2.1 System Component Description

2N® SIM Star SIM Board

The SIM Board represents the main board for inserting SIM cards. Each SIM Board can accept up to 32 SIM cards. The card processor transfers the data obtained from the SIM cards onto an Ethernet interface. The SIM cards are used for communication via the IP ports ranging from 10000 to 10031 depending on their positions (can be reconfigured). IP port 1500 is used for the 2N® SIM Star Server communication. SSH port 22 provides direct access to the SIM Board. It is very important that all the ports are available to all the SIM Clients involved and 2N® SIM Star Server. Otherwise the system would be unstable or inoperative. The SIM Board is equipped with a CAN9-terminated serial interface, which is used for the basic board IP settings. The card supports the 'hot swap' function and can thus be removed and replaced if necessary without the SIM Board Box switch-off.

Front Panel

The front panel includes three status LED indicators and a SIM Board default (factory) setting button.

To restore the factory settings:

  1. Remove the SIM Board.
  2. Push the front panel button gently using a slim and blunt object.
  3. Keeping the button pushed replace the SIM Board into the switched-on SIM Board Box.
  4. Keep pushing the button for at least 20 seconds and then remove and replace the Board.

SIM Board status indicators:

  • PWR – Indicates the SIM Board power supply.
  • INIT – Indicates the SIM Board initialisation. No light indicates a running SIM Board process.
  • STAT – Flashing indicates a running system.

Caution

  • SIM board 2012 has different HW layout! There is no SD card requied and it's needs different firmware (included on latest SIM Star server) !

2N® SIM Star SIM Board Box

The SIM Board Box is a chassis that contains the SIM Boards. Each SIM Board Box can accept 1 to 18 SIM Boards with the maximum of 576 SIM cards. A front panel with two RJ-45 ports is available for communication with 2N® SIM Star Server. The SIM Board Box works as an Ethernet switch and the cards are connected to it through a 10BaseT Ethernet interface. The two front panel ports help scale the SIM Board Boxes more easily. Each SIM Board has a unique IP address within the SIM Board Box.

2N® SIM Star SIM Client

The SIM Client transfers information obtained from the GSM/UMTS cards onto an Ethernet interface towards 2N® SIM Star Server and vice versa. The SIM Client is an independent process running on the eCPU in the 2N® StarGate, 2N® BlueStar and 2N® BlueTower gateways and part of the 2N® VoiceBlue Lite gateway available under a special part number.

 

SIM Client in eCPU

The enhanced CPU (eCPU) card is an independent processor board for the 2N® StarGate / BlueStar / BlueTower gateways, extending the capabilities of the basic CPU. Its main advantages include a web configuration interface, SMS server, simulated calls and SMS messages as well as the SIM Client process, providing communication with the other 2N® SIM Star components. The SIM Client – 2N® SIM Star Server communication runs through port 1500. The SIM Client communication with the GSM gateway cards runs on the gateway main bus using the RS485 protocol. It is necessary for a successful eCPU – CPU communication that the IP addresses of the two interfaces are properly set and the interfaces are connected to the network. The modules communicate with the SIM Board SIM cards via ports 10000 to 10031, according to their positions in the gateway. 

Note

  • For more information refer to the 2N® StarGate / BlueStar / BlueTower User Manual available on the 2N web sites.

Integrated SIM Client  

The SIM Client is an integral part of the 2N® StarGate / BlueTower (latetst CPU 2013 – SN begins with M202-xxx) and 2N® VoiceBlue Lite / Next / MAX gateway. Enter the IP address and port 23 for communication with the CPU. Use the same IP address and port 1500 for communication with the SIM Client. The 2N® VoiceBlue Lite / Next / MAX gateway modules communicate via ports 10000 through 10003 and the 2N® StarGate / BlueTower gateway modules communicate via ports 10000 through 10031 . Set the processes that are necessary for a correct function of the SIM Client using the gateway configuration tool. 

Note

  • For more information refer to the 2N® StarGate / BlueTower and 2N® VoiceBlue Lite / Next / MAX User Manual available on the 2N web sites.

