Development with Android and Eclipse

This tutorial describes how to create Android applications with Eclipse. It is based on Eclipse 4.2 (Juno), Java 1.6 and Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean).

1. What is Android?

  1.1. Android Operation System

Android is an operating system based on Linux with a Java programming interface.

The Android Software Development Kit (Android SDK) provides all necessary tools to develop Android applications. This includes a compiler, debugger and a device emulator, as well as its own virtual machine to run Android programs.

Android is currently primarily developed by Google.

Android allows background processing, provides a rich user interface library, supports 2-D and 3-D graphics using the OpenGL libraries, access to the file system and provides an embedded SQLite database.

Android applications consist of different components and can re-use components of other applications. This leads to the concept of a task in Android; an application can re-use other Android components to archive a task. For example you can trigger from your application another application which has itself registered with the Android system to handle photos. In this other application you select a photo and return to your application to use the selected photo.

  1.2. Google Play (Android Market)

Google offers the Google Play service in which programmers can offer their Android application to Android users. Google phones include the Google Play application which allows to install applications.

Google Play also offers an update service, e.g. if a programmer uploads a new version of his application to Google Play, this service will notify existing users that an update is available and allow to install it.

Google Play used to be called Android Market.

How to install the Android development tools

This tutorial describes how to install and configure the Android development tools.

1. Installation of the Android development tools

Android provides a standalone customized Eclipse download for Android development or the possibility to update an existing Eclipse installation with additional plug-ins.
This guide describes both approaches.

2. Standalone ADT installation

  2.1. Download
Google provides a pre-packaged and configured Eclipse based Android development environment. The following link allows to download a archive file which includes all required tools for Android development.

       http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html

  2.2. Standalone ADT installation
Extract the zip file and start Eclipse from the eclipse folder via the eclipse native launcher, e.g. eclipse.exe under Windows.

Identification

This section describes the identities, numbers and addresses used in IMS to identify: user, user equipment, network, network elements and services.

ISIM

An IP Multimedia Services Identity Module (ISIM) is an application residing on the Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) that provides access to IP Multimedia Services. ISIM contains parameters for identifying and authenticating the user to the IMS. The ISIM application can co-exist with (U)SIM and/or CSIM on the same UICC.

ISIM file structure

The file structure of the ISIM Application Dedicated File (ADFISIM) is presented in Fig.2.

The ADFISIM contains the following Elementary Files (EFs):

•  EF_IMPI – IMS private user identity,
•  EF_DOMAIN - Home Network Domain Name,
•  EF_IMPU - IMS Public User Identity (one or more),
•  EF_AD - Administrative Data (UE operation mode, e.g. normal or type approval),
•  EF_ARR - Access Rule Reference (access rules for files located under the ISIM ADF),
•  EF_IST - ISIM Service Table (lists available optional services:P-CSCF address, Generic Bootstrapping Architecture (GBA), HTTP Digest, GBA-based Local Key Establishment Mechanism, support of P-CSCF discovery for IMS local break out),
•  EF_P-CSCF - P-CSCF Address (one or more),
•  EF_GBABP - GBA Bootstrapping parameters (contains the AKA Random challenge (RAND) and Bootstrapping Transaction Identifier (B-TID) associate with a GBA bootstrapping procedure),
•  EF_GBANL - GBA NAF List (contains the list of NAF_ID and B-TID associated to a GBA NAF derivation procedure),
•  EF_NAFKCA - NAF Key Centre Address (one or more).

In this article we'll look at what a vApp is and how the latest features can help you, in vSphere 5.

Introduction

The power of VMware vApps is something that I think most VMware Admins still overlook simply because they haven’t taken the time to learn more. I believe that once you learn more about vApps, you’ll see that they offer amazing portability and power which you’ll want to use in your VMware infrastructure.

Life with Smartphones becoming more advanced than ever before, it seems as though many phones are just as capable at completing tasks as many computers. Unfortunately with all of these advances in technology such as the ability to browse the Web, download complex applications and access pertinent information all on your phone, there is a number of hackers who are keen to take advantage of this new technology as well.

Overview of SCCP

The S7 consists of various functional elements where the Message Transfer Part (MTP) is the common platform. MTP serves different user parts, such as Telephony User Part (TUP), Integrated Services Digital Network User Part (ISUP), and other functional elements like Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP).
SCCP provides additional functionality to fulfill the need for extended services in certain applications.
An example of an extended service is communication with the databases, Home Location Register (HLR) and Visitor Location Register (VLR), without any speech connection, e.g. communication during Location Updating.
The combination of the MTP and the SCCP is called the Network Service Part (NSP).
SCCP supports two network services:

•  Connection Oriented (CO)
•  ConnectionLess (CL)

The CO transfers many or long signaling messages between two nodes. In this case, it makes sense to “establish a logical connection” between the sender and receiver.
The CL transfers short messages, including routing information, to their destination.

Circuit-related vs. Non-circuit-related Signaling

Prepaid:

There are many ways to implement prepaid roaming. Currently, most of the prepaid roaming implementations utilize the capabilities provided by : 1 USSD (unstructured supplementary service data) 2 CAMEL (customized application mobile enhanced logic).

