Devices Overview
Devices are the core of SiliconWit.IO. A device represents any IoT hardware that sends data to the platform.
What is a Device?
Section titled “What is a Device?”A device can be:
- A microcontroller (ESP32, Arduino, Raspberry Pi)
- A sensor node
- A GPS tracker
- An industrial PLC or gateway
- Any hardware that can connect via MQTT or HTTP
Connecting Devices
Section titled “Connecting Devices”There are two ways to send data:
| Method | Protocol | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| MQTT | MQTT over TLS (port 8883) | Always-on devices, real-time streaming |
| HTTP | HTTPS POST | Periodic readings, sleep/wake cycles, cloud integrations |
Both methods use the same Device ID and Access Token for authentication.
Device Properties
Section titled “Device Properties”Each device has:
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Device ID | Unique identifier (auto-generated) |
| Name | Human-readable name |
| Type | Category (sensor, tracker, etc.) |
| Status | Online, Offline, Paused, or Inactive |
| Access Token | Authentication credential |
| Last Seen | Last communication time |
Device States
Section titled “Device States”- Online - Device is connected and sending data
- Offline - Device hasn’t communicated recently
- Paused - Device is temporarily disabled (data rejected, cannot connect)
- Inactive - Device is registered but never connected
Paused Devices
Section titled “Paused Devices”A device can be paused in two ways:
- Manually - You or an admin pauses it from the dashboard
- Automatically on plan downgrade - When your plan is downgraded (e.g., expiry or cancellation), devices exceeding the new plan’s limit are paused. The platform keeps your 3 most recently active devices running and pauses the rest.
Paused devices:
- Cannot connect to the MQTT broker
- Have any incoming data rejected
- Retain their configuration and history
- Can be resumed when your plan has capacity (upgrade or remove other devices)
To resume a paused device, go to the device’s detail page and click Resume, or upgrade to a plan with a higher device limit.
Inactive Device Cleanup (Free Plan)
Section titled “Inactive Device Cleanup (Free Plan)”On the Free plan, devices that have not sent any data for 30 days are automatically paused and you will receive a warning email. If the device remains inactive for another 7 days after the warning, it and all its data are permanently deleted.
To prevent this, ensure your devices send data regularly, or upgrade to a paid plan (paid plan devices are never affected by inactive cleanup).
Device Limits
Section titled “Device Limits”| Plan | Max Devices |
|---|---|
| Free | 3 |
| Starter | 15 |
| Business | 50 |
| Scale | 200 |
| Enterprise | Custom |
Data Export
Section titled “Data Export”You can export telemetry data from any device page:
- CSV - For spreadsheets and analysis
- Excel - Formatted .xlsx file
Next Steps
Section titled “Next Steps”- Adding Devices
- ESP32 Setup - Connect via MQTT
- HTTP Ingestion - Connect via HTTP