To send faxes with directfax the IBM i needs a connection to the "fax network" - so far this is an analog or ISDN phone line, or a connection to VoIP.

This page shows the different possibilities to connect fax hardware to the IBM i and make it usable for directfax.

Alternatively, one can use the fax service provider Retarus as a gateway. More info about Retarus can be found at hier.

Current fax hardware

Toolmaker Communications Unit - TCUB4

The TCUB4 is currently the current way to connect directfax to the fax network. It is a router RT1202 from Bintec, which was configured and tested by Toolmaker especially for directfax. It is connected on the server side via Ethernet and has 2 ISDN ports, i.e. it has 4 fax channels that can be operated in parallel if the appropriate licenses are available in directfax.

Instructions for installing and configuring the TCUB4:Produktdokumentation-TCUB4

Manual and software for TCUB4 (Bintec RT1202) on Bintec page: http://www.bintec-elmeg.com/downloads/router/rt-serie/

Preconfiguration by Toolmaker

A TCUB4 delivered by us will be pre-configured for you. For this we need the following information from you with the order:

1.the IP address which is intended for the device

2. the corresponding netmask

3. the gateway

4. the IP address of the DNS server to be used

Internal modem in the IBM i

Some IBM i systems have their own internal modem. The following types are supported by directfax: 2771, 2793, 576C

Comport1 and Comport4: Ethernet to V24 converter for connecting an analog modem

The Comport is connected on the server side via Ethernet and has 1 or 4 V24 ports depending on the model. The channels are configured via directfax.

Communication server models #58001, #58004 and #58201, manufactured by Wiesemann and Thies are supported

Additional information COMPORT (Comserver von W&T)

older fax hardware

Serial interface with external modem

If a serial interface (V.24) is still available in the IBM i, then a modem can be connected. However, only a few selected models are supported, and their availability on the market is questionable.

TCUx

This is special server hardware that runs partly and Linux and partly under Windows. An overview of the TCU00, TCU02 and TCU04 models can be found here hier.