Table of Contents:

Definition and Overview

1. Introduction

2. Why Fax Testing Is Necessary

3. Fax Operation Overview

4. Basic Fax System Structure and Process

5. Message Repetitions and Time-Outs

6. Fax System Test Issues

7. Network Test Issues

8. Common Deviations from ITU Standards

9. Fax Testing Customer Types

10. Fax Testing Application Areas

11. Conclusion

Self-Test

Glossary

PDF of this tutorial

It is not just the manufacturers of fax systems who need to test their products. Network equipment manufacturers and network operators also require fax testing capabilities for the following reasons:

• Network delays can conflict with T.30 timing constraints.
• Testing is required to pinpoint network timing conflicts and users in implementing solutions.
• Network-induced errors and distortion can degrade quality.
• On-going testing shows how errors can be reduced and quality improved.
• Inefficient compression schemes and unnecessary padding can reduce network throughput.
• Testing is required to compare network performance with optimum performance and identify causes of reduced throughput.
• Gateways and servers can be overloaded resulting in lost calls.
• Bulk call generation can show the effects of heavy fax traffic and measure performance limitations.

Testing is required to measure network performance and enable users to fix problems and fine-tune operations.