2N® SIM Star GSM/UMTS Board

Board Description

The GSM/UMTS board includes two GSM or UMTS wireless modules, PCM bus connection circuits, a DTMF receiver and, if the boards support 2N® SIM Star, a processor. The board is designed on a four-layer PCB of the size of 160x100mm. Pins 1 and 32 on the board system connector are approximately 1 mm longer and are used for the 'hot swap' board function, which enables you to remove and replace the board under operation. This feature is particularly useful for the SIM card installation or exchange. The front panel is equipped with two SMA antenna connectors and five system LED indicators.

 

Module Types

The 2N® StarGate / BlueStar / BlueTower GSM/UMTS gateways can use variable types of GSM or UMTS modules. The modules differ in the type of the wireless module used, the count of SIM card holders per module and also the 2N® SIM Star support (not all boards support this solution). The GSM/UMTS board types below can be used for the 2N® SIM Star solution.

  • GSM card with 2 Cinterion MC55i engines, 1 SIM/channel
  • GSM card with 2 Wavecom Q55 (WPM100) engines, 1 SIM/channel
  • GSM card with 2 Wavecom Q55 (WPM100) engines, 4 SIM/channel
  • GSM card with 2 Telit Wireless GE910 engines, 1 SIM/channel
  • GSM card with 2 Telit Wireless GE910 engines, 4 SIM/channel 
  • UMTS card with 2 Sierra Wireless MC8795V engines, 1 SIM/channel
  • UMTS card with 2 Telit Wireless UC864-G engines, 4 SIM/channel
  • UMTS card with 2 Telit Wireless HE910 engines, 4 SIM/channel

Note

  • The GSM/UMTS boards can be blocked for specific networks. For more information refer to the 2N® StarGate/ BlueStar/BlueTower gateway User Manual.

2N® SIM Star Server

2N® SIM Star Server is the core of the system. It is composed of a Linux-based PC and web and database systems. It checks the channel statuses of the gateways connected with the main CPU (or VBL SS) via Telnet. 2N® SIM Star Server is connected to the eCPU SIM Client and the SIM Boards.

The SIM card assignment obeys the predefined 2N® SIM Star Server rules and obtained status data on the main CPU GSM channels and SIM cards. Before a SIM card is assigned to a GSM/UMTS module, the SIM Client is notified and gets connected with the specific SIM card on one of the SIM Boards connected. The SIM Board is a passive component of the 2N® SIM Star system.

2N® SIM Star Server also synchronises all functional units integrated into the system and so set its time correctly to avoid any SIM card switching error.

2N® SIM Star Server can also assume control of module assignment to outgoing and incoming GSM groups, thus eliminating the need to make assignments in the gateways.

2N® SIM Star Server is also able to change the IMEI for some module types. This is particularly important for login of the SIM cards that are bound to a specific GSM module (are available together with the telephones).

The following table sums up the main 2N® SIM Star Server functions for easy orientation:

  1. Powerful SIM card switching
  2. Gateway time synchronisation and automatics upgrade
  3. PIN entering for SIM cards
  4. Incoming/outgoing GSM group control option
  5. IMEI change option for certain modules
  6. Fix or dynamic BTS lock
  7. SIM card credit check and automatic recharging
  8. Call & SMS simulation
  9. ASR and ACD monitoring and statistics
  10. Human behaviours functionality (see chapter 1.1)

The control communication between 2N® SIM Star Server, the SIM Client and the SIM Board runs on port 1500 through the Telnet protocol. The CPU communication also uses the Telnet protocol and runs through port 23. The SIM Client – SIM Board communication runs directly (without the participation of 2N® SIM Star Server) on ports 10000 through 10031. The port number determines the SIM card position in the SIM Board.

2N® SIM Star Server also uses the Telnet protocol for event log reports (port 12346) and for a specific interface for remote Call and SMS simulators on the eCPU (port 12349). An external API interface for 2N® SIM Star Server management is also available. For information on this interface refer to the SIM Server Management / Licence menu. The menu is available only if a licence supporting the external configuration is installed in the gateway.

A web configuration interface is available for easy system communication. For details refer to the2N® SIM Star Server Configuration section.