The Things Network
This page describes the use of The Things Network as connectivity provider in akenza
TTN is an open global LoRaWAN network and community provided in various countries around the world. Their network servers are free of charge without any restrictions. TTN also offers paid services and self-hosting options.
On akenza, two options are available to make use of The Things Network:
1. Connectivity-as-a-Service
The Things Network can be chosen on akenza as Connectivity-as-a-Service (CaaS). Therefore, TTN CaaS needs to be selected on a Data Flow as device connector.
CaaS allows one to quickly get started with an IoT project without the need of setting up an individual account for a network provider. The LoRaWAN account gets managed through akenza. Device connectivity prices will be invoiced automatically through akenza. No connectivity costs will occur by using The Things Network.
2. Connecting own account
The seamless integration from the LoRa network into akenza makes the management of already connected IoT devices and new projects effortless.
Please note that the integration of TTN requires an account from The Things Stack. Old accounts can no longer be used to integrate with akenza. To check how to migrate the existing IoT deployment into The Things Stack, please contact their support.
2.1 Authentication
The authentication of a TTN account is offered in multiple ways in the tab of Integrations:
2.1.1 Organization ID and API key
2.1.2 Application ID and API key
2.1.1 Organization ID and API key
The appropriate organization ID and API key need to be provided in order to connect the akenza integration to a specific TTN organization. The API key has to have all current and further access rights. The authentication requires an organization API key or personal API key which can be deleted once the integration setup on akenza has been completed. This method will create a new application, a webhook, and an API key. The newly created API key will be stored encrypted in akenza for further communication.
The API key and webhook in the TTN application should not be modified nor deleted, as this may result in breaking the integration that has been set up in akenza.
2.1.2 Application ID and API key
The appropriate organization ID and API key with the necessary permissions need to be provided in order to connect the akenza integration to a specific TTN organization. Please note that either a personal API key or an application API key to authorize using this method can be used. This method will create a new webhook only. The API key will be stored encrypted in akenza for further communication.
The API key and webhook in the TTN application should not be modified nor deleted, as this may result in breaking the integration that has been set up in akenza.
2.1.3 User ID and API key
To create a new application for the akenza integration, a TTN user ID is necessary to authorize selectively. The API key has to have all current and further access rights.
A personal API key is needed for authentication, which can be deleted once the integration is completely set up on akenza. The permissions for the personal API key can be seen below. This method will create a new application, a webhook, and an API key. The newly created API key will be stored encrypted in akenza for further communication.
The API key and webhook in the TTN application should not be modified nor deleted, as this may result in breaking the integration that has been set up in akenza.
2.2 Integration login on akenza
After verification of provided credentials, the integration name can be specified.
If Create Integration gets selected, everything will be set up on the TTN servers by akenza automatically.
An Integration in the application or organization will be created (depending on the chosen authentication method) on the TTN servers which are used to forward the IoT device data to akenza.
After the setup, the integration gets created and the initial synchronization will start. Depending on how many devices are registered, the process can take a few minutes.
Once the synchronization succeeds, all devices will be displayed in the overview of the tab Assets. The devices can now be managed on akenza.
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