses a dedicated 286 or 386 PC server, containing one or more >FAX cards, connected by RS232 to a UNIX or VMS host, directly or >via a terminal server. Handles ASCII, Postscript, TIFF, HPGL and IMG >files in and out. Does multiple destinations, full security and accounting, >has Wordperfect interface. Very complete product. > >################################################################ > >2. IsoFax (From: jec@inf.rl.ac.uk (John E Chandler) ) > > The Bristol Group Ltd, The Bristol Group Deutschland GmbH, > P.O. Box 910, Dreieichstrabe 10, > Londonderry, D6082 Morfelden-Walldorf, > New Hampshire 03053. Germany. > Phone : 603 437-3700 Phone : 0 6105 2945 > Fax : 603 437-3220 Fax : 0 6105 25395 > >[ Received literature and FAXes - SWM ] > > Overview > Isofax is a modular software package, based on five key modules. The > package uses an Everex/Abaton faxmodem (which is currently not British > Telecom approved) but BG claim that a version of the package working with > a BT approved modem will be available at some time in the near future. > Hardware supported by the package includes Sun3, and Sun4(SPARC) machines. > > > Key Features > Incoming and outgoing faxes > Graphical (SunWindows) and command line interface's > Input files accepted - ASCII, raster and postscript > Floating network license > On screen viewing of faxes > Delayed/off hours transmission of faxes > Multiple destinations > Incoming and Outgoing activity logs > Fax Phone directory > > [ I had several happy users mail me comments ] > >################################################################ > >3. Faxmodem 9600 [ From: jec@inf.rl.ac.uk (John E Chandler) ] > > Perfect Byte Inc. > 7121 Cass Street, > Omaha, > Nebraska 68132 Phone : 402 554-1122 > United States Fax : 402 554-1938 > >[ Received literatire and FAXes - SWM ] > > Overview > The Faxmodem 9600 is a complete package comprising a fax modem > and driver/application software. The modem is currently not BT approved, > though PB say they have applied for approval and expect their modem to be > approved within the next 12 weeks. Faxmodem 9600 is an external device > which plugs into a dedicated asynch serial port on the host workstation. > The package requires a diskful Sun-4 workstation with a minimum of 10MB of > free space. > > Key Features > Incoming and outgoing faxes > Graphical (SunView and OpenWindows) and command line interface's > Input files accepted - ASCII, raster and postscript > E-mail notification of receipt of fax and other fax activity > Onscreen viewing of faxes > Floating network license > Delayed/off hours transmission of faxes > Multiple destinations > Incoming and Outgoing activity logs > Fax Phone directory > > [ I had several happy users mail me comments ] > >################################################################ > >4. Unifax [From: jec@inf.rl.ac.uk (John E Chandler) ] > > Faxxis International Inc., > 13355 Noel Road, > Suite 500, > Dallas, Phone : 214 702-7999 > Texas 75240. Fax : 214 702-7992 > > Overview > Unifax is mainly intended for use on PC's running Xenix, (the graphical > front end and fax previewer being meant for use with EGA/VGA screens). > Faxxis did however claim to be completing support for Sun O/S and to be > providing X-windows support on 88000 architectures, when I contacted them > back in August > > Unifax may be used in conjunction with a number of different fax modems, > including the Everex/Abaton and JT Fax 9600 modems. > > Key Features > Incoming and outgoing faxes > Graphical (EGA/VGA, X-Windows due Sep/Oct 90) and command line interface's > Input files accepted - ASCII, and TIFF/F (postscript due Sept 90) > E-mail notification of receipt of fax and other fax activity > Onscreen viewing of faxes > Delayed/off hours transmission of faxes > Multiple destinations > Incoming and Outgoing activity logs > >################################################################ > >5. FAXView [ From: Les.Zsampar@Canada.Sun.COM (Les Zsampar) ] > > This is a Sun Sonsulting special. Contact your local > Sun sales office. Some excerpts from Sun's info: > >Faxview User's Guide >==================== > >Description: >============ > Faxview is a SunView based application to send, receive, > display and print facsimiles. Sending and receiving of faxes > is accomplished via email from a "fax server" workstation. > Faxview can either be run as a window-based program on your Sun > framebuffer to display an image of a fax