[olug] hacking fax hardware to make compatible with AsterFax.sf.net

[Rob Townley]

I am hoping to get a sub $1000.00 multi function fax, copier, scanner
(does not need to be a printer) that could handle the following
scenario.  It may have to be hacked, so if anyone has pointers to open
source firmware hacks to a multifunction fax, please let me know.

Objectives: First, push more of our wiring infrastructure to all
Ethernet to eliminate analog and digital phone line runs and the
complications therein.  Second, make paper based faxing more reliable
and easier.  Please no flames that fax was replaced by email a decade
ago and that faxing is archaic and the real answer is to get rid of
paper - i already know that.

Scenario:  receptionist walks up to the multifunction fax machine,
loads a 40 page fax document, enters the fax number, and walks away.
Later, she monitors a fax queue on a computer server attached to an
actual analog outgoing fax line.  It is 40 pages, so it may have to be
resent or edited or the telephone number changed - simple because this
can all be handled by software.  The receptionists can keep track
better of which faxes had trouble sending and resend them.

How:  The physical paper fax machine would have an option to hardcode
an email address to forward ALL outgoing faxes to, say
faxqueue at asterfax on the internal local area network.  The subject of
the email would contain the outgoing fax #.   Asterfax's email to fax
gateway would take care of the rest by decoding the fax # and actually
dialing a number to send out the fax.  All i need is the hardware and
firmware.  HP and Brother both have had inexpensive multifunction
machines for a few years that have the foundations for this, but i am
not aware of any that have this exact solution of eliminating the need
for the analog phone line except in the server room.