FAQ

Q.What does the M4E purpose built SMS / MMS messaging platform do?
A. M4E platforms allow teachers and subject matter experts to use existing student / employee cellular handsets as homework assignment test taking tools. Account holders create and send multiple choice questions to cellular handsets as class test events. A cellular class can have up to 300 student cell numbers that are declared in each account on each M4E platform. Students reply to arriving SMS questions one at a time when they can. All answer results are recorded by M4E servers. Reports are created including percentile grading of each student. Each M4E platform can support up to 200 teacher accounts and 3000 handsets on a capable VMware® hardware host.

GSM modem distributors are here. Please check with your mobile operator retail store before using a SIM card and GSM modem for this application...

Q. How many SMS text messages can the Wavecom Fastrack 20® GSM modem process per minute?
A. For capacity planning, the modem can process 8 SMS messages per minute. Messages waiting in the stack are processed 7x24 with a consistent network connection. We have no control over possible service provider network outages. That said, outages are rare. Before using a SIM card and modem, please contact your service provider.

Q. Are high speed IP SMS connections to a service provider supported?
A. Yes, these high speed connections can use the SMPP SMS messaging protocol and are discussed in the next two questions. Throughput speeds of 20 and 30 SMS per minute are lower tier speeds. Per second higher speed tier rates of 1, 10, 20, 30, 50, 100, 300 and 500 SMS per second using up to 64 concurrent service provider connections are supported by the M4E platform. Faster IP circuit throughput speed versions of M4E platform incur increased license costs.

Q.Where are high speed M4E IP Service Provider (SP) Connections Managed?
A. They are installed and configured in M4E VM via the Ozeki NG® SMS Gateway console accessed through HTTP browser port 9501 (example: http://m4e.acme1.edu:9501/). Service provider entities include a GSM modem or a high bandwidth IP SMS connection over the Internet using the SMPP protocol. Other common messaging protocols may be specified by a Tier One SMS messaging aggregator. This requires a connection account be established beforehand. If upgrading to the IP SMS service provider connection, first uninstall the GSM modem service provider connection.

Q. What Service Provider (SP) IP SMS Connection Account Credentials Are Needed?
A. After you make IP connection account arrangements with a Tier One messaging aggregator, you will receive account information and credentials to create and maintain the circuit to the provider network. The SMPP account credentials should include:

host IP address or name (required)
account username (required)
account password (required)
host port number (required)
connection speed (required - the maximum number of SMS messages per second or minute supported on the circuit)
phone number associated with connection is mandatory

Q. Who is a Tier One SMS Messaging Aggregator can we contact about setting up a high speed connection for the M4E platform?
A. A California based company called MBLOX® is one example and there are other similar mobile operator connection agents in North America. Visit http://www.mblox.com/ to learn more.

Q. Does VMware ESXi® hypervisor support direct serial port pass through from Linux guest appliances to the host?
A. Yes, but only in version 4.1 and later. We have not yet tested VMware ESXi® version 4.1 for this purpose.

Q. Our Wavecom Fastrack 20® GSM modem is not being detected - why?
A. The Wavecom Fastrack 20® GSM modem requires a DB9 - 15 pin data cable that is purpose built for this modem. Plug the data cable into a physical serial port on the host computer. Order the data cable that goes with this modem. A standard serial cable won't work. If there is no serial port available on the host, use the ATEN® UC232A USB to serial bridge adapter and accompanying drivers for the host operating system.
A. Another item to check is possible corruption of the serial port in VMware® M4E VM settings. Delete the serial port, then add a new serial port for this VM. Exit and re-start the VMware® software application. Select the correct serial COM port in VMware Server® settings and start up M4E VM.

Q. Do any changes need to be made to Ozeki NG® routes or default program settings?
A. No. A single GSM modem connection is installed by default. Edit the configuration form by entering your SIM card phone number (entry format is +1 area code then number such as +12140009999) in the corresponding field and click Autodetect. See Installation Guide for details. Ozeki NG® provides a persistent connection to a service provider after the initial connection is made via the Autodetect feature.

Q. What constitutes a license for the M4E VM?
A. A single software product download and installed M4E VM (Virtual Machine) that is registered in our systems at point of sale. M4E Customers can run three (3) virtual instances of each purchased M4E license on a VMware® host.

Q. What is the M4E VM pricing policy?
A. The prices displayed on the main page are for information purposes only. RT Risk LLC reserves the right to change prices for products offered at this web site at any time, and does not provide price protection or refunds in the event of a price drop or promotional offering. The prices displayed on this site do not include any applicable sales taxes, including VAT, GST/HST, QST and/or provincial retail sales tax (in effect on the day of purchase).

Messaging 4 Education