Sending Faxes in real-time over an IP Network
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This white paper discusses Fax over Internet Protocol (FoIP), which enables the real-time sending of faxes over IP networks, detailing its advantages such as cost-effectiveness through least cost routing. It explores the technologies involved, including T.38 protocol for fax data transfer, and various methods for interfacing with VoIP systems and third-party calls. The document aims to inform readers about transitioning from traditional fax methods to modern IP-based solutions, ensuring improved efficiency and lower costs.
Sending Faxes in real-time over an IP Network
- 1. GFI White Paper Sending faxes in real time over an IP network How to benefit from Fax over Internet Protocol (FoIP) to send faxes This technical white paper gives an introduction to Fax over Internet Protocol (FoIP) and explains the various usages and advantages of FoIP. FoIP can also be used to implement least cost routing (LCR); this results in cost-effectiveness that is achieved through a reduction in international calls dialed (since calls are translated into a local call at the recipient’s country).
- 2. Contents Introduction 3 What is FoIP? 3 The fax session 3 Possibility of Fax over VoIP audio 4 Calling a third party with VoIP 4 Building your own gateway network 6 Least cost routing 7 Notes about this method 7 SIP and H.323 session management 8 What is H.323? 8 What is SIP? 8 About GFI® 11 Sending faxes in real time over an IP network 2
- 3. Introduction Faxing manually is out of date! The time when faxes used to be sent one by one over a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) is gone. Using Internet technology, it is possible to send professional faxes over the Internet at a very low cost. This can be achieved through Fax over Internet Protocol (FoIP) which is a technology that allows faxes to be sent in real time over an IP network. This white paper examines the different technologies and protocols available to send faxes. What is FoIP? FoIP is a deviation from Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) as it makes use of a new protocol (T.38) instead of a voice codec. However, both VoIP and FoIP have session management features in common in that both have connection, disconnection and negotiation stages. In VoIP the data is audio and is sent over an audio compression codec for example G.117a which is a lossy compression scheme: a compression method whereby data that is compressed and then decompressed may well be different from the original, but is close enough to be useful in some way. In FoIP the data is T.30 fax data instead of audio and T.30 data does not make use of a lossy compression scheme. Since T.30 data is quite compressed in itself, there is no need for compression but mostly data integrity, and as illustrated in the diagram below, FoIP uses a protocol called T.38 to transfer fax data over IP. Voice over IP (VoIP) Fax over IP (FoIP) Connect Connect Negotiate Negotiate T The audio data is passed as a as a audio data is passed The T.30 fax data is encoded as I compressed audio stream using compressed audio stream using per the T.38 standard and sent M audio codec selected in thein the audio codec selected over to the receiving end. E negotiation phase. negotiation phase. For example:For example: G.117a. G.117a. Disconnect Disconnect Format of the data passed from sender to receiver in VoIP and FoIP The fax session A fax session is a standardized way of transferring images via a communications medium in real-time. The real- time element is necessary to confirm the transfer of the images. Nowadays, this confirmation in conjunction with Error Correct Mode (ECM) makes a fax legally binding and is used for legal reasons. Standardized fax data is called T.30. This data is the same for all types of fax sessions with the difference being that it is encoded in various ways depending on the communications medium used. The following illustrates a typical fax session over analog Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) telephone lines. In the illustrations below, the communications medium used is analog PSTN telephone lines. These can only send audible data in the range of just below 4 KHz which is only good for voice. The T.30 fax data is encoded to audible data, sent to the recipient, decoded back to T.30 data thus resulting in an image at the recipient’s side. Sending faxes in real time over an IP network 3
