# Efento

Efento devices transmit data using the [Protobuf](https://protobuf.dev/) format. To simplify integration, Akenza provides native handling for Efento within the **CoAP Device Connector**. This built-in logic automatically processes uplink authentication (uplink secret) and device identifiers directly from the encoded payload.

## Set up an Efento device to send data to akenza

### Create a Data Flow

Before configuring your hardware, establish the cloud infrastructure:

* Log in to Akenza.
* Create a new **Data Flow**.
* Select the **CoAP Device Connector** as the entry point.
* Note the **Uplink Secret** generated by the connector; you will need this for the device configuration.

### Create a Device

* Create a new Device
* Select the previously created Data Flow. 
* Use the Efento Device Identifier as Device ID, but remove the colons 
  * Example: `28:2C:02:40:AB:CD` -> `282C0240ABCD`

### Configure the Efento Device

To configure the device, you must use the Efento mobile application.

1. **Enable Power User Mode:** Open the app menu and quickly tap the Efento Logo five times.
2. **Access Settings:** Navigate to the device configuration section.
3. **Endpoint Configuration:** Apply the following settings to ensure compatibility with the Akenza CoAP endpoint:
   * Set the Authentication to custom token, use the `uplinkSecret` from the CoAP device connector (Enable sending the token in the payload)
   * Endpoint configuration
     * Data: `efento/m`
     * Configuration `efento/c`
     * Device Info `efento/i`
     * Timestamp `efento/t`
   * Set the IP address to `coap.akenza.io:5683`

### Transport Security & Optimization

Data transmission over NB-IoT is inherently encrypted within the cellular network. However, once the data leaves the carrier network for the public internet, additional measures are required to maintain security without draining the device battery.

> The Challenge: Standard encryption (like DTLS) increases UDP frame size, which significantly raises power consumption and shortens the device's battery life.

**Recommended Architecture: Secure Tunnel**

To balance security and energy efficiency, Akenza recommends the following setup:

1. **Private APN:** Use a private APN configured by your network operator.
2. **VPN Tunnel:** Establish a secure VPN tunnel between the operator's APN and akenza.
3. **Result:** Data remains in its lightweight UDP format for the device, while the "hop" over the public internet is protected from eavesdropping by the tunnel.

{% hint style="info" %}
Contact akenza for more information regarding transport security.
{% endhint %}

### Links

* <https://getefento.com/library/iot-protocols-coap-and-protocol-buffer-protbuf/>
* <https://docs.efento.io/nb-iot-loggers/security>


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