After much tinkering on making Kannel work on a Linux box and use a GSM phone as a SMSC, well sad to say I had no luck in doing so. It seems to me that the available GSM phone data cables we have in the office are not compatible with the linux drivers and Kannel. Since I’m on a tight deadline I didn’t have that much luxury to spend several days just to make it work.
So what I did is to install Kannel on Cygwin running on a Windows 2000 server. At least this way, I don’t have to worry about the linux drivers for my data cables since I can use the Windows native drivers for it. Moreover, I can also make use of bluetooth connection by emulating a serial connection between the PC and the mobile phone. The available GSM phone I have is a Nokia 6230 and I decided to make use of the data cable instead of the bluetooth connection. Regarding the drivers for the data cable, it’s included on the latest Nokia PC Suite.
Here’s the step I did on making things work.
- Download the latest stable release of Kannel (Cygwin build) from their website.
- Build Kannel using the online documentation from Kannel’s site.
- Wrote my own kannel.conf file for a customized version for my needs.
- Connected the phone and data cable to the USB port of my PC.
- Started bearerbox and smsbox.
Well, that did the trick and I was able to start sending/receiving SMS messages using Kannel either through the the HTTP interface or through my Java application.
For those having problems and would like to know the details of my installation, just contact me and I would be more than willing to help you out. 
[tags]Kannel, Cygwin, SMS, MMS, Linux, Windows, Java, Nokia, Nokia 6230, GSM, mobile phone, WAP[/tags]
Popularity: 26% [?]
September 27th, 2007 at 6:56 pm
dear
i need to install more than one kannel on the same server?
i also need to configuer kannel to have multi links?
i need to configuer kannel to sent through modem?
September 28th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Ahmed, technically speaking all these things you want to do are possible with Kannel. They have a well documented installation and setup document on their site which would provide you with enough information on what you are planning to do.
December 6th, 2007 at 6:01 pm
hi, I have GSM Modem running on windows on COM port say COM5. Now what do I need to make it work under CYGWIN? what should I fill instead
device = /dev/ttyUSB0 [this setting works when I use VMWARE because GSM Modem is mapped to ttyUSB0]
in case i want to use it with cygwin?
In summary, I want to know how windows(host system) COM ports should be addressed in cygwin?
Is it a good idea to use CYGWIN in production systems?
thanks
December 7th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
Have you tried using /dev/com5? This should be how COM ports are connected under CYGWIN.
I don’t suggest using CYGWIN on a production system. Based on my experience. I had seen a couple of glitches or disconnects after quite some time that Kannel is running under CYGWIN. If you really decide on using CYGWIN in a production system, I suggest you do thorough testing and especially on how it handles your current and predicted loads.
February 6th, 2008 at 2:26 am
I was able to compile and installed the kannel gateway by using Cygwin. However, I am having trouble config/setup the gateway. I used the sample smskannel.conf file under the gw subdirectory. When I run the follwoing command “./gw -v 1 smskannel.confi” I got this message “is a directory”. I don’t think I config it correctly. Please help.
Thanks in advance,
Quan
February 6th, 2008 at 3:23 am
In addition to the previous email I also try this command:
gw/smsbox gw/smskannel.confg
And the response I received is “is a directory”
Thanks in advance,
Quan
March 5th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
how to run kannel:
# -v 0
# -v 0
# -v 0
e.g.
#/usr/local/sbin/bearerbox -v 0 /etc/kannel/kannel.conf (or where did you place the conf file)
#/usr/local/sbin/smsbox -v 0 /etc/kannel/kannel.conf (or where did you place the conf file)
in order to work at least an smsc you should run bearerbox and smsbox.
kannel bearerbox and smsbox are located in /usr/local/sbin bu default installation
March 5th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
what the.. it didnt show up correctly anyway just look at the “e.g.” part.
