PENTEST VIA CELLULAR NETWORK (II): HOLOGRAM NOVA GLOBAL 2G/3G MODEM
- Layout for this exercise (Smartphone and Raspberry Pi / SIM card / Modem):
1 - Hologram Nova Global 2G/3G Modem
- The modem Hologram Nova is a global 3G/2G cellular modem purpose-built for IoT and single board computers like the Raspberry Pi.
- Paired with Hologram's CLI/Python SDK and global cellular network, the Nova is a simple plug-and-play modem for instant connectivity and secure data messaging.
- At the moment of writing this text, it can be bought online at a price of $49.
https://hologram.io/store/nova-global-cellular-modem/36
- Before the Nova modem can be operational the SIM must be activated (as done at previous exercise) so that it can gain access to the cellular network.
- The SIM card is inserted into the slot of the bottom of the Nova board, being careful that the Nova is not plugged-in at that moment:
- The Nova modem kit includes two quad-band flexible UFL anntenas, operating over 850/900/1900/2100 MHz bands.
- The larger black anntena is expected to provide better reception, though the yellow antenna has the benefit of fitting better due to its smaller size.
- The anntenas are attached pressing firmly down the gold UFL connector:
- Once the modem is operating correctly there are two LEDs (blue and red) providing feedback about what is going on inside the modem:
2 - Hologram Python SDK
- The SIM card is inserted into the slot of the bottom of the Nova board, being careful that the Nova is not plugged-in at that moment:
- The Nova modem kit includes two quad-band flexible UFL anntenas, operating over 850/900/1900/2100 MHz bands.
- The larger black anntena is expected to provide better reception, though the yellow antenna has the benefit of fitting better due to its smaller size.
- The anntenas are attached pressing firmly down the gold UFL connector:
- Once the modem is operating correctly there are two LEDs (blue and red) providing feedback about what is going on inside the modem:
- The blue LED represents whether the modem is on/off.
- The red LED indicates the network status: off (no network detected), double blink(2G), rapid blink (3G), solid (connected)
2 - Hologram Python SDK
- The Python SDK and Hologram CLI are available on Github as open source.
- The Hologram Ptython SDK allows to connect and communicate the Hologram SIM card and the Nova USB modem with other IoT platforms for cellular connectivity:
https://github.com/hologram-io
- Installing the Hologram Python SDK to the Raspberry Pi device:
..............................
- On next exercises this Python SDK platform will be used abundantly:
3 - Checking the functionality of the modem
- First of all, let's check that Raspberry Pi detects the modem connected to one of its USB ports:
- Accessing available ports:
- hologram command has got several options:
- Detecting the type of modem:
- Printing the celullar network available:
- Printing the SIM card number used with the modem:
- Printing the signal strength:
- Printing the location:
4 - Sending and receiving SMS messages between a cellular phone and a modem
- Connecting the modem to the cellular network:
- A new interface ppp0 (point-to-point-protocol) is created:
- Checking the Internet connectivity let's see the huge replay delays of the pings, what it is understable in this kind of connection:
- Now, to send/receive SMS messages the cellular phone device key is required (available at the user Dashboard):
- Sending a message from the modem to the phone:
- The message is successfully received at the phone:
- Preparing the modem to receive SMSs:
- The phone answers:
- The phone receives the message:
- Finally the modem can be disconnected:
- The Hologram Ptython SDK allows to connect and communicate the Hologram SIM card and the Nova USB modem with other IoT platforms for cellular connectivity:
https://github.com/hologram-io
- Installing the Hologram Python SDK to the Raspberry Pi device:
..............................
- On next exercises this Python SDK platform will be used abundantly:
3 - Checking the functionality of the modem
- First of all, let's check that Raspberry Pi detects the modem connected to one of its USB ports:
- Accessing available ports:
- hologram command has got several options:
- Detecting the type of modem:
- Printing the celullar network available:
- Printing the SIM card number used with the modem:
- Printing the signal strength:
- Printing the location:
4 - Sending and receiving SMS messages between a cellular phone and a modem
- Connecting the modem to the cellular network:
- A new interface ppp0 (point-to-point-protocol) is created:
- Checking the Internet connectivity let's see the huge replay delays of the pings, what it is understable in this kind of connection:
- Now, to send/receive SMS messages the cellular phone device key is required (available at the user Dashboard):
- Sending a message from the modem to the phone:
- The message is successfully received at the phone:
- Preparing the modem to receive SMSs:
- The phone answers:
- The phone receives the message:
- Finally the modem can be disconnected:
