Fax Communication

Understanding,
Integrating, and
Troubleshooting Fax
Communications in
Today’s Enterprise
Networks
Gonzalo Salgueiro, Principal Engineer
David Hanes, Technical Leader
BRKUCC-2021
Agenda
• Fundamental Concepts
• Fax Transport Methods
• Design Best Practices
• Troubleshooting
• Fax Servers
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© 2017 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
Fundamental Concepts
Fax Over the Years…Or So It Seems 
The fax machine is

introduced. Unfortunately,
at this time it was loud &
frustrating to use.
BRKUCC-2021 © 2017 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 6
Fax Communications
• Fax invented by Alexander Bain in
1843 (patented 30 years before
the telephone)
• Fax is a ubiquitous form of
communication today and Fax over
IP (FoIP) is often overlooked in IP
Telephony
• Group 3 (G3) is today’s fax
standard (speeds up to 14.4 kbps)
• Super G3 is an optional extension
of G3 that allows for speeds up to
33.6 kbps
Alexander Bain’s Facsimile Apparatus,
British Patent 9745
G3 Fax Protocols
• Modern fax communication is based on the Group 3 (G3) fax standard, which is
composed of the ITU-T specifications of T.30, T.4, and T.6
• T.30 details the signaling, T.4 specifies the Modified Huffman (MH) and
Modified Read (MR) encoding methods, and T.6 covers Modified Modified
Read (MMR)
T.4/T.6—Specifies the Fax Page Encoding Algorithm
PSTN
T.30—Signaling and Negotiation Between Fax Machines
Basic G3 Fax TransactionSending Fax Receiving Fax
• The optional Called Subscriber Ringing, Offhook,

Offhook, then dial
Answer
Identification (CSI) and Non-
Calling Tone (CNG)
Standard Facilities (NSF)
messages may be transmitted Called Tone (CED)
along with the DIS message Digital Identification Signal (DIS)
• The optional Transmitting
Digital Command Signal (DCS)
Subscriber Identification (TSI)
message may be transmitted Training Check (TCF)
along with the DCS message Confirmation (CFR)
• Blue messages indicate low speed Fax Page Transmission
T.30 signaling and gold messages
End of Procedure (EOP)
represent higher speed
modulations used in training and Message Confirmation (MCF)
page transmission Disconnect (DCN)
Super G3 Fax G3 Fax Call Initiation
CNG
• Super G3 uses the V.34 Originating Terminating
modulation to achieve page Fax
CED
Fax
transmission speeds up to 33.6

Kbps compared to the maximum DIS
G3 speed of 14.4 Kbps
• The signals used by SG3 are Super G3 Fax Call Initiation
different than G3 and are only CNG
recently compatible with T.38. Originating Terminating
Fax ANSam Fax
Calling Menu (CM)
Joint Menu (JM)
CJ Terminator
DIS
Transporting G3/SG3 Fax Protocols Over IP
PSTN

How Do Standard Fax Communications Integrate With IP Networks?
Passthrough or Relay
Transport
IP

Passthrough
• Modulated fax data information is sampled and encoded as standard Pulse
Code Modulation (PCM) (i.e., G.711) and encapsulated in Real Time Protocol
(RTP) for transport over IP just like a voice codec does for human speech
• From the gateway perspective, this is more or less a G.711 voice call
• Commonly referred to as Voice Band Data (VBD)
End-to-End Modulated Data
Analog RTP Packet with PCM Payload Analog
Modulated Data Modulated Data
RTP RTP RTP
IP
Relay
• The analog modulated fax data is demodulated by a Digital Signal Processor
(DSP) on the gateway and the binary information is extracted
• Binary information is passed over IP using one of several available relay
protocols
• A DSP on the destination gateway takes the binary information from the relay
packets and re-modulates it into fax data signal on telephony side
Analog Relay Protocol Analog
Modulated Data Modulated Data
Relay Relay Relay Relay
01101010 11000111 10100101 00101011
IP
The Switchover OGW TGW
• All modulated calls begin as voice

calls
• The process that transitions a
gateway from a VoIP call to the VoIP Call
final fax media stream is known as
the switchover
• There are a variety of different
Switchover
switchover mechanisms that we
will discuss throughout this
presentation
Fax Call
Fax Transport Methods
Fax
over IP
Passthrough Relay
Fax Fax T.38 T.38

Cisco
Passthrough Pass-through Fax Relay Fax Relay
Fax Relay
(NSE) (Protocol) (Protocol) (NSE)
Fax Passthrough Switchover Methods
Voice
Mode
NSE-Based Protocol-Based
Switchover Switchover
Passthrough Switchover:
1. Codec upspeed
Fax Fax
Passthrough 2. VAD disabled on DSP Pass-through
3. Jitter buffer transitions from adaptive to a fixed
optimum value
Fax Passthrough
Passthrough Switchover Mechanisms
NSE-Based Tone
Switchover 2 RTP NSE RTP NSE RTP NSE 1 Detection
IP
OGW
Protocol-Based TGW
Switchover 3 H.323 SIP
1 Terminating Gateway (TGW) initiates the switchover to passthrough upon

detection of fax signals played by the answering fax device
2 If NSE-based passthrough is configured, the TGW sends NSE switchover

packets in the RTP media stream upon detection of CED (G3 fax) or
ANSam (SG3 fax) tones
3 If fax pass-through is configured, the TGW initiates the switchover in the

H.323 or SIP call control protocols upon detection of fax message flags
Named Signaling Events (NSE)
• Cisco proprietary message sent as part of the RTP stream to signal an event,
such as a switchover
• This form of signaling is call control independent
• The Event ID field uses Cisco-defined event numbers to signal a specific task
in-band
RTP Header RTP Payload
PT NSE
Payload Type =100
Event ID E R Volume Duration
NSE Events Used for Modulated Data
• The NSE Event ID uses Cisco-deﬁned values to signal in-band a variety of tasks
NSE Description
192 Triggered by 2100Hz tone. Signals switchover to passthrough

193 Triggered by ANSam tone detection. Signal to disable ECANs
194 Triggered by 4s silence or carrier loss. Signals return to voice mode
199 Triggered by ANSam tone. Signals support of Cisco Modem Relay
200 Triggered by fax V.21 Preamble. Signals switchover to T.38
201 ACK to NSE-200 confirming peer gateway switchover to T.38
202 NACK to NSE-200 implying peer gateway cannot switchover to T.38
203 Triggered by V.8 CM detection. Signals transition to Modem Relay
Fax Passthrough Switchover (G3)
OGW TGW
The initial VoIP call
can be setup by any
of the common call
OGW: Upspeed codec control protocols
VoIP Call (H.323, SIP, MGCP,
and switch to
Passthrough mode or SCCP)
NSE-192 CED
NSE-192
The underlying call
control protocol is TGW: Upspeed codec
unaware of the and switch to
transition to fax Fax Passthrough Call Passthrough mode
passthrough due to the
protocol independent
nature of the NSE
switchover
Fax Passthrough Switchover (SG3)
OGW TGW
can be setup by any
of the common call
control protocols
VoIP Call
(H.323, SIP, MGCP,
or SCCP)
NSE-192 ANSam
OGW: Upspeed NSE-192 TGW: Detect 2100 Hz

codec and switch to tone. Upspeed codec
Passthrough mode NSE-193
and switch to
NSE-193 Passthrough mode
OGW: Disable echo

cancellers SG3 Fax Call
TGW: Detect phase
reversal of ANSam.
Disable ECAN
Confirming Fax Passthrough Switchover
Before Switchover: show call active voice brief
11F1 : 10 2924510ms.1 +10530 pid:1 Originate 200 active

dur 00:00:07 tx:99/1903 rx:253/4993
IP 1.1.1.2:17932 SRTP: off rtt:0ms pl:4810/0ms lost:0/0/0 delay:60/60/70ms g729r8
VoIP Call
After Switchover: show call active voice brief
11F1 : 10 2924510ms.1 +10530 pid:1 Originate 200 active
dur 00:00:22 tx:877/125447 rx:1040/128809
IP 1.1.1.2:17932 SRTP: off rtt:1ms pl:40/0ms lost:0/0/0 delay:60/60/60ms g711ulaw
TextRelay: off
media inactive detected:n media contrl rcvd:n/a timestamp:n/a
long duration call detected:n long duration call duration:n/a timestamp:n/a
MODEMPASS nse buf:0/0 loss 0% 0/0 last 1359s dur:0/0s
Fax Passthrough Call
Fax Passthrough Configuration
SIP/H.323:
dial-peer voice 1 voip
modem passthrough nse codec g711ulaw
(Note: Can be configured globally under voice service voip or the dialpeer for
SIP and H.323. The configuration under the dialpeer takes precedence.)
Feature: fax passthrough
RTP NSE RTP NSE RTP NSE IP
MGCP:
mgcp modem passthrough voip mode nse
mgcp modem passthrough voip codec g711ulaw
SCCP:
voice service voip
modem passthrough nse codec g711ulaw
(Note: Can only be configured globally under voice service voip for SCCP.)
Fax Pass-through Switchover (G3)
OGW TGW
The initial VoIP call is

setup using the SIP
call control protocol
VoIP Call - SIP Signaling
Pass-through CED Tone
parameters for the
upcoming session V.21
are established in INVITE for G.711 Pass-through Preamble
the SIP INVITE and
200 OK messages 100 Trying
200 OK
The V.21 Preamble of
ACK the first T.30 message
An H.245 Request following the CED Tone
Mode for G.711 is (i.e. DIS) is the trigger
used to signal the for the transition to
Fax Pass-through Call pass-through
switchover in H.323 to
fax pass-through mode
Confirming Fax Pass-through Switchover
126C : 58 11411290ms.1 +10520 pid:1 Originate 200 active

