Category Archives: SMS

How to Reset or Reboot MOBITEK S80 Modem on an Interval

  1. The reset command “AT+WRST” can be issued in either hyper terminal or QCOM.
  2. When MOBITEK S80 modem is reset/reboot:-
    • the state of QCOM as follows:-
      • “Close Port” button turn to “Open Port”
      • “Send Command” and “Run” buttons are greyed out
      • No command can be send out
    • the state of Red LED status as follows:-
      • stop blinking
      • turn off
      • turn on
      • blinking
      • all the above completed in less than 10 seconds
    • SMS Engine — Enterprise Edition is able to re-initialize the modem

 

TEST RESULT

TEST OBJECTIVE TESTING METHODOLOGY TEST RESULT
Can MOBITEK S80 support schedule reboot? E.g. reboot on 1 p.m. every day? Not applicable
Can MOBITEK S80 reboot every 3 minutes? AT+WRST?

+WRST: 0

OK
AT+WRST=1,”000:03″

OK
AT+WRST?

+WRST: 1,”000:03″,”000:03″

OK

 The reset is set to start at “15:46”. By right the port will disconnect at:

  • 15:49
  • 15:52
  • 15:55

The state of QCOM when the modem disconnect:

  • “Close Port” button turn to “Open Port”
  • “Send Command” and “Run” buttons are greyed out
  • No command can be send out

At “15:49” the port closed (below s.c. is taken around 1 minute late).

Open the port again at “15:51”. At “15:52” the port closed (below s.c. is taken around 1 minute late).
Can SMS Engine — Ent. Ed. re-initialise MOBITEK S80 Modem after modem is reset?
  1. Stop the service/engine
  2. Use hyper terminal instead of QCOM ( because during remote support, you will use hyper terminal)
  3. Set the modem to reset every 3 or 5 minutes (AT+WRST=1,”000:03″)
  4. Start the service/enigne
  5. Check the log file, it should show that “GSM modem not connected” every 3 minutes then follow by “Modem ID 1 initialized”.

Not sure how frequent the engine will check for the modem’s connection. The reset duration happen in less than 10 seconds. Probably it missed the checking:

  • between 17:10 – 17:19
    • status missing at 17:13
    • status missing at 17:16
  • between 17:19 – 17:28
    • status missing at 17:22
    • status missing at 17:25

The last 3 “initialized” status show the disconnect interval are 3 minutes.
When modem is reset, what is the status of LED?
  1. Open Hyper Terminal, enter AT+WRST=1,”000:03″ command
  2. Start the engine
  3. Monitor LED status
 Red LED status when the modem reset (less than 10 seconds):

  • stop blinking
  • turn off
  • turn on
  • blinking

 

AT+WRST

AT+WRST only has the <MODE>,<DELAY>,<REMAINTIME>:

Issued: AT+WRST=1,"000:03"

Response: +WRST: 1,"000:03","000:03"

  • 1 = enable reset
  • “000:03” = reset every 3 minutes interval
  • “000:03” = countdown for the next reset (3 minutes). this countdown is still active even the port is disconnected.

Means:

  • AT+WRST is not able to do schedule reboot as we can’t specify the schedule time for the reset
  • AT+WRST is able to reset at any interval, i.e.: every 3 minutes
  • need to connect to the port again after every reset
  • the reset setting is always saved in the module even after every reconnection unless “AT+WRST=0” is issued

How to Solve “BadImageFormatException”

Applies to: SMS API v. 9.2 in Visual Studio Community 2019 and Windows Server 2019 64-bit

Problem: when SMS API v9.2 sample program in run in debug mode, Visual Studio Community 2019 always give this error :-

Inner Exception 1:

BadImageFormatException: Could not load file or assembly ‘Interop.MobitekSMSAPI9, Version=1.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=null’ or one of its dependencies.

This assembly is built by a runtime newer than the currently loaded runtime and cannot be loaded.

