Device types
As an alternative to one-off creation of devices, you are now able to enroll a type of device that you build, sell or integrate, and manage versions of templates to streamline the creation of uniform, same-type devices in the future, either from Maker or your own application.
Partner can use Maker to create and manage device types
You can enroll a type of device that you build, integrate or sell, and manage versions of templates to provide uniform rollout of same-type devices to your field engineers, customers or end users.
To access device types, go to Partner+ button in the application header, and select Device types.
Creating device type
Register a new device type by clicking + NEW DEVICE TYPE button.
General
Choose a Name for your device type. Once the device type is published, it will be identified in the Maker eco-system as <Partner Id>/<Device Type Name>, e.g. IoTmate/weather-station .
You can opt to add a Description for your device type, so everyone within the partner account can understand more about each device type.
To make the experience of creating a new device type easier, we let you import the configuration of one of your existing devices, and use it to create a device type.
When you open Import from a device menu, you can choose any of your device as the model for your device type. Once you do that, you’ll see that all of the device configuration is imported into your new device type.
Device capabilities
- Assets includes the list of all the assets of the device. You can choose to add a new asset to the device type, or edit an existing one.
- Payload format includes the custom conversion, written in ABCL, if it is set in your model device. You can choose to add a new payload conversion, or edit an existing one.
- Data storage specifies if the data storage will be enabled by default once the device is rolled out. If it’s disabled on the device rollout, user will be able to enable it at any time.
Device services
- Rules include automations which will be created together with the device once a user rolls it out. You can edit the existing rules from your model device, or create a new one, using the assets in the device type as triggers and actions. You can also specify if a rule will be running or paused at the moment of a roll out.
- Watchdog lets you keep the watchdog settings from your model device, or you can configure it from scratch.
Saving device type draft
When you’re done configuring the device type, you can save the draft. It will be visible in the devices types screen, and you’ll be able to edit it. You can also choose to delete a draft device type.
Publishing device type
Once you decide to make your draft device type public and let others use it to roll out their devices based on your device type, it’s time to publish it.
Open the draft device type, and choose PUBLISH button. This will register a first version of your device type, e.g. IoTmate/weather-station:1.
In case your device has changed, for example you have enabled a new rule for your users, or have added a new asset, you can make changes and publish a new version, e.g. IoTmate/weather-station:2.
You can publish as many versions of a device type as you need.
Once published, a device type cannot be deleted. This prevents your customers from getting into an unfortunate situation where they cannot rollout the device because of a mistakenly deleted device type.
However, you can delete device type versions, and once only the draft remains, you can delete the device type.