---
name: "faxq"
section: "8"
platform: "linux"
package: "hylafax-server"
version: "3:6.0.7-11.1"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/faxq/8"
---

# faxq(8)

HylaFAX queue manager process

## NAME

faxq - *HylaFAX* queue manager process

## SYNOPSIS

**/usr/sbin/faxq** \[ **-D** \] \[ **-q** *queue-dir* \]

## DESCRIPTION

*faxq* is the central queueing agent for *HylaFAX*. One (and only one) *faxq* process is normally running at all times. *faxq* is responsible for scheduling, preparing, and initiating outbound facsimile jobs (and potentially other types of jobs as well).

*faxq* may be run by itself to provide outbound-only services or it may be run together with one or more [*faxgetty*(8)](/faxgetty/8.md) processes, in which case inbound services (e.g. receiving facsimile) are provided. When *faxq* is run by itself the set of available modems must be specified using the [*faxmodem*(8)](/faxmodem/8.md) command. Each modem specified in this way is assumed to exist and to be capable of use as a facsimile modem. When *faxq* is run in conjunction with *faxgetty* processes, it is not necessary to use *faxmodem* to specify modems; instead the programs communicate information about the status and capabilities of each modem. The latter setup provides a more robust and powerful system and is the intended way for the software to operate.

*faxq* receives notification of outbound jobs to process from the [*hfaxd*(8)](/hfaxd/8.md) process that implements the server-side of the *HylaFAX* client-server protocol. Notification is through messages sent to a FIFO special file that *faxq* listens to. This file is also used by other administrative programs such as [*faxquit*(8)](/faxquit/8.md).

Many aspects of *faxq* operation may be controlled through a configuration file. This file is located in the spooler hierarchy in the **etc** subdirectory and is named **config** (as opposed to the per-modem configuration files named **config.***devid***);** consult [*hylafax-config*(5)](/hylafax-config/5.md) for detailed information on this configuration file. Note that *faxq* automatically re-reads its configuration file if it has been changed. It is also possible to dynamically change configuration parameters in a running process with the [*faxconfig*(8)](/faxconfig/8.md) program. Beware however that parameters changed in this way will be reset to the values specified in the configuration file if the file is re-read.

## OPTIONS

- **-q** *dir*

  The specified directory is treated as the spooling area. The default spooling area, */var/spool/hylafax*, is defined at the time the software is built.

- **-D**

  This option forces *faxq* to remain attached to the controlling tty from which it was invoked. In normal operation *faxq* will [*fork*(2)](/fork/2.md) and disassociate itself from the controlling tty. This option is useful for debugging.

## FILES

```
/var/spool/hylafax/FIFO	FIFO special file for submitting commands
/var/spool/hylafax/etc/config	configuration file
```

Consult [*hylafax-server*(5)](/hylafax-server/5.md) for a complete discussion of the structure and content of the spooling area.

## SEE ALSO

[*faxabort*(8)](/faxabort/8.md), [*faxconfig*(8)](/faxconfig/8.md), [*faxmodem*(8)](/faxmodem/8.md), [*faxquit*(8)](/faxquit/8.md), [*faxstate*(8)](/faxstate/8.md), [*getty*(8)](/getty/8.md), [*hylafax-server*(5)](/hylafax-server/5.md), [*hylafax-config*(5)](/hylafax-config/5.md).