APN for Mobile DHIS

Hi Jason

The application I'm referring to will capture campaign data on a daily basis using up to 15,000 mobiles.

The use of APN is intended to be an alternative to data bundles that will cost the mobile user nothing. It gets rid of the excuse "I didn't have airtime and couldn't sms the data"...

APN is fairly new here in South Africa - only coming in end of last year. It allows organizations to set up their own private cellphone 'network'. E.g. vlive, VodafoneLive...

···

------Original Message------
From: Jason Pickering
To: Greg Vodacom
Cc: dhis2-devs@lists.launchpad.net
Subject: Re: [Dhis2-devs] APN for Mobile DHIS
Sent: Jun 29, 2010 13:32

This really has nothing to do with DHIS2 itself, but the underlying
way in which clients to connect to each other.

We have tested the use of OpenVPN in Zambia, and it works fine for
remote database connections where a secure line is required. However,
there are drawbacks (namely maintenance, setup and configuration)
which limits the use cases for this type of "darknet".

Not really sure why it would be necessary, but perhaps there is a use
case for it in SA. It should not make any difference to DHIS2 as long
as clients can connect to each other through TCP/IP.

Regards,
Jason

On Tue, Jun 29, 2010 at 1:22 PM, Greg <greg.rowles@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi guys

Forgive me for intruding but does anyone know if DHIS2 mobile platform makes use of APN technology? The guys here at CellLife in Cape Town are proposing a mobile vpn as part of a proposal. Just want to know if you guys are using it or are able to or know of issues in getting APN's set up for mobile use...

Greg

Sent via BlackBerry

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Hi Greg

Beware there is a lot of snake oil in this business. The story you
linked to earlier about this "new technology" called adaptive private
networking is pretty suspect. call me old fashioned, but when I see
mention of new networking technology I tend to try and find the rfc's.
Surprise, surprise - no rfc, just a dodgy looking company holding a
dodgy looking patent and seeking international partners to sell
"their" technology.

When mobile companies talk about APNs they usually talk of Access
Point Names so lots more possibilities for confusion.

Hi Jason

The application I'm referring to will capture campaign data on a daily basis using up to 15,000 mobiles.

The use of APN is intended to be an alternative to data bundles that will cost the mobile user nothing. It gets rid of the excuse "I didn't have airtime and couldn't sms the data"...

Who is offering this alternative to data bundles. Is it Vodacom? I
am trying to understand where the free bandwidth is coming from - the
APN stuff is really about adaptive routing using existing network
links (of which there is already a long and illustrious history so not
much new there), but it sure isn't going to give you free bandwidth.

APN is fairly new here in South Africa - only coming in end of last year. It allows organizations to set up their own private cellphone 'network'. E.g. vlive, VodafoneLive...

So I'm a bit confused. Vodafone can set up vlive coz they own the
network and don't have to charge for data - they can make revenue with
advertising etc. Is there a brochure for this service?

Cheers
Bob

···

On 29 June 2010 13:08, Greg <greg.rowles@gmail.com> wrote:

------Original Message------
From: Jason Pickering
To: Greg Vodacom
Cc: dhis2-devs@lists.launchpad.net
Subject: Re: [Dhis2-devs] APN for Mobile DHIS
Sent: Jun 29, 2010 13:32

This really has nothing to do with DHIS2 itself, but the underlying
way in which clients to connect to each other.

We have tested the use of OpenVPN in Zambia, and it works fine for
remote database connections where a secure line is required. However,
there are drawbacks (namely maintenance, setup and configuration)
which limits the use cases for this type of "darknet".

Not really sure why it would be necessary, but perhaps there is a use
case for it in SA. It should not make any difference to DHIS2 as long
as clients can connect to each other through TCP/IP.

