Gsmctl commands

Introduction

gsmctl is an SSH command used to communicate with a RUTxxx router's modem. In other words, gsmctl relays AT commands (a set of instructions used to control a modem) to the router's modem; thus, providing the user with a way to control and obtain information from the modem via SSH. This can be used to either obtain certain modem related variables (signal strength, operator, connection state, etc.) or to execute certain actions (sending SMS messages, changing the frequency band, etc.).

This article provides a complete overview on gsmctl commands available in RUTxxx routers.

Prerequisites

gsmctl commands can be used on all RUTxxx routers via any type of command line interface (CLI) supported by the router. So all you need is:

• a RUTxxx router
• knowledge on how to login via a command line interface

gsmctl options

gsmctl commands are used in tandem with various options that specify what type of action should be executed.

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Example structure

Individual options are described in separate subsections of this article. To find the information you are looking for faster, refer to the table of contents at the top of the page or use your browser's "Find in page" feature (Control + F).

Each option is presented with its usage syntax and an example command. For easier differentiation of the different elements that make up the examples, different colors are used:

• options are highlighted in blue
• responses are highlighted in red
• additional parameters are highlighted in purple

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Two execution methods

Each option can be executed in two distinct ways. One is shorter, the other is longer and more descriptive. For example, to obtain the modem's IMEI you can either use:

• short version: gsmctl -i
• long version: gsmctl --imei

In both cases, you just type the desired command and press the "Enter" key on your keyboard to execute that command. The response will be printed out as a standard output (stdout) string in your terminal window.

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Combined options

Multiple options can be combined together to obtain more than one parameter at a time. For example, to obtain the name of the operator used, signal strength and connection type with one command you can use one of the following:

• short version: gsmctl -oqt
• long version: gsmctl --operator --signal --conntype

Note that in the shorter version multiple options can be used together with one hyphen (-) symbol with no spacing, while in the longer version different options must be separated by spaces and before each option a double hyphen (--) is required.

Basic options

This section overviews basic gsmctl options, usually related to obtaining certain modem related information.

Get IP address of logical interface

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To obtain the IP address of a network interface, use -p or --ip options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -p, --ip <INTERFACE>

Where <INTERFACE> is the name of a network interface.

Example: obtaining the IP address of the mobile connection interface:

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -p wwan0
10.139.75.221

Where wwan0 is the name of the mobile interface when the connection type is set to QMI (default). You can use the ifconfig command to check the names of existing network interfaces.

Possible responses:

• IP address (32-bit numeric address written as four numbers separated by periods)

Get number of bytes sent

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To obtain the number of bytes sent (TX bytes) by a network interface, use -e or --bsent options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -e, --bsent <INTERFACE>

Where <INTERFACE> is the name of a network interface.

Example: obtaining the number of bytes sent (TX bytes) by the mobile connection interface:

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -e wwan0
36335

Where wwan0 is the name of the mobile interface when the connection type is set to QMI (default). You can use the ifconfig command to check the names of existing network interfaces.

Possible responses:

• An integer number representing bytes (not bits) sent

Get number of bytes received

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To obtain the number of bytes received (RX bytes) by a network interface, use -r or --brecv options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -b, --brecv <INTERFACE>

Where <INTERFACE> is the name of a network interface.

Example: obtaining the number of bytes received (RX bytes) by the mobile connection interface:

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -r wwan0
92551

Where wwan0 is the name of the mobile interface when the connection type is set to QMI (default). You can use the ifconfig command to check the names of existing network interfaces.

Possible responses:

• An integer number representing bytes (not bits) received

Get network connection state

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To obtain the network connection state, use -j or --connstate options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -j, --connstate

Example: obtaining the current network connection state:

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -j
connected

Possible responses:

• connected
• disconnected

Get network link state

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To obtain the registration state of the mobile network, use -g or --netstate options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -g, --netstate

Example: obtaining the registration state of the mobile network:

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -g
registered (home)

Possible responses:

• registered (home)
• registered (roaming)
• unregistered
• searching
• unknown

Get device IMEI

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To obtain the modem's International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), use -i or --imei options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -i, --imei

Example: obtaining the modem's IMEI:

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -i
990000862471854

Possible responses:

• a 15 digit sequence of decimal numbers

Get SIM ICCID

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To obtain the Integrated Circuit Card Identifier (ICCID) of the SIM card that is currently in use, use -J or --iccid options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -J, --iccid

Example: obtaining the ICCID of the SIM card in use:

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -J
89310410106543789301

Possible responses:

• a 19 or 20 digit sequence of decimal numbers

Get device model

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To obtain the modem's model name, use -m or --model options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -m, --model

Example: obtaining the modem's model name

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -m
model_name

Possible responses:

• a string of letters and digits representing the model name

Get device manufacturer

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To obtain the modem's manufacturer's name, use -w or --manuf options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -w, --manuf

