What are the different SIM states and how does SIM life-cycle work?
In the SIM for Things platform an endpoint represents a real world customer device What is an endpoint and why do I need to create one? , a SIM is used as a connectivity module for this endpoint and can be linked or de-linked from an endpoint as per the need.
Thus the state of a SIM is controlled by the endpoint to which the SIM is linked at a particular moment. Below is a list of possible endpoint and SIM states.
ENDPOINT STATES
Pre-Active
Active
Suspended
Hold
SIM STATES
Ready to Activate
Pre-Active
Active
Suspended
Endpoint & SIM Lifecycle
Newly manufactured and delivered SIMs are always in Ready to Activate state. When a new endpoint is created then initially it will be in Pre-Active state.
A SIM can be linked to an endpoint during the creation step itself, then a SIM will also move to Pre-Active state. The SIM is linked to an endpoint but still not active yet. Thus the SIM will not connect to the network if it’s plugged into a device.
When an endpoint is activated then both the endpoint & the associated SIM will move to Active state.
A SIM will work when plugged into a device and inherit the parameters of the plan (coverage, counters, etc.) of the associated endpoint.
It is possible to create an endpoint, link a SIM and activate the endpoint in one single operation either by portal or by API
https://sft.bics.com/api/CreateEndPoint
Activation of an endpoint could be a charged event based on the contract and may accrue SIM activation fees
It is possible to temporarily disable the endpoint and with it the linked SIM by moving to Suspend state – the SIM will not work if it’s plugged into a device. The Endpoint and with it the linked SIM can be switched back to Active state.
Delinking a SIM will move an endpoint into Hold state and a SIM card to Ready to Activate state, returning it to the SIM inventory. The SIM card then be re-used with an existing for newly create endpoints.
As depicted in the below diagrams, endpoint and SIM life-cycle merge upon LinkSim operation and they share the Pre-Active, Active and Suspended states until DeLinkSim operation bring the endpoint to Hold and SIM to Ready to Activate state.
Endpoint State Lifecycle
SIM State Lifecycle
