Unable to send SMS using default Fortiguard SMS Messaging Service

[Avim8686]

Since this morning we are unable to use SMS authentication with msgctrl1.fortinet.com.

We've opened a support ticket but no issue has been identified , they are stating it's most likely on the fortinet side as we clearly see communications between our FortiAuthenticator (version 6.1.2) and the msgctrl1.fortinet.com URL on port 443 (full tcp handshake).

This was working for months and stopped working overnight with no configuration change or change in the environment. 

Anybody have any idea?

[Avim8686]

It seems like this was a problem on the Fortinet side , issue seems to be resolved just got spammed with a bunch of test SMS in the backlog.

[xsilver_FTNT]

Even FortiGuard Message Centers do use actual telco providers to deliver messages. So possible bottleneck could be anywhere. On FortiGuard, on mobile service provider for your location, their infrastructure .. anywhere.

Need to note that SMS is usually service without delivery guarantee.

If you use those SMS for example for 2FA token codes delivery, then I would suggest to consider other options like physical tokens, mobile tokens or cloud based tokens. They even might be cheaper in long term then SMS messages.

Alternatively you can configure quite a variety of 3rd party SMS Gateways in FortiAuthenticator, so it can deliver "SMS" for example to defined SMTP .. and so you'll get your token to your email via your private email server, free of charge, for example.

But for 2FA I personally really like mobile/cloud tokens and PUSH notifications. Simple, fast solution and comfy to use.

[Yurisk]

My (subjective - I work at telco) opinion - if to use SMS at all, then use local to the sending device SMS GAteway/Provider/telco, not the one from the Fortinet. I see SMS via Fortiguard as a means of free trial/pilot for the SMS MFA, after which you should switch to more adjacent and reliable SMS provider.  In locations where I cannot get local SMS gateway and Fortitoken is not an option, I prefer to use email as MFA with increased timeout for reliability. 

[MollieBanks]

Hey there, sorry to hear you're having trouble with the Fortiguard SMS Messaging Service. It's definitely frustrating when things stop working without any changes on your end. It's good to hear that you've already opened a support ticket, and that the issue seems to be on the Fortinet side. It's always good to have a support team to help troubleshoot these types of issues. Have you tried using a temporary phone number (such as USA temp number) to see if that resolves the issue? It's worth a shot, and in the worst case, it can help the support team narrow down the problem. Keep us updated on how it goes!

[zain4949]

This appears to have been an issue on the Fortinet side; the issue appears to have been resolved, but I was spammed with a lot of test SMS in the backlog.

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[asharsick]

thank you guys for answers. Are you services expensive?