The telephone network may be the predominant facsimile transmission environment, but it is expensive. Line interference, occupied destination terminals, and disconnects can slow down transmission time and dramatically distort document image, resulting in the additional cost of re-transmission and the hidden costs of frustration and lost employee productivity.

MegaFax is Graphnet's innovative answer for facsimile users. MegaFax provides a high-tech solution with low-cost network alternatives for optimum speed and efficiency. The document image is transmitted over short-distance local telephone connections into the Graphnet network. The image is then compressed for high-speed digital transmission over long-distance data links which are extremely reliable and highly cost effective.

MegaFax enhances existing facsimile transmission by incorporating features usually associated with electronic messaging applications, and delivering these features at greatly reduced cost and time savings when compared with traditional facsimile transmissions.

System Features

The MegaFax system provides a host of features including:

• Access Methods:
• Interactive Voice Response
• Automatic Number Identification (E1/T1)
• DigiTel Autodialer Access
• MPW (computer-based file-to-fax messaging)
• ID and Password Security
• Destination Addressing:
• Single Number
• Multiple Number
• Alternate Number
• Broadcast/Distribution Lists
• Customized Cover Page w/Logo
• Delivery Options:
• Scheduled
• Normal
• Priority
• Off-Peak
• Message Management
• Daily Journals
• Interim Journals
• Broadcast/Distribution Reports
• Delivery Notification
• Cancellation Notification
• MPW (for on-line distribution list management and message status)
• Fax Mailbox
• Executive Fax Number (EFN) Mailbox
• Closed User Group Fax Mailbox
• Immediate Mailbox Retrieval
• Configured Mailbox Retrieval
• Specified Mailbox Retrieval
• QuestFAX (Fax-on-Demand)

The MegaFax Node Architecture

The MegaFax system is a Graphnet-developed facsimile message handling system that receives and transmits facsimile messages. The high capacity, high quality, redundant design of the system allows it to meet the high volume requirements of corporate applications.

The MegaFax node integrates state-of-the-art computer equipment with Graphnet-developed software. The MegaFax node interfaces between the telephone network and data network. MegaFax nodes contain multiple MegaFax servers connected via an Ethernet LAN, workstation, monitor switch, and ventilated cabinet. A network switch and UPS are optional.

The MegaFax node performs the following functions:

• Message submission and delivery
• Message transfer
• Document storage
• Enhanced facsimile features
• TCP/IP communication with other node servers
• X.25 network communication
• X.25 communication with the MS/NMS

Capacity

MegaFax nodes are modularly expandable. Each node supports up to eight (8) MegaFax servers. Each server supports up to 24 fax ports with a T1 interface and 30 fax ports with an E1 interface and is configurable with 2.0 to 6.0GB of storage space. This allows for a maximum of 240 ports and 48 GB of storage capacity per node. Of course, multiple nodes can be installed in a single site or distributed across a network.

Hardware Characteristics

Connectivity:

MegaFax processors connect to the telephone network using standard voice grade circuits, T1 (1.544 Mbps), and E1/ISDN (2.048 Mbps) digital circuits. Each MegaFax server supports a X.25 network interface at speeds up to 256Kbps. The MegaFax server may be configured with 4-port fax cards, 4-port DID fax cards, and 8-port digital fax cards.

Alarm Warnings:

The front panel of the MegaFax server has an LED readout that alerts the MegaFax operator to hardware warning conditions. The LED panel lists six different warning conditions (Power, Temperature, Airflow, Auxiliary, Hard Drive 1, and Hard Drive 2), and flashes red when one of the preceding categories has reached a warning level. This alarm facility is monitored by the MS/NMS.

Power Supply Units:

The dual redundant power supplies are front-loaded and hot-swapable: a faulty power supply can be replaced without shutting the server down or affecting the operation of the MegaFax system. Each power supply has its own LED readout to indicate failure. A system technician can replace a power supply in a matter of minutes, by simply sliding a faulty power supply out of the node and replacing it.

Hard Drives:

Each MegaFax server is configured with a 2GB Hard Drive. The storage capacity for each MegaFax server is upgradable to 6GB. The hard drive(s) of the MegaFax server are located in the front of the chassis. The LED panel of the MegaFax server can be opened for easy access to the hard disk.

Processing Power:

The MegaFax server utilizes an EISA backplane that allows for a 32 bit high-speed path from the CPU to the SCSI controller for fast I/O interfacing. The MegaFax server uses a high speed Intel-based Pentium CPU with 32 MB of RAM.

Fault Tolerance:

The MegaFax node is fault-tolerant. All messages received by the node are stored on separate physical drives located on separate MegaFax servers. File mirroring is performed over the LAN connecting MegaFax servers within a node. Additionally, each MegaFax server has hot-swapable power supplies. Lastly, each MegaFax server is connected to both the telephone network and data network. In the event a MegaFax server fails, the other operational servers within the node will continue to process messages and support existing traffic loads.