dur 00:00:08 tx:112/2154 rx:307/6092
VoIP Call
126C : 58 11411290ms.1 +10520 pid:1 Originate 200 active
dur 00:00:41 tx:1677/252554 rx:1953/258112
IP 1.1.1.2:17620 SRTP: off rtt:4ms pl:40/0ms lost:1/0/0 delay:60/60/60ms g711ulaw
TextRelay: off

Fax Pass-through Call Fax Passthrough Call
Fax Pass-through Configuration
SIP/H.323:
fax protocol pass-through g711ulaw
Note: Can be configured globally under voice service voip or the dialpeer for
SIP and H.323. The configuration under the dialpeer takes precedence.
Feature: fax pass-through

H.323 RM SIP INVITE IP
MGCP:
Fax pass-through is NOT supported for MGCP
SCCP:
Fax pass-through is NOT supported for SCCP
Fax
over IP
Passthrough Relay
Fax Fax T.38 T.38

Cisco
Passthrough Pass-through Fax Relay Fax Relay
Fax Relay
(NSE) (Protocol) (Protocol) (NSE)
Fax Relay Switchover Methods
Voice
Mode
Protocol-Based Switchover RTP PT

(Standards-Based) Switchover
NSE-Based
Switchover
T.38 Fax T.38 Fax Cisco Fax

Relay Relay Relay
Fax Relay
T.38 Fax Relay
• T.38 is the de facto standard for handling fax transmissions today
• Cisco has always supported the 1998 version (known as version 0) of the ITU-
T T.38 specification with UDP/UDPTL encapsulation
• In IOS version 15.1(1)T Cisco started supporting SG3 fax over T.38 (version 3)
• Cisco products can use either NSEs (proprietary) or the call control protocol
(standards-based) to switch a call to T.38 mode
T.38 Internet Fax Packets (IFP)
and optional redundancy
UDP Transport Layer
packets are carried in the
(UDPTL) header is simply
UDPTL payload
a 2 byte sequence number
IP UDP UDPTL
UDPTL Payload (T.38 IFPs)
Header Header Header
UDP Encapsulated T.38

T.38 Switchover—NSE (G3)
OGW TGW
can be setup by any
of the common call
OGW: Transition from control protocols
voice mode to T.38 (H.323, SIP, MGCP,
VoIP Call
or SCCP)
V.21
NSE-200 Preamble
NSE-201 The detection of fax

flags (V.21 Preamble)
at the TGW triggers the
transition to T.38
T.38 Fax Relay Call
TGW: T.38 ACK

received, start T.38
session
T.38 Switchover—H.323 (G3)
OGW TGW

setup using the H.323
call control protocol
T.38 parameters for the
upcoming fax relay VoIP Call—H.323 Signaling
session are negotiated
in the H.245 Request V.21
Mode messages H.245 Request Mode T.38 Preamble
H.245 Request Mode T.38 ACK
Each gateway closes Closing of Voice Logical Channels

its voice media
channel and opens a Opening of T.38 Logical Channels The detection of fax
T.38 fax relay media flags (V.21 Preamble)
channel while at the TGW triggers
acknowledging the the transition to T.38
same events by the T.38 Fax Relay Call
other side
T.38 Switchover—SIP (SG3)
OGW TGW
ANSam is sent across setup using the SIP
in the RTP media call control protocol
stream VoIP Call - SIP Signaling
ANSam (ANSam tunneled in voice codec) ANSam

T.38 fax relay
switchover process
CM INVITE for T.38 mode using the SIP protocol
stack is complete
100 Trying
200 OK
The detection of
ACK Note: CM is squelched
Calling Menu (CM) at
by the OGW DSP and
the OGW triggers the
sent over T.38. The
transition to T.38
CM/JM exchange is
T.38 SG3 Fax Relay Call done entirely over T.38
prior to T.30 negotiation
Confirming T.38 Fax Relay Switchover
11E2 : 4 2956390ms.1 +10500 pid:1 Originate 200 active

dur 00:00:11 tx:117/2244 rx:436/8643
VoIP Call
11E2 : 4 2956390ms.1 +10500 pid:1 Originate 200 active
dur 00:00:46 tx:707/13770 rx:914/12339
IP 1.1.1.2:18496 SRTP: off rtt:3ms pl:4800/0ms lost:0/0/0 delay:60/60/70ms t38
TextRelay: off

