Instant Fax ATA (Store-and-Forward)

Last updated on March 31, 2024 at 7:46 PM

Helpful links 

1. Instant Fax ATA Troubleshooting and FAQ (Client Article)
   

Overview

What is an Instant Fax ATA?

Also known as a Store-and-Forward device, an Instant Fax ATA increases the overall success rate of faxing dramatically by allowing faxes to be buffered before being transmitted to and from an analog fax machine.

Inbound (DID) Calls

For inbound calls, faxes are received in a data center (where last-mile latency and jitter issues are not a concern) by a Store-and-Forward fax server. After receipt, they are transmitted to the ATA using a file transfer protocol that is not susceptible to latency and jitter concerns. Once the ATA receives the files, they are relayed to a local fax machine that is connected to the ATA with standard RJ-11 cabling.

Outbound (Termination) Calls

For outbound calls, faxes from a local fax machine are intercepted and stored by the ATA and then transferred to a Store-and-Forward fax server in the data center using a file transfer protocol that is not susceptible to latency and jitter concerns. From the fax server, they are relayed to the PSTN using dedicated fax carriers. There is also failover routing, so if the first carrier fails to deliver the fax, there are three or more dedicated fax carriers in place to attempt the fax.

Difference Between Instant Fax ATA and SIP ATA

The Instant Fax ATA converts fax tones to a file locally, then sends it securely to a server. The server handles the routing and delivery for inbound and outbound faxes with dedicated routing. 

HIPAA Compliance

Instant Fax ATA transmission is TLS encrypted and is considered HIPAA compliant for sending or receiving faxes. HIPAA compliance requires policies & procedures; a technology solution alone is simply not enough to be HIPAA compliant. Please see our HIPAA documentation for more information.

Hardware Information and Connection Guide

We recommend provisioning the device in the Telco Phone Numbers Portal before powering the device on for the first time. The device will then grab its configuration and firmware files on first boot.

Steps to Connect Your ATA

1. Connect the ATA WAN port to your network using a standard ethernet cable.
2. Connect the ATA FAX port to your fax machine using the included RJ11 Cable.
3. Connect the ATA to the power using the included power adapter.
4. Power it on and wait at least 10-15 minutes. It is often necessary for the device to download new firmware.
5. After waiting for the 10-15 minutes, you should see POWER, ONLINE, and WAN lights on and green.
6. Pick up the handset of your fax machine (or analog phone for testing). You should see the FAX light on and green, and also hear the dial tone.
7. Hang up the handset, and the FAX light should turn off. At this point, the Instant Fax ATA should be ready to go!
8. We recommend turning off fax completion messages from the local fax machine because the fax machine will always think the faxes were delivered properly. If you are wanting confirmation messages, they can be set up in the Telco Phone Numbers Portal.
   
9. Plugin and use your ATA! We recommend connecting ethernet before power. Remember to wait 10-15 minutes after plugging in the ATA in case a firmware update was required.

Email

Deliver To Settings

1. Email addresses
   

1. Each ATA can have up to 5 deliver to email addresses.
   
2. The format can be PDF or TIFF.
   

2. Confirmation Setting Options
   

1. Receive on Success
   
2. Receive on Failure
   
3. Format - Text or Text & First Page

1. Delivery Options
   

1. Choose advanced options for email deliverability and confirmation options.
   
1. Receive on Success
   
2. Receive on Failure
   
3. Format
   
1. Text
   
2. Text & First Page
   
3. Text & All Pages