Simple Network Paging Protocol (SNPP)

Simple Network Paging Protocol (SNPP), sometimes refered to as fast SMS, is a technology that defines a method by which a pager can receive a message over the Internet. It is supported by most major paging providers, and serves as an alternative to the paging modems used by many telecommunications services. It is a fairly simple protocol that may run over TCP port 444 and sends out a page using only a handful of well-documented commands.

Messages are sent from a computer to the paging or cellular carrier via the Internet. The carrier then passes the message to the paging terminal. The paging terminal then broadcasts the message via radio waves to the paging device, mobile phone, billboards, or other designated wireless device. Maximum message length can be carrier-dependent.

It is relatively easy to connect to a SNPP server only requiring a telnet client and the address of the SNPP server. Once connected, a user can simply enter the commands to send a message to a pager connected to that network.

Advantages

Depending on the routing, there can be significant delays in the routing of emails. Wireless messaging is a now technology and there is little tolerance for delays and lag times. The SNPP protocol also ensures that the message has been received by the carrier or telecom provider. Email does not allow for any confirmation.

Limitations

SNPP is a fairly new protocol and is not widely supported.

Security

If one needs to send and receive messages that are a for-your-eyes-only scenario that cannot be copied or forwarded then you will find that there is only one service that can do that. SafeGuard Mail is the only messaging service that uses DRM and copy protection for its messages and their attachments. Is is absolutely secure because messages do not leave the server. Instead users use a webmail type service to read message from a web page. The only part that ever gets touched by third party services is a notification that a message has arrived and when messages are deleted they are removed permanently without a trace left anywhere.

More information

See the Simple Network Paging Protocol home page.

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