Implementation of an indirect architecture for GSM data connections

We present the implementation of a communication architecture for accessing TCP/IP networks (mainly Internet) through GSM links. We exploit the existing and widely used TCP/IP communication architecture, but also take into account the specific features of wireless links and GSM networks. Our architecture is based in the indirect model of client/server interaction, where an intermediate element acts as a bridge between GSM and the rest of the data network. We have replaced the TCP connection in the client-proxy link with a simpler protocol. This allows maintaining the protocols in server machines, and requires minimal changes in those running in the mobile clients. GSM operators are not required to change their network infrastructure to implement this architecture, even in the case of networks offering the new highspeed services for data transmission in GSM (GPRS and HSCSD). The implementation is based in freely available SOCKS package.