- 4. Dial Connect Negotiate T I T.30 fax data encoded as audio M over analog lines. Multiple E negotiations take place in between pages. Disconnect Fax session over analog PSTN lines Possibility of Fax over VoIP audio It is possible to send a fax of normal audio VoIP but the success rates are very low. This method is referred to as Fax over Voice over IP. VoIP uses a lossy codec that humans hear correctly. This codec eliminates certain parts of the audio that our ear cannot hear for further compression. To reduce the bandwidth used by the codec for audio data, silence is also not transmitted as part of the audible data. To make things worse, some VoIP codecs produce what is called ‘comfort noise’ so that the human caller hears silence as soothing noise. Fax machines do not like comfort noise since they can ‘hear’ better than humans do and need the audible data intact including the silent parts and also the non-human-audible parts. Therefore, in general Fax over Voice over IP is not a good option and will surely fail miserably. Calling a third party with VoIP There are many ways to call a third party using VoIP and all these methods are also relevant for FoIP. The various methods are described below. Direct IP This is a different methodology from normal phone numbers. As the name ‘Direct IP’ implies, this method requires the exact IP address or URL of the third party to be known despite its impracticality. IP phone IP phone 10.1.1.1 10.1.1.2 Call 10.1. IP Locally stored IP address IP database which is difficult DB 10 to maintain. The Direct IP method Using a Registrar/Gatekeeper This method builds on the Direct IP method described above, however, since IP addresses are not very easy to remember, it makes use of regular phone numbers to call a third party using VoIP. This method uses a Registrar (SIP) or a Gatekeeper (H.323), where both Registrar and Gatekeeper perform the same task but called differently depending on the protocol used. Sending faxes in real time over an IP network 4
- 5. This method works by registering both IP address and phone number with the Registrar or Gatekeeper. When a third party needs to be called, it is then sufficient to dial the phone number of the third party only and the Registrar or Gatekeeper are then queried for the IP address of the specific phone number to call. The following examples describe the process: 1. Phone 10.1.1.1 registers with server having phone number 123 2. Phone 10.1.1.2 registers with server having phone number 456 3. Phone 10.1.1.1 needs to call phone number 456 so it queries the server for the IP address of the phone number 456 4. The server replies saying that phone number 456 has IP 10.1.1.2 5. Phone 10.1.1.1 calls 10.1.1.2 directly 6. The above steps are all done transparently from the user by the phone of VoIP application. IP phone IP phone 10.1.1.1 5. Call 10.1.1.2 10.1.1.2 Registrar/Gatekeeper 1. Register as Stored mappings: 2. Register as #456 - 10.1.1.2 3. Query IP for #456 #123 - 10.1.1.1 The drawback of this method is that all IP phones must be registered with the same network of Registrars or Gatekeepers to be able to resolve to the phone number. Gateway mode So far, both Direct IP and Registrar/Gateway methods assumed that the recipient is on a VoIP network. However, some third parties might only have a normal land line having PSTN or ISDN. There are two ways of contacting third parties on a normal landline, either by using a VoIP provider or by setting up your own gateway network. VoIP provider This method is very common nowadays especially for low cost international calls. Normally the VoIP provider sets up an IP phone (or normal phone connected to an Internet router) in your premises. You are also assigned a phone number. With this equipment you can call a normal landline or IP number directly by dialing only the recipient’s phone number. The VoIP provider will then find the best route to call the third party with the least cost possible. This is the simplest and most straightforward form of dialing to a landline or internationally using VoIP. The greatest drawback is that the VoIP provider must also support FoIP to be able to make fax calls using FoIP capable equipment. Sending faxes in real time over an IP network 5
- 6. Building your own gateway network This method is preferred in larger companies, especially those that have an existing IP infrastructure. Building a gateway network involves the use of VoIP gateways. These devices change transport medium in real-time. For example, an IP call is converted and passed through a PSTN line. To better describe this system we need to understand some technical jargon. »» Terminal endpoint (TE) – This is the starting or ending point of an IP call. For example, an IP phone or a VoIP application on your computer. »» Gateway (GW) – This can act as both a TE and a tunnel to transfer data where a normal TE is not capable of. For example from IP to ISDN. As illustrated in the above diagram, premises A and B have an IP gateway that translates the PSTN/ISDN calls to IP and vice versa while premises C only have normal PSTN lines. If premises A wish to call premises C, at face value, a caller from premises A simply has to dial the number of premises C. Under the hood, the following would be happening: 1. The caller from premises A dials the number at premises C 2. The gateway at premises A gets the number and depending on its internal dialing rules can either transfer to another internal IP phone connected to it or dial the number out to the telephone