Fax machines typically uses an RJ11 or regular phone line for
connecting. This connection that then needs to go to a RJ45
Ethernet connection (RJ11 TO RJ45). When you want to integrate an existing
fax machine to an IP-PBX, you will need to convert the analog fax line to an
Ethernet or RJ45 connection. One way to implement this is to use an ATA
(Analog Telephone Adapter) such as, a Cisco
SPA122, SPA112 ATA, or a Cisco/Linksys PAP2T which will accept an analog RJ11
phone connection from the fax machine using one of the Phone Port
connections (Line 1 or Line 2).
You would typically mount the SPA112 or SPA122 in the phone closet near the Asterisk server using the RJ11 phone line already in place back to the fax machine. The Ethernet connection would connect into the switch, connecting back to the Asterisk server as an extension.
After connecting the ATA as the analog gateway device and making sure adequate bandwidth exists, you may want to take advantage of some of the configuration changes that will help ensure the most reliable result when faxing. *Ensure that your device is running the latest firmware.
<FAX_V21_Detect_Enable_1_>Yes</FAX_V21_Detect_Enable_1_>
<FAX_CNG_Detect_Enable_1_>Yes</FAX_CNG_Detect_Enable_1_>
<FAX_Passthru_Method_1_>ReINVITE</FAX_Passthru_Method_1_>
<FAX_Enable_T38_1_>Yes</FAX_Enable_T38_1_>
<FAX_Tone_Detect_Mode_1_>caller or callee</FAX_Tone_Detect_Mode_1_>