The benefit of virtualization here is that you can use a cheap, Windows software based modem that many computers come with. One of the main headaches with Linux based fax servers is getting modems that will work with Linux itself. To get a Windows Software based modem, such as a Conexant chipset modem, you typically would have to purchase a third party driver or buy an old jumpered modem, most of which are ISA. By using virtualization, you simply have to have your windows modems installed, then have VMware map the comm ports over to Linux. Linux will be able to talk to the modems just as if they were external modems simply on a comm port. THAT is where the advantage is. The ability also for this to run in the background on a server doing other things is an added benefit.