or it can be run from > any terminal to print a fax. > > The window-based portion of faxview consists mainly of 3 > SunView frames. The first frame contains 3 windows, the > Control panel where the user chooses how to display the fax, > the scrollable Error window where error messages are displayed, > and the Display canvas where the facsimile image can be > viewed. > > ############ > > Installation STEP 1. > ==================== > The following files should be included with the faxview > software distribution: > > faxview ** Tool to view & print FAX document > faxview.doc ** Documentation for faxview > im_scale ** Scaling filter for Imagen printer > rasterfile_to_impress ** Print filter for Imagen > printer > > and the following files are needed and can be found in either > the Sun standard OS release or printer software releases. > > pssun ** Print filter for Sun Laserwriter > ** (supplied with Transcript software) > uuencode ** Encodes files for email transmission > uudecode ** Decodes uuencoded files > > Contact your system administrator or the Sun Corporate FAX room > if you need a copy of the listed files. > >################################################################ > >6. VSI*Fax [ From: whitney!siddiqi@sunkist.West.Sun.COM (Arshad M Siddiqi)] > > VSI*FAX from V-Systems can make your sun a fax machine. > There number is (714) 545-6442. > > [ From: srm@unify.com (Steve Maraglia) ] > >I've just purchased a product from a company called V-Systems (714-545-6442), >that includes a fax modem and software that enables you to send, receive >and print (on a HP Laser jet) faxes. This product is still in its infancy but >shows a lot of promise. I'm running it on a Sequent, I don't know if >the have ported it to Sun yet but it is ported to 386 running Sys V.3. >Give them a call! > >Steve Maraglia >Unify Corporation ..!{uunet,csusac,pyramid}!unify!srm >3870 Rosin Court Sacramento, CA 95834 (916) 920-9092 > >################################################################ > >7. Trufax [From: jec@inf.rl.ac.uk (John E Chandler) ] > > COS Inc., > 9 Huron Way, > Lawrencville, Phone : 609 771-6705 > NJ 08648 Fax : 609 530-0898 > >[ Received literature and FAXes - SWM ] > > Overview > Trufax is another fax product which is mainly intended for use with > 386 based PC's running either Unix or Xenix. When I contacted COS Inc. > however, I was informed that a Sun-4 version was being beta tested and > that it was due for release towards the end of October. > > Trufax supports only external fax modems and their literature makes > specific reference to the Everex Everfax modem. > > Trufax is designed as a set of tools, which can be used from the command > line. > > > Key Features > Incoming and outgoing faxes > Command line interface > Input files accepted - ASCII, and TIFF/F > E-mail notification of receipt of fax > Onscreen viewing of faxes > Automatic retries > > [ I received the info from these people: They now support: > 386/486 UNIX, XENIX, PS/2 AIX, Sun SPARCStation, AT&T 3B2, RS6000 > Their prices are extremely competitive. Talk to Bill Michaelson. > Chinon DS-3000 scanner supported; HP Laserjet II. > > - SWM. ] > >################################################################ > >8. netfax > > This is the only extensive freely-available package I located. >Here are excerpts of what I have received (I have also downloaded >the latest version) : > >[ Exchanged e-mail with Henry Minsky. Thank you Phillip Everson] > >Original-posting-by: hqm@media-lab.MEDIA.MIT.EDU (Henry Minsky) >Original-subject: UNIX network fax transmission software >Archive-site: alpha-bits.ai.mit.edu [128.52.32.5] >Archive-directory: /pub/netfax > >We have written a fax spooler to run on our lab unix network. It >takes documents in ASCII, postscript, or DVI form and transmits them >using an Abaton Interfax 24/96 faxmodem. We use ghostscript, the publicly >licensed postscript interpreter, and the Portable Bitmap Toolkit to >generate the bitmap data and encode it for the fax modem. > >It is easy to have the mailer invoke the fax sending program in order to >make an email/fax gateway. > >We are using a beta release of the faxmodem software from Everex, which >supports the new class 2 faxmodem protocol. It should be available >commercially very soon. > >The compressed tar file of sources are available by anonymous ftp from >alpha-bits.ai.mit.edu >in the /pub/netfax directory as netfax.tar. > >_____________________________________________________ > > >The class 2 spec is based on the ongoing work in EIA technical committee >TR-29.2, Facsimile Digital Interfaces. Project PN-2388, Aschnchronous >Facsimile DCE Control Standard, is the base specification. > >Service Class 2 will be published and sold by EIA as EIA-592 after the >ballot-edit-ballot process converges. Ballot copies of SP-2388 can be >obtained by sending a check (pay to "Electronics Industry Association >") for $28.00 to "Susan Shaw, EIA , 2001 Pennsylvania NW, Washington >DC 20006" > >I believe that there are NO commercially avaliable modems today which >conform to the Class 2 Standard. We are using a BETA TEST version of >the Abaton Interfax modem, with new ROMs from the developer. They >tell me that they will be announcing a commercially available Class 2 >Modem product very soon (within a few months for sure). For more info, >contact >John Dyer-Bennet at Cygnet ( a subdsidiary of Everex) at Voice: >415-486-2620 , Fax: 415-845-5441 > >I keep meaning to scan in the TR-29.2 document, and put it online, but >I don't have enough time. > >Godd luck, > Henry > >__________________________________________________ > > >>From hqm@ai.mit.edu Fri Dec 7 14:42:58 1990 >Subject: Receiving FAXes ... and netfax. > > Date: Fri, 7 Dec 90 01:10:54 EST > From: Stefan Mochnacki <stefan@centaur.astro.utoronto.ca> > > In looking over the netfax package I downloaded from alpha-bits yesterday, > we have noticed "faxreceive". It is not mentioned anywhere else in the > package > as far as I can see. I presume some sort of daemon would have to invoke > it when it detects that the phone is ringing. Is "faxreceive" a working > piece of software (minus daemon ?) ? > > Would "netfax" work under SunOS 3.5 on a Sun 3 ? > > >The faxreceive stuff is indeed a fax receive routine I started working >on. I haven't had time to finish it, but the idea is to move the tty >control to a separate module, and to make the faxspooler monitor the >tty line when it is idle. If it sees a RING signal, it should call the >faxreceive stuff, and dump the incoming files to a spool directory. > >I really need to remodularize the low level control stuff. I plan to >isolate out the fax class 2 protocol stuff into a separate file. This >should make it easier for people to write their own applications, and >provide some level of documentation if you don't have the Class 2 >document. > >I will probably finish the stuff over January, when we have a winter >break. > >I assume the code is fairly portable. We don't use any fancy OS >features. > >Henry > >____________________________________________ > >From hqm@ai.mit.edu Tue Dec 11 18:29:45 1990 >Subject: new release of netfax software > >I've added fax receive capability to the netfax stuff. It now watches >for ring signals from the modem, and dumps the incoming faxes into a >directory. > >The bits are in > >alpha-bits.ai.mit.edu: ftp/pub/systems/netfax/netfax.tar.Z > >(thats internet address 128.52.37.5) > >Still no word on when the Class 2 modems are being announced as >products, but I've heard that it should be soon. > >Henry > >################################################################# > >9. S-Bus FAX products: (info from Sun; "CATALYST" cat'lg.) > >Vendor Name Product Description Price/Availability >----------- ------------------ ------------------ > >Antares Microsystems Fax Modem Contact vendor >Alex Chan >415-965-4326 >Fax:(415)964-2027 >---------------------------------------------------------------------------- >Helios Systems X-tend Netmodem/Fax board November 90 >(408)432-0292 H/W and S/W solution for >Fax:(408)943-1309 voice, data and fax >Gordon Meyer >e-mail helios-mktg@cup.portal.com >---------------------------------------------------------------------------- >JTS Computer Systems Data Compression/Decompression August 90 >Joe Strul using CCITT group 3 & Group 4 >(416)665-8910 >Fax:(416)665-8258 >---------------------------------------------------------------------------- >Xecom NewPort SB Fax/Data (9.6 Kbaud August 90 >408-945-6640 Fax, 2.4 Kbaud data modem) Contact vendor >Fax:(408)942-1346 for pricing > >Allen Gregory NewPort SB 2400MNP5 2400 baud October 90 > data modem > > NewPort SB 9600 Fax Group 3 October 90 > send/recieve Fax modem -- !............... Gordon Rouleau | Email: gordon@cc0.lan.mcgill.ca ................ Computing Centre | Voice: (514) 398-3718 ...............? McGill University | Fax: (514) 398-6876