[Info-vax] VMS faxing

[Rich Jordan]

On Saturday, August 14, 2021 at 7:20:48 AM UTC-5, VAXman- wrote:
> In article <b4d59675-9351-4998... at googlegroups.com>, Rich Jordan <jor... at ccs4vms.com> writes: 
> >Looking back into the dark past of facsmile transmission. Hoping someone h= 
> >ere remembers some details. 
> > 
> >OpenVMS IA64 HPE V8.4 running NDC Compufax. We have been working with NDC.= 
> > The site has four faxmodems (Multitech ZDX series) that were running off = 
> >of a DECserver 200 (now deceased). We dropped in a DECserver 700-08 runnin= 
> >g the pre-DNAS V1.5 firmware using identical port settings, and while it wo= 
> >rks we're getting complaints about quality issues on the receiving end; we'= 
> >ve confirmed this is a send-side issue, not line or recipient. Currently t= 
> >esting to a real fax machine at the site but the hashing and lines we get t=
> >here perfectly match what some customers scanned and emailed back to us. 
> >
> >If so this is the first time we've had a situation where a DS700-08 brought=
> > in problems when replacing a DS200-MC 
> >
> >NDC had us try a delay logical that introduces a small delay between sendin= 
> >g lines (value between 1 and 'unknown' but we tested a range between 1 and = 
> >200). We see minor changes in the output but quality issues remain the sam= 
> >e. If you send the same textfile several times with the same delay factor = 
> >(or none) the output is identical; same hashing and streaking on the page e= 
> >xcept for one (so far) delay value that was cleaner but dropped entire scan=
> >lines. NDC has notes that this delay option was put in for DECserver 700s. 
> >
> >We can put DNAS on this DECserver instead of the older firmware; it is a no= 
> >n flash model but with 4MB RAM. We may be able to sub a DS90M also but wou=
> >ld have to fabricate cables. 
> >
> >Anyone recall if there's tweaks we could make on the DECserver itself, old = 
> >or DNAS firmware, to change its flow control response speed (sort of like D= 
> >ELAY_ACK on the TCPIP front)? Or perhaps recall having issues like this be= 
> >fore? I really don't want to try to find a working DS200 MC. =20 
> > 
> >Thanks. 
> > 
> >Yes, alternatives like using a mail-out fax service may be considered but f=
> >or now we need this working properly again.
> Rich, what is the port configuration for these modems? 
> 
> This is what I have configured for a FAXmodem on a DS90M. 
> 
> Port 1: Server: DS90M1 
> 
> Character Size: 8 Input Speed: 2400 
> Flow Control: XON Output Speed: 2400 
> Parity: None Signal Control: Disabled 
> Stop Bits: Dynamic 
> 
> Access: Remote Local Switch: None 
> Backwards Switch: None Name: PORT_1 
> Break: Disabled Session Limit: 4 
> Forwards Switch: None Type: Ansi 
> Default Protocol: LAT Default Menu: None 
> Autolink Timer One:10 Two:10 Dialer Script: None 
> 
> Preferred Service: None 
> Authorized Groups: 0 
> (Current) Groups: 0 
> 
> Enabled Characteristics: 
> Input Flow Control, Output Flow Control 
> 
> -- 
> VAXman- A Bored Certified VMS Kernel Mode Hacker VAXman(at)TMESIS(dot)ORG 
> 
> I speak to machines with the voice of humanity.

VAXman,
     the settings are straight from the defunct DS200, and were also in the Compufax documentation.  THis is still the pre-DNAS firmware.

I can try disabling the other characteristics but they never mattered before,  Dropping speed to 9600 is our next test but will be done Monday when there's someone there to report results because the faxes start at 5:30 AM monday and I need to be certain they are working at least somewhat.


Port  1: (Remote)                      Server: SERV9

Character Size:            8           Input Speed:              19200
Flow Control:            XON           Output Speed:             19200
Parity:                 None           Modem Control:         Disabled
Stop Bits:           Dynamic

Access:               Remote           Local Switch:              None
Backwards Switch:       None           Name:                    PORT_1
Break:                 Local           Session Limit:                4
Forwards Switch:        None           Type:                      Soft
Default Protocol:        LAT           Default Menu:              None

Preferred Service: None

Authorized Groups:   0
(Current)  Groups:   0

Enabled Characteristics:
Autoprompt,  Input Flow Control,  Loss Notification,  Message Codes,
Output Flow Control,  Verification