8 replies to this topic

[Mike M]

I'd like to receive notifications from the netduino, either via e-mail or SMS. I'm open to using a netduino plus, or either regular or mini with an ethernet shield.

The problem that I see is that most mail servers (all the ones I deal with) require authentication. Even if they allowed non SSL authentication (which again, many don't) - I wouldn't be willing to send username / password in the clear. I understand from this post SslStream.AuthenticateAsClient Issue (Microsoft.SPOT.Net.Security class) that SSL isn't an option - at least not with netduino plus.

I've considered having the netduino talk to another machine on my local network, and having it relay the message - and that's my fallback solution. However I'd really prefer this to be an all in one box solution without requiring a PC to make it work.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I really hoping that I'm just missing the obvious...

[Chris Walker]

Hi Mike, The easiest solution is to create a simple web service and then have it relay the message to your e-mail server. Welcome to the Netduino community! Chris

[Mike M]

Thanks for the quick reply Chris (and the welcome)! I think that the webservice approach is a variation of my fallback plan - as I'd need to maintain another server to relay the message. I'm really hoping for a self-contained solution. I realize the e-mail server counts as another server - but it's not one that's part of my infrastructure - e.g. gmail, ISP, etc.

[Chris Walker]

We wrote a partial SMTP class in .NET for another internal project. It might be interesting to add authentication to that and give it away. Not a quick or easy project, but perhaps that could be helpful for the community... Chris

[Charles]

Actually, there is a very simple way.... All cellular services provide an SMS web gateway. J/ust find the page and code up a web client for it. Problem solved.

[Arron Chapman]

If you want SMS, you can use Twilio, one can use their simple REST API to send SMS. It can also be used for automated voice calls, but that requires an external server, to host some XML.

[phantomtypist]

Take a look at Pachube. You can probably have the Netduino Plus post to an Output feed you create on Pachube. You can specify triggers on the Output feeds that will fire under certain conditions. They have a really good API and documentation.

I use it only for Input feeds, but from what I could briefly see, it appears that one of the triggers can send an SMS to a US or UK phone number.

Also, if you want to dig into Pachube more with the Netduino Plus I highly recommend the new O'Reilly Getting Started with the Internet of Things book.

[Mike M]

Thanks for the suggestions.

We wrote a partial SMTP class in .NET for another internal project. It might be interesting to add authentication to that and give it away. Not a quick or easy project, but perhaps that could be helpful for the community...

Chris

This sounds perfect, as long as it would be able to do secure authentication. There is already this SMTP class http://bansky.net/bl...icro-framework/ that handles authentication - but not securely, so it's a no-go for now.

Actually, there is a very simple way.... All cellular services provide an SMS web gateway. Just find the page and code up a web client for it. Problem solved.

Good suggestion. However, I'm on T-Mobile, and the page to send a SMS is accessed from within your account (at least the page I could find). Can't login to my account without SSL....

If you want SMS, you can use Twilio, one can use their simple REST API to send SMS. It can also be used for automated voice calls, but that requires an external server, to host some XML.

Twilio looks very promising - thanks for the link. I especially like the fact that they can sign requests (although I'm not 100% certain yet that you can do this without SSL - need to sign up for a free trial and check it out).

In order to verify the signature, I'll need to be able to sign a string using HMAC-SHA1 and Base 64 encode the result. Will this be possible on the Netduino Plus?

Take a look at Pachube. You can probably have the Netduino Plus post to an Output feed you create on Pachube. You can specify triggers on the Output feeds that will fire under certain conditions. They have a really good API and documentation.

I use it only for Input feeds, but from what I could briefly see, it appears that one of the triggers can send an SMS to a US or UK phone number.

Also, if you want to dig into Pachube more with the Netduino Plus I highly recommend the new O'Reilly Getting Started with the Internet of Things book.

Also looks like an interesting option. SMS functionality is listed as being in beta, and no mention of what happens after your first 20 free SMS messages. Will need to keep an eye on this. Looks pretty cool.

So to summarize, my first choice would be to be able to do SMTP with secure authentication. Short term - I plan to explore Twilio further, subject to being able to verify the signatures.

Thanks all - and if there are other suggestions - I'm still very interested.

Mike

[Thomas]

You could also go directly to SMS using one of these shields:

- Cooking Hacks: GPRS QUADBAND MODULE FOR ARDUINO
- Sparkfun: Cellular Shield with SM5100B

I got the Cooking Hacks one, but up until now, only tried it with an Arduino, but I'm planning on giving it a go with the Netduino too. If I remember correctly, some custom wiring is necessary since it uses the ICSP connector on the Arduino, but nothing complicated, just power (the regular power pins are not used since the gsm module is placed in that spot).

/Thomas