March 5th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
about the com ports,
i used nokia and sony ericsson. both are usb data cables
i plug in the nokia first then my suse 10.3 detects it as /dev/ttyUSB0
then i plug in my sony ericsson k800i. suse linux detected as /dev/ttyACM0.
and if kannel has trouble connecting to the phone, you should read the AT commands of your phone. on my k800i, i have to write my own initialization on modems.conf and include it on my kannel config. well its just pretty simple. you just have to know what AT comamnd you should initialize.
here’s my modem configuration on my k800i:
#K800i Modem Detection
group = modems
id = sonyericsson_k800
name = “Sony Ericsson K800″
detect-string = “Sony Ericsson”
detect-string2 = “K800″
init-string = “AT+CNMI=2,3″
message-storage = “SM”
enable-mms = true
March 6th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Thanks a lot, Renzo for trying to help Quan on this. I can see that you also have a thorough understanding of Kannel. It’s good to find techie people who are always willing to help out.
Quan, if you still need help on Kannel, then just let us know.
March 6th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
it took me a month to figure out that my configs are ok and the problem is in my modem init-string.
the only problem i am facing right now is sending wappush messages. some guy in the mailing list is suggesting to reconfigure my modem configuration. and i’ll do that right now.
what i wanted to do is:
1) The user will request a picture/movie/tone by sending a keyword.
2) kannel will send push message back to the user based on the request
3) the user will recieve an alert stating that you want to download the content or not.
4) if the user chose YES, the phone will automatically connect to the internet and download the content.
—-basically this is pretty clever on the operator’s side. because charging will be sms-based. meaning if the user has sent the keyword and has sufficient funds, it will already deduct his/her load then send the push message.
—whether the content will be received or not, the prepaid load is already deducted.
March 6th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
So what problem are you experiencing with the WAP Push Message? Is it just configuration issues or problem with your app?
March 6th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
i dont have an app i’m just using sendsms with this format:
http://localhost
ort/cgi-bin/sendsms?username=username&password=password&to=recipientnumber&udh=%06%05%04%0B%84%23%F0&text=http://moodle.apc.edu.ph/wap/images/apc.jpg
here’s my smsbox log:
My Log
to sum it up. smsbox is telling that the message has been sent but the recipient doesnt receive it.
i wanted to send a picture by push
thanks
March 6th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
i cant post my long comment.. :’(
March 6th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
will there be a problem if e.g the sender and receiver has different carriers?
the sender is Smart Communications and the Receiver is Globe Telecom
March 7th, 2008 at 11:07 am
basically i wanted to send a push message.
you are a Filipino right? i can see pldt dsl and globe dsl on your blog.
try downloading a content from smart. smart doesn’t send the requested file directly. it will just send a text message with the URL notifying the user that the content he/she requested is ready for download. the user will have to do is press either “Yes” or “Go to” (depends on phone) to get the content then the phone will connect to the internet then download the content.
that’s what i’m trying to do.
if you know how to do this it will be appreciated. we’re on a tight deadline with Smart Telco to get the server up and running.
thank you
March 7th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Hi Renzo,
I’m sorry i haven’t been able to reply asap as I was very busy since yesterday. Anyway, on your first question, I don’t think there would be a problem sending WAP Push for different telcos since this is more of a phone dependent feature. Unless of course telcos blocks the said service.
Yes, I’m a Filipino and I had been involved with several mobile projects in the past. One of which is with a major telco in the Philippines (Sorry, I cant disclose it here), and it involves SMS, WAP Push, and Email messaging. Our main difference is that I am using a java based application that sends out the push and we are connected directly to a SMSC using CIMD and on the latter part of the projectUCP, while in your case you are using Kannel’s HTTP services to send messages. I’ll try to review my notes over the weekend as it has been a while that I had dealt with such projects and let you know once I have something.
March 7th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Thanks.
i just need to figure out how can i send the content’s URL thru sms.
if we are successful by using our mobile phone, then we can now configure kannel to connect to Smart so we can test it using the 4 digit content provider’s number.
March 7th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
i’m afraid i gonna learn to code java anyway. that is the latter part. i just need this program to run smoothly.
and i read that UDH are different per mobile phone brand?
