SMS/CELLULAR NETWORK OVERVIEW: This section of the research paper shows a simplified view of the GSM/Cellular network from

the submission of SMS to the delivery of SMS. 1: Submitting a message:

SMS Network

ESME
Submit SM

SMSC
Obtain Routing Information

HLR

MSC

VLR

BS

MH

Forward SM Obtain Subscriber Information

Forward SM Deliver SM Ack Ack Ack

SMS flow Diagram

There are two methods for sending SMS 1. SMS through another mobile device 2. SMS through ESMS On the service providers websites ESMEs comprises of many different devices and interfaces like email and web based messaging portals, voice mail services, paging systems and software applications. These systems can either be connected through some dedicated channels or through internet however it doesnt matter weather the system is connected through a dedicated channel or the internet there is a server which handles the SMS traffic and the SMS is delivered first to that server. This server is known as SMSC. For text messages there should be at least one SMSC in the service providers network. The service provider can also use more SMSCs for the increase of capacity depending upon the number of users to occupy the bandwidth. When the SMS is received at the server end it is converted into short message format and that message can not be distinguished that from which source the message has been originated either the mobile phone or internet. These formatted messages are then put into a queue for forwarding.

1.1 Routing a Message:

The SMSC is responsible for message traversing. The flow of the message is given below. 1. First the ESME submit the SMS to SMSC.

2. When the text message reached the SMSC it then queries a HLR to obtain routing information and the message is then forwarded to MSC. 3. In the third step the MSC obtain subscriber information from VLR and the message is then forwarded to appropriate BS for further transmission. 4. In the fourth step BS deliver short message to MH 5. In fifth step the BS send an acknowledgment to MSC 6. The MSC then sends an acknowledgment to SMSC 7. Finally the SMSC sends an acknowledgment to ESME for the purpose that the SM has been received.

1.2 Wireless Delivery:

The air interface is comprised of two categories 1. CCH 2. TCH The Control Channel is further subdivided into two sub channels

1. Common CCH The CCH is used by the BS to initiate the delivery of SMS data and voice. All the mobile devices connected to the network are listening constantly to CCH. The CCH is further subdivided into: a. PCH b. RACH 2. Dedicated CCH The BS sends a message on PCH containing TMSI associated with end destination.

The eavesdroppers usually make attempts to reach the receiving phone device through the network. To overcome eavesdropping the network uses TMSI not the phone number of the mobile device. The TMSI contacts the BS over the RACH when a device hears its TMSI. It then sends an alert to the network about its availability to receive the incoming voice call or SMS. After the arrival of the response the BS tells the targeted device to listen to SDCCH.

Mitigating Attacks on Open Functionality in SMS-Capable Cellular Networks The telecommunications networks are facing many security challenges that provide data and voice services. Recently DoS attacks through text messaging are recorded that were used to incapacitate the voice communication in a MAN. The cellular systems provide SMS gateways in between the phone networks and internet to overcome the Denial of Service attacks and growing threats to these systems.