Mgetty Fax Server

Introduction

The mgetty fax server is setup as a printer under unix. In order to send a fax an user simply prints to the fax. This fax server is a accessable from any place on the network. Normal printer access is needed access to the fax printer (see /etc/hosts.equiv).

lprfax script

The lprfax script is a printer filter that is to be execute by lpd on receiving a print job. The lprfax script redirects this printout to the faxspooler using the jobid as the fax number.

Note: The lprfax script must be execute as root. The spooler data files can only be read by root, unfortunately the script is executed under the userid of the person the submitted the print job.

The printcap entry

Add the following entry to the printcap file:

fax:\ 
	:sd=/var/spool/fax:\ 
	:mx#0:\ 
	:lp=/dev/null:\ 
	:if=/usr/bin/faxlpr:\ 
	:sh: 
It is assumed that /var/spool/fax is the same directory as the what is used by the mgetty sendfax program.

Using the fax server

Under Unix: lpr -J<fax number> <file to fax>

Under Windows use the mgetty fax monitor.

 


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