Technical information

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Testing the Fax Server
Testing the Fax Server
Immediately after installing the fax server, verify proper fax server operation by sending a simple test fax via the vfx
command line. You can send this test fax using the loopback feature or you can send it to any fax machine.
Sending a test fax using the loopback
Sending a test fax using the loopback feature eliminates potential outside problems (e.g., phone lines, modems, etc)
that could cause a fax transmission failure.
You need a small text file to use as a test fax. Any text file will do.
1. Important : If you have not already logged out and logged back in to the server since you've installed VSI-
FAX, then do so now.
2. Open a command shell on your computer.
3. Verify that the fax server is running by entering:
vfxstat -s 2
Server status information is displayed. The display will be continually refreshed every two seconds.
4. Open another command shell on your computer.
5. Send your test fax by entering:
vfx -n <fax_number> -d lb <my_file.txt>
For example, to fax a test file called MyFile.txt to (800) 123-4567 using the loopback feature, you would
enter:
vfx -n 8001234567 -d lb MyFile.txt
The test fax is sent to the loopback device queue, and the fax job number appears.
6. Switch to the command shell showing the fax server status.
You can track the status of your test fax as the display is continually updated.
1. After your test fax is successfully sent, it is routed to your received fax inbox. You can open and view this file
with the multi-page TIFF viewer on your computer to verify that the fax was sent correctly.
2. Run the vfxilog command. The first entry listed will show the request ID of the last fax that was received.
Write down this request ID. The fax will be stored in the fax queue for the user named in the clientid column.
3. Launch your multi-page TIFF viewer.
4. Open the <request_ID>.tif file located in the fax server faxq/<user> directory, where <request_ID>
corresponds to the test fax request ID you wrote down.
Your test fax is displayed in your multi-page TIFF viewer.
Sending a test fax to a fax machine
For the fax to work, you need a valid fax number for a fax machine in your area. You also need a small text file to use
as a test fax. Any text file will do.
1. Open a command shell on your computer.