T.38 Fax Relay Call
NSE-Based T.38 Configuration
SIP/H.323:
fax protocol t38 nse ls-redundancy 0 hs-redundancy 0 fallback cisco
Note: Configured globally under voice service voip or the dialpeer for SIP
and H.323. The dialpeer configuration takes precedence.
Feature: NSE-Based T.38

RTP NSE RTP NSE RTP NSE IP
MGCP:
Enabled by default
SCCP:
Note: no mgcp fax t38 inhibit is required but is default.
voice service voip
fax protocol t38 nse ls-redundancy 0 hs-redundancy 0 fallback cisco
Note: Can only be configured under voice service voip for SCCP. Cisco IOS gateway
support for NSE-based T.38 fax relay with the SCCP voice signaling protocol is
introduced in Cisco IOS Release 12.4(11)T.
Protocol-Based T.38 Configuration
SIP/H.323:
fax protocol t38 version [0|3] ls-redundancy 0 hs-redundancy 0 fallback cisco
Note: version 0 configures legacy T.38 G3 fax support, whereas version 3 enables
the newly supported SG3 over T.38 feature [as of 15.1(1)T]
Feature: Protocol-Based T.38

MGC IP
H.323 RM SIP INVITE NTFY
P
MGCP:
mgcp package-capability fxr-package
mgcp default-package fxr-package
SCCP: Note: These two commands are needed to go from the
SCCP does not support default configuration of NSE-based T.38 to protocol-based
protocol-based (version 0 T.38. The command no mgcp fax t38 inhibit is required for
or version 3) T.38 both NSE and protocol-based T.38, but it is the default.
MGCP does not offer any version 3 support.
© 2017 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 36
Design Best Practices
• Unified Communications Integration Methods
• Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Gateway-Controlled
• Cisco Unified Communications Manager, CA-Controlled
• Design Considerations
• QoS
• Bandwidth Utilization
• Super G3
• Protocol and Product Support
• SIP Trunking and FoIP Support
• T.38: De Facto Standard
Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Gateway-
Controlled CUCM
H.323/SIP/MGCP/SCCP H.323/SIP/MGCP/SCCP
Fax Gateway Gateway Fax
IP
Voice media is Voice Media Switchover for fax

established by passthrough, NSE-
NSE/PT Switchover
CUCM using the based T.38, and
H.323, SIP, MGCP, Cisco fax relay
or SCCP protocols occurs within the
Fax Media voice media stream
• Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM) controls the setup of the initial voice call
between the gateways using standard call control signaling such as H.323, SIP, MGCP,
and SCCP
• The switchover to a fax media stream is handled by the gateways themselves without the
knowledge of CUCM
Cisco Unified Communications Manager, CA-
Controlled
CUCM
Gateway Gateway
Fax Fax
IP
Voice media is Voice Media Switchover for

established by Unified protocol-based T.38 is
CM using the H.323, handled by Unified
T.38 Media
SIP, or MGCP protocols CM within the call
control protocol
• Cisco Unified Communications Manager controls the setup of the initial voice
call between the voice gateways and controls the switchover to T.38 fax relay
• T.38 support for H.323, SIP, and MGCP is available in all current versions of
Cisco Unified Communications Manager
• Unified Communications Integration Methods
• Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Gateway-Controlled
• Cisco Unified Communications Manager, CA-Controlled
• Design Considerations
• QoS
• Bandwidth Utilization
• Super G3
• Protocol and Product Support
• SIP Trunking and FoIP Support
• T.38: De Facto Standard
QoS Design Parameters for Fax
Delay Jitter Packet Loss

< 150 ms one-way < 30 ms (average, < 1%
Voice (mouth to ear) one-way)
<1000 ms < 300 ms (fax relay) None*, unless

using T.38 with
Fax < 30 ms (passthrough) redundancy
*Fax passthrough is very sensitive to packet loss and may be able to handle 0.1%–0.2% loss depending on
when in the fax transaction the loss occurs and if it is consecutive packets. T.38 with redundancy is the best
choice for fax calls when packet loss is occurring.
QoS Marking and Shaping Example
CLASSIFICATION & MARKING QUEUEING & DROPPING POST-QUEUING OPERATIONS
OGW TGW
Fax Fax
IP
Phone PC PC Phone
class-map match-all fax_voice
dial-peer voice 919 voip match ip dscp ef
destination-pattern 919....... class-map match-any call_signaling
session target ipv4:10.0.0.19 match ip dscp cs3
fax protocol t38 ls-redundancy 0 hs-redundancy 0 match ip dscp af31
!
fallback none
policy-map WAN
no vad class fax_voice
priority percent 33
Voice and T.38 fax traffic can share class call_signaling
the same QoS marking and shaping <snip>
© 2017 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 43
FoIP Bandwidth Utilization
• Different FoIP transports use Codec Bandwidth1
varying amounts of bandwidth G.711 (64 Kbps) 83 Kbps
• On links where saving bandwidth G.729 (8 Kbps) 27 Kbps

