Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Hosting Security and Technology : What's required to send SMS text messages from linux sever ?

[eva2000]

I'm writing an all in one mysql and data backup script which merges various tools together i.e. mysqldump, rsync, percona xtrabackup and mydumper backup tools. Currently, it sends backup sucess/failure notifications via email from shell.

Then it got me thinking, what about sending notifications via SMS text message ? But I have no idea what is needed on the server end to do this ? Would it be possible to do this even on remote linux servers where I only have ssh2/root access ?

[Mark Muyskens]

I would recommend using a service like Twilio;

http://www.twilio.com

Or for personal use, Google Voice has a decent API for sending texts.

[eva2000]

Thanks Mark will look into it, seems to have some nice features too

[StevenG]

I've used gnokii http://www.gnokii.org/ in the past on linux boxes and a symbian mobile phone plugged into it. Coupled with apache/nagios and a soap server (for remote hosts to send sms), made a great cheap sms gateway

On mates rates plan with vodafone (technically wasn't supposed to do that, automate sms on that plan but there you go )

[Senator B]

Originally Posted by eva2000

I'm writing an all in one mysql and data backup script which merges various tools together i.e. mysqldump, rsync, percona xtrabackup and mydumper backup tools. Currently, it sends backup sucess/failure notifications via email from shell.

Then it got me thinking, what about sending notifications via SMS text message ? But I have no idea what is needed on the server end to do this ? Would it be possible to do this even on remote linux servers where I only have ssh2/root access ?

Since you're already sending email notifications out, the *easiest* way would be to check with your cell provider and see if they have an email-to-SMS gateway. Most of them do, and then it's just a matter of changing where the emails are sent.

[Preetam]

Originally Posted by Senator B

Since you're already sending email notifications out, the *easiest* way would be to check with your cell provider and see if they have an email-to-SMS gateway. Most of them do, and then it's just a matter of changing where the emails are sent.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_SMS_gateways

[Trix]

You can also use a service such as this one.

There are other similar (and cheaper) services out there, but the names escape me at the moment.

[eva2000]

thanks guys so much useful info, lots of reading to do

[ValcatoAdam]

Skype has an API too, if you don't mind paying to send messages.

[viGeek]

I have written a bash script that will send text, pm, ill send you the source.

[HackedServer]

I've done it before with: http://code.google.com/p/pygooglevoice/

You'll need a Google Voice account, but it worked well.

Just needed a simple command like:

pygooglevoice --batch send_sms 8887776666 Hello World!

[viGeek]

Just modify the text etc, used this in a monitoring bash script I put together [simpleMon]. Obviously not the best method, but it functioned as intended.

# Built in SMS function (makes request call to:  http://www.google.com/sendtophone)

# Your Carrier supports:  verizon, tmobile, att, alltel, sprint 
SMS_CARRIER="att"
# Your ten digit phone number (i.e:  5556667777)
SMS_NUMBER=""
# SMS Subject & Message the $HOST variable will return the affected domain/IP.
SMS_SUB="down"
SMS_MSG="not_responding"

  SMS_CARRIER=$(echo $SMS_CARRIER | awk '{print toupper($0)}')
  
post_request="gl=US&hl=en&client=navclient-ffsms&text=simpleMon&from=&c=1&mobile_user_id=$SMS_NUMBER&carrier=$SMS_CARRIER&ec=on&subject=$SMS_SUB&text=$SMS_MSG&send_button=Send"
  post_addr='http://www.google.com/sendtophone'
  ret="$(wget -qO- --post-data "$post_request" "$post_addr")"

[WholesaleBackup]

Originally Posted by Bitcable

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_SMS_gateways

+1

I just email to 2065551212@vtext.com and bingo: SMS arrives. . .

;-)

[eva2000]

sweet more gem info

thanks viGeek for the sample code too

[Preetam]

Originally Posted by WholesaleBackup

+1

I just email to ----------@vtext.com and bingo: SMS arrives. . .

;-)

I suggest you remove your phone number from a public forum