If you are deciding between using our HTTP SMS API or our SMPP API, you should be aware of some differences between the two. This article will compare the SMS.to HTTP API and SMPP and give you some examples. Besides, you will also find information on the Setup of an SMPP server and SMPP Application examples. Moreover, you will find more information on the benefits HTTP API over SMPP.
SMPP v3.4
SMPP v3.4 and HTTP SMS API differ in many ways. However, they are both primarily used for sending SMS messages. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages. Let’s find out how these two protocols work, and which is better for your needs. SMPP is the preferred protocol for telecoms <-> telecoms integrations because it has evolved as an industry standard for communication between operators, SMS Hubs, Aggregators and Big Enterprises etc. It can handle Unicode as well as longer messages.
SMPP v3.4 specifies data encoding. Encodings vary depending on the SMSC type and configuration. In CDMA, Shift-JIS is used for Japanese. SMPP specifies three encodings, including Pictogram and Default Alphabet. The encoding for Shift-JIS differs from the MSG_ENCODING 00101 specified in CDMA.
SMPP vs HTTP API
If you’re wondering how to send SMS messages in bulk, you need to know the key differences between SMS SMPP and HTTP SMS API. These methods both send SMS, but there are differences between them as well. SMPP is an open standard that can be used to send SMS to large numbers of users via a TCP open connection, while HTTP API is less complex as it can be integrated in minutes with almost every programming language. HTTP API allows a developer to quickly manipulate and customise communication for their own software/application, while SMPP will almost always require special server setup and a middleware application to deliver messages sent MT or messages received MO to your application. DLR’s (Deliver Reports) are seamless in SMPP and supported by the protocol while in HTTP API are usually handled by Webhooks to specified endpoints. SMPP can also support both extended message lengths, Unicode, flash, and Unicode messages.
To use SMPP, you need to establish a connection with an SMS gateway provider like SMS.to and you will need your own SMPP Server. The connection is done with an SMPP account and a TCP/IP connection. The current supported version is SMPP v3.4.
SMPP Server Setup
Before you can make the decision of whether to use the SMPP server setup or the HTTP sms API, you need to learn how to configure them. You can do this in two ways, with both of them working with the same protocol. In either case, the configuration process is relatively straightforward. However, the SMPP server needs to be set up first before you can use it.
The first step is to install SMPP server software of your choice. There are free (open-source) and paid software that enables you to send SMS, DLR, and binary content. When you install it on your server, you must enable logging in the SMPP client and SMPP server user accounts. Logging is important to monitor the communication process because usually SMPP Servers operate as passthrough message gateways and need interception to logging to maintain a message archive. Next, open the details page of your server. Click on the ‘Channels’ node. From there, click on the ‘Test’ tab to send a test message. You should see a trace of the SMPP server’s response.
SMPP Application examples
A SMPP application is a program that encrypts and transmits messages between two devices. The SMPP protocol uses a client and server that binds to an IP address. Messages are exchanged in a series of PDUs, which stand for protocol data units. Each PDU contains a sequence number, which is similar to the way IMAP messages are identified. A PDU has several properties, but each has its own specific purpose.
The request and response PDU methods return a Net.SMPP.PDU object. If the method fails, the result will be undef. The undef variable indicates a protocol-level error. Other responses will contain optional parameters. In order to get a proper understanding of these details, you should refer to the SMPP specification and source code.
SMS Http API benefits
There are many advantages to using the HTTP SMS API in contrast to the SMPP protocol. The first is that it can send and receive messages in bulk with a high level of flexibility. However, SMPP’s uses are mostly limited to SMS. Furthermore, setting up a SMPP connection is not easy and requires specialised knowledge of SMPP coding and error codes. This means that you will need to spend considerable time and money in order to start using it.
Both SMPP and HTTP SMS APIs require an SMS gateway. SMS.to can support more than 1000 SMS per second. Both SMS APIs can be used for Enterprise and Critical messaging applications like Insurance, Banking, OTP/2FA and other mission critical/high-performance scenarios. The key is to choose a gateway that has robust infrastructure, good connectivity and superior support. A great SMS API gateway is only as good as its customer support.