is a priority then relay is a better G.723 (6.3 Kbps) 19 Kbps
choice Fax passthrough/
83 Kbps
pass-through (G.711)
• T.38 redundancy handles packet
Fax passthrough (G.711) with
loss much better than fax redundancy
170 Kbps
passthrough/ pass-through with
T.38 (no redundancy) 25 Kbps2
redundancy
T.38 (redundancy level 1) 41 Kbps2
1Values are approximate with Ethernet or Frame
Relay headers T.38 (redundancy level 2) 57 Kbps2
2Values are peak and only occur during the sending of
a page at 14.4 Kbps; gateways can force lower fax Cisco fax relay 48 Kbps2
speeds for additional bandwidth savings
Methods for Handling
OGW
SG3 Fax Calls
TGW
SG3 Sending Fax SG3 Receiving Fax
CNG
ANSam
Sending fax
initiates SG3 Sg3-to-g3 spoofing Absence of SG3 CM causes
call by CM feature on OGW receiving fax to initiate G3
sending CM blocks CM message fax procedures (DIS message)
DIS
• The sg3-to-g3 spoofing feature controlled by the command fax-relay sg3-to-g3 forces
Super G3 fax calls to negotiate down to G3 speeds for compatibility with T.38 or Cisco fax
relay
• Modem passthrough will handle SG3 calls at their native speeds
• Starting in IOS 15.1(1)T SG3 over T.38 is supported for SIP and H.323 and these other
methods for handling SG3 faxes are not necessary
SG3 over T.38 Design Best Practices
CUCM
SIP SIP
H.323 H.323
Super G3 Fax SG3 over T.38 Voice Gateway Super G3 Fax

Voice Gateway
(with SG3 support) (with SG3 support)
• Endpoints must support SG3 and gateways must support the SG3 over T.38
feature (added in IOS 15.1(1)T)
• Only SIP and H.323 call control protocols are supported
• Use the same call control protocol (SIP or H.323) end to end
FoIP Call Control Protocol Support
Transport H.323 SIP MGCP SCCP
Method
T.38 (NSE-based) Yes Yes Yes Yes
T.38 (Standards/ Yes Yes Yes No

Protocol-based)
Fax Pass-through Yes Yes No No
(Protocol-based)
Fax/Modem Yes Yes Yes Yes
Passthrough (NSE-
based)
Cisco Fax Relay Yes* Yes* Yes* Yes*
*Current PVDM3 cards using LSI DSPs on the ISR platforms do not support Cisco fax relay
FoIP Transport Options for SIP Trunks
• SIP Trunks typically use three different methods to transport standard G3 fax
calls
• G.711 Voice - All calls (voice and fax) are always sent using the G.711 voice codec
• Pass-through - A SIP RE-INVITE message is used to up-speed to G.711 when a fax tone is
detected
• T.38 Fax Relay – Call is switched to T.38 fax relay using a SIP RE-INVITE when a fax tone is
detected
Fax Method T.38 Fax Relay G.711 Voice Pass-through
Pros  Highest fax success rates can be  Most widely deployed  Provides bandwidth savings as G.729 voice
achieved  Simplest solution call only upspeeds to G.711 if call is fax
 Cleanest solution from signaling
and media point of view
 Use less bandwidth than G.711
Cons  Interoperability between different  Consumes a large amount of  Interoperability between different vendors
vendors bandwidth for all calls  Sensitive to impairments, no redundancy
 Not offered by some Service  Sensitive to impairments, no
Providers redundancy
FoIP Best Practices for SIP Trunks
• T.38 should be your first choice, followed by G.711 voice or passthrough
• Use SIP call control end-to-end if possible (required by SG3 over T.38)
• SCCP (Skinny) endpoints do not support standards-based T.38
• Confirm your SIP trunk provider supports T.38 and be aware that
interoperability issues still exist
Voice SIP SIP

Gateway
CUCM FoIP SIP
H.323/MGCP H.323 Service Provider
CUBE 1. T.38
2. G.711 Voice or
Passthrough
T.38: De Facto Standard for FoIP
Fax Pass- Fax/Modem Cisco Fax
T.38
through Passthrough Relay
Standards-Based,
Third-Party Integration
Low Bandwidth
Redundancy
SG3 Support
SIP Trunk Support
SRTP and CRTP

