If you use the C programming language to develop products, you can use Link SDK for C provided by IoT Platform to simplify the development process. The SDK allows you to connect devices to IoT Platform with ease. This topic describes the usage notes, features, and versions of Link SDK for C.
Usage notes
You can use Link SDK for C to connect devices to IoT Platform over the Internet.
You can configure Link SDK for C to implement multiple features to manage and monitor your devices. For more information, see Features.
You can customize Link SDK for C based on your business requirements. For more information, see Obtain Link SDK for C.
You can port Link SDK for C based on operating systems or hardware platforms. For more information, see Examples.
Link SDK for C may not support devices that use a microcontroller unit (MCU) and a module for communication. In this case, you can develop the SDK based on the protocol. For more information, see the following topics:
Benefits
Category | Feature | Description | References |
Device connection | Connection over MQTT | Establishes a Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) connection between a device and IoT Platform to achieve communication. Important If you want IoT Platform to push messages to a device, connect the device to IoT Platform over MQTT. | |
Connection over HTTPS | Establishes an HTTPS connection between a device and IoT Platform. Then, the device can submit data to IoT Platform. | ||
Device verification |
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Messaging | RRPC | Sends messages from IoT Platform to devices by using remote synchronous calls. | |
Broadcast communication | Broadcasts messages from the IoT Platform server to devices. The devices do not need to subscribe to broadcast topics. | ||
Device management | File management | Uploads files to the IoT Platform server for storage. | None |
Device management | TSL model | Manages devices based on Thing Specification Language (TSL) models. You do not need to convert data formats during interaction between devices and IoT Platform. This way, development costs are reduced. | |
Device tags | Manages devices by using custom device tags. | ||
Device jobs | Initiates jobs on multiple devices at the same time. The jobs are categorized into the following types: jobs to set properties, jobs to asynchronously call services, and custom jobs. | ||
Device shadows | Caches device status. An online device can receive commands from IoT Platform. If the device is offline, the device can request the cached commands after the device goes online. | ||
NTP service | Synchronizes the time in IoT Platform to devices. | ||
Gateways and sub-devices | Connects the devices that do not have IP addresses to IoT Platform by using a gateway. | ||
Distribute devices | Allows you to burn information on devices that reside in different regions. This facilitates business migration. | ||
File upload | Uploads files to the IoT Platform server for storage. | ||
Monitoring and O&M | Log reporting | Uploads device logs in real time. | |
OTA update | Updates devices by using IoT Platform.
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Remote configuration | Remotely updates the system parameters and network parameters of the device without the need to stop or restart the device. | ||
Device diagnostics | Checks whether the device connection and communication latency are normal. If a high latency or packet loss occurs, the device can send an alert notification to IoT Platform. | None | |
Device attestation | Monitors the security statuses of devices. Important If you use the preregistration-free unique-certificate-per-product verification method, you must configure the device attestation feature. | None |
Description
Version number | Description | Usage notes | References |
4.x |
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Important This version of the SDK is regularly maintained and updated. We recommend that you use this version of the SDK. | |
3.x | Provides a tool to extract code and modify features. |
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2.x |
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1.x | None. | We recommend that you do not use this version of the SDK. | None. |