company. In the meantime, the caller device is waiting from the gateway 3. A rule in the gateway is triggered to call the telephone company. The number of premises C is called and so the PSTN phone at premises C rings 4. When the phone at premises C is picked up, the gateway at premises A knows this and so establishes an IP call between itself and the caller and between itself and the telephone company, thus translating from PSTN to IP and vice versa. The same steps above are also used to call someone at premises B. The reverse of what the gateway does at premises A is done at premises B to establish a call between a caller from premises A and a receiver at premises B. Other examples of gateway devices are PABXs that are IP-enabled thus having an existing ethernet connection to connect to an existing IP infrastructure. Sending faxes in real time over an IP network 6
- 7. Least cost routing International companies can benefit when they build their own gateway by considering least cost routing. It is well known that calls from one country to another (example from a US office to the UK office) are more costly than calls within the same country. However, through FoIP it is possible to implement least cost routing (LCR). This results in cost-effectiveness that is achieved through a reduction in international calls dialed since calls are translated into a local call at the recipient’s country. Notes about this method Some companies have a server room which is distant from the connection room for various reasons. These companies cannot have a server connected directly to the ISDN or PSTN connections but they only have an IP network in the server room. To solve this issue, this company has to install a VoIP gateway in the connection room to translate from ISDN/ PSTN to IP and vice versa so that the server room can have access to the ISDN/PSTN connections via VoIP. Ethernet HUB/ IP Switch Router Sending faxes in real time over an IP network 7
- 8. SIP and H.323 session management SIP and H.323 are session management protocols, or rather a collection of protocols used throughout the IP session. Both SIP and H.323 are session control protocols for VoIP and only setup the session. Either SIP or H.323 can be used, but only one at a time; for example, if SIP is used to connect, SIP has to be used to disconnect. For example: SIP H.323 Connect (SIP) Connect (H.245/H.225) T I M Data (RTP) Data E Disconnect (SIP) Disconnect (H.245) What is H.323? H.323 is an umbrella recommendation from the ITU-T, which defines the protocols to provide audio-visual communication sessions on any packet network. It is currently implemented by various Internet real-time applications such as NetMeeting and GnomeMeeting (the latter using the OpenH323 implementation). It is a part of the H.32x series of protocols which also address communications over ISDN, PSTN or SS7. H.323 is commonly used in Voice over IP (VoIP, Internet telephony, or IP telephony) and IP-based videoconferencing (www.wikipedia.com). H.323 was originally created to provide a mechanism for transporting multimedia applications over LANs but it has rapidly evolved to address the growing needs of VoIP networks. The strength of H.323 was the relatively early availability of a set of standards, not only defining the basic call model, but in addition the supplementary services, needed to address business communication expectations. H.323 was the first VoIP standard to adopt the IETF standard RTP to transport audio and video over IP networks. H.323 is based on the ISDN Q.931 protocol and is suited for interworking scenarios between IP and ISDN, respectively between IP and QSIG. A call model, similar to the ISDN call model, eases the introduction of IP Telephony into existing networks of ISDN based PBX systems. In simple terms, within the context of H.323, an IP based PBX is a gatekeeper plus supplementary services. H.323 references many other ITU-T protocols like: »» H.245 control protocol for multimedia communication, describes the messages and procedures used for opening and closing logical channels for audio, video and data, capability exchange, control and indications »» H.450 describes the Supplementary Services »» H.235 describes security in H.323 »» H.239 describes dual stream use in videoconferencing, usually one for live video, the other for presentation. What is SIP? Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is a protocol developed by the IETF MMUSIC Working Group and proposed standard for initiating, modifying, and terminating an interactive user session that involves multimedia elements such as video, voice, instant messaging, online games, and virtual reality. In November 2000, SIP was accepted as a 3GPP signaling protocol and permanent element of the IMS architecture. It is one of the leading signaling protocols for Voice over IP, along with H.323 (www.wikipedia.com). Sending faxes in real time over an IP network 8
