Sending a fax in code

[cyprus106]

I've come across the need to send a fax, or at least start the fax machine, or enter the setup screen through code.
Is any part of that even remotely possible? Cyprus

 

[2ffat]

Let me see if I understand this situation. You have a separate fax machine that connects to your PC (e.g, H.P. OfficeJet). Is this correct?

How do the two connect: serial, parallel, or network?
Is the fax interface proprietary, a web interface, or telnet accessable? (If it is proprietary you may be out of luck.)



James P. Cottingham

I am the Unknown lead by the Unknowing.
I have done so much with so little
for so long that they think I am now
qualified to do anything with nothing.

 

[cyprus106]

This isn't for me specifically, I'm creating a program that requires fax support. Yes, they must be a seperate fax machine, though. I'll provide support for serial and parallell for the time being. On the interface... go with whatevers the most common.
Sorry I'm being so lax/vague, I've put this little chore off until the very end and I'm still pretty much in the dark about how to go about doing the fax in general. Cyprus

 

[2ffat]

Oh, so this isn't an existing fax machine, then. I suspect that the most common approach is proprietary so someone can't access the fax unless they also buy their software.

The best way I've seen it done is to use both a telent and web interface. (HP does this with their JetDirect stuff.) That way, however you connect to the device, you can get to the setup. For example, if you are connecting to the device through a serial port, you get the telnet session. If you connect through a network port, you get the web interface.

Most fax machines, however, are connected to the PC via a parallel cable. This makes a standard telnet or web interface a little more troublesome but not impossible. (Another reason they go with proprietary :-( .) I'd play to your strengths. If you are more familar with web/browser access, I'd do it that way. If you are familar with telnet sessions, do that; otherwise, do something proprietary. (I'm probably about as helpful as brick on the head.)

James P. Cottingham

I am the Unknown lead by the Unknowing.
I have done so much with so little
for so long that they think I am now
qualified to do anything with nothing.

 

[cyprus106]

I appreciate your input alot 2ffat, but you were right about that brick on the head thing . I kind-of sort-of know the theory on programming with fax machines, but have no code and no base to start with. Any sites or anything that have something to do with fax machines on them, code, etc...??

Thanks, Cyprus