Support
T.38 Should Always Be Your First Choice When Handling FoIP Traffic!
Troubleshooting
Packet Captures
CUCM
Capture media Capture media
and call control and call control
Capture
Voice call control Voice
Fax Gateway Gateway Fax
IP
• Packet captures are one of the best tools for troubleshooting fax problems
• Ideally captures should be made at both endpoints to ensure that both
signaling and media are seen
• Cisco Unified Communications Manager only participates in the call
control signaling
Packet Captures: VoIP Call Analysis
• For protocol-based switchovers
like fax pass-through and T.38,
the “VoIP Calls” feature in
Wireshark offers a graphical
means for analyzing the
switchover
• “VoIP Calls” also breaks down
the T.38 media stream, showing
the T.30 signaling and page
transmission
• Select “Telephony” from top of
Wireshark window, “VoIP Calls”,
click on a call, and then click
“Flow”
Call Troubleshooting Stages
Gateway Gateway
• Any fax call can be broken
down into three
H.323/SIP/MGCP/SCCP Call Setup
troubleshooting stages
1. Initial Voice Call
2. Switchover
3. Fax Media
Voice Media
• Once the problem has been

NSE or Protocol-Based Switchover
narrowed down to a specific
stage, then the appropriate
troubleshooting strategy can
be implemented Fax Media
Stage 2: Troubleshooting NSE-Based Switchovers
debug voip rtp session named-event
Jan 10 22:01:58.471: s=DSP d=VoIP payload 0x64 ssrc 0x1EF2 sequence 0x1FBD timestamp 0x20631C26
Jan 10 22:01:58.471: Pt:100 Evt:192 Pkt:00 00 00 <Snd>>>
Jan 10 22:01:58.483: s=VoIP d=DSP payload 0x64 ssrc 0x9A20101 sequence 0x18C2 timestamp 0xADA80F0A
Jan 10 22:01:58.483: <<<Rcv> Pt:100 Evt:192 Pkt:00 00 00
• Use the command debug voip rtp session named-event to view NSE-
related switchovers and events on IOS gateways, such as fax
passthrough and NSE-based T.38
• Most common cause of problems with NSE-based switchovers are an
incorrect configuration or a transcoder or proxy in the call path
Stage 2: Troubleshooting Protocol-Based
Switchover—MGCP and T.38
A NTFY containing *Feb 4 17:01:36.597: MGCP Packet sent to 172.18.110.85:2427--->
NTFY 935850485 S2/SU0/DS1-0/23@CAE-DH-3845-2 MGCP 0.1
FXR/t38(start) initiates N: ca@172.18.110.85:2427
the MGCP T.38 X: 17
O: FXR/t38(start)
switchover <---
CAE-DH-3845-2#show ccm-manager
MGCP Domain Name: CAE-DH-3845-2
Priority Status Host
==============================================
Primary Registered CAE-DH-7845 (172.18.110.85)
First Backup None
Voice Media Second Backup None
Current active Call Manager: 172.18.110.85

Voice T.38 Voice
<SNIP>
Gateway Gateway
(Sending) (Receiving)
TIP: Omission of the configuration command mgcp package-
capability fxr-package is the most common cause of MGCP T.38 failing
Stage 2: Troubleshooting Protocol-Based
Switchover—SIP and T.38
Voice Voice
SIP re-INVITE message (from the terminating Gateway Gateway
CUCM CUBE
side) initiates the switchover to T.38
*Feb 3 22:32:18.514: //-1/xxxxxxxxxxxx/SIP/Msg/ccsipDisplayMsg:
Sent:
INVITE sip:172.18.110.86:5060 SIP/2.0
debug ccsip messages

Via: SIP/2.0/UDP 14.1.97.15:5060;branch=z9hG4bK618FF Voice Media
From: <sip:100@14.1.97.15>;tag=4320068C-1F6B
<SNIP>
v=0
o=CiscoSystemsSIP-GW-UserAgent 8190 1299 IN IP4 14.1.97.15 re-INVITE
s=SIP Call
c=IN IP4 14.1.97.15
t=0 0 200 OK
m=image 16582 udptl t38
c=IN IP4 14.1.97.15 ACK
a=T38FaxVersion:0
a=T38MaxBitRate:14400
a=T38FaxFillBitRemoval:0
a=T38FaxTranscodingMMR:0
a=T38FaxTranscodingJBIG:0
T.38
a=T38FaxRateManagement:transferredTCF
a=T38FaxMaxBuffer:200
a=T38FaxMaxDatagram:72
a=T38FaxUdpEC:t38UDPRedundancy
Stage 2: SIP Trunk Troubleshooting
Confirm receive CUCM If SIP service provider does not support
side sends T.38 Voice SIP delay offer and CUCM is present
SIP re-INVITE Gateway without MTP, then early offer forced
needs to be configured in CUBE
Fax SIP
IP
Service Provider
CUBE
Fax
Server MTP
For T.38, MTP Check dial- debug ccsip
needs codec peer config messages for deeper
passthrough on CUBE look at SIP signaling
• If initial voice call is not established and CUCM is present check for early/delay
offer issue
• If T.38 re-INVITE is not occurring, check terminating side support, confirm MTP
configuration, review proper dial peer config on CUBE
• Use debug ccsip messages for further call control troubleshooting
Stage 3: Troubleshooting the Fax Media - Gateway
DSP Statistics
CAE-DH-3845-2#terminal monitor
CAE-DH-3845-2#show voice call 0/1/1
0/1/1
vtsp level 0 state = S_CONNECTvpm level 1 state = FXSLS_CONNECT
vpm level 0 state = S_UP
calling number , calling name unavailable, calling time 02/03 04:20
CAE-DH-3845-2# ***DSP FAX RELAY STATISTICS***
Max Jit Depth: 36, Max Nwk RxQ Depth 3, Jitter Overflow Pkt Drops: 0
Nwk RxQ Overflow: 0, Tx Pkts: 247, Tx Pkts Drops(Nwk Busy): 0
Rx Pkts: 677, Rx Pkts Loss: 0, Rx Invalid Pkts: 0, Rx Pkts Out Of Seq: 0
Recent Hi-Speed Modulation: V.17/long/14400TX Pages: 2
Max SendInQ Depth 2, Max RecvOutQ Depth 2
Max Hi-Speed Buf Usage 54, SendInQ Overflow 0, RecvOutQ Overflow 0
• DSP packet statistics on Cisco voice gateways provide IP network

