Fax Basics
A Fax Transmission Example (All Faxes- not just FaxNow)
A fax transmission works in steps – the fax machines handshake, transmit their message, and the send confirmation.
Step 1 – The Handshake
The handshake is the first part of a fax communication.
The sending machine waits for the line to pick up and then starts sending a series of beeps.
These beeps signify that the machine is requesting to send a fax. The sending fax machine is essentially saying “Hey! I’m a fax machine! I’m looking for another fax machine! Is there one there?”
If the machine on the other end is also a fax, that fax will answer the beep with its signal. At this point, the receiving fax machine is saying “Hey you’re a fax? Guess What? I’m a fax too!” And both machines now know that they’ve each made a friend.
Once both machines have acknowledged each other, they send information back and forth about them (just like two people getting to know each other). This information is along the lines of whether they are analog or digital faxes, as well as what compression formats they speak.
Once the two fax machines understand what the other is capable of, they decide on a format to send with and then start their transmission.
Step 2 – Transmission of Messages
After the handshake has occurred, the sending fax will send the message through to the receiving fax.
As both machines know that they speak the same language, they’re able to send the messages through in a format that they know the other machine knows.
Step 3 – Confirmation of Message Reception
The final step is the confirmation of the message being received. The receiving fax machine will send a confirmation notice, which the sending fax machine can now print out.
A fax transmission works in steps – the fax machines handshake, transmit their message, and the send confirmation.
Step 1 – The Handshake
The handshake is the first part of a fax communication.
The sending machine waits for the line to pick up and then starts sending a series of beeps.
These beeps signify that the machine is requesting to send a fax. The sending fax machine is essentially saying “Hey! I’m a fax machine! I’m looking for another fax machine! Is there one there?”
If the machine on the other end is also a fax, that fax will answer the beep with its signal. At this point, the receiving fax machine is saying “Hey you’re a fax? Guess What? I’m a fax too!” And both machines now know that they’ve each made a friend.
Once both machines have acknowledged each other, they send information back and forth about them (just like two people getting to know each other). This information is along the lines of whether they are analog or digital faxes, as well as what compression formats they speak.
Once the two fax machines understand what the other is capable of, they decide on a format to send with and then start their transmission.
Step 2 – Transmission of Messages
After the handshake has occurred, the sending fax will send the message through to the receiving fax.
As both machines know that they speak the same language, they’re able to send the messages through in a format that they know the other machine knows.
Step 3 – Confirmation of Message Reception
The final step is the confirmation of the message being received. The receiving fax machine will send a confirmation notice, which the sending fax machine can now print out.