[ILUG-BOM] [OT] What are sms gateways?

[Paul Alapatt]

> I would like to know what are sms gateways.

Gateways, typically channel the translation between two networks. Thus
in this case its a combination of hardware and software which provides
access to a wireless network for receiving and dispatching of SMS. On
the same lines you can have gateways for a wide variety of
technologies such as MMS and WiFi.


> How do people at Indian Idol process incoming sms's.

Well it can be done as low end as getting a suitable data-cable for
your mobile, plugging it up to the computer, installing a suitable
protocol driver, writing your application to use this wrapper driver
to retreive SMSs from the inbox of your mobile phone.

OR

Sophisticated versions include a complete hardware and software kit,
which just requires you to write the app and be all set to send and
receive SMS.

> Is any special hardware required ?

For an entry level you just need, a mobile like Nokia 3330, A
datacable to hook it to the parallel port of the desktop and gnokii or
its clone installed and tested for loopback from the handset. Once you
are done with this, you can write a command line PERL script to access
the inbox and read the messages or store it into the database, etc.

> What is a Gsm modem ?

Oh its meant to work like your normal modem, except that its for
application in the wireless medium. It would typically operate for
frequencies such as 900-1900MHz.

If you have a handset like Nokia 6600, then you have a GSM Modem
inbuilt, else you can opt for a Hardware GSM GPRS Modem, which can
manage GPRS, data, fax, SMS and voice applications.

> If I ask Airtel or Orange to provide me a gateway,
> will they give me some special hardware or a sim card
> ?
You could try, but if you are looking at a SMS Gateway then you can
look at the score of SMS service providers in India, like
www.cellent.com,etc.

Alternatively use your mobile to setup a primitive SMS Gateway, which
would be a great experience.

> I need all this info for my project.
> I will be using gnokii for this.
> I will be developing this application on Linux.
> Thank you for your help. :)

GNOKII is great, you can however also try the various clones that have
sprung up with similar sounding names. The thing is to get a suitable
Nokia Handset and get it to give you a positive detection through
GNOKII.

Best of Luck, 
Great going.

Once you are through, you could probably setup your own SMS Gateway Firm :)

Take care,
Paul Alapatt

------------------------------------------------
The Mumbai Opensource Meetup

http://mtm-network.ryze.com/

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