Platform Overview

The IoT platform connects to and manages a large number of devices. It works with other HUAWEI CLOUD services to quickly build IoT applications.

Device Access

Devices can connect to the IoT platform directly or through industrial or home gateways. They can also access the IoT platform using a variety of protocols and different Agents through multiple types of networks. Protocols are parsed on the cloud for fast device access.

Multi-network access: Wired and wireless access, such as fixed broadband (FBB), 2G/3G/4G/5G, NB-IoT, Z-Wave, Zigbee, and eLTE-IoT are supported.
Multi-protocol access: Access using HTTPS+MQTTS, MQTTS, and LWM2M/CoAP is supported.
Multi-Agent access: Agents such as AgentLite and AgentTiny, and languages including C, Java, and Python are supported. Agents are pre-integrated with chipsets and modules of mainstream brands such as HiSilicon and Qualcomm to shorten the TTM.
Protocol parsing: The IoT platform supports access protocol and device data parsing on the cloud without converting the data format on the device side.

Device Management

The IoT platform provides a broad set of device management functions. You can manage devices on the management portal or by calling APIs.

Function	Description
Product model definition	A product model includes the properties of a device, such as the color, size, collected data, identifiable commands, and reported events. The manufacturer, device type, and device model are used to uniquely identify a type of device.
Device registration	You can create a device and configures the device information on the IoT platform.
Device access authentication	The IoT platform authenticates devices while they are accessing the IoT platform. Information including device data integrity and security is authenticated, ensuring secure device access.
Device management authorization	The IoT platform allows an application to grant management rights of its bound devices to another application so that you can manage devices bound to multiple applications.
Device data collection	The IoT platform collects device data, such as device service data and alarms, and it allows applications to subscribe to device data.
Persistent data storage	The IoT platform stores data reported by devices and allows you to view historical data by hour, day, or month. Historical data can be stored for a maximum of seven days.
Real-time device status monitoring	The IoT platform monitors the device status in real time, and conveniently notifies you of status changes.
Device shadow	A device shadow is a JSON file used to store the reported and expected device status for NAs. Each device has only one shadow. The device can obtain and set its shadow to synchronize the status, either from the device shadow to the device or from the device to the device shadow.
Rule engine	The rule engine allows you to set rules for devices connected to the IoT platform as needed. After rule conditions are met, the devices trigger corresponding actions. The IoT platform supports the following rules: Device linkage: If a rule condition (such as temperature threshold or time) is set, the IoT platform triggers an instruction to enable the device to perform an operation (such as reporting data, enabling a device switch, or reporting an alarm) when the condition is met. Data forwarding: Device data received by the IoT platform can be forwarded to other services of HUAWEI CLOUD for analysis and storage.
Device configuration update	You can deliver commands to update device properties through NAs or the management portal.
Device command delivery	You can deliver commands to remotely control devices through NAs or the management portal.
Software/Firmware upgrade	The software and firmware of devices can be upgraded in over the air (OTA) mode, and the software/firmware upgrade policies (on groups, upgrade time, concurrency control, and more) can be configured to provide flexible upgrades.
Device grouping and tagging	The IoT platform allows you to group and tag devices, thereby reducing device management costs.
Batch device operation	You can perform batch operations on devices, including batch device registration, batch configuration update, batch command delivery, and batch software/firmware upgrade.
Device logs	You can remotely maintain devices by checking device logs collected by the IoT platform.
Alarms	You can manage device alarms, including viewing alarm details and clearing alarms.

Security and Data Protection

The IoT platform provides multiple security measures to ensure device security and effective data protection.

Device security: A one-device-one-secret authentication mechanism is provided to prevent unauthorized access.
Data transmission: Secure transmission channels are provided based on TLS, DTLS, and DTLS+.
Data protection: GDPR requirements are fully met.

Application Management

The IoT platform provides you with a wide range of APIs and SDKs, including secure NA access, device management, data collection, command delivery, batch processing, and message pushing APIs.

Management Portal

You can manage devices and applications conveniently and efficiently using the management portal. The following functions are provided:

Dashboards: provides dashboards for you to view the usage of applications and devices.
Logs: Logs on operations (such as login, logout, and password change) and system security are recorded for fault analysis and location.

Developer Center

The Developer Center is a one-stop development tool provided by the IoT platform. It helps you conveniently develop products, devices (profile files), and codecs, perform automatic testing, and generate test reports.

Next topic: Function Description