Scalable and flexible internet fax architecture

Abstract

Methods and systems for processing inbound fax messages in an efficient and scalable manner are provided. According to one embodiment, an inbound fax call is received at a telecommunications system of an Internet fax system. The inbound fax call includes a source and destination address and a fax signal. The inbound fax call is switched to a call mediation system, which determines desired technical call processing capabilities for processing the fax signal. A subset of fax processing resources that have the desired technical call processing capabilities are identified from among multiple fax processing resources associated with the call mediation system. The inbound fax call is switched to a selected fax processing resource of the identified subset. The fax signal is translated by the selected fax processing resource into a digital representation. And, the digital representation is made available to one or more users associated with the particular subscriber.