Platform SDK: Fax Services

About the Fax Service Provider API

The Fax Service Provider API supports multiple fax devices and provides a device-independent interface for performing fax procedures. The following components are required to support the functionality of the Fax Service Provider API.

The fax device manufacturer must supply a fax service provider dynamic-link library (DLL) that exposes a well-defined interface for performing fax procedures. There must be one fax service provider DLL for each fax device class.
The fax service (FaxSvc.exe). This support-service application provides an execution context for the fax service provider DLL. The fax service uses the DLL to communicate with the fax service provider. The fax service manages fax devices and configuration data, provides print services, and sends and receives fax documents. The fax service creates all fax documents as Tagged Image File Format, Class F for facsimile (TIFF Class F) files.
The Telephony Application Programming Interface (TAPI) establishes inbound and outbound fax calls, and it provides enumeration, status, and change notification about fax devices. For more information about TAPI, see the Telephony Application Programming Interface (TAPI) Programmer's Reference.
Each fax service provider that presents only physical fax devices must also supply a telephony service provider for device abstraction. The telephony service provider identifies all the fax devices that the fax service provider controls, and enables the fax service to use the exposed fax devices. If a fax service provider presents virtual fax devices, a telephony service provider is not required. For more information about TSPI and service providers, see the Platform SDK documentation on Telephony Service Provider Interface (TSPI).

In addition, you must include the fax service provider header in your source code files. FaxDev.h contains function prototypes, structure definitions, and fax status constants.

All user-interface features and configuration storage are the responsibility of the fax service provider.