Data Charges on GPRS

[shikarssj]

We have setup a GPRS server on an embedded device.
GPRS connects via UNRESTRICTED APN. This allows all incoming connections. I have test this on TCP connections and it works.

Will server be charged for any UDP data sent to its IP Address if it does NOT accept the packet. This can be a disaster if there is an attack on the server - continuous UDP packets can be sent by hacker. Result will be that the data charges are incurred by server?

 

[vodacom3g]

We have setup a GPRS server on an embedded device.
GPRS connects via UNRESTRICTED APN. This allows all incoming connections. I have test this on TCP connections and it works.

Will server be charged for any UDP data sent to its IP Address if it does NOT accept the packet. This can be a disaster if there is an attack on the server - continuous UDP packets can be sent by hacker. Result will be that the data charges are incurred by server?

Yes, we count all byte delivered to the IP address. There is no way to know the data was not intended for the node. And it's not just UDP. ICMP, etc. (ANY packet) will be counted.

This is one of the dangers of any open incoming-port system, be it DSL, 3G or whatever and one of the reasons we don't just give out the unrestricted apn. Subscribers must read and sign the document detailing the potential problems.

In reality, I don't think it's such an issue. You might get port scanned every now and then, but I don't think it uses a lot of packets. If someone decides to launch a DoS against your server, it might be another matter. But chances are slim.