USSD Call Back:

USSD deploys a callback mechanism as you know, for each outgoing call initiated by a roamer, there will be two call legs—an international call leg back home and a follow-on call. That make call cost very high because it is surely not an efficient way to handle the call.
For that you can use USSD call Back service, but the user needs to initiate the service by using a special service code. However, implementing prepaid roaming with USSD is rather simple, fast, cheaper, and supported by almost all existing networks, providing a global footprint.

How USSD Call Back Work?

1. The roamer keys in *1XY*0770 XXX XXXX# and presses the <SEND/OK> button to initiate a call to subscriber 0770 XXXX in another network.
2. The VPLMN MSC/VLR transfers this USSD string to the HPLMN HLR.
3. The HPLMN HLR passes this string to the prepaid roaming platform.
4. After the required precall checks, the prepaid roaming platform initiates two outgoing calls (i.e., one to the roamer and one to the requested Called party) and connects.

USSD Call Flow:

The CS FallBack (CSFB) in EPS enables the provisioning of voice and other CS-domain services (e.g. CS UDI video, LCS, USSD) by reuse of CS infrastructure when the UE is served by E-UTRAN. A CSFB enabled terminal, connected to E-UTRAN may use GERAN or UTRAN to connect to the CS-domain. This function is only available in case E-UTRAN coverage is overlapped by either GERAN coverage or UTRAN coverage.

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The MS normally operates on its home PLMN (HPLMN) or Equivalent Home PLMN (EHPLMN). However a visited PLMN (VPLMN) may be selected, e.g., if the MS loses coverage. There are two modes for PLMN selection:

• Automatic mode - This mode utilizes a list of PLMNs in priority order. The highest priority PLMN which is available and allowable is selected.
• Manual mode - Here the MS indicates to the user which PLMNs are available. Only when the user makes a manual selection does the MS try to obtain normal service on the VPLMN.

LA and PLMN lists

To prevent repeated attempts to have roaming service on a not allowed LA, when the MS is informed in Location Update Reject message (or corresponding GPRS messages) that ‘roaming not allowed in this LA’ (cause #13), the LA is added to a list of ‘forbidden LAs for roaming’ which is stored in the MS. The MS than performs PLMN selection instead of a cell selection.

If a ‘No Suitable Cells In LA’ (cause #15) is received by an MS, that LA is added to the list of ‘forbidden LAs for roaming’ which is stored in the MS. The MS then searches for a suitable cell in the same PLMN but belonging to an LA which is not in the ‘forbidden LAs for roaming’ list.

There are many Android applications available in the Android Market (Google Play) to secure Android device.

Some of these applications are free of cost, while some give you part of their service for free. I think Avast provides better overall protection and that is at absolutely no cost.

USSD: A Communication Technology to Potentially Ouster SMS Dependency

This tutorial provides an overview of Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) technology as compared to Short Message Service (SMS). It presents information and guidance but does not support a specific plan of action, which would require additional information and insights into each situation. The vulnerabilities, analyses, and risks shown and analyzed in this paper are intended to be indicative of the risks an application vendor, third-party host, or network operator might face. The analysis given should not to be considered an exhaustive or fully objective list.

It is important that risks be assessed and validated based on the situation, the intended functionality to be offered, and the process controls that will be required or are already in place. Additional guidance should be sought wherever necessary before taking any action.

Introduction

Value Added Services (VAS) have become an indispensable part of the products and services offered by mobile/telecom operators today. With growing competition in the telecom industry, operators must be diligent in how they price both new and existing services. They are therefore looking for faster and more economical technologies.
USSD technology is the key solution in all cases. It is a messaging service that is almost seven times faster than SMS and is highly cost effective. The operations involved in using USSD are simple and handset independent, which means the service can be accessed from almost any mobile device (from old cell phones to the latest smartphones).
From the core network to the internet, the reach of modern USSD services is rapidly transforming the telecom cloud into a services cloud. USSD is fast emerging as the communication protocol, which can ouster the dependency on SMS for quick messaging services.

Scope and Assumptions

This tutorial discusses the key features of USSD technology and its economic viability in providing VAS and other services. However, it does not cover:

1. Implementation details of any specific application
2. Generalized rules based on which USSD codes are derived (USSD codes are derived using a set of rules and are affixed to identify a specific service. Users must enter the defined code to access the service, but do not need to bother about its derivation.)
3. Detailed description of the Multi Media Interface (MMI) commands used in USSD

This technical tutorial assumes the reader has a fair knowledge of the GSM network.

Have you ever typed a code starting with an asterisk (*), number set, and hash (#) on your mobile? If yes, then, knowingly or unknowingly, you have already been using USSD service.
USSD is a communication protocol used to send text messages between a mobile phone and applications running on the network. It is a messaging service used in Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) networks similar to SMS, where it sends data utilizing the signaling channel. However, unlike SMS which follows a store-and-forward oriented message transaction; USSD provides session-based connections. Because of its real-time and instant messaging service capability, USSD service is up to seven times faster and much cheaper than SMS for two-way transactions. It is a technology unique to GSM networks and is the standard for transmitting information over GSM Signaling Channels.
USSD is as similar to speaking to someone on a phone as SMS is to sending a letter.