Fax Server Compatibility in Cisco Unified Communications Networks

I am often asked about the fax server solutions that interoperate with Cisco voice products. Customers are interested in knowing what fax server brands and vendors are compatible with their Cisco Unified Communications networks. The answer that I give to customers is quite simple - any fax server solution that adheres to the fax relay standard of T.38 and a standard call control protocol such as H.323 or SIP should interoperate within a Cisco Unified Communications environment. However, at the same time, I let them know that Cisco also has partnered with two fax server vendors if they are interested in Cisco branded IP fax servers solutions.

For centralized, enterprise fax server deployments, Cisco offers the Cisco Fax Server product. This product uses a Dialogic fax engine and the Captaris RightFax application. More information on the Cisco Fax Server can be found here -

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps6178/index.html

The other fax server solution that Cisco offers is the AXP-XMediusFAX solution. Residing on the ISR AXP module running a LINUX OS, the AXP-XMediusFAX solution is targeted for branch deployments where a minimal server footprint and ease of management and integration is needed. More information on the AXP-XMediusFAX solution can be found here -

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/routers/ps9701/data_sheet_c02_459083.html

When migrating to an IP fax server solution, it is worth taking the time to explore the many options available. Different organizations will have different needs so a fax server solution that works for one customer may not work for another. As long as a particular fax server brand adheres to the T.38 IP faxing standard, then interoperability should not be a problem with Cisco voice products. For customers that desire or are interested in an end-to-end Cisco branded solution then the Cisco Fax Server and AXP-XMediusFAX solutions are available.