SMS error : Falcom Samba 75

[RickAtCrest]

Ok, the second parameter is good when I test from hyperterminal after doing a modem reset.

When I test with HostMonitor, something you're sending to the modem causes an error that you're not waiting long enough to receive. HM times out, but when I connect with Hyperterminal immediately after, I get the ERROR which is still in the buffer. It is "Invalid Parameter".

This happens both in Text and PDU modes.

Are you including the ">" (Greater-Than) in the string you're sending with the command? I noticed it even in the PDU string you're sending.

Error: Cannot send message to +1nnnnnnnnnn. GSM modem error. No reply on AT command: AT+CMGS="+nnnnnnnnnn",145>Message from HostMonitor (host changed status)<CR><CR>Test : Ping: xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx<CR><CR>Method: ping (timeout - 2000 ms)<CR><CR>Status : Host is alive<CR><CR>Date : 2/8/2011 9:26:40

The sequence for the command in Text mode should be:

HostMonitor sends 'AT+CMGS="+1xxxxxxxxxx",145<CR>'

(wait for the ">" to be returned by the modem)

> (modem is now ready for the message terminated by CTRL-Z )

HostMonitor sends 'Message from HostMonitor (host changed status)<CR><CR>Test : Ping: xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx<CR><CR>Method: ping (timeout - 2000 ms)<CR><CR>Status : Host is alive<CR><CR>Date : 2/8/2011 9:26:40^Z'

The software doesn't send the ">" character.. The modem provides it as a prompt to let the software know it's awaiting the message data to send.

[KS-Soft]

The software doesn't send the ">" character.. The modem provides it as a prompt to let the software know it's awaiting the message data to send.

Correct, HostMonitor does not send '>', it waits for this character from modem. Message recorded in the log a little confusing but we checked code, it waits for '>' character up to 6 seconds.
Is 6 sec not enough for this modem?

Regards
Alex

[RickAtCrest]

No, 6 seconds should be more than enough... when i type the command manually, I get the ">" prompt in about 1 second or less every time.

When I type the CTRL-Z character, it takes a little bit longer... about 2.5 seconds to see a a response. But the error has to be occuring before that or else the SMS message would go through to the cell phone even if HostMonitor timed out waiting for the OK after sending the CTRL-Z.

I might be able to spot the cause if I could actually see everything that was sent and received. I've got logging set to "Detailed technical info" but that isn't showing me enough to troubleshoot what's happening. You're logging the responses from the modem... it's what you're sending to the modem that isn't being logged exactly as you send it.

I'm going to install the old serial port sniffer utility called Portmon if I can still find it on the web and will see if it will provide any hints as to what's happening.

-Rick

[KS-Soft]

There is test program www.ks-soft.net/download/test/GSMCenter.zip
it can produce more detailed log file ("SMS Log file" and "GSM-AT Logfile" options)

Regards
Alex

[RickAtCrest]

ok, problem solved.

I found Portmon at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysi ... 96644.aspx and it allowed me to see the problem.

One of its features is it displays the number of characters sent and I noticed the message I was trying to send exceeded the 160 character SMS limit.

To test this, I went inside GSM settings in HostMonitor and performed the simple test available there, and it worked.

I then looked at the test available in the Alert Definition screen and saw that I was using the "Mail to Admin" template. I changed this to "Page to Admin template" which is much shorter and tested it again. It worked.

As a safeguard, it might be nice for the HostMonitor program to truncate long messages before attempting to send via SMS and warn the user that he's being a dumdum.

Alex/KS-Soft.... we're really impressed with your responsiveness over a problem that very few of your customers will ever run into. Thank you.

-Rick

[KS-Soft]

I then looked at the test available in the Alert Definition screen and saw that I was using the "Mail to Admin" template. I changed this to "Page to Admin template" which is much shorter and tested it again. It worked.

H'm, this should not be a problem because HostMonitor splits long messages into several SMS. As I see message "Message from HostMonitor (host changed status)<CR><CR>Test : Ping: xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx<CR><CR>Method: ping (timeout - 2000 ms)<CR><CR>Status : Host is alive<CR><CR>Date : 2/8/2011 9:26:40" contains exactly 160 characters (<CR> is one character).
We will check this part of our code...

Alex/KS-Soft.... we're really impressed with your responsiveness over a problem that very few of your customers will ever run into. Thank you

You are welcome

Regards
Alex