Example: obtaining the modem's manufacturer's name:

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -w
manufacturers_name

Possible responses:

• a string of letters and digits representing the manufacturer's name

Get device serial number

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To obtain the modem's serial number, use -a or --serial options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -a, --serial

Example: obtaining the modem's serial number:

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -a
990000862471854

Possible responses:

• a 15 digit sequence of decimal numbers

Get device revision number

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To obtain the modem's revision number (firmware version), use -y or --revision options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -y, --revision

Example: obtaining the modem's revision number:

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -y
EC25EFAR02A08M4G

Possible responses:

• a string of letters and digits representing the revision number (firmware version)

Get IMSI

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To obtain the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), use -x or --imsi options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -x, --imsi

Example: obtaining IMSI:

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -x
246029999999999

Possible responses:

• a 15 digit (or less) sequence of decimal numbers

Get SIM card state

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To obtain the state of the SIM card currently in use, use -z or --simstate options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -z, --simstate

Example: obtaining the current SIM state:

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -z
inserted

Possible responses:

• inserted
• not inserted

Get GSM signal (RSSI) level

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To obtain the router's current signal strength (RSSI) value, use -q or --signal options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -q, --signal

Example: obtaining the router's current signal strength:

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -q
-55

Possible responses:

• an integer number ranging from -113 to -51 (in dBm)

Get WCDMA RSCP level

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To obtain the router's current WCDMA RSCP level, use -X or --rscp options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -X, --rscp

Example: obtaining the RSCP level:

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -X
-77

Possible responses:

• an integer number ranging from -124 to 0
• service mode not supported (this response is returned when the router's current service mode is not WCDMA)

Get WCDMA EC/IO level

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To obtain the router's current WCDMA EC/IO level, use -E or --ecio options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -E, --ecio

Example: obtaining the EC/IO level:

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -E
-4.000000

Possible responses:

• an integer number ranging from -20 to 0
• service mode not supported (this response is returned when the router's current service mode is not WCDMA)

Get LTE RSRP level

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To obtain the router's current LTE RSRP level, use -W or --rsrp options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -W, --rsrp

Example: obtaining the RSRP level:

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -W
-103

Possible responses:

• an integer number ranging from >= -80 to <= -100 (dBm)
• service mode not supported (this response is returned when the router's current service mode is not LTE)

Get LTE SINR level

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To obtain the router's current SINR level, use -Z or --sinr options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -Z, --sinr

Example: obtaining the SINR level:

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -Z
16.9

Possible responses:

• a real number ranging from 0.0 to 20.0 (dB)
• service mode not supported (this response is returned when the router's current service mode is not LTE)

Get LTE RSRQ level

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To obtain the router's current RSRQ level, use -M or --rsrq options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -M, --rsrq

Example: obtaining the RSRQ level:

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -M
-8.000000

Possible responses:

• an integer number ranging from <= - 20 to >= -10 (dB)
• service mode not supported (this response is returned when the router's current service mode is not LTE)

Get cell ID parameter

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To obtain the ID of the cell that the SIM card is connected to, use -C or --cellid options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -C, --cellid

Example: obtaining the cell ID:

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -C
1037089

Possible responses:

• a 7 digit sequence of decimal numbers indicating the cell ID
• N/A - returned when the SIM card is not inserted or unregistered

Get name of operator used

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To obtain the name of the operator used, use -o or --operator options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -o, --operator

Example: obtaining the operator name:

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -o
LT BITE GSMC

Possible responses:

• a string of text representing the network operator's name
• N/A - returned when the SIM card is not connected to any operator

Get operator number

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To obtain the network operator's number, use -f or --opernum options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -f, --opernum

Example: obtaining the network operator's number:

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -f
24602

Possible responses:

• a 6 digit sequence of decimal numbers
• N/A - returned when the SIM card is not connected to any operator

Get data carrier type

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To obtain the connection type, use -t or --conntype options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -t, --conntype

Example: obtaining the connection type:

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -t
LTE

Possible responses:

• NOSERVICE - NOSERVICE mode
• GSM - GSM/GPRS/EDGE mode
• WCDMA - WCDMA/HSDPA/HSPA mode
• TDSCDMA - TDSCDMA mode
• LTE - LTE mode
• CDMA - CDMA mode
• EVDO - EV-DO/eHRPD mode
• CDMA-EVDO - CDMA/EV-DO(eHRPD) mode

Get module temperature

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To obtain the module's temperature, use -c or --temp options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -c, --temp

Example: obtaining the module's temperature:

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -c
360

Possible responses:

• an integer number representing the module's current temperature (in 0.1 degrees Celsius (°C))

Get PIN/PUK count

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To obtain the PIN/PUK count, use -B or --pincount options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -B, --pincount

Example: obtaining the

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -B
3

Possible responses:

• an integer number representing the amount of PIN/PUK attempts left
• N/A - returned when the SIM card is not inserted