Solution: change the “Target Framework” of the project to “.NET Framework 4” with these steps:-

  1. Migrate the project “SMS API v. 9.2” to open in Visual Studio 2019.
  2. Open the project. Go to the project “Properties”. In “Application” tab, change the “Target framework” to “.NET Framework 4”.
  3. You will get below warning after changing the “Target framework”. Just click “Yes”.
  4. Close and reopen the project.
  5. Click “Start” button to start debugging the project. Please allow some times for the project to be built.
  6. After the project has completely built, try to click all menus and buttons to see if the problem occur again.

Incoming SMS is Not Lost Even When Database Connection or Network Connection is Lost

TEST OBJECTIVE: Is incoming SMS / message lost when MySQL database connection is lost while SMS Engine — Enterprise Edition version 7.x is running?

 

TESTING METHODOLOGY TEST RESULT REMARK
  1. Start WAMP, start SMS Engine — Enterprise Edition version 7.1. Make sure the modem can be initialized to show the connection with database.
  2. Stop all MySQL DB service only. Note the time.
  3. Send 1 SMS from mobile phone to 011-56368598. Note the time.
  4. After 5 minutes (from the time of sending 1 SMS in step 3) start MySQL DB service only.
  5. Verify that the modem is still initialized.
  6. Check in the “inbox” table for the incoming SMS.
  1. Log File: 2021_5_20.log
    Modem 1 initialized at 12:58:59pm
  2. MySQL DB service stopped at 13:14pm
  3. SMS sent to 011-56368598 at 13:19pm
  4. MySQL DB service started at 13:25pm
  5. Control Panel of SMS Engine — Enterprise Edition shows Modem ID 1 is still in “initialized” (green colour) state
  6. SMS inserted into “inbox” table at 13:27:13pm
 Incoming SMS is NOT LOST Even though the database connection is lost.
  1. Start WAMP, start SMS Engine — Enterprise Edition version 7.1. Make sure the modem can be initialized to show the connection with database.
  2. Unplug network cable from Dell-E6410 (laptop).  Note the time.
  3. Send 1 SMS from mobile phone to 011-56368598. Note the time.
  4. After 5 minutes, reconnect network cable. Note the time. Verify that the modem is initialized.
  5. Check in the “inbox” table for the incoming SMS.
  1. Log File: 2021_5_21.log
    Modem 1 initialized at 10:29:48am
  2. Network cable unplugged at 10:33:37am and modem ID 1 failed to connect to GSM network (not initialized)
  3. SMS sent at 10:36am
  4. Network cable reconnect at 10:43:10am and modem ID 1 was initialized
  5. SMS inserted into “inbox” table at 10:43:20am
 Incoming SMS is NOT LOST even though network connection is lost.

Does Shutting Down 3G Network Affect the Functionality of MOBITK Q24 and MOBITEK S80 SMS Modem (GSM Modem)

Question: Malaysia TELCO phasing out 3G soon, may we know if MOBITEK S80 (3G) and MOBITEK Q24 (2G) SMS Modem will be affected (not able to send out SMS)?

 

Answer no. 1: please refer to

3G Shut Down: Millions of Maxis & Celcom 4G customers may need 2G to make Calls

“Malaysia is among a limited countries around the world that have decided to shut down its 3G networks while maintaining 2G.“

“As a safety net, 2G network will still be maintained to ensure customers are able to make calls and SMS seamlessly, whenever 4G is inaccessible,”

 

Answer no. 2: please refer to

Digi begins shutting down its 3G network, here’s the full schedule

Digi CTO Kesavan Sivabalan said: “Our priority remains in ensuring high availability and consistency of our 4G network services, and to do so effectively, it is necessary that we retire the 3G network, freeing up crucial spectrum and resources that would now be channelled towards increasing capacity of the 4G network to support higher usage.”  Users with 3G devices can still stay connected to 2G after the 3G shutdown. While 2G is sufficient for basic voice calls and SMS, it is barely usable for internet services in this day and age.

