Set up an internet fax service with an iBook G4 for $12

Question

NOTE: There are plenty of online resources for configuring the elements discussed below. I don't want to write a book so I'll let you look these up for whatever providers and devices you ultimately use.
For what it is worth, here is my recent experience with my wife's trusty old iBookG4 which keeps on giving. For years now it has been a living room music hub, but once a year or so it gets used to send out a fax as all the newer machines lack the modem.
Recently I wanted to set up a permanent fax line, but expecting it to not get used much didn't want to invest much. I now have a permenant fax line with internet access for $12.
The $12 is just the annual cost of a DID number from a voip provider as I already had the necessary bits in use for other purposes, i.e.:
an iBookG4 (or other older model that can run OS X and has an internal fax modem)
a Linksys PAP2T ATA device (this is a fax compatible device which converts voip digital signals to analog for older phone systems. The PAP2T has two telephone line ports.)
STEP 1
Get yourself a phone number from a solid voip provider (one you can configue online). Set the audio codec to be only whatever your ATA device expects for fax compatibility. For the PAP2T this is G.711. I used voip.ms for the provider, there are others. The business line option is $0.99/month plus whatever time your faxes take -- which I don't expect to be much at $.01/minute. (You may notice that the voip rates are insanely low, this is because services like AT&T and even MagicJack make their money by simplyfing the process which can look intimidating, but in truth almost all default settings will work.) Check online for your service providers required settings. Most will have device configuration samples.
The essence here is to set up a voip service through an ATA to your iBook. (You don't have to do a voip line, you can go ahead and pay the regular phone company dedicated line rate if you wish. This is the saving money part, not internet functionality.)
STEP 2
Get Dropbox onto your iBook and your iPhone, iPad or whatever. Install a VNC app onto your iPhone so you can use the Apple Remote Desktop. The free Mocha VNC Lite app worked fine for me.
STEP 3
Go to Print&Fax preferences and click on the + button to create a fax printer as you did in the old days, but this time go Receive Options, turn on Receive faxes on this computer and set Answer to 1 so it responds immediately and Save to: to a Dropbox folder of your choice. (Since my iBook is always plugged in I disabled computer sleep as well in Energy Saver as it also needs to be readily availble to serve music.)
STEP 4
Go to Sharing preferences and enable Remore Management. For security I set access to a single dedicated user. Your needs may vary.
STEP 5
Make sure your Firewall will pass through VNC or typically port 5900. You have to see what your system requires to enable VNC and Apple Remote Desktop. Also, go into Network preferences, Advanced, and set a DHCP with manual address to ensure your firewall pass through always hits the right machine.
STEP 6 - Testing
- Go online to your voip provider and ensure your DID has registered.
- Create .txt or PDF on whatever machine and copy it to your Dropbox folder.
- Go to the HP fax test page and follow their instructions to send them a fax and have an automatic fax back.
- Head off to Starbucks or local wifi spot (you might want to use Hotspot sheild or other encryption). Call up VNC, go into Preview or whatever app and print to fax (IMPORTANT: There is a bug in OS X, since 10.4 I believe, requiring you to turn off the "Receive faxes on this computer" in order to send a fax. Turn it off, send, then go back and turn it on)
- Leave your VNC app and wait a bit. Soon Dropbox should notify you a file has been placed in your folder.
There you go Receive and Send faxes on your iPhone wherever you can get wifi. Or, as the civilized world does, send a PDF and let the less advanced send you a fax if they have to.

Answer 1

Use the instructions in this article to create a new network location; each location has its own set of options and doesn't affect the other locations.
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