SMC:System Architecture

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Message Flow

SMS

Instant Messenger

Host to Host (XML-RPC)

Message Decoder

Text message must be decoded into internal XML message before it processed further into the system. Let's say we have inbound text message L 08888322366 R5 50 1234. The message decoder will process the text and decoded into

<commonRequest>
   <entry><string>ProductCode</string><string>R5</string></entry>
   <entry><string>Pin</string><string>1234</string></entry>
   <entry><string>ReferenceId</string><string></string></entry>
   <entry><string>MSISDN</string><string>08888322366</string></entry>
   <entry><string>Username</string><string>50</string></entry>
   <entry><string>Method</string><string>Topup</string></entry>
</commonRequest>

Message Decoder is simply external web based application that read HTTP GET parameter named message and write back its XML result to page.

Why it's need external message decoder

There reason behind this design is simple.

• By off-loading the parsing part to scripting application (PHP, Perl, Coldfusion), it would be very flexible. No need recompiling the whole code.
• System administrator can configure the syntax as they wish.
• Additional data validation can be performed easily.