Regards,
Jason

On Tue, Jun 29, 2010 at 1:22 PM, Greg <greg.rowles@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi guys

Forgive me for intruding but does anyone know if DHIS2 mobile platform makes use of APN technology? The guys here at CellLife in Cape Town are proposing a mobile vpn as part of a proposal. Just want to know if you guys are using it or are able to or know of issues in getting APN's set up for mobile use...

Greg

Sent via BlackBerry

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Post to : dhis2-devs@lists.launchpad.net
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--
--
Jason P. Pickering
email: jason.p.pickering@gmail.com
tel:+260968395190

Sent via BlackBerry
_______________________________________________
Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~dhis2-devs
Post to : dhis2-devs@lists.launchpad.net
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Hi Greg

Beware there is a lot of snake oil in this business. The story you
linked to earlier about this "new technology" called adaptive private
networking is pretty suspect. call me old fashioned, but when I see
mention of new networking technology I tend to try and find the rfc's.
Surprise, surprise - no rfc, just a dodgy looking company holding a
dodgy looking patent and seeking international partners to sell
"their" technology.

When mobile companies talk about APNs they usually talk of Access
Point Names so lots more possibilities for confusion.

Hi Jason

The application I'm referring to will capture campaign data on a daily basis using up to 15,000 mobiles.

The use of APN is intended to be an alternative to data bundles that will cost the mobile user nothing. It gets rid of the excuse "I didn't have airtime and couldn't sms the data"...

Who is offering this alternative to data bundles. Is it Vodacom? I
am trying to understand where the free bandwidth is coming from - the
APN stuff is really about adaptive routing using existing network
links (of which there is already a long and illustrious history so not
much new there), but it sure isn't going to give you free bandwidth.

As I understand it, the selling point would not be about free
bandwidth overall, but free for the user of the particular
application, and paid by the organization offering the application. So
the difference seems to be in how to pay for bandwidth - i.e. the
logistics of paying for air time. Another approach would be dedicated
SIM cards, but again, there is a logistical issue of distributing
those.

Knut

···

On Tue, Jun 29, 2010 at 3:38 PM, Bob Jolliffe <bobjolliffe@gmail.com> wrote:

On 29 June 2010 13:08, Greg <greg.rowles@gmail.com> wrote:

APN is fairly new here in South Africa - only coming in end of last year. It allows organizations to set up their own private cellphone 'network'. E.g. vlive, VodafoneLive...

So I'm a bit confused. Vodafone can set up vlive coz they own the
network and don't have to charge for data - they can make revenue with
advertising etc. Is there a brochure for this service?

Cheers
Bob

------Original Message------
From: Jason Pickering
To: Greg Vodacom
Cc: dhis2-devs@lists.launchpad.net
Subject: Re: [Dhis2-devs] APN for Mobile DHIS
Sent: Jun 29, 2010 13:32

This really has nothing to do with DHIS2 itself, but the underlying
way in which clients to connect to each other.

We have tested the use of OpenVPN in Zambia, and it works fine for
remote database connections where a secure line is required. However,
there are drawbacks (namely maintenance, setup and configuration)
which limits the use cases for this type of "darknet".

Not really sure why it would be necessary, but perhaps there is a use
case for it in SA. It should not make any difference to DHIS2 as long
as clients can connect to each other through TCP/IP.

Regards,
Jason

On Tue, Jun 29, 2010 at 1:22 PM, Greg <greg.rowles@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi guys

Forgive me for intruding but does anyone know if DHIS2 mobile platform makes use of APN technology? The guys here at CellLife in Cape Town are proposing a mobile vpn as part of a proposal. Just want to know if you guys are using it or are able to or know of issues in getting APN's set up for mobile use...