- 9. A goal for SIP was to provide a superset of the call processing functions and features present in the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). As such, features that permit familiar telephone-like operations are present: dialing a number, causing a phone to ring, hearing ring-back tones or a busy signal. Implementation and terminology are different. SIP also implements many of the more advanced call processing features present in Signaling System 7 (SS7), though the two protocols themselves could hardly be more different. SS7 is a highly centralized protocol, characterized by highly complex central network architecture and dumb endpoints (traditional telephone handsets). SIP is a peer-to-peer protocol. It requires only a very simple (and thus highly scalable) core network with intelligence distributed to the network edge, embedded in endpoints (terminating devices built in either hardware or software). Many SIP features are implemented in the communicating endpoints as opposed to traditional SS7 features, which are implemented in the network. Although many other VoIP signaling protocols exist, SIP is characterized by its proponents as having roots in the IP community rather than the telecom industry. SIP has been standardized and governed primarily by the IETF while the H.323 VoIP protocol has been traditionally more associated with the ITU. However, the two organizations have endorsed both protocols in some fashion. SIP works in concert with several other protocols and is only involved in the signaling portion of a communication session. SIP acts as a carrier for the Session Description Protocol (SDP), which describes the media content of the session, e.g. what IP ports to use, the codec being used etc. In typical use, SIP “sessions” are simply packet streams of the Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP). RTP is the carrier for the actual voice or video content itself. The first proposed standard version (SIP 2.0) was defined in RFC 2543. The protocol was further clarified in RFC 3261, although many implementations are still using interim draft versions. Note that the version number remains 2.0. SIP is similar to HTTP and shares some of its design principles: It is human readable and request-response structured. SIP proponents also claim it to be simpler than H.323. However, some would counter that while SIP originally had a goal of simplicity, in its current state it has become as complex as H.323. SIP shares many HTTP status codes, such as the familiar ‘404 not found’. The promoters of SIP have said that the rapid innovation and application development that has characterized the web will now mark the telephony industry, too. SIP and H.323 are not limited to voice communication but can mediate any kind of communication session from voice to video or future, unrealized applications. Hardware endpoints, devices with the look, feel, and shape of a traditional telephone, but that use SIP and RTP for communication, are commercially available from several vendors. Some of these can use Electronic Numbering (ENUM) to translate existing phone numbers to SIP addresses using DNS, so calls to other SIP users can bypass the telephone network, even though your service provider might normally act as a gateway to the PSTN for traditional phone numbers (and charge you for it). Today, software SIP endpoints are common. Microsoft Windows Messenger uses SIP and in June, 2003, Apple Computer announced, and released in public beta, iChat AV, a new version of their AOL Instant Messenger compatible client that supports audio and video chat through SIP. SIP also requires proxy and registrar network elements to work as a practical service. Although two SIP endpoints can communicate without any intervening SIP infrastructure (which is why the protocol is described as peer-to-peer), this approach is impractical for a public service. There are various softswitch implementations (by Nortel, Sonus and many more) which can act as proxy and registrar. Other companies, led by Ubiquity Software and Dynamicsoft have implemented products based on the proposed standards, building on the Java JAIN specification. Sending faxes in real time over an IP network 9
- 10. Instant messaging (IM) and presence A standard instant messaging protocol based on SIP, called SIMPLE, has been proposed and is under development. SIMPLE can also carry presence information, conveying a person’s willingness and ability to engage in communications. Presence information is most recognizable today as buddy status in IM clients such as MSN Messenger and AIM. Some efforts have been made to integrate SIP-based VoIP with the XMPP presence specification used by Jabber. Most notably Google Talk, who has extended XMPP to integrated voice, and plans to integrate SIP. Gizmo Project, who has implemented SIP, has integrated XMPP in their client and service. Commercial application The Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) used to carry the media stream does not traverse NAT routers. Most SIP clients can use STUN to traverse full