Soracom Remote Command
Overview
The pricing for Remote Command is scheduled to be announced in June 2025 (tentative). Until then, these APIs will be available for free.
Remote Command enables downlink communications from the cloud to IoT devices.
Traditionally, cloud-to-device downlink communication has been challenging due to security concerns and network configuration complexities. Remote Command addresses these challenges by accepting SSH or HTTP commands and associated data through the Soracom API, and securely transmitting the commands or data to devices via Soracom's secure private network. This architecture ensures a simple and secure communication channel.
With Remote Command, even legacy IoT devices can seamlessly integrate with the cloud as long as they accept communication over HTTP or SSH. Furthermore, when combined with low-code development environments like Soracom Flux, it enables the creation of more sophisticated IoT systems, such as automatically sending commands to devices triggered by sensor data or cloud-based events.
Comparison with Other Features
Soracom offers multiple options for downlink communication. The table below compares Remote Command with other features:
| Feature | Remote Command | Send SMS to Device | Soracom Napter | Remote Device Access using Soracom Gate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Sends commands or data to devices and receives execution results | Sends data to devices | Provides on-demand remote access to devices | Allows continuous remote access to devices |
| Supported Communication Protocol | SSH, HTTP | SMS | TCP such as SSH, HTTP, VNC | Any |
| Max Data Size to Device | 8 KiB (SSH), 5 MiB (HTTP) | 140 B | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Uplink Response to Downlink | - | |||
| Connection Duration | Until the API call completes | - | Until the on-demand remote access expires | Persistent |
Remote Command has a 10-second timeout. If the device does not respond in time, the API returns a 422 HTTP error.
Use Cases
Remote Command is intended for the following use cases:
| Use Case | Description |
|---|---|
| Initial Parameter Setting (Provisioning) | Set the necessary configuration for manufacturing and deployment (Wi-Fi settings, authentication credentials, sensor thresholds, etc.) for each device. |
| FOTA (Firmware Over-the-Air) Updates | Remotely trigger firmware updates on devices, apply security patches, and add new features. |
| ONVIF-Compatible Cameras | Use the ONVIF (Open Network Video Interface Forum) protocol to control pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) operations on IP cameras. |
| Configuration Changes | Modify settings of devices such as PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers). |
| Accessing Device REST APIs | Interact with REST APIs on IoT gateways to retrieve sensor data and control relays. |
| Industrial Equipment Control (e.g., Traffic Lights) | Remotely control traffic lights in factories and warehouses (on/off, blinking, etc.). |
| IoT Lock/Unlock | Remotely control electronic locks for remote access management. |
| Log Collection | Retrieve device operation logs and error logs for monitoring and analysis. |
| Accessing Other Devices on a Local Network | Use the target device as a gateway to access other connected devices in the local network. |
| Alive Monitoring | Periodically check the operational status of devices and trigger alerts upon detecting anomalies. |