DS Manager
The DS Manager (Device Server Manager) feature provides a windows desktop app for managing device settings.
It can be downloaded from the Tibbo website.
Settings Organization
Organize settings into logical groups:
- Network Settings: WiFi, Cellular, IP configuration
- Communication: MQTT, Modbus, HTTP parameters
- Hardware: Sensor calibration, GPIO configuration
- Application: Custom application parameters
- System: Firmware, time zone, device information
Access Control
Configure who can modify settings:
- Read-Only: View only, no modifications
- User Level: Basic settings access
- Admin Level: Full configuration access
- Password Protection: Secure sensitive settings
Settings Types
DS Manager handles various setting types:
- Text: Strings, hostnames, identifiers
- Number: Integer and decimal values
- Boolean: On/off, enable/disable toggles
- Selection: Dropdown choices from predefined list
- Password: Masked text for credentials
Linking to Features
DS Manager integrates with all AppBlocks features:
- WiFi network credentials
- MQTT broker configuration
- Modbus communication parameters
- SNTP time server settings
- Custom application variables
Refer to Settings Linking for configuration details.
Settings Persistence
Settings storage features:
- Non-volatile Memory: Settings survive reboots
- Default Values: Factory defaults for reset
- Import/Export: Backup and restore settings
- Version Control: Track settings changes
Validation
DS Manager enforces settings validation:
- Range Checks: Min/max value enforcement
- Format Validation: IP addresses, URLs, email format
- Required Fields: Prevent missing critical settings
- Custom Validation: Application-specific rules
Settings Initialization
Use the Settings Init block to:
- Set initial values at startup
- Restore defaults when needed
- Initialize new settings programmatically
Related Blocks
Settings management blocks:
- Settings Init: Initialize settings
- Variable Set: Modify setting values
- On Variable Changed: React to setting changes
Multi-Device Management
For deployments with multiple devices:
- Export settings from master device
- Import to other devices
- Standardize configuration across fleet
- Site-specific customization per device
Settings Hierarchy
Implement settings hierarchy:
- Factory Defaults: Built-in default values
- Imported Settings: Configuration templates
- User Settings: Device-specific modifications
- Runtime Overrides: Temporary changes
Security Considerations
Protect sensitive settings:
- Encrypt passwords and credentials
- Restrict network access to settings interface
- Audit log for settings changes
- Backup settings before modifications
Use Cases
Common DS Manager applications:
- Multi-site deployment configuration
- Field technician device setup
- Customer self-service configuration
- Remote device provisioning
- Troubleshooting and diagnostics
Settings Template
Create settings templates for:
- Standardized deployments
- Quick device provisioning
- Customer-specific configurations
- Application variants
Linking to Settings
Enable runtime configuration by linking feature properties to settings, making DS Manager the central point for all device configuration.
Related Features
- Settings: Settings overview
- OLED Display: On-device interface
- Web Dashboard: Web-based management
- LUIS: Mobile app access
Troubleshooting
Common DS Manager issues:
- Cannot save settings: Check storage space and permissions
- Settings not persisting: Verify non-volatile storage functionality
- Invalid values: Review validation rules and constraints
- Access denied: Check user permissions and passwords