information about the active, incoming media stream for fax/modem
passthrough, Cisco fax relay, and T.38
• Errors in these stats typically indicate packet loss and/or jitter problems
• The command “show call active voice brief” also provides some DSP
statistics and information about the media stream
Stage 3: Fax Relay Message Debugging
fr-msg-det
Message received by DSP Voice
Gateway
Fax
IP
fr-msg-tx
Message transmitted by DSP
• The command debug fax relay t30 all-level-1 displays T.30 messages for
T.38 and Cisco fax relay from the DSP’s perspective on the POTS/PSTN
side of the gateway
• Inbound messages are flagged fr-msg-det and messages sent by the DSP
out the telephony interface are indicated by fr-msg-tx
Stage 3: Sample Output From “debug fax relay t30
all-level-1”
Nov 2 17:19:22.928: 0/0/0 (42) 626612205 fr-entered=10(ms)
timestamp=626613325 fr-msg-det NSF
timestamp=626614305 fr-msg-det CSI
timestamp=626615005 fr-msg-det DIS
timestamp=626617385 fr-msg-tx TSI
Output from the Cisco
timestamp=626618185 fr-msg-tx DCS
voice gateway command:
timestamp=626623295 fr-msg-det CFR debug fax relay t30 all-level-1
timestamp=626648365 fr-msg-tx EOP
timestamp=626649985 fr-msg-det MCF
timestamp=626652165 fr-msg-tx DCN
Nov 2 17:20:03.208: 0/0/0 (42) 626652485 fr-end-dcn
• This debug is only valid for T.38 and Cisco fax relay as the gateway
plays an active role in modulating and demodulating the T.30 fax
messages
Stage 3: Unique T.30 Debug Signature: Corruption
Voice Voice
Gateway Gateway T.30 Negotiation
Failure With a Likely
PSTN IP Cause of a Corrupted
Training Signal
NSF/DIS
debug fax
TSI/DCS (train) relay t30 all-level1  Fax machine is receiving a
fr-entered=10(ms)
fr-msg-det NSF corrupted training signal and
FTT fr-msg-det DIS sending an FTT message
fr-msg-tx TSI
TSI/DCS (train) fr-msg-tx DCS  Most common cause of a
fr-msg-det FTT corrupted training is PSTN
FTT fr-msg-tx TSI
fr-msg-tx DCS impairments, such as clock
TSI/DCS (train) fr-msg-det FTT slips
fr-msg-tx TSI
FTT fr-msg-tx DCS  First step is to always confirm
fr-msg-det FTT
that any digital circuits are free
of errors
Stage 3: Viewing Digital Circuit Errors
T1 0/1/0 is up.
Applique type is Channelized T1 Output from the Cisco
Cablelength is long gain36 0db
No alarms detected.
voice gateway command:
alarm-trigger is not set show controller t1
Soaking time: 3, Clearance time: 10
AIS State:Clear LOS State:Clear LOF State:Clear
Version info Firmware: 20060711, FPGA: 13, spm_count = 0
Framing is ESF, Line Code is B8ZS, Clock Source is Line.
CRC Threshold is 320. Reported from firmware is 320.
Data in current interval (729 seconds elapsed):
0 Line Code Violations, 0 Path Code Violations
24 Slip Secs, 0 Fr Loss Secs, 0 Line Err Secs, 0 Degraded Mins
24 Errored Secs, 0 Bursty Err Secs, 0 Severely Err Secs, 0 Unavail Secs
Total Data (last 24 hours)
0 Line Code Violations, 0 Path Code Violations,
2989 Slip Secs, 0 Fr Loss Secs, 0 Line Err Secs, 0 Degraded Mins,
2989 Errored Secs, 0 Bursty Err Secs, 0 Severely Err Secs, 0 Unavail Secs
Stage 3: Confirming the Training in T.38
• The TCF or training signal is a pattern of all 0s

