Azure IoT Edge is a powerful platform for building and deploying IoT solutions. It enables developers to run code on devices connected to the cloud to take advantage of the rich set of services that Azure provides. This article will explore how to create a custom module in Azure IoT Edge sample code.
What is an Azure IoT Edge module?
An Azure IoT Edge module is a code that runs on an IoT device, such as a Raspberry Pi or an industrial gateway. Modules can perform various tasks, such as collecting sensor data, analyzing it, and sending it to the cloud for further processing.
Azure IoT Edge provides a range of pre-built modules, such as the Edge Hub, which acts as a gateway between devices and the cloud, and the Edge Agent, which manages the deployment of modules. However, creating custom modules that perform specific tasks is also possible.
Creating a custom module in Azure IoT Edge sample code
Azure IoT Edge provides sample code that developers can use as a starting point for their projects. To create a custom module in Azure IoT Edge sample code, follow these steps:
Step 1. Install the Azure IoT Edge runtime
Before creating a custom module, you need to install the Azure IoT Edge runtime on your device. You can do this by following the instructions in the Azure IoT Edge documentation.
Step 2. Clone the sample code
The Azure IoT Edge sample code includes several pre-built modules, such as the Simulated Temperature Sensor and the Message Router. To clone the sample code, open a terminal window and run the following command,
git clone https://github.com/Azure-Samples/azure-iot-samples-csharp.git
Step 3. Create a new module
To create a new module, you must add a new project to the sample code solution. To do this, open the azure-iot-samples-csharp.sln file in Visual Studio and right-click on the Solution Explorer pane. Select "Add" > "New Project" from the context menu.
In the "Add New Project" dialog box, select "Class Library (.NET Framework)" as the project type and give your module a name. Click "OK" to create the new project.
Step 4. Implement your module
Once you have created your new module project, you can implement its functionality. You can use any programming language Azure IoT Edge supports, such as C# or Python.
You can use the Azure IoT Edge SDK in your module code to interact with the Edge Hub and other modules. For example, you could write code to collect sensor data, analyze it, and send the results to the cloud.
Step 5. Add your module to the sample code deployment manifest
To deploy your module to an IoT device, add it to the sample code deployment manifest. This file defines the modules deployed and how they should be connected.
Open the deployment.template.json file in the sample code and add a new entry for your module using the name you gave in Step 3. You will also need to specify any configuration settings that your module requires.
Step 6: Deploy your custom module
Finally, you can deploy your custom module to an IoT device. To do this, follow the instructions in the Azure IoT Edge documentation for deploying modules.
Conclusion
Creating a custom module in Azure IoT Edge sample code is a powerful way to add new functionality to IoT devices. Using the Azure IoT Edge SDK, you can interact with the Edge Hub and other modules to collect, analyze, and transmit data. Following the steps outlined in this article, you can quickly start creating your custom module.