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Archiving Faxes to Database

Author: Stephen White Updated

Overview

GFI FaxMaker can archive all faxes and SMS to a Firebird or a Microsoft® SQL/MSDE database.  This article describes how to enable database archiving in the FaxMaker Configuration.

 

Prerequisites

Choosing a Database

Database Type

Description
Firebird

Firebird is a free and open-source database format. When chosen, GFI FaxMaker automatically creates and configures a Firebird database using the specified database location and filename. No further configuration is required. This database is used to store fax images. Fax metadata is always stored in a separate Firebird database and is used in Reports and Archive Viewer.

A Firebird database has a size limit of 10GB. When the database reaches 10GB, GFI FaxMaker does not continue to archive faxes. Before this occurs, it is recommended to switch to and migrate data to Microsoft® SQL/MSDE.
Microsoft SQL or MSDE

A Microsoft® SQL/MSDE database typically does not have size limitations, unless limitations are imposed by the database administrator. GFI FaxMaker stores all metadata and fax images in the database configured.

Configure a Microsoft® SQL/MSDE server and specify the server details as per instructions below. GFI FaxMaker can either create a new database or use a pre-created database dedicated for GFI FaxMaker data.

Currently supporting SQL server 2019 and below. 

NOTE: Archive data stored on a Microsoft® SQL/MSDE server cannot be migrated back to Firebird.

 

Solution

Enabling Fax Archiving to Database

  1. From Programs, access the FaxMaker Configuration

  2. Select Archiving and select Properties.

  3. In the Archive to Database tab, select Enable database archiving.

    archive_to_pdf.png

  4. Click Setup Database to configure the database to store faxes:

    Option

    Description
    Firebird database

    Enable archiving to a Firebird database. Key in or browse to the location where to store the database file and specify the database name in .FDB format.

    A Firebird database has a size limit of 10GB. When the database reaches 10GB, GFI FaxMaker does not continue to archive faxes.
    Microsoft SQL or MSDE database

    Archive to a Microsoft® SQL Server® or MSDE database. Key in the server name/IP or select from the list of automatically detected servers. Enter credentials to connect to the server.

    In Select database, specify the database to archive to. Choose one of the detected databases from the list or archive to a new database called FAXmakerArchive that is automatically created by GFI FaxMaker.

    NOTES:

    • GFI FaxMaker archiving requires mixed-mode authentication to be enabled on the SQL Server®.
    • The database name cannot contain any spaces or special characters.
    • Some databases may have size limitations. Ensure that this limit is not exceeded.

  5. Click Test to verify the settings and click OK.

    database_configuration.png

     

  6. To archive faxes and SMS to GFI Archiver, select Enable GFI Archiver and configure the settings. For more information refer to Archive faxes to GFI Archiver.

  7. By default, GFI FaxMaker archives faxes in .TIFF format. To archive in a different format, for example PDF, select Archive faxes in this format and specify the format required.

  8. Click OK.

Note: When changing the database type, for example from Firebird to Microsoft® SQL Server, data in the older database is not shown in reports and in the Archive Viewer. Use the Migration Tool to migrate data from the old database to the new database so that old data is shown. For more information refer to Migrating archive data between databases.

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