• Other hex values shown in the TCF decode can cause the training to fail
• This training pattern can be checked within Wireshark to confirm its integrity
Stage 3: Scan Line Corruption
Snippet from a corrupted fax page
• In addition to training problems, PSTN errors and impairments can

also cause scan lines to become corrupted
• Problem will not be viewable with Error Correction Mode (ECM) faxes
but instead faxes will take a long time to complete or fail completely
Stage 3: Audio Trace of Scan Line and Training
Corruption
DCS-train DCN
Page EOP
CED-DIS CFR MCF
Fax Servers
Fax Server Integration With Cisco Unified
Communications Manager
H.323/SIP
H.323/SIP
Fax H.323/SIP Unified CM
Server
Cisco Voice Gateways

• Fax servers communicate with Cisco Unified Communications Manager
using H.323 or SIP
• Regardless of the call control protocol between the fax server and Cisco
Unified Communications Manager, H.323, SIP, or MGCP can be used
between Cisco Unified Communications Manager and the gateway
• T.38 media flows between the fax server and the voice gateways
SIP Trunk Integrations with a Fax Server
• Most fax servers only support T.38 so the SIP trunk provider must
support T.38 as well
• No special modifications or configurations are typically necessary on a
fax server to utilize SIP trunks
• Use SIP call control throughout call flow if possible
• CUBE cannot transcode between T.38 and passthrough
SIP SIP
CUBE T.38
CUCM SIP
Service Provider
Fax
Server Passthrough
CUBE is unable to receive T.38 from a fax
server and transcode it to G.711 passthrough
to be compatible with a SIP trunk provider
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Fax Communication

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Understanding,

Cisco Spark spaces will be cs.co/ciscolivebot#BRKUCC-2021

The fax machine is

T.4/T.6—Specifies the Fax Page Encoding Algorithm

T.30—Signaling and Negotiation Between Fax Machines

• The optional Called Subscriber Ringing, Offhook,

transmission speeds up to 33.6

Calling Menu (CM)

Joint Menu (JM)

T.4/T.6—Specifies the Fax Page Encoding Algorithm

T.30—Signaling and Negotiation Between Fax Machines

T.4/T.6—Specifies the Fax Page Encoding Algorithm

T.30—Signaling and Negotiation Between Fax Machines

• All modulated calls begin as voice

Fax Fax T.38 T.38

1 Terminating Gateway (TGW) initiates the switchover to passthrough upon

2 If NSE-based passthrough is configured, the TGW sends NSE switchover

3 If fax pass-through is configured, the TGW initiates the switchover in the

Payload Type =100

Event ID E R Volume Duration

192 Triggered by 2100Hz tone. Signals switchover to passthrough

OGW: Upspeed NSE-192 TGW: Detect 2100 Hz

OGW: Disable echo

11F1 : 10 2924510ms.1 +10530 pid:1 Originate 200 active

Feature: fax passthrough

RTP NSE RTP NSE RTP NSE IP

The initial VoIP call is

Before Switchover: show call active voice brief

126C : 58 11411290ms.1 +10520 pid:1 Originate 200 active

media inactive detected:n media contrl rcvd:n/a timestamp:n/a

Fax Pass-through Call Fax Passthrough Call

Feature: fax pass-through

Fax Fax T.38 T.38

Protocol-Based Switchover RTP PT

T.38 Fax T.38 Fax Cisco Fax

UDP Encapsulated T.38

NSE-201 The detection of fax

TGW: T.38 ACK

The initial VoIP call is

H.245 Request Mode T.38 ACK

Each gateway closes Closing of Voice Logical Channels

ANSam (ANSam tunneled in voice codec) ANSam

11E2 : 4 2956390ms.1 +10500 pid:1 Originate 200 active

media inactive detected:n media contrl rcvd:n/a timestamp:n/a

Feature: NSE-Based T.38

Feature: Protocol-Based T.38

Fax Gateway Gateway Fax

Voice media is Voice Media Switchover for fax

Voice media is Voice Media Switchover for

Delay Jitter Packet Loss

<1000 ms < 300 ms (fax relay) None*, unless

• On links where saving bandwidth G.729 (8 Kbps) 27 Kbps

Super G3 Fax SG3 over T.38 Voice Gateway Super G3 Fax

T.38 (Standards/ Yes Yes Yes No

Fax Method T.38 Fax Relay G.711 Voice Pass-through

Voice SIP SIP

SIP Trunk Support

SRTP and CRTP