March 19th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
hi, i am doing project on group messaging services.actually i need to buy a GSM modem.. can u plz help me.. these are my project specifications..
LINUX platform(fedora 8)
KANNEL
I am ready to invest around 6K
plz tell me the GSM modem that i can use
March 19th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
hi, i am doing project on group messaging services.actually i need to buy a GSM modem.. can u plz help me.. these are my project specifications..
LINUX platform(fedora 8)
KANNEL
I am ready to invest around 6K
plz tell me the GSM modem that i can use.
my deadline is arriving plz do reply fast
March 20th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Hi Mohan,
I’m afraid I have’t used a GSM modem with Kannel, only mobile phones. So I can’t really suggest any device that I don’t have andy hands-on experience. You can try looking at their website (http://www.kannel.org/compatibility.shtml) for compatible devices or email the Kannel team directly.
March 21st, 2008 at 12:42 am
ok but can i use some mobile to interface with kannel… any suggestions in this regard..
March 21st, 2008 at 5:03 pm
I just used the old Nokia 6230 for my last Kannel project, but I’m not sure if its still available in the market as it might have been already phased out. You can try any Nokia or Sony Ericsson phones you have using a USB data cable, since my experience with bluetooth connectivity back then was somehow problematic.
March 22nd, 2008 at 11:08 am
U mean to say that NOKIA 6230 is recognizable with the KANNEl???… is there any code or drivers to interface them.. i have no problem gettin that hand set anytime.. but is it interfacable..??
March 22nd, 2008 at 3:00 pm
At least that’s what my post is all about, running Kannel under Cygwin on Windows 2000 using Nokia 6230 as my modem.
March 23rd, 2008 at 11:37 am
ok ok thanks…. i will surely try… but my platform is LINUX as i told u before….
March 23rd, 2008 at 9:14 pm
mohan.
installing/running kannel on linux is easy unlike runing it on cygwin IMO..
well, i think as long as the phone supports standard AT commands then there may be a chance it will run on kannel.. anyway. i tried 6610 and K800i so at least you have 3 phones to choose from..
you can search in ebay for used phones. of if you are a filipino, there are a lot of used and old phones in little cellphone shops..
March 26th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
renzo,
thanks for that..can u plz send the configuration file for 6610 NOKIA… i do have that set.. i wannu check it out.. i have installed kannel already.. is there need to install NOKIA pc suite.. if so is that NOKIA PC SUITE available for LINUX
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:45 pm
hi i am deepak .. please suggest me a suitable gsm modem to purchase, its urgent.. It must be compatible with the Kannel. I am using LINUX – fedora 8
April 24th, 2008 at 10:59 am
hi deepak, my apologies but I haven’t really used any GSM compatible modem on Linux, only GSM phones as stated on my blog.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Hello,
can you please send me your smskannel.conf and modems.conf at [email protected] ?
thanks in advance
May 6th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Hi Khurram,
I’m afraid I don’t have those files available since it’s been a while since I did this configuration. As you can see, this post was made 2 years ago, and I am not connected anymore to the company wherein I configured this Kannel server.
May 15th, 2008 at 11:37 am
I´ve Motorola cell phone.
How can extract the info requested by Kannel in order to send SMS messages?
Asking the carrier is not an option, they wont give me that info
Thank you very much.
May 15th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
I´m “fighting” with Kannel over Windows XP.
Over http, status command works fine.
But sendsms dont: it loads and loads but do nothing.
Could you please help me?
May 16th, 2008 at 7:18 am
Hi Jonas,
What information are you missing from your Kannel configuration?
You might want to check your phone’s connection to your Windows XP box by sending simple AT commands just to make sure it’s fine.
May 16th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Thanks for your time.
I´m dealing with 2 issues:
* sendsms is looping. (I send the request via http, bearerbox console detects the call, but it keeps loading getting to nowhere). This with FAKE
* I´ve checked some conf, and I see the MODEM tag. Where can I find that info for my cell phone?
Thanks again.
