KVM: Windows XP & fax software (via serial modem)->bad quality

[item]

I have to migrate two old Windows based fax server to Proxmox. Everything works great except the fax transmission. The result on the receivers fax machine looks like "vertically compressed".
I did 2 tests:
First try: Windows XP mit ActiveFax and RS-232 Fax Modem (Elsa Microlink Fun)
Second try (another server): Windows XP with Tobit an RS-232 ISDN Modem (ELSA Microlink ISDN)

Both results looks like:


I think this is a timing/realtime(?) problem... Maybe someone can help me?
Thank you very much!

 

[item]

[push]

nobody an idea?

 

[m.ardito]

a vm for this job seems not really suitable, reading here: http://activefax.wordpress.com/2009/07/26/isdn-adapter-in-a-different-machine/
but that was 2009... you could ask the forum for some working fax setup...
have you tried vmware?

Marco

 

[kobuki]

How are you connecting the serial modem to your VM? Serial redirection in the quemu config, or serial over IP? You could try tha latter, there's even a wiki about it. I'm wondering if it's a PVE problem anyway, since serial modem communications is not a really demanding task, I suspect another source of problems. If all else fails in KVM, you could still try an OpenVZ container and it allow acces to the host's serial line. Of course, only for testing, since you're apparently using a Windows fax solution. If you're not required to use windows, you could try Hylafax with AvantFax on Linux, that's what I use in one office, easy to install and use.

 

[item]

a vm for this job seems not really suitable, reading here: http://activefax.wordpress.com/2009/07/26/isdn-adapter-in-a-different-machine/
but that was 2009... you could ask the forum for some working fax setup...
have you tried vmware?

Marco

Thank you for the link - "Limiting the speed in the menu Communication / Modem / Modify / Extended to 9,600 bps could also help in that case." -> limit to 9,600 bps does not help
No, I don't tried vmware - and don't want to do it

How are you connecting the serial modem to your VM? Serial redirection in the quemu config, or serial over IP? You could try tha latter, there's even a wiki about it. I'm wondering if it's a PVE problem anyway, since serial modem communications is not a really demanding task, I suspect another source of problems. If all else fails in KVM, you could still try an OpenVZ container and it allow acces to the host's serial line. Of course, only for testing, since you're apparently using a Windows fax solution. If you're not required to use windows, you could try Hylafax with AvantFax on Linux, that's what I use in one office, easy to install and use.

Yes, serial redirection in the qemu config ("serial0: /dev/ttyS0") - also limit the cpu to 1 core and 1 socket;
I use the serial redirection (another server) for telephone connections (TAPI) successfully...
"serial over IP"? Do you think about a hardware adapter? Could it be a possible solution?
I know hylafax, but for technical reasons I have to install ActiveFax and Tobit on another server...

 

[kobuki]

Sorry, the wiki entry is about USB over IP: http://pve.proxmox.com/wiki/USB_Redirector

But serial over IP is also possible. I don't have a link handy ATM, but search for RFC2217, and this might help if you're interested: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COM_port_redirector. There exist hardware implementations, too, but it's not needed if you just try redirecting from the host to the guest.

 

[item]

[solved] Re: KVM: Windows XP & fax software (via serial modem)->bad quality

I didn't find a usable software for my problem... (debian linux/proxmox <--> windows xp on the VM system)

I tried the (hardware) RS232/LAN Server from i-tec (http://www.i-tec-europe.eu/?t=3&v=126) (about 40 EURO)

Now it works great... fax quality is perfect!
Thank you all!