Greg

Sent via BlackBerry

_______________________________________________
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Post to : dhis2-devs@lists.launchpad.net
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--
--
Jason P. Pickering
email: jason.p.pickering@gmail.com
tel:+260968395190

Sent via BlackBerry
_______________________________________________
Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~dhis2-devs
Post to : dhis2-devs@lists.launchpad.net
Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~dhis2-devs
More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp

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--
Cheers,
Knut Staring

Hi Greg

Beware there is a lot of snake oil in this business. The story you
linked to earlier about this "new technology" called adaptive private
networking is pretty suspect. call me old fashioned, but when I see
mention of new networking technology I tend to try and find the rfc's.
Surprise, surprise - no rfc, just a dodgy looking company holding a
dodgy looking patent and seeking international partners to sell
"their" technology.

When mobile companies talk about APNs they usually talk of Access
Point Names so lots more possibilities for confusion.

Hi Jason

The application I'm referring to will capture campaign data on a daily basis using up to 15,000 mobiles.

The use of APN is intended to be an alternative to data bundles that will cost the mobile user nothing. It gets rid of the excuse "I didn't have airtime and couldn't sms the data"...

Who is offering this alternative to data bundles. Is it Vodacom? I
am trying to understand where the free bandwidth is coming from - the
APN stuff is really about adaptive routing using existing network
links (of which there is already a long and illustrious history so not
much new there), but it sure isn't going to give you free bandwidth.

As I understand it, the selling point would not be about free
bandwidth overall, but free for the user of the particular
application, and paid by the organization offering the application. So
the difference seems to be in how to pay for bandwidth - i.e. the
logistics of paying for air time.

Ah ok. You pay vodafone and they set you up a sort of prepaid vlive
thing? Still not too sure how this relates to the APN article but I
see the point.

Has anyone tried using MXit in Soputh Africa for this kind of thing.
Not free but very cheap. And much longer messages than sms.

Cheers
Bob

···

On 29 June 2010 15:03, Knut Staring <knutst@gmail.com> wrote:

On Tue, Jun 29, 2010 at 3:38 PM, Bob Jolliffe <bobjolliffe@gmail.com> wrote:

On 29 June 2010 13:08, Greg <greg.rowles@gmail.com> wrote:

Another approach would be dedicated
SIM cards, but again, there is a logistical issue of distributing
those.

Knut

APN is fairly new here in South Africa - only coming in end of last year. It allows organizations to set up their own private cellphone 'network'. E.g. vlive, VodafoneLive...

So I'm a bit confused. Vodafone can set up vlive coz they own the
network and don't have to charge for data - they can make revenue with
advertising etc. Is there a brochure for this service?

Cheers
Bob

------Original Message------
From: Jason Pickering
To: Greg Vodacom
Cc: dhis2-devs@lists.launchpad.net
Subject: Re: [Dhis2-devs] APN for Mobile DHIS
Sent: Jun 29, 2010 13:32

This really has nothing to do with DHIS2 itself, but the underlying
way in which clients to connect to each other.

We have tested the use of OpenVPN in Zambia, and it works fine for
remote database connections where a secure line is required. However,
there are drawbacks (namely maintenance, setup and configuration)
which limits the use cases for this type of "darknet".

Not really sure why it would be necessary, but perhaps there is a use
case for it in SA. It should not make any difference to DHIS2 as long
as clients can connect to each other through TCP/IP.

Regards,
Jason

On Tue, Jun 29, 2010 at 1:22 PM, Greg <greg.rowles@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi guys

Forgive me for intruding but does anyone know if DHIS2 mobile platform makes use of APN technology? The guys here at CellLife in Cape Town are proposing a mobile vpn as part of a proposal. Just want to know if you guys are using it or are able to or know of issues in getting APN's set up for mobile use...

Greg

Sent via BlackBerry

_______________________________________________
Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~dhis2-devs
Post to : dhis2-devs@lists.launchpad.net
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More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp

--
--
Jason P. Pickering
email: jason.p.pickering@gmail.com
tel:+260968395190

Sent via BlackBerry
_______________________________________________
Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~dhis2-devs
Post to : dhis2-devs@lists.launchpad.net
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--
Cheers,
Knut Staring