cone, restricted cone, and port restricted cone NAT but not symmetrical NAT. Also some newer routers now recognize and pass SIP traffic. RTP Proxies, special purpose SIP line speed processors analogous to HTTP proxies commonly used in the early 1990s, enable CALEA and traversal of older, SIP-unaware NAT devices. As envisioned by its originators, SIP’s peer-to-peer nature does not enable network-provided services. For example, the network can not easily support legal interception of calls (referred to in the United States by the law governing wiretaps, CALEA). Emergency calls (calls to E911 in the USA) are difficult to route. It is difficult to identify the proper Public Service Answering Point, (PSAP), because of the inherent mobility of IP end points and the lack of any network location capability. However, as commercial SIP services begin to take off, practical solutions to these problems are being proven. Standards being developed by such organizations as 3GPP and 3GPP2 define applications of the basic SIP model which facilitate commercialization and enable support for network-centric capabilities such as CALEA. Sending faxes in real time over an IP network 10
- 11. Companies such as Vonage and SIP phone were consumer SIP pioneers and have a fast growing subscriber base. Major carriers like AT&T and Level (3) are now following suit. The traditional telecommunications industry (including companies such as Lucent Technologies and Nortel) is now focused on developing systems based on the architecture model and SIP extensions as defined by 3GPP in their IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). Some VoIP phone companies, such as BroadVoice, allow customers to bring their own SIP devices, including SIP-capable telephone sets, the Asterisk PBX, or softphones. The new market for consumer SIP devices continues to expand. The open source community started to provide more and more of the SIP technology required to build both end points as well as proxy and registrar servers leading to a commoditization of the technology, which accelerates global adoption. SIPfoundry has made available and actively develops a variety of SIP stacks, client applications and SDKs, in addition to entire IP PBX solutions that compete in the market against mostly proprietary IP PBX implementations from established vendors. About GFI GFI Software provides web and mail security, archiving, backup and fax, networking and security software and hosted IT solutions for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) via an extensive global partner community. GFI products are available either as on-premise solutions, in the cloud or as a hybrid of both delivery models. With award-winning technology, a competitive pricing strategy, and a strong focus on the unique requirements of SMEs, GFI satisfies the IT needs of organizations on a global scale. The company has offices in the United States (North Carolina, California and Florida), UK (London and Dundee), Austria, Australia, Malta, Hong Kong, Philippines and Romania, which together support hundreds of thousands of installations worldwide. GFI is a channel-focused company with thousands of partners throughout the world and is also a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner. More information about GFI can be found at http://www.gfi.com. Sending faxes in real time over an IP network 11
- 12. USA,»CANADA»AND»CENTRAL»AND»SOUTH»AMERICA 15300 Weston Parkway, Suite 104, Cary, NC 27513, USA Telephone: +1 (888) 243-4329 Fax: +1 (919) 379-3402 [email protected] UK»AND»REPUBLIC»OF»IRELAND Magna House, 18-32 London Road, Staines, Middlesex, TW18 4BP, UK Telephone: +44 (0) 870 770 5370 Fax: +44 (0) 870 770 5377 [email protected] EUROPE,»MIDDLE»EAST»AND»AFRICA GFI House, San Andrea Street, San Gwann, SGN 1612, Malta Telephone: +356 2205 2000 Fax: +356 2138 2419 [email protected] AUSTRALIA»AND»NEW»ZEALAND 83 King William Road, Unley 5061, South Australia Telephone: +61 8 8273 3000 Fax: +61 8 8273 3099 [email protected] Disclaimer © 2011. GFI Software. All rights reserved. All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. The information and content in this document is provided for informational purposes only and is provided “as is” with no warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. GFI Software is not liable for any damages, including any consequential damages, of any kind that may result from the use of this document. The information is obtained from publicly available sources. Though reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the data provided, GFI makes no claim, promise or guarantee about the completeness, accuracy, recency or adequacy of information and is not responsible for misprints, out- of-date information, or errors. GFI makes no warranty, express or implied, and assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in this document. If you believe there are any factual errors in this document, please contact us and we will review your concerns as soon as practical.