SMS API Authentication


SMS API Authentication

The SMS API also uses parameter-based authentication but with different parameter names and management processes.

Required Parameters

Every SMS API request must include the following parameters:

ParameterDescriptionExample
smsUserYour SMS_USERmycompany_sms
smsKeyYour SMS_KEYxyz789uvw123...
⚠️

Important: Similar to the Email API, these parameters need to be included directly in the request parameters.

Request Examples

GET request example:

curl "https://api.aurorasendcloud.com/smsapi/send?smsUser=mycompany_sms&smsKey=xyz789uvw123&to=+1234567890&message=Hello"

POST request example:

curl -X POST "https://api.aurorasendcloud.com/smsapi/send" \
  -d "smsUser=mycompany_sms" \
  -d "smsKey=xyz789uvw123" \
  -d "to=+1234567890" \
  -d "message=Hello World"

Managing SMS API Credentials

Where to find your credentials:

  1. Log into your Aurora SendCloud account dashboard
  2. Navigate to Integrations from the main menu
  3. Select SMS Manage in the integrations section
  4. Access the Send Settings page

Available actions:

  • ➕ Add new SMS_USER
  • 🔑 Generate associated SMS_KEY for users
  • 🔄 Reset existing SMS_KEY

SMS_KEY Reset Process

When resetting SMS_KEY, the process is immediate:

  • Immediate effect: New SMS_KEY takes effect immediately after reset
  • Old key invalidated: The old key is immediately invalidated with no grace period
  • 🚨 Immediate update required: Integration configuration must be updated immediately to avoid service interruption

Reset process recommendations:

  1. Prepare your application for key update
  2. Reset the key in your dashboard
  3. Immediately update your application configuration
  4. Verify your application can authenticate successfully

Security Best Practices

Credential Security

  • Environment variable storage: Store API keys in environment variables
  • Regular rotation: Periodically change API keys
  • Least privilege: Create different API users for different purposes
  • Usage monitoring: Regularly check API usage logs

Recommended environment variable setup:

export EMAIL_API_USER="your_email_user"
export EMAIL_API_KEY="your_email_key"
export SMS_API_USER="your_sms_user"
export SMS_API_KEY="your_sms_key"

Integration Best Practices

  • Error handling: Implement proper authentication error handling
  • Retry mechanisms: Add retry logic for authentication failures
  • Logging: Log authentication-related events (without logging keys)
  • Testing environment: Use separate credentials for testing

Example error handling:

if (response.status === 401) {
  console.error('Authentication failed, please check API credentials');
  // Implement retry or alerting logic
}