How to Transfer the data from Device to Server over GPRS or GSM ???

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ahmed Jewahar
  • Start date Start date
A

Ahmed Jewahar

Hi,

I am looking for a best and relaible solution to transmit the data from
SmartDevice (Psion Workabout Pro) to Server.

Currenty I have a SmartDevice Application developed in VS2003. (VB.NET)
which has installed in the devices. This application use SQLCE at device
to store the data being entered by user from the device. I have given an
option "Send Data" in the application which users will execute once they
back to the office and keet the Device on Cradle which connected to
their PC. "Send Data" is basically using RDA.push and RDA.submit
statement to transfer the data from SQL CE to SQLServer 2k Server in the
LAN. This is working fine. However, this process is basically a offline
process since user has to come back to the office to transfer the data.

Now I have been asked to use GPRS connection in Device (device support
GSM, GPRS, WLAN etcc) to send the data online from Device (SQLCE) to
Server (SQL2k).

I never been invloved to such project and do not know at all how to do
that !!!. However, I am very intersted to take this challenge. Is there
anyone can share their experise in this area.

Appreciate your help and support
 
For the spotty connectivity GPRS will provide a Web Service is probably a
good solution. How are you transferring it in the cradle?
 
Hi there,

i created an app that collects offline, then when the user presses a "sync
data" button, the pda dials up the GPRS connection using Opennet
ConnectionManager class, i connect to IP based sql server database over the
web and send the data directly to it, then disconnect.

An other option using the above is to get a GSM modem installed at the
office location, then when the user dials up via the pds GPRS connection,
once connected you can access the internal network server address and send
that way.

In the case that GPRS drops out, use bedin,commit and rollback transactions
so it doesnt do partial data transfers.

hope it helps,
Paul.
 
To give good advice on this depends - fundementally and initially on one
thing:-

1. Infrastructure.

We know nothing about your network. For instance, do you have a gateway that
is on the internet by which you need to connect your device to a public APN
(Access Point Name) provided by the telecommunications company you are using
in order to use GPRS/UMTS (3G) then connect directly to this gateway (not
secure). Do you have a private APN (leased line) which connects your network
to the telecommunications network (secure) hence a private network that
doesn't use the internet at all. Do you need to use the public APN then
connect via VPN (Virtual Private Network) (more secure) to reach your network?

Those are just a few ways of connectivity. Of course each one also depends
on what you need to achieve technically.

But...to get you started and to answer the above question you might find
these links helpful:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/mobility/...ary/en-us/dnppcgen/html/sometimesoffline2.asp

http://www.code-magazine.com/Article.aspx?quickid=0512092

Simon.
 
Hi Simon,

Sorry for late response.

Here is my answers to your Qs:

Q-1)connect your device to a public APN provided by the telecommunications
company you are using
in order to use GPRS/UMTS (3G) then connect directly to this gateway>>>

(A-1)
YES, I configured the Device (PSION Workabout PRO) WWAN with public APN
provided by my GPRS/GSM provider and managed to access Internet.

(Q-2)
<<< Do you have a private APN (leased line) which connects your network
to the telecommunications network (secure) hence a private network that
doesn't use the internet at all.

(A-2) WE do not have dedicated APN for GPRS. However, we have leased
circuit (MPLS) to access our network. However, I am not allowed to use
leased line circuit for this mobile device application project.

(Q-3)
<<< Do you need to use the public APN then connect via VPN (Virtual
Private Network) (more secure) to reach your network?

(A-3) I tried to access our network via public APN over VPN. I got
connected to our network however remote server disconnected the
connection. Have checked with our VPN server support they advised me
that VPN certificate that being given to me can not be used from WIN CE
OS. Am not sure and doesn't make sense !

Now I am looking for a dial-up solution from the device and transfer the
file via FTP. I have few telephone lines (RAS numbers) that can be
utilized for this project.

Am looking for sample VB.NET script which show porgramatically dial the
RAS number and upon the successful connection signal (need to check this
in the program) , FTP should start.

Kinldy help and advise if you could share any sample VB.NET code to
achieve this.

Many thanks in advance.

Kind regards,
Ahmed
 
Hi Chris,

Currently I am using RDA method to transfer the from the device where the
device either on Cradle or Wilress Network of our LAN.

It working fine and no issues. However, this process is an offline where
user has to back from the field to base (LAN).

I really did not get about "GPRS will provide a Web Service" Kinldy
elaborate more on this. I did Webservices to consume within our Intranet
application for other developers.

Kind regards,
Ahmed
 
Hi Paul,

I prorbaly need your help by provide bit more details on the setup you
advised.

I have GPRS connection in device and setup the GPRS with provider APN and
managed to connect the internet to check the connectivity. But, am not sure
as how should I setup the dial-up. Are you doing all those programatically
within the application ? Can you please share the code (hope it wud be
VB.NET) ?

Sicne you mentioned "IP Based SQL Server over the Web". This point I really
do NOT understand. Kinldy explain.

To access our itnernal network, you have mentioned to install "GSM modem" at
office and dial from PDA using GPRS connection. I did GPRS testing from the
device by setting up of provider APN and managed to access internet. However,
I do not know how to do the dial-up over the GPRS ? Should I create a dial-up
connection in device first and consume that connection from the application ?
In order to dial-up, shall I keep the decvice always WWAN (GPRS) connection ?
Kinldy provide if you have any sample code which shows the dial-up
programatically.

Many thanks in advance.. I would really appreciate your assistance as I am
stuck on my project at the moment.

Best regards,

Ahmed J
 
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