 

Answer no. 3: please refer to

Malaysia has not fully shut down its 3G networks, over 440,000 users have not switched to 4G phones

Malaysia was supposed to shut down all 3G networks by the end of 2021 but it turns out that some 3G sites are still operational. This was revealed during the recent JENDELA update for the final quarter of 2021.

3G users can still use their existing phones after the 3G shutdown but their devices will connect to the slower 2G connection, which can be used for basic voice calls and SMS.

Therefore, as long as 2G network is maintained, MOBITEK S80 (3G) and MOBITEK Q24 (2G) SMS Modem can still send and receive SMS.

How to Solve VCOM Hang or Crash

Applies to:-

  1. MOBITEK MobiGATE SMS Gateway model SG-B series and MOBITEK Q24 STK Modem Hub; and
  2. Windows OS with VMWare installed.

 

Problem: VCOM crashes when running the “Search” function on Windows 10 Professional x64 with VM previously installed on the same machine.

 

Solution:  disabling Virtual Network Adapter created by Virtual Machine.

  1. Open Control Panel -> Network and Internet -> Network and Sharing Center, click on “Change adapter settings”.
  2. In “Network Connections”, select the VM Network Adapter, in this case the VM Network Adapter labeled with “VMNet1” and “VMNet8”, then click on “Disable this network device”.
  3. Open the VCOM and try running the “Search” function again.

Control Panel for SMS Engine — Enterprise Edition version 2.7 is Released

List of  Fixes in Version 2.7

  • Added tab no. 3 to support modem no. 17 until 24, total 3 units of MobiGATE can be configured in Control Panel;
  • Added validation procedure for each Modem ID and COM Port number in all 3 modem tabs (1 to 24) is needed so as to prevent user from entering duplicate ID and COM Port number;
  • Added a new feature — automatic populate the values for “Modem ID” and “COM Port” and increase the value by 1; the “automatic and incremental” code will only execute when user enter values for “ID” and Port” for “Modem 1”, the code will not execute if user change / edit modem 2, 3, 4 and the rest;
  • Engine will NOT start when the “config.xml” file is not loaded/read into Control Panel;
  • Revise the error messages and warning messages;
  • All message boxes contain version number, e.g. “Control Panel v. 2.6”.

 

Download

Existing customers of MobiGATE with valid warranty period or with valid annual support programme could download version 2.7 from here … (www.mobitek.my/download/MOBITEK SMS ENGINE — ENTERPRISE EDITION/Setup v.2.7.1.exe.zip)

If you wish to subscribe to annual support programme for your MobiGATE, please contact us.

 

More Information

COM Port Number of MOBITEK E20 Modem Will Change If USB Port is Changed

Conclusion: COM Port number will change if MOBITEK E20 4G Modem connects to different USB port.

TEST OBJECTIVE TESTING METHODOLOGY TEST RESULT
To test if the COM port number of MOBITEK E20 4G Modem will change if USB port is changed.
  1. Connect MOBITEK E20 4G Modem to all 4 USB ports in Dell-E6410.
  2. For each USB port connected, check the Device Manager to see whether the COM port is change or not.
  1. USB port right bottom -> COM19
  2. USB port right top -> COM27
  3. USB port left bottom -> COM47
  4. USB port left top -> COM43

“Device driver software was not successfully installed” Warning Message

Applies to: MOBITEK S80 Modem

The warning “Device driver software was not successfully installed” can be ignored as long as there are 4 COM ports appeared when you plug in MOBITEK S80 Modem with PC.

