SMS Gateway Task

The SMS Gateway task is part of the optional SMS Gateway add-on module. This module adds outbound SMS capability to Patriot and is an alternative to the GSM module. This task uses an HTTP SMS gateway to send manual and automated SMS messages to cellular phones and other devices which support SMS.

This module has a number of advantages over the GSM module, and is our recommended product for many enterprise scale customers.

Prerequisites

Installing the SMS Gateway Task

The SMS Gateway task can be run on any machine running the Patriot Task Service. Ordinarily, the task should run on the primary Patriot server.

System Menu Item→Tasks → Task Settings

Please read TASK SETTINGS for general information about adding tasks.

add Add a new instance of the SMS Gateway task by selecting it from the Task Type drop down list.

nextClick the next button to continue. The SMS Gateway task settings form will be displayed.

SMSGateWayTaskSettings

SMS Gateway task settings form - many settings are common between Patriot's various messaging tasks.

SMS Gateway Task Settings

Enter a Description of the task, e.g. Clickatell SMS Gateway

The Task No. will default to the next free task number.

Select the Computer that this task is to be run on. This will default to the computer you are currently on. The chosen computer must have internet access.

Text log Filter level can be use for task troubleshooting purposes. It should be left to the default None.

Enter a System Account No. The system account number is used to log any task errors and other system generated signals. The default is SMSG000101. If this account does not already exist you will need to set it up as a template under Maintenance -> Clients -> Templates, and import the System Generated Event Types.

Gateway Settings:

Gateway Server is the HTTP API address of the SMS Gateway. The default value will be correct in almost all cases.

User Name assigned to your online SMS Gateway account

Password assigned to your online SMS Gateway account

API ID assigned to your online SMS Gateway account

Callback Enabled determines if Clickatell should send final success/failure notifications when the message has been processed. See below for the additional setup required for this.

If Callback Enabled is turned on, Local IP Port No should be set to a free port on the Patriot Server Machine. This port must be configured to accept connections, and routed correctly from your external network firewall. Depending on your server setup, you may also need to add an HTTP Namespace Reservation on the selected port.

Header Message is short text message prepended to all automated SMS messages

Number to Use specifies which user contact number to use when sending automated messages

Prefix is prepended to the destination number of all automated SMS messages - usually a country or area code

Attempts is the maximum number of times the system will attempt to send an SMS message if the first attempt is not successful. If all attempts fail, the system will wait the time specified in the Retry Wait field before trying again. This cycle will be repeated a maximum number times as set in the Retries field. Check the box to continue trying indefinitely.

Send Open/Close With Recent Alarm

Causes any set and unset signals received from a client to trigger automated messages to response members when received within a short period Within Time (Min) of an alarm event, the time can be set in System Wide Settings -> Data Service Settings -> Within Time(Min).

Note: for this option to work you must enable the system setting Send Open/Close With Recent Alarm in System Wide Settings and also enable this setting in SMS Gateway task settings.

Save Click Save to save task settings

External SMS Gateway Provider

Patriot's SMS Gateway module currently supports the Clickatell SMS Gateway. Your company must have an account with Clickatell before you can operate this module. Select a "Developers' Central" account when signing up.

Clickatell requires international phone number formats for sending: + (Country Code) (Area Code) (Local number), such as +6421 555 1234 for an NZ mobile or +44 555 1234567 for the UK.

You can set up Clickatell to replace a leading zero with a particular country code, under the optional API settings:

Clickatell option for replacing leading zeros

Final Message Status Notifications

Once Patriot passes the message to the SMS Gateway, it is generally assumed to be successfully delivered. If you need notifications of failures to send from the SMS Gateway (e.g. the Gateway accepts the message but cannot deliver it), you need to enable message callbacks.

With callbacks enabled, the SMS Gateway will notify Patriot when the message has been successfully delivered, or provide details about any failures.

Setup

First, turn on Enable Callbacks and set the Local IP Port in the SMS Gateway task settings. Any free port can be used, however this port should be accessible by the SMS Gateway servers (port-forwarded from the external IP of the monitoring station).

Then enable delivery notifications in the Clickatell website settings. This must be done after the Patriot task is running.

Clickatell option for receiving notifications

Set the URL to the External IP address of your server followed by the Port number (follow the above example). The Method field can be set to either 'Http Get' or 'Http Post'.

Select 'Save Changes' to ensure your URL validates.

Troubleshooting

SMS Gateway won't validate Callback URL:
Check the external firewall to ensure the port is correctly forwarded to the correct IP address. Also check if the port settings are correct in the windows firewall, keep in mind that the SMS Gateway task needs to be setup and running in Patriot for it to connect.
Access Denied error when starting task with Callback Enabled:
Add an HTTP Namespace Reservation for your Local IP Port.
Failed to listen because of conflicts with an existing registration:
The Local IP Port you have selected is being used already. Check other programs or select a different port for the task.