TCP to X.25 SMS Message Router Appliance
Routes and converts SMS messages between TCP networks and SMSCs on X.25 linked mobile networks |
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RoHS compliant |
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| The FarLinX TCP-X25 SMS Router datasheet may be downloaded here. |   |
Overview
The FarLinX TCP to X.25 SMS Router extends the functionality of TCP based SMEs (Short Message Entities) such as SMS Gateways so that they can connect to SMSCs (Short Message Service Centres) that require X.25 as the network connection protocol. Examples of SMSCs requiring X.25 connectivity are the UK Vodafone network and the French Orange network. SMS messages normally sent and received over TCP are packetised and routed over X.25 connections.
The SMS Router is symmetric in operation - the SMS Router can interface between an SMSC on the TCP/IP network and SMEs on the X.25 network as well as vice versa.
The FarLinX X.25 SMS Router can be installed on the same site as an SMS Gateway to provide X.25 connectivity or alternatively at a remote location, for example in a Data Centre, to reduce the length of an X.25 leased line to an SMSC and hence ongoing line rental costs.
The FarLinX X.25 SMS Router is designed for non-stop operation: in the field it will run continuously without any manual intervention whatsoever. Changes to the configuration are applied dynamically, removing the need for reloading. The configuration application allows the router to support a large variety of TCP/IP and X.25 network configurations. Two or more SMS Routers can be used in a load balanced, resilient configuration that has no single point of failure. The SMS Router can be remotely managed. Tunneling protocols such as PPTP and L2TP can be used to provide a secure TCP/IP connection between the SME and the SMS router.
A wide variety of SMS message protocols are supported including Sema OIS GPI XIT and XHT, Sema OIS Direct Access, Nokia CIMD, Logica (SMS Forum) SMPP and CMG EMI/UCP. The very flexible generic design of the Router allows it to operate with all Gateways that send and receive SMS messages over TCP.
Typical network configuration using the FarLinX TCP-X25 SMS Router, SMS messages sent over TCP/IP are routed over an X.25 link to a SMSC
Applications
The SMS X.25 Router can be used in a variety of ways, examples include:
- To enhance TCP/IP only SMS Gateways to support connections to SMSCs
that require X.25 without the need to make any changes to the Gateway
- Reduce X.25 leased line rental costs by installing the SMS Router
close to the SMSC and using TCP/IP to connect to the SMS Gateway. Connections
between the Gateway and the SMS Router can be made secure by using a
Tunneling protocol, ie PPTP or L2TP with Terminal Services providing
the remote management
- The SMS Router can be used 'reversed', allowing SMEs using X.25 to connect to an SMSC requiring TCP/IP
SMS
Protocol Compatibility
FarLinX
TCP-X25 SMS Router Protocol Compatibility Matrix |
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Protocol |
Description |
| Sema OIS GPI XIT and XHT General X.25 Access | Sema OIS (Open Interface Specification) Appendix
B. Encoding schemes for IA5 (GPI XIT) and Hex (GPI XHT) are supported.
The Binary encoding scheme is not supported as it's not suitable for
TCP.
Sema OIS GPI XIT and GPI XHT are used by Vodafone. |
| Sema OIS Direct Access over X.25 | Sema OIS (Open Interface Specification) Appendix
D. Specification version: 5.8 (SMSC version G8.1) - January 2001. |
| Nokia CIMD | Nokia CIMD (Computer Interface to Message Distribution)
Specification version: Issue 1-2 en - March 2000 |
| Logica SMPP | Logica SMPP (Short Message Peer to Peer), now
owned by the SMS
Forum, previously known as the SMPP Forum.
The specification has diverged, both versions are supported Logica specification: version 3.3 - August 2000 |
| EMI/UCP | CMG EMI/UCP (External Machine Interface/Universal
Computer Protocol) EMI/UCP is used by Orange |
| Uninterpreted character stream | General character stream routing between TCP and X.25. |
Multiple
Tariff SME Connections
As well as supporting multiple SMSCs, the SMS Router can support connections between a single SMSC and multiple SMEs. Multiple SMEs per SMSC are typically used for variable tariffing arrangements - up to 100 different SMEs (and thus tariffs) can be supported. Connections can be initiated either by the SME or the SMSC, and the SMS Router can handle these concurrently (i.e. two connections can co-exist at the same time between an SME and an SMSC).
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Overview
of Resilient Operation
The FarLinX TCP-X25 SMS Router can be deployed in a wide variety of ways to achieve the level of resilience required by the application. The level will depend on the value of the data traffic and the acceptable degree of user intervention required to rectify any problem. The aim with resilience is to remove single points of failure. Resilient configurations using more than one SMS Router also allow improved performance by sharing the traffic load between several machines.
