NetPhantom Integration
The Bluebird product is an optional package to NetPhantom that integrates the NetPhantom Server with SMS functionality. System administrators may receive SMS messages for important events such as critical server failures. By means of an API, SMS messages can be sent directly from NetPhantom applications.

Technical Information
Java applications connect to the Bluebird server using Java RMI over TCP/IP. Each application is given a unique alphanumeric identifier and logs on to the server by the application ID and an authentication password built on asymmetric ciphers. The Java API basically works by letting the user application extend one class that contains methods for sending one or more messages and by receiving messages sent to the application from a GSM terminal, making all API functions accessible as method calls to the user application. Receiving messages may be implemented by the user application either by polling or via callback methods.

When multiple lines have been configured, the connected application may request a specific line to be used for sending a message or let Bluebird itself choose the best line based on the receiving terminal phone number in combination with priorities set by the server administrator.

Bluebird uses drivers for connecting lines to the operator's SMSC using different networks and protocols. Regardless of the actual drivers used, the messaging API will be the same. This means that Bluebird can act as a messaging gateway for SMS in a number of different application areas. By selecting the proper driver(s), Bluebird can both send mission critical SMS without connections to Internet or PSTN as well as serve a great number of terminals with high volumes of commercial SMS.

Security Issues
One single TCP/IP port is used for communication between applications and Bluebird, which makes it easy to configure a firewall to block unwanted traffic. Also, by using digital signatures in authentication of applications, only verified clients may connect to the Bluebird server. Note that certain SMSC drivers may impose other security issues, for example when connecting Bluebird to an SMSC over the public Internet.

Compatible Platforms
Bluebird gateway runs under SUN JDK 1.2.2 and has been tested under Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000. Depending on the drivers used, all operating systems supported by Java 1.2 are possible target platforms. The client part (i.e. integrated with NetPhantom) runs under JDK 1.1 or better.

More Information
For more information, please contact: info@netphantom.com.