Cisco Cisco 3G Wireless WAN (GPRS EDGE UMTS HSDPA HSUPA) Interface Card
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ISR Out-of-Band Management via SMS
Overview
This applet provides the ability for out-of-band management of Cisco ISRs (819, 1900. 2900,
3900 series) using 4G LTE (cellular wireless) networks. In the past, out-of-band
management was available using wireline circuits such as Plain-Old-Telephone Service
(POTS) or Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) lines. LTE service provides greater
speeds, potentially lower cost, fast provisioning/relocation, and media diversity (no
landline, which may be co-resident with the primary wireline cables).
LTE can be used for out-of-band management via traditional methods (Telnet/SSH, HTTP,
SMTP, SNMP). With LTE, an additional method is available: SMS (text messaging).
The advantage of SMS is, if LTE is the only access to the ISR, and if the ISR has an enabled SIM,
texts will work even if the ISR data connection is mis-configured or unreachable.
texts will work even if the ISR data connection is mis-configured or unreachable.
This applet combines the functions of 3 previously available applets, allowing it to be used
for a variety of purposes. These functions can be done by an installer/operation/admin
with a cell phone. Some functions require no technical expertise. Via SMS:
- LTE site survey: The radio reception quality and strength can be quickly and easily
measured from the ISR itself. This allows for optimum antenna placement without
installer technical skills. Page 3
installer technical skills. Page 3
- ISR status: Any IOS display (“show”) command can be sent and a response received.
If the response exceeds 160 characters, multiple text messages are returned. Page 9
- ISR remote configuration: IOS configuration commands can be send to the ISR,
allowing for reconfiguration when the primary path is inoperative or previous
configuration has caused loss of connectivity. Page 11
configuration has caused loss of connectivity. Page 11
-
Monthly LTE Usage: Obtain the current plan month’s byte usage and percentage.
This function works with an available applet that collects the usage and alerts when
the monthly plan reaches a percentage of the allowance. The applet is available here:
This function works with an available applet that collects the usage and alerts when
the monthly plan reaches a percentage of the allowance. The applet is available here:
https://supportforums.cisco.com/document/12098671/monitor-byte-count-over-4g-cellular-interfaces
Page 13
SMS messaging has vulnerabilities (e.g. messages received from invalid sources, dDoS attack
by text message). These can be overcome by leveraging Verizon Wireless services such as
M2M Management Console (text messaging only allowed from/to that cloud service), or
using a white list (only accepting text messages from specific phone numbers). This applet
provides for authorization via white list.
EEM (embedded event manager) is a feature available on ISR and CGR routers that allows
for automation, self-recovery and communication to management systems or applications.
Actions can be triggered in various ways, such as ISR log message, test messages, specific or
recurring date/time, status/change of an interface or available route, a probe failure, etc.
This EEM TCL script is provided as-is without Cisco TAC support, however assistance is
available via the Cisco forums. To obtain the EEM TCL script, click on the link below:
https://supportforums.cisco.com/document/12316801/commands-over-sms