Network Line Redundancy
To achieve network line redundancy, a single FarLinX TCP-X25 SMS Router may operate with two or more X.25 lines. It can route data over any active line connected to the Router so that if one line goes out of operation then the other lines continue to be used automatically.
Gateway Redundancy and Load Balancing
For fully resilient operation, two (or more) FarLinX TCP-X25 SMS Routers may be deployed. They can be either configured for simple failover from a primary to a backup machine or for full load balanced operation. In Network Load Balancing (NLB) mode both failover and load balancing of the SMS Messages are provided thus ensuring there is no single point of failure and that there is no performance bottleneck.
The built in SMS Router Supervisor checks the state of the X.25 network lines and as these change state between fully operational and faulty it automatically enables/disables the unit from the NLB pool of FarLinX TCP-X25 SMS Router's, thus managing the availability of that particular SMS Router machine. Key events such as the loss of an X.25 line are recorded on an event log.
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Performance
and Expandability
The FarLinX TCP-X25 SMS Router easily handles very high transaction loads. Support for large numbers of X.25 lines and multiple SMS Routers provides enormous scalable expansion capability and resiliency. The main performance and expansion capabilities of the SMS Router are:
- Up to 1,500 SMS messages per second on each SMS Router
- X.25 line speeds from 2,400 baud to over 8 Mbits/s
- From 1 to 8 X.25 lines per SMS Router
- 3 10/100 BaseT LAN ports, RJ45. Each port is for connection to a separate Network
- Up to 100 SMEs split over 100 SMSCs per SMS Router
- Multiple resilient load balanced SMS Routers, up to 32 sharing a single IP address
- X.25 network, leased line and X.25 dialup connections supported
Configuration
| The remotely accessible FarLinX SMS X.25 Router configuration
application allows the TCP interface, X.25 connections, SME connections,
SMS message protocol and the event log levels to be set.
Almost all changes to the configuration are made dynamically so continuous operation of the router can be maintained. See sample screen 1 and sample screen 2. The very flexible configuration support allows the Router to support a large variety of TCP/IP and X.25 network configurations. |
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Maintenance
Contract
FarSite recognises that this product is often used as a key component in SMS message routing systems and as such a guaranteed response to unexpected problems is required. A maintenance contract is available for the FarLinX TCP-X25 SMS Router for priority service and rapid problem resolution.
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| Technical Specifications | |
| Product Name | FarLinX TCP-X25 SMS Router |
| Product code | FL2200 |
| X.25 Line count | 1 Line; upgradeable to 4 or 8 X.25 lines by ordering FL2004, a 4 port X.25 line card. Maximum line speed 8 Mbits/s |
Gateway Features |
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| Protocols Supported | Sema OIS GPI XIT General X.25 Access,
Sema OIS Direct Access over X.25, Nokia CIMD, Logica SMPP, EMI/UCP,
Uninterpreted character stream Note: EMI/UCP, Sema OIS GPI XIT General X.25 Access and Sema OIS Direct Access over X.25 message protocols are auto detected and can be configured dynamically on a per connection basis. |
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| SMS Gateways supported | All SMS gateways that send SMS messages over TCP | ||
| Transactions per second | Up to 1,500 SMS messages per second per SMS Router | ||
| Maximum SMEs and SMSCs | Up to 100 SMEs (Short Message Entities) spread across up to 100 SMSCs (Short Message Service Centres) | ||
| Resilient configuration and load balancing | Yes, spread across 2 to a maximum of 32 SMS Routers | ||
| Logging key events | An event log is used to log key operational events, eg X.25 call fails, X.25 line down, X.25 line up | ||
X.25 Details |
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Network Connectors |
Connection cables are available with RS232C
(V.24), X.21, V.35 and RS530 connectors. The cables are ordered separately, see the Cable Table. |
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| Types of X.25 connection | X.25 network, leased line, X.25 dial on DTR dialup | ||
| X.25 feature summary | Speeds from 1,200 Baud to 8 Mbits/s |
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LAN |
3 10/100 BaseT LAN ports, RJ45. Each port is for connection to a separate Network | ||
Approvals |
CE, FCC part 15 class A, UL | ||
| RoHS Compliance | See the RoHS News item | ||
| Power Requirements | Input voltage range: 100v to 240v Typical 60w (0.25amps at 230v), Peak 120w (0.5amps at 230v) |
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Physical |
Dimensions: metric: 429(W) x 282(D)
x 44(H) mm, imperial: 16.89”(W) x 11.1”(D) x 1.73"(H) |
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Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.
Last updated:
07-Jul-2008
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