The process of converting inbound faxes to email with TIF attachments provides flexibility, increases efficiency and is a paperless process.
The IOS fax on ramp can direct faxes received by multiple fax numbers to a single email address, or can have a one to one mapping so faxes received on specified fax numbers are sent to its relevant email address.
Cisco also provides a fax off ramp which is not included in this post.
Configuration Steps
1. Download the fax application from Cisco.com, a valid CCO account is required with a valid support contract associated. The location is under ->Telephony->CME->tcl scripts. The file name app_faxmail_onramp.2.0.1.3.tcl
2. Copy this tcl script to the Flash of the ISR.
Hostname#copy tftp://x.x.x.x/ app_faxmail_onramp.2.0.1.3.tcl flash: app_faxmail_onramp.2.0.1.3.tcl
3. Need to enable the ISR to process and forward fax calls.
Hostname(config)#fax interface-type fax-mail
**Must reload the the for changes to take effect.
4. Need to specify where the ISR can find and reference the tcl script. In the below example the word ‘on-ramp’ is a custom specified WORD. This must match the pots dial-peer service cmd.
Hostname(config)# application
Hostname(config-app)# service on-ramp flash:/app_faxmail_onramp.2.0.1.3.tcl
5. Make sure the domain name has been configured on the ISR. The domain name is used when the ISR sends the HELO cmd to the SMTP server.
Hostname(config)#ip domain-name contoso.com
6. Configure SMTP Server
Hostname(config)#mta send server x.x.x.x port 25
7. Configure the Subject Line to include both the Calling and Called DNIS or either individually. The Calling DNIS variable is $s$. The Called DNIS variable is $d$
Hostname(config)#mta send with-subject [both | $s$ | $d$]
8. Configure a sender address. Without this configured, most email servers will reject the email delivery. Do not include the suffix eg @domain.com
Hostname(config)# mta send mail-from username name
9. Configure the email address suffix (domain name) for the sender. Together with the username (above) this will form a sender email address.
Hostname(config)#mta send mail-from hostname name
10. Configure Pots Dialpeer to accept inbound fax call from PSTN. When the dialpeer is matched, the service referenced will force the call to be directed to a MMOIP (Multimedia Dialpeer) dialpeer. The MMOIP’s destination-pattern must match the called number. Other configuration in the pots dialpeer are standard
Hostname(config)#dial-peer voice 100 pots
Hostname(config-dial-peer)#description Match Fax Numbers
Hostname(config-dial-peer)#incoming called-number [string eg ^6542711$ or ^654…. Etc]
Hostname(config-dial-peer)#direct-inward-dial
Hostname(config-dial-peer)#service on-ramp
11. Configure the MMOIP dialpeer. This is effectively the outbound call leg of the fax call. The MMOIP will connect to the SMTP Server to send the email. Within this dial-peer we can specify the destination email address. The information-type fax allows the MMIOP to communicate to the T.37 fax protocol, without this command the tcl script cannot select this MMOIP dialpeer.
The command service fax_on_vfc_onramp_app out-bound references a script in the fax application when the dial-peer is used for outbound calls. This effectively sends the email.
Commands mdn, dsn success, dsn failure are optional. Determine whether send the originating fax a delivery notification if a fax fails, succeeds or delays.
Hostname(config)#dial-peer voice 101 mmoip
Hostname(config-dial-peer)#desc Outbound to Email
Hostname(config-dial-peer)#destination-pattern [string eg ^6542711$ or ^654….etc]
Hostname(config-dial-peer)# service fax_on_vfc_onramp_app out-bound
Hostname(config-dial-peer)# information-type fax
Hostname(config-dial-peer)# session target mailto:email_address
Hostname(config-dial-peer)# image resolution fine
Hostname(config-dial-peer)# mdn
Hostname(config-dial-peer)# dsn success
Hostname(config-dial-peer)# dsn failure