 

The 4 COM ports are:-

  • Sierra Wireless AT Command Port (UMTS)
  • Sierra Wireless CNS Port (UMTS)
  • Sierra Wireless DM Port (UMTS)
  • Sierra Wireless NMEA Port (UMTS)

Comparison Between MOBITEK S80 SMS Modem in VMWare and VirtualBox

  VMware VirtualBox
Installing USB Driver (USBDriverInstaller_SL80XX_V11.5.0.0.exe) Easy to install without the needs of other pre-installation software.
  • Require installation of “Extension Pack in VirtualBox”
  • Require configuration in “USB Settings”

(source: https://www.wintips.org/how-to-setup-usb-on-virtualbox-guest-oracle/)
MOBITEK S80 appearance in Device Manager Can detect the MOBITEK S80 after USB Driver installed without COM port disappearing It cannot detect MOBITEK S80 Modem vis USB port, refer to

The work around is to use serial port in VirtualBox by linking/mapping USB port (host) to serial port (VM), refer to https://mobitek-system.com/blog/2017/11/how-to-set-up-mobitek-s80-modem-in-virtualbox/
Hyper Terminal test Able to run Hyper Terminal test on connected MOBITEK S80 MOBITEK S80 Modem will not response in hyper terminal if connected via USB port in virtual machine, refer to https://mobitek-system.com/blog/2020/06/fail-to-get-mobitek-s80-to-work-in-usb-port-in-virtualbox/

How to Set-Up VMWare and MOBITEK S80 Modem in VMWare

Install VMWare Workstation 16 Player

  1. Go to https://www.vmware.com/products/workstation-player/workstation-player-evaluation.html. Download Workstation 16.0 Player for Windows.
  2. Run the installer file “VMware-player-16.0.0-16894299.exe” in your default download folder. If prompted click “Yes” to allow the installer to run.
  3. Click “Next” to set up the program.
  4. Check “I accept the terms in the License Agreement” checkbox, then click “Next”.
  5. Set the preferred installation destination. You may leave the default selected features option in the checkbox or choose to install all features, click “Next”.
  6. Leave the checkbox as default, click “Next”.
  7. Select the location of the shortcut that you want to place, click “Next”.
  8. Click “Install”.
  9. After the installation has completed, click “Finish”.

 

Create a New Virtual Machine Running Windows 10

The steps to create a new virtual machine (VM) in VMware Workstation 16:

      1. Launch VMware Workstation.
      2. Select “Create a New Virtual Machine”.
      3. Select the guest operating system (OS), then click “Next”. The OS can be installed using:
        • Installer disc (CD/DVD)
        • Installer disc image file (ISO)
      4. Enter the product key. Create username and password (optional). Click “Next”.
      5. Enter a VM name and specify the location to be saved. Click “Next”.
      6. Specify the disk size. Select between:
        • Store virtual disk as a single file, or
        • Split virtual disk into multiple files
      7. Click “Finish” to create the virtual machine and start the installation.
      8. When the VM is powered on, the VMware Tools installation starts. The VM may need to be restarted once the Tools installation completes.

 

VMware Workstation 16 Player Settings

  1. Launch VMware Workstation.
  2. Click on the VM to configure, then click “Edit virtual machine settings”.
  3. In “Hardware” tab, click on “Network Adapter”. Under “Network connection”, select “Bridged: Connected directly to the physical network”. If VMWare in running on a laptop, check the “Replicate physical network connection state” checkbox. This option causes the IP address to be renewed when move from one wired or wireless network to another.
  4. Click on “Configure Adapters”.
  5. In “Automatic Bridging Settings”, uncheck all adapters except the network adapter that is currently used (in this example, it is “Realtek”). Go to “Control Panel -> “Network and Internet” -> “Network Connections” to check.

 

Set-Up MOBITEK S80 Modem in VMWare

  1. Install USB driver “USBDriverInstaller_SL80XX_V11.5.0.0.exe” in VMware.
  2. Plug in MOBITEK S80 SMS Modem to the host. When the below dialog prompted, select “Connect to a virtual machine”.
  3. Check Device Manager whether the COM port appears or not.
  4. In Hyper Terminal, test the MOBITEK S80 SMS Modem.