Connectivity methods
Connectivity, in this context, is the way your device communicates with other devices and the Device Management services. Depending on the type of connectivity you use, you may need additional infrastructure. The connectivity method may also change the device management capabilities that Pelion Device Management can support.
There are two categories of connectivity:
- Direct to the cloud: Devices that have IP-based connectivity can connect directly to Device Management, by running Device Management Client or Client Lite.
- Proxy or gateway based: Devices that have non-IP-based connectivity require a gateway, such as Device Management Edge, to connect and be managed by Device Management.
These articles can help you decide which connectivity method suits your needs, and the clients will be reviewed in the software section.
Direct to the cloud connectivity
The Device Management clients support the following IP-based network protocols:
| Type | Description | Power consumption | Data rate | Range | Cloud connectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethernet | Wired communication protocol. Capable of high data rates. Particularly well suited to static, powered applications. | 180 mA (peak); 2.5 mA (sleep) | 1 Gbps | Wired | Client and Client Lite. |
| Wi-Fi | Standard connectivity for computers and phones. | 320mA (peak); 1mA (sleep) | 450 Mbps | 100m | Client and Edge. |
| Cellular | Low data-rate with worldwide coverage from major network operators. Note that some 2G networks are being switched off | 700 mA (peak); 650 μA (sleep) | 170 Kbps | Worldwide coverage | Client and Client Lite. |
Proxy or gateway based connectivity
Device Management Edge supports the following gateway or proxy-based network protocols:
| Type | Description | Power consumption | Data rate | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LoRa | Long-range wireless protocol designed for infrequent, non-time-sensitive communication over a private network. | 32 mA (peak); 1 μA (sleep) | 27 Kbps | Worldwide coverage |
| BLE | Short-range wireless protocol, which can be connected in scatternet or mesh topologies with very low-power consumption. | 15 mA (peak); 0.5 μA (sleep) | 2 Mbps | 20m |
| Thread | IPv6-based mesh networking standard designed primarily for industrial and home automation applications. | 15 mA (peak); 3 μA (sleep) | 250 Kbps | 80m |