Get network information

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To obtain information related to the mobile network information, use -F or --network options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -F, --network

Example: obtaining mobile network information:

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -F
+QNWINFO: "FDD LTE",46001,"LTE BAND 3",1650

Possible responses:

• response syntax: +QNWINFO: <Act>,<oper>,<band>,<channel>
  Where:
  • <Act> - service mode
  • <oper> - operator number
  • <band> - frequency band used
  • <channel> - channel ID

Get serving cell information

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To obtain the , use - or -- options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -, --

Example: obtaining the

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -

Possible responses:

Get neighbour cell information

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To obtain the , use - or -- options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -, --

Example: obtaining the

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -

Possible responses:

Shutdown the modem

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To shutdown the modem, use -D or --shutdown options. After the command is executed, the modem will stay shut off up to a maximum of 60 s. and will then start up again.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -D, --shutdown

Example: shutting down the modem

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -D
OK

Possible responses:

• OK

List available options

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Using -h or --help options prints of all available gsmctl options with descriptions and usage syntax examples.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -h, --help

Example: printing a list of available gsmctl options

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -h
usage: gsmctl OPTIONS
 -p, --ip <INTERFACE>          Get IP of logical interface
 -e, --bsent <INTERFACE>       Get number of bytes sent
 -r, --brecv <INTERFACE>       Get number of bytes recieved
 ...

Possible responses:

• a list of options that can be used with gsmctl

Print gsmctl version

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To find out the current gsmctl version, use -v or --version options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -h, --help

Example: obtaining the gsmctl version

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -v
GSMCTL version: 0.2b

Possible responses:

• a string type output indicating the gsmctl version

SMS management options

This section overviews gsmctl options related to SMS management. Every SMS related command uses the "-S" or "--sms" along with another option.

Read SMS by index

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To read a single SMS message, use -S -r or --sms --read options. Additionally you have to specify the <INDEX> of the message that you wish to read. The <INDEX> is an integer number that defines the position of a message in the SMS message list. It can range from 1 to however many messages your SMS memory can store.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -S -r, --sms --read <INDEX>

Example: reading the first message in the SMS list

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -S -r 1
Index: 1
Date: 2018-08-02 10:33:20
Sender: +37061111111
Status: read
Text: Hello

Possible responses:

• five lines of string type output indicating the following information related to the SMS message:
  • Index - an integer number indicating the position of the message in the SMS message list
  • Date - the date the message was received
  • Sender - sender's phone number
  • Status - indicates whether the message has been previously read. (Possible values: read or new)
  • Text - the body of the message
• no message - indicates that an SMS message with the specified <INDEX> does not exist
• out of range - indicates that the specified <INDEX> is out of range of the SMS message list

List SMS by type

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To print a list of SMS messages, use -S -l or --sms --list options. Additionally you have to specify the <TYPE> of the list. <TYPE> can either read, new or all

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -S -l, --sms --list <TYPE>

Example: printing the list of all new (unread) SMS messages

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -S -l new
Index: 19
Date: 2018-08-03 08:26:36
Sender: +37061111111
Text: status
Status: new

Possible responses:

• multiple entries comprised of five lines of string type output indicating the following information related to an SMS message:
  • Index - an integer number indicating the position of the message in the SMS message list
  • Date - the date the message was received
  • Sender - sender's phone number
  • Text - the body of the message
  • Status - indicates whether the message has been previously read. (Possible values: read or new)

Print SMS memory usage

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To check the SMS memory usage, use -S -t or --sms --total options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -S -t, --sms --total

Example: checking the SMS memory usage

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -S -t
Used: 28
Total: 50 

Possible responses:

• two lines of string type output
  • Used - used memory space (integer)
  • Total - total memory space (integer)

Delete SMS by index

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To delete an SMS message, use -S -d or --sms --delete options. Additionally you have to specify the <INDEX> of the message that you wish to delete. The <INDEX> is an integer number that defines the position of a message in the SMS message list. It can range from 1 to however many messages your SMS memory can store.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -S -d, --sms --delete <INDEX>

Example: deleting the first SMS message

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -S -d 1
OK

Possible responses:

• OK - indicates that the message with specified <INDEX> has been deleted successfully
• out of range - indicates that the specified <INDEX> is out of range of the SMS message list

Send SMS

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To send an SMS message, use -S -s or --sms --send options.

Usage syntax:

gsmctl -S -s, --sms --send "<NUMBER> <TEXT>"

Example: sending a "Hello" message to the number +37011111111

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl -S -s "0037011111111 Hello"

Possible responses:

Send SMS encoded in base64

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To read a single SMS message, use - - or -- -- options

Usage syntax:

gsmctl - -, -- --

Example:

root@Teltonika:~# gsmctl 

Possible responses:

Auxiliary options

Send AT command to device

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at

at+csq

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See also

• AT Commands