iSMS Firmware – Source Code

[Brian]

Hello,

I have an SF800-G and an SF100-G.

I’d like to write my own firmware for these devices.

As I understand it, the iSMS firmware runs a small linux distro / busybox on an Intel XScale processor.

Ultimately, I’d like to change the API; where would I be able to download the build-toolchain for these devices to create my own firmware?

Thanks,

Brian

[Bryon Davis]

Hi Brian,

We don’t really support modifying the firmware on the iSMS. You may be interested in using the MultiConnect OCG (Cellular Development Platform). This product is designed to allow the developer to make their own firmware. It has many tools to help the developer and we provide help and support for these type of projects. It comes with a single modem, but you could also support other multiple modem through the USB port.

Another option may be to control the iSMS directly through a telnet connection. By connecting to port 5000 (modem 1) to 5007 (modem 8), you take direct control over the modem and bypass the iSMS firmware.

Regards,

Bryon

[Brian]

Hi Byron,

Thanks for the reply.

I’m mostly interested in fixing some long standing problems with the firmware.

I know you’ve made improvements to the firmware for these devices, but I’d like to create a stripped down version of the firmware without the Admin UI & features which I don’t need. I’d like to build a RESTful JSON API on top of these modems which is more compatible with my systems level integration that I’m doing.

The MultiConnect OCG is nice product but I’ve already purchased the SF100 & SF800 equipment a few years ago. That’s probably not going to help my situation unless I’m willing to spend more money. The SF800 over $1,000.

I’d really appreciate it if you could put some effort finding the legal status of the firmware’s compliance with the GPL.

# uname -a

Linux MultiModemiSMS 2.4.27-uc1 #85 Thu Nov 18 10:58:21 CST 2010 armv5b unknown



# cat /proc/version

Linux version 2.4.27-uc1 (rcrogers@ubudev) (gcc version 3.3.6) #85 Thu Nov 18 10:58:21 CST 2010



# busybox --help

BusyBox v1.00 (2010.11.18-17:03+0000) multi-call binary

I’m not looking to cause trouble but if MultiTech is distributing GPL’ed code, MultiTech should be distributing the source along with it; otherwise, I think it’s considered a violation of the GPL.

Ultimately don’t want it to come down to reporting a potential GPL violation … please understand, I just simply want the source code that’s being used so I can make my own modifications and improvements.

Thanks,

Brian

[Brian]

Also, when connecting on port 5000, do I issue my own AT commands to send text messages?

What about receiving messages? Will the Admin UI still record “Inbox” text messages even though I am using port 5000?

Ultimately, I’d like the Admin UI completely out of the picture.

Thanks,

Brian

[Bryon Davis]

Hi Brian,

When connected through telnet port 5000, you are directly connected to the modem and can issue your own AT commands and receive the +CMT messages and other modem responses.

While the telnet session is connected, the iSMS manager does nothing with the modem. It doesn’t handle the incoming or send any outgoing messages to the modem.

If you disable “Modem Status” in the Network Setup->Cellular Modem menu, the iSMS manager won’t do anything with the modem even if telnet gets disconnected. This option isn’t available in the current SF100 firmware, but a special firmware can be offered to add this option.

If you want to use telnet to ports 5000-5007 to control the modem directly with your program, we recommend disabling “Modem Status” so the iSMS manage doesn’t process incoming messages if the telnet session gets disconnected. We also recommend setting up the modem to require manual incoming message ACKs, or store the incoming messages, so no messages are lost in the event of a telnet disconnect.

This type of access would give you complete control over the modem, and wouldn’t require you to deal with the source code.

We are still discussing what is GPL licensed in the code and how to make it available. If you still require the GPL section of the source code, please make a portal case on our support site (support.multitech.com) and we will be able to work more directly with you there.

Regards,

Bryon

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