Most modems are software based modems. A software modem uses more cpu when it's sending and receiving data. If I had a dedicated computer to being a fax computer, it wouldn't really matter. I'm usually using a server as a fax machine and the server also does lots of other things. I want the modem to use as few of the server's resources as possible!
For a long time, I have been buying a Startech 2-port hardware USB modem. (It had two phone line ports.) I have many offices where we've used the Startech 2-port model for years. I never needed two ports, but the 2-port model was one of the cheaper and more reliable hardware modems. Startech stopped making the 2-port model and came out with this single port model. This 1-port model has the same chipset as the old modem, so I'm secure this will have the same reliability and longevity.
This installed on Server 2012 R2 without an issue. We don't get many faxes, but we've been sending and receiving faxes using this. I've had zero fax failures so far. It works great, and it's from a brand I trust. I suggest this!
| Brand | STARTECH.COM |
|---|---|
| Series | 56K USB Dial-Up and Fax Modem,V.92,External |
| Item model number | USB56KEMH2 |
| Operating System | Windows 8 Windows 7 Linux Windows 10 Mac OS X Yosemite (10.10) Mac OS X Mavericks (10.9) Windows Server 2016 Windows Server 2019 |
| Item Weight | 0.986 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 3 x 1.1 x 0.8 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 3 x 1.1 x 0.8 inches |
| Manufacturer | STARTECH.COM |
| ASIN | B01MYLE06I |
| Country of Origin | Taiwan |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | April 26, 2017 |
