How to move your GFI FaxMaker installation to a different server
This topic describes how to move your existing GFI FaxMaker installation to a new server while retaining your current settings.
WARNING
Moving a GFI FaxMaker installation and settings to another server requires a considerable amount of manual work, fax service downtime, third-party software re-configuration and extensive testing. It is highly recommended to review the information in this topic and plan ahead before undertaking this task.
Important notes
- Certain features in GFI FaxMaker use system resources such as locations on disk, printer drivers and third-party software. GFI FaxMaker has no control over these resources and must therefore be manually reconfigured. For example, OCROptical Character Recognition may be configured to store a copy of OCR content on disk. This folder must be re-created on the new server or a new directory reconfigured in GFI FaxMaker. Refer to Step 7: Update feature settings in this topic.
- This procedure is applicable for the latest version of GFI FaxMaker only.
- The old instance of GFI FaxMaker must be running the latest version of GFI FaxMaker and the same version used to install the new instance.
- If GFI FaxMaker is currently installed in Active Directory, the new installation should be in the same Active Directory structure, referencing the same Active Directory domain.
- When moving Brooktrout SR140 FoIPFax over Internet Protocol software, a rehosting of the license key is required since the license is tied to the host machine. For more information refer to http://go.gfi.com/?pageid=FM_SR140rehostlicense
Step 1: Upgrade old server to the latest version
Before moving your installation, ensure that you are running the latest version of GFI FaxMaker on the old server. If an upgrade is required, upgrade the old GFI FaxMaker installation. For more information refer to Upgrading GFI FaxMaker.
Step 2: Migrate GFI Directory (if applicable)
When using GFI Directory, migrate the directory service and data BEFORE proceeding with the GFI FaxMaker move. For more information refer to Moving GFI Directory user list to a different server.
Step 3: Copy the old configuration files
On the old server, stop the following services:
GFI FaxMaker Fax Server
GFI FaxMaker Message Transfer Agent
GFI FaxMaker Attendant
Copy the following files and folders that reside in the GFI FaxMaker installation folder.
Unless modified manually during installation, by default, GFI FaxMaker installs to the following path:
C:\Program Files (x86)\GFI\FaxMaker\
Files and folders to copy:
Folder\Files | Type | Notes |
---|---|---|
All files with extension FST | File | For example: fmdb_rul.fst and fmdevcfg.fst. |
fmdb_rul.mdb | File | |
File config.mdb | File | |
fmsmscomms.xml | File | |
doccvt.ini | File | |
remclient.ini | File | |
modems.dev | File | |
rcvlog.txt | File | |
sendlog.txt | File | |
File capi.dev | File | If available. |
options.ini | File | If available. |
mobiles.dev | File | If available. |
logs\rcvlog.fmlogger.txt | File | This is the default location of log files. If you changed the default location, copy the file from that folder. |
logs\sendlog.fmlogger.txt | File | This is the default location of log files. If you changed the default location, copy the file from that folder. |
coverpge | Folder | Include all folder contents. |
data | Folder | Include all folder contents. |
archive | Folder |
Include all folder contents. This is the default location of the Firebird database fax archive feature. If you changed the default location, backup that folder as well. |
Step 4: Install GFI FaxMaker
Ensure that the new server meets or exceeds the GFI FaxMaker system requirements. If using a fax modem, install the modem on the new server.
Save and close any open applications and run the GFI FaxMaker installer using an account with administrative privileges. Apply the settings below when prompted during the installation wizard:
- When asked to choose the installation path, select the same installation path as the old instance.
- Key in your existing license key to activate the product.
Important
Do NOT run the post-install configuration wizard. Click Cancel to stop and close the post-install wizard. If you proceed with the wizard, your old settings will be overwritten.
Step 5: Move configuration files
On the new server, stop the following GFI FaxMaker services from the Services applet:
GFI FaxMaker Fax Server
GFI FaxMaker Message Transfer Agent
GFI FaxMaker Attendant
IIS Admin
Move the files copied in step 3 to the GFI FaxMaker installation folder on the new server, overriding existing files.
Start the GFI FaxMaker services that were stopped.
Step 6: Reconfigure mail server connectors
Adjust your mail server connectors to route fax and SMS emails to the new GFI FaxMaker server. Change the connectors IP address to the address of the new GFI FaxMaker server. For more information refer to Mail server configuration.
Step 7: Update feature settings
Various features in GFI FaxMaker utilize system resources. These settings are imported on to the new server as previously configured on the old installation. Consequently these old settings require manual reconfiguration to be adapted to the new server.
Examples:
- XMLAPI and TextAPI pick up APIs from a folder on disk. After migration, the new installation is still configured to pick up APIs from the directory configured on the old server. This path may, however, not exist on the new server. Re-configure the TextAPI and XMLAPI pickup folders to new paths on the new server. Third-party applications that automatically generate APIs for faxing will also require re-configuration to deploy APIs to the new pickup location.
- Fax lines may have been configured to backup sent/received faxes to a folder on disk. Re-configure the folder where to backup faxes to a new location on the new server. Fax lines may also be configured to automatically print received faxes. In this case re-configure the fax line to print on another printer.
The below table lists some features and settings that may require reconfiguration. Various other tweaks and re-configurations may be required depending on your deployment scenario and environment.
Feature | Notes |
---|---|
Fax archiving to database |
|
OCR | Directory where OCR content is stored. |
Log files | Log files custom folder. |
HP Digital Sender and SAP | Directories where the HP Digital Sender and/or SAP pick up the fax information files. |
Fax lines | Locations where lines store copies of sent/received faxes and printer drivers. |
Sending options | Revise printer options. |
Document conversion | Install any software that is used to convert attachments to fax format. |
NetPrintQueue2Fax | May require re-installation of printer driver on client machines when moving from a 32-bit server to a 64-bit server. |
Printers | Install the old printer driver on the new server or re-configure new printers. When re-configuring new printers, ensure that features using old printers are adjusted accordingly. |
Junk fax filter | Directory where junk faxes are stored. |
SMS | Install GSMGlobal System for Mobile Communications modems (if applicable) on the new server. |
Step 8: Test the new faxing setup
Ensure that the new fax setup is properly configured and fully functional.
Send test faxes to check fax transmission. For more information refer to Testing your installation.
It is also recommended to test individual features to ensure that the configuration is migrated successfully.