May 20th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Hi Jonas,
It’s been a while since I last handled Kannel so I find it hard to visualize the issues you are experiencing. Anyway, due to the demands on this post, I’ll try my hands again on setting up Kannel in one of my linux boxes so as to be of help for everyone who had subscribed to this post.
Regarding the Modem tag, Kannel have some pre-defined modem configurations (e.g. nokia, ericsson, etc.) which you might be able to use depending on your connected phone model.
May 20th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Thanks!
I´ll be waiting your comments! (by the way, my last error is smsbox_list empty)
Thanks again for your time.
May 24th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
hey guys,
i successfully implemented my project using kannel and the GSM modem(wave com). i can send messages recieve messages.. and check delivery reports too.. the modem has RS 232 port and works well with kannel.. any body interested can mail me.. i would thank hyperaxe for providing good support to finish my project
with regards
MOHAN G
May 25th, 2008 at 12:20 am
Hi mohan. can you teach me on dlr?
[email protected]
thanks
May 25th, 2008 at 1:59 am
yup… anytime…
just list what all u want
i can give u any minor details
May 26th, 2008 at 8:58 am
mohan, can u send SMS to Argentina?
Any news on connecting a cell phone via usb?
May 30th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
sorry jonas for late reply,
yes u can send SMS to any part of the world… i stay in india i can send SMS to any part of world using my project and also recieve messages…
regarding the connection of a cell phone thru USb i tried very hard and the kannel did not support it in anyways.. it showed generic error .. i tried configuring the AT commands in bearerbox.c but i was unsuccessfull…
May 30th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Mohan,
Its ok, no problem.
When u say u cant send a message to any part of the world, how much does it cost to u??
Are u running it under linux or cygwin??
Which modem are u using?
Thanks a lot
May 31st, 2008 at 2:21 pm
JONAS,
the cost hmmm.. it depends on the service provider i.e the network providers.. eg:if i send message to my bro in ATLANTA it would cost me around 5(indian rupee)…
if i send to message in to an asian country it would cost me 3(indian rupee)… within KARNATAKA(an indian state) free of cost(maximum SMS i recieve is this kind).. to rest of INDIA(within 1 rupee)…
i did my project on linu
latest FEDORA 8)
modem was wavecom as mentioned in the user guide of kannel…
September 12th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Dear Mohan and Hyperaxe … i am too late in posting to this site. I hve started my project and it also deals with sending and receiving message and providing services like videos on request keywords. I am just in the initial phase, hve installed kannel 1.4.1 on opensuse. bt i am completely dumb about how to test it by sending sms ? secondly MOHAN plz plz mail me ur smskannel.conf and modems.conf file on my id … [email protected] . I’ll be so thankful to u both for this help.
April 29th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Hi,
I installed and run kannel s/w on cygwin. And also run smsbox and bearerbox using
#/usr/local/sbin/bearerbox -v 0 /etc/kannel/kannel.conf (or where did you place the conf file)
#/usr/local/sbin/smsbox -v 0 /etc/kannel/kannel.conf (or where did you place the conf file)
but i couldn’t understand how to send sms to my mobile phone could you plz help me ..itz vry urgent 4 me …
n it would be great help if u can share ur configuration file
plz plz help me
February 6th, 2010 at 5:16 am
I have tryied different nokia phones, but I still seeing the following “memory check” problem in kannel:
2010-02-05 18:18:38 [13079] [7] DEBUG: AT2[/dev/ttyACM2]: memory check error
2010-02-05 18:18:38 [13079] [7] INFO: AT2[/dev/ttyACM2]: Closing device
I can send the sms, but the sms buffering cannot read the messages on the phone, I have tryed to use different “message-storage” like SM, ME.. but it did not work. Can you send your kannel configuration files for the modem and smsc ?
The sms buffering is enabled
March 11th, 2010 at 5:02 pm
Hey mohan,
I am able to connect the bearerbox and smsbox but sending sms is still out of my reach.
I am trying to use a samsung phone so it will ber very helpful if you could tell me how you arrived at the modem.conf settings.
March 15th, 2010 at 4:46 am
This is certainly a great weblog post, I have learnt a whole lot.