Short messaging peer to peer protocol (generally referred to as SMPP protocol) is an open, industry-standard protocol gauged to provide easy message exchange services between short messaging service centers and external messaging entities.
While the former is represented as SMSC’s the latter is abbreviated as ESME. Being a telecommunication, industry protocol, SMPP services allow business organizations to send and receive thousands of SMS to and from target audiences using SMPP standards and protocols that are adhered by SMPP Provider.
Strictly speaking of the architecture involved, SMPP protocol works on the client-server model. As suggested earlier, one entity acts as the server whereas the other entity is responsible to serve as the client entity. The server-side entity terms to be the pivotal center during the entire process of sending and receiving messages.
This entity is connected with the intricate network of mobile operators and thus is responsible to route the incoming and outgoing messages as per the requests initiated. On the other hand, the client entity is the business application which sends message requests to server and assists in effective coordination between the SMPP server and the business needs.
Understanding the process
Adhering the nomenclature involved, SMPP server or SMSC is the server side entity. Similarly, the role of the client side entity is staged by ESME.
Whenever the business unit wills to send bulk messages to the target audiences, ESME initiates connection requests and launches it towards SMSC SMS. The SMPP server governed by SMPP provider responds to this request as per its current state.
Say for example if the server is all-ready connected with some other client entity then it refuses the recently introduced connection request.
However, if the server is idle then it accepts the incoming request and establishes a secure connection with the ESME. Once the connection is established properly, the exchange of messages can take place between the two entities as per the business needs.
Since, SMPP protocol allows the organization to establish bi-directional communication with its target audiences, it is likely to both send and receive Bulk SMS to and from the recipients. This allows us to be exposed to two terminologies namely MT and MO.
While MT (mobile terminated) is designated to messages being sent to SMSC, MO (Mobile Originated) are the messages that are received from SMSCs. The names support their nomenclature as the former messages are sent to mobile phones whereas latter messages are received from mobile phones.
Generally, SMPP Server in India support three kinds of SMPP connections between the ESME and SMSC. While each of these connections is particularly different from the other two, all connections serve important aspects.
Transmitting Mode
While connected in transmitting mode, message sending is unidirectional .i.e. to SMSC.
In this mode, ESME can send bulk messages to SMPP Server Provider. The reverse messaging is not allowed and thus no Mobile-originated messages are entertained. Generally, bulk messages which intend to inform users about promotional and informative content use this mode.
Receiving Mode
As the name indicates, this mode is purposely designed to cater to mobile originated messages in the system. Thus only messages can be received using this mode of connection and no MT messages are ever entertained.
Adding further, the ESME takes primer role in the client-server model and receives messages or message delivery reports from the SMPP server. This mode is also utilized by business units when they wish to receive audience feedback’s and surveys.
Trans-receiving Mode
Trans-receiving mode is a conjunction of the above-stated modes. As the name indicates, this mode is capable of both sending messages from ESME to SMSC, and also receives MO messages from SMPP servers.
Also, both MT and MO messages are entertained by the system and processed as per the business needs. Capability to address bi-directional communication makes this mode of SMPP connection most popular and widely used mode.
Various SMPP Server providers in India offer their business clients with effective SMPP servers and assist them in getting SMPP setup done rightly within their existing business framework.
Once this setup is done, the intended business organization is all ready to communicate with its target audiences using SMPP protocols and services.
