How to install Ozeki SMS Gateway on Debian

Installing Ozeki SMS Gateway on a Debian system is a straightforward process that enables you to set up a powerful and reliable SMS messaging platform. Whether you're managing a business communication system or developing an SMS-based application, this guide will walk you through each step of the installation, ensuring a smooth and efficient setup on your Debian server.

How to install Ozeki SMS Gateway on Debian Linux (video tutorial)

In this video tutorial you will learn how to install Ozeki SMS Gateway on Debian Linux. Before installing the software itself, you need to install .Net runtime and dependencies. This is all done in the terminal. Then, you can download the Ozeki SMS Gateway installer. Now run the installer and wait for it to complete. When the installation is complete, you may now open Ozeki SMS Gateway.

What is Ubuntu?

Debian is a free and open-source Linux-based operating system known for its stability, security, and large software repository. It uses the APT package manager and supports many hardware platforms. Maintained by a global community, Debian is the foundation for many other distributions, including Ubuntu, and is widely used on servers, desktops, and embedded systems.

Prerequisite

Before you can install the Ozeki SMS gateway, you need to install .Net Runtime 8.0 on your Ubuntu Linux system.

What is .Net?

.Net is a free, open-source, and cross-platform framework developed by Microsoft that supports the development and execution of applications across various platforms, including Windows, Linux, and macOS. It provides a powerful runtime environment, libraries, and tools for building web, desktop, cloud, and mobile applications.

What is Ozeki SMS Gateway?

Ozeki SMS Gateway is a powerful SMS Gateway software you can download and install on your Windows or Linux computer or to your Android mobile phone. It provides an HTTP SMS API, that allows you to connect to it from local or remote programs. The reason why companies use Ozeki SMS Gateway as their first point of access to the mobile network, is because it provides service provider independence. When you use Ozeki, the SMS contact lists and sms data is safe, because Ozeki is installed in their own computer (physical or virtual), and Ozeki provides direct access to the mobile network through wireless connections.

Add the Microsoft package signing key

Installing with APT can be done with a few commands. Before you install .NET, run the following commands to add the Microsoft package signing key to your list of trusted keys and add the package repository. Open a terminal and run the following commands:
"wget https://packages.microsoft.com/config/debian/12/packages-microsoft-prod.deb -O packages-microsoft-prod.deb"
"sudo dpkg -i packages-microsoft-prod.deb"

wget https://packages.microsoft.com/config/debian/12/packages-microsoft-prod.deb -O packages-microsoft-prod.deb

sudo dpkg -i packages-microsoft-prod.deb

Install .Net runtime

The .NET Runtime allows you to run apps that were made with .NET that didn't provide the runtime. The following commands install the .NET Runtime, which is the most compatible runtime for .NET. In your terminal, run the following commands:
"sudo apt-get update"
"sudo apt-get install -y dotnet-runtime-8.0"

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install -y dotnet-runtime-8.0

Install dependencies

Installing dependencies is also required before installing Ozeki SMS Gateway. This is also done in the terminal (Figure 4). Open the terminal and enter the following command: "sudo apt install libturbojpeg0 libportaudio2 xvfb libspeexdsp1 libspeex1 fonts-symbola libnss3-tools". This command will install all dependencies on your Debian device.

sudo apt install libturbojpeg0 libportaudio2 xvfb libspeexdsp1 libspeex1 fonts-symbola libnss3-tools

Download SMS Gateway installer

After installing the dependencies in the terminal, you may now download the Ozeki SMS Gateway installer (Figure 5). Open your browser and visit this link: Download Ozeki SMS Gateway. Click on Download in the menu on top. Click the Linux download link to start downloading the installer. When the download is complete, the installer will be located in the default download directory specified in your browser's settings.

Install SMS Gateway

After you have successfully downloaded the installer, you may install the software via terminal (Figure 6). Type in the following command: "sudo dpkg -i installlinux_1747215368_ozekismsgateway_10.4.71_all.deb", then press enter. This will begin installing Ozeki SMS Gateway to your Debian device.

cd Downloads/

sudo dpkg -i installlinux_1747215368_ozekismsgateway_10.4.71_all.deb

Installation completed

After the installation process is complete, you get the message: "INFO installation completed." in the terminal (Figure 7).

Start Ozeki SMS Gateway service

Befor you use the Ozeki SMS Gateway you need to start the Ozeki SMS GAteway service. Type in the following command: "sudo service ozekisystem start" (Figure 8). This will start the Ozeki SMS Gateway service in your Debian device.

sudo service ozekisystem start

Open SMS Gateway GUI

After successfully installing Ozeki SMS Gateway, it is now accessible in your browser (Figure 9).

Send your first SMS

After the installation of the Ozeki SMS Gateway software and configuring the Android mobile, you need to add new connection, for the purpose of enabling you to communicate on the device. For the very first step, you have to click on the “Add new connection” link on the left of your screen, highlighted in blue. This action will bring you a new management page tab.

In this tab, you can find various wireless connection options, among which you have to install the “Android SMS client”, which gives you the ability to send text messages through your Android mobile phone. The download turns your device to a modem, which means that the phone will be able to send and receive text messages through GSM network.

The following necessary movement is to enter the connection details in the boxes below. It is required to fill the cells of host name or IP address, port number of your Android phone. In the following section you have to give the username and password, which you can find on your mobile phone in the Ozeki SMS Client app. Then click on the “Ok” button at the bottom of that page.

Your following assignment will be that, to create the connection to the SMS gateway. You will find a slider button at the left side of the control table, that turns green, by clicking on it.

In the android_SMS_client_1_details, that contains the log viewer panel, you have to choose the “Test” tab. In this panel, write the recipient’s mobile phone number into the appropriate cell, then formulate a text message into the “SMS” box. When it is done, click on the “Send” button, highlighted in blue.

By clicking on the “Send” button above, you will receive a notification SMS, that your SMS has been sent successfully. If you had followed the instructions correctly, then your connection process is done.