General System Architecture and Introduction

The ALPON platform is a comprehensive edge computing solution designed to simplify IoT device management, enhance operational efficiency, and enable seamless connectivity across industries. It combines hardware, software, and cloud services to provide a robust environment for IoT applications. Below is an overview of the system architecture, key components, and development guidelines.

Infrastructure

The ALPON platform is built on a containerized architecture, enabling flexible and scalable IoT deployments. Key infrastructure components include:

K3s-based Container Orchestration: Lightweight Kubernetes (K3s) for efficient container management.
Secure VPN Connectivity: Wireguard VPN ensures secure communication between edge devices and the cloud.
IoT Gateway: Facilitates external communications with support for multiple network interfaces, including:
- Cellular (LTE)
- Ethernet
- WiFi (2.4GHz and 5GHz)
Edge AI/ML Capabilities: Supports AI and machine learning workloads at the edge.

Key Services

The ALPON platform provides several core services to manage and monitor IoT devices and applications:

Supervisor

Application Lifecycle Management: Manages deployment, updates, and monitoring of applications.
System Updates: Ensures the system and applications are up-to-date.
Health Monitoring: Continuously monitors the health of applications and the system.
Secure VPN Management: Manages VPN connections for secure communication between ALPON and Sixfab Cloud.

Network Manager

Interface Management: Manages network interfaces (WiFi, LTE, Ethernet).
Routing Control: Controls network routing and prioritization.
Network Metrics: Provides real-time network performance metrics.
Priority-Based Networking: Ensures critical traffic is prioritized.

Geolocation API

Geolocation Management: Manages location data and geolocation services.
Location Monitoring: Monitors and tracks device locations in real-time.
Geofencing Configuration: Configures geofencing rules and boundaries for location-based triggers.

Device Manager API

Device Management: Manages device configurations and states.
LED Control: Controls LED states and RGB colors.
System Monitoring: Provides system health, readiness, and version information.

Modem Manager

Cellular Connectivity Management: Manages LTE connections and configurations.
Connection Monitoring: Monitors cellular network performance.
APN Configuration: Configures Access Point Names (APNs) for cellular networks.

Application Development

The ALPON platform supports containerized application development and deployment, enabling developers to build scalable IoT solutions.

Deployment Options

Containerized Applications: Deploy applications using K3s infrastructure for container orchestration via Sixfab Connect.
Standard Kubernetes Manifests: Supports standard Kubernetes manifests for deployment. (Not recommended, we strongly recommend using Sixfab Connect)
Custom Application Definitions: Define custom applications tailored to specific use cases.

Application Requirements

Container Format: Applications must be in container format.
Network Policy Compliance: Ensure compliance with network policies.

Development Guidelines

Container Best Practices: Follow best practices for container development.
Resource Constraints: Define and adhere to resource limits.
Network Access Patterns: Use appropriate network interfaces (WiFi, LTE, Ethernet).

API Access

The ALPON platform provides APIs for seamless integration and management of IoT applications.

Service Endpoints

RESTful APIs: Access services via RESTful APIs for device management and monitoring.
Status Monitoring Interfaces: Monitor system and application status through dedicated interfaces.

Authentication

Token-Based Access: Use tokens for secure API access.

Deployment Process

Application Deployment

Prepare Container Image: Create and prepare the container image for deployment, ensuring it meets the platform's requirements.
Upload to Sixfab Registry: Upload the container image to the Sixfab Registry for secure storage and management.
Deploy with Sixfab Connect: Use Sixfab Connect to deploy the application to the ALPON X4 device, ensuring proper configuration and integration.
Monitor Deployment Status: Track the deployment process through the Supervisor to ensure successful installation and operation.

Monitoring ALPON Platform

Device Health Status: Continuously monitor the health status of ALPON X4 devices, including hardware and software performance.
Resource Utilization: Track CPU, memory, and storage usage across the ALPON platform to optimize performance.
Network Connectivity: Monitor network performance and connectivity, including WiFi, LTE, and Ethernet interfaces.
System Metrics: Collect and analyze system-wide metrics for proactive management and troubleshooting.

Best Practices

Network Usage

Use Appropriate Interfaces: Select the appropriate network interfaces (WiFi, LTE, Ethernet) for communication.
Follow Priority Schemes: Prioritize network traffic based on application needs.
Implement Retry Logic: Implement retry logic for network operations.

Security

Secure Sensitive Data: Protect sensitive data through encryption and secure practices.
Follow Container Guidelines: Adhere to container development best practices.
Security: The TPM 2.0 security chip provides TLS encryption and USB drive locking, ready for your use when needed.

ALPON Cloud Integration

The ALPON platform seamlessly integrates with ALPON Cloud, a powerful IoT device management and monitoring ecosystem. Key features include:

Device Management: OTA updates, remote terminal access, and hardware watchdog monitoring.
Network Management: eSIM profile management, global LTE coverage, and network redundancy.

Contact Support

For assistance with deployment, API documentation, or troubleshooting, please contact support at [email protected]