How to configure TCP/IP communication working device with Azure IoT Hub

Question

Hi,

We are using an OBD-II device that works on TCP/IP communication protocol. We can't add anything to the device besides the IP and the port of the server on which it has to send the data.

This device doesn't work on the MODBUS TCP communication protocol.

We want to connect these devices to the Azure IoT Hub. But there is no example working example for these. And there is no proper documentation. Everything is just theory and High leveled and confusing and fully complicated.

We are thinking of using Azure IoT Edge as a gateway(this will be on the server) and this gateway will work as a communication broker between devices and the Azure IoT Hub.

As we can't add anything in the device like for authentication (SAS token and the certificates) we can rule out the transparent gateway method. Now we are looking at the Azure IoT Edge gateway as a translation gateway which will include Identity translation and protocol translation.

But there is no working example for these two. How will we configure these two to get it to work as we want?

There is a little bit of theory on protocol translation but no working example and complicated documentation.

There is only a little theory about what is identity translation but nothing on how to implement it or any working example. And does this gateway communicate two ways (Device to cloud and cloud to device)?

If anybody has implemented this and has simple documentation or a way to do so Please tell us.

We have also looked into the Azure IoT protocol gateway. But there was only a developer guide on GitHub which has a theory on how to do it. There was no mention of how to implement it, making TCP socket custom module in it, How will the device connect to this? Is there a need for some certificate or authentication from the device side so it can communicate to the Azure IoT Protocol gateway? And can it communicate two ways (Device to cloud and cloud to device)?

Please, anybody, provide a solution on how to implement this and tell us which way would be best and their working example and simple documentation.

Answer 1

Hello anonymous user-0212,

Does your (internet-connected?) device only take an Ip address and port? OR does it take a URL as well (which is more common).

In that case, think about setting up an HTTPS triggered Azure function as bridge (here is one for Azure IoT Central).

Setting up a local Edge device is possible once you solve that IP/Port/URL connectivity question.

I suggest getting in contact with the supplier or manufacturer and figure out, together with them, how the device this device.