Fax Cards:

The MegaFax server may be configured with 4-port fax cards and 8-port digital fax cards. The 8-port card must be used with a T1, E1, or ISDN interface card. The fax cards support 14,400 bps maximum transmission speed, ECM, speech recording, and G3/G4 compression for file storage and message transfer.

MegaFax Implementation

MegaFax can be implemented as a distributed facsimile network using an already-existing data network, or as a centrally-located system.

Distributed Architecture:

The MegaFax system is most frequently implemented as a X.25 WAN of distributed MegaFax nodes. With this implementation, facsimile messages are received and delivered using the local telephone network, and long distance transmissions are accomplished by the data network connecting the MegaFax nodes. As such, the MegaFax system succeeds in removing facsimile traffic from long distance and international telephone networks and relocating it on a more reliable, higher quality data network.

The benefits of this implementation are numerous:

• MegaFax nodes can be placed in any location where there is X.25 access, eliminating the need to establish an individual network for fax applications only, saving unnecessary capital expenditures;
• Multiple applications can be operated over one network to maximize circuit utilization, provide message system integration, and create a more flexible network;
• The X.25 network provides added redundancy in its ability to provide alternate routing in the event one circuit is malfunctioning;
• Your existing technicians are already trained in the configuration, maintenance, and operation of the existing X.25 network and will quickly integrate the MegaFax technology and your existing packet network technology into a homogeneous network.

Centralized Architecture:

Many applications do not have X.25 packet switching technology or do not wish to integrate this system into their X.25 PDN. In these situations, MegaFax can be installed as a centrally located system.

Message Switch and NMS

Graphnet's Message Switch/Network Management System (MS/NMS) controls the administrative and management functions of Graphnet's messaging applications. Graphnet's MegaFax and Electronic Mail systems communicate with the MS/NMS using the X.25 protocol, allowing administrative and management functions to be performed by a centrally located MS/NMS system. In order to manage the network applications which carry critical, time-sensitive messages, the MS/NMS uses a fault-tolerant, high- performance hardware platform.

The MS/NMS is Graphnet-developed software. MS/NMS PC access software allows operators to use the MS/NMS functions from remote locations. The operator interface is simple and user-friendly. The software is menu-driven, directing the operator to the appropriate input screens. Any PC equipped with the NMS PC access software can communicate with the Network Management System as a terminal.

The MS/NMS consists of four areas of processing:

• query/action driver,
• parsing and routing,
• output driver,
• pending queue monitor.

The query/action driver processes commands from network nodes and all protocol interaction initiated by the nodes. The parsing and routing actions fall within the domain of general MS/NMS functions for message processing and as a network format filter. The output driver handles the initiation and control of the protocol events required to output a message. The pending queue monitor handles the examination of outstanding messages that have been sent out to an outbound node and determines the required actions.

The MS/NMS performs administrative and supervisory functions, such as:

• System Supervision and Control Functions - With Graphnet's database management software, instantaneous additions, deletions and updates to distribution lists are available through access to the MS/NMS. It provides the tools necessary to monitor the functions of the system and to control all resources within.
• Message Inquiries - All messages, whether active or inactive, can be traced within the system by the operator.
• Message Retrievals - Messages can be retrieved by the system operator. This is done by specifying the search criteria, which include reference number, destination address, time and date, and originator. Once found, a message may be retransmitted by a single function key.
• Diagnostics - The NMS determines the operational status of all components and attached lines. The NMS supervises the status of all circuits, each node, and each port within the entire network, making sure there are no malfunctions within the network. Failures are reported automatically to the operator or responsible organization for repair. In general, NMS provides remote monitoring and configuration capability.
• Routing - The MS/NMS delivers messages based on a dynamic least-cost routing algorithm.
• Queue Management - The MS/NMS establishes, monitors, and controls delivery queues for pending messages.
• System Queue Verification - The MS/NMS allows for supervision and control over all messages that enter or exit any one of the multiple node sites on the network.
• Daily Management Reports - The MS/NMS provides an extensive billing journal report system that normally operates without special action by the system administrator. It provides both interim journal reports during the day and final journal reports at day's end, categorized by originator, department, destination, delivery method, and mailbox activity charges.
• Billing Information and Journals - The MS/NMS keeps detailed records of all calls, providing journals and billing reports for users automatically and on-demand. When a message is either canceled or delivered, a billing record is created and written to the database. Also, a billing record will be created for a bad input session that will help track user problems and system abusers. The MS/NMS provides for journals and billing reports generated for users automatically and on demand. Another background process that contains requests for journals of a user's activity is defined by the user's configuration. Up to 24 additional interim journals a day are available. The journals created are configurable to their actual content as well. Once generated, this journal is sent out to a designated destination (electronic mailbox, fax mailbox, fax machine, or telex terminal).