Proxy updates and multi-component updating

With proxy updates, you can target over-the-air updates to multiple components on the IoT device or to multiple sensors connected to the IoT device. Use cases where proxy updates are applicable include:

• Targeting specific update files to different partitions on the device.
• Targeting specific update files to different apps/components on the device
• Targeting specific update files to sensors connected to an IoT device. These sensors could be connected to the IoT device over a network protocol (for example, USB, CANbus etc.).

Prerequisites

In order to update a component or components that connect to a target IoT device, the device builder must register a custom component enumerator extension that is built specifically for their IoT devices. The component enumerator extension is required so that the Device Update agent can map a child update with a specific component, or group of components, which the update is intended for. See Contoso component enumerator for an example on how to implement and register a custom component enumerator extension.

Note

The Device Update service does not know anything about component(s) on the target device. Only the Device Update agent is aware of the mapping from the component enumerator.

Multi-step ordered execution

Multi-step ordered execution feature allows for granular update controls including an install order, pre-install, install, and post-install steps. For example, this feature could enable a required pre-install check that is needed to validate the device state before starting an update. Learn more about multi-step ordered execution.

Next steps

See this tutorial on how to do a Proxy update using the Device Update agent with sample updates for components connected to a Contoso Virtual Vacuum device.