Software Developer's Kit (SDK)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Lantronix SDK?
The Lantronix Software Developer's Kit (SDK) provides a quick and easy way to customize an MSS device server's operating system. The SDK allows you to program new features into selected MSS products which will enhance the particular application that the device server is being used to support. You simply write a program that supports the desired functionality and make the completed program resident in the MSS device server's Flash ROM so that each time the server boots that program will run.
An example of this could be a hospital glucose analyzer with a serial port that is attached to an MSS100 device server. The nurse might want to send an email somewhere on the hospital network whenever the meter indicates a low glucose level. Simply write a program using the SDK that instructs the MSS100 to look at the serial data coming from the analyzer and send an email to the appropriate address whenever the values drop to a specified level. In some cases, the user may want to store the data for a period of time for later analysis - this feature can also be programmed into the MSS100 using the SDK.
As a VAR or Solutions Integrator, the SDK offers an opportunity to provide your customers a "custom" MSS product designed to meet the demands of their particular application. This allows you to add tremendous value to your solutions which will help solidify a long term relationship and generate ongoing revenue. As an end-user, the SDK provides an opportunity to make changes to the MSS that go beyond standard product capabilities to meet your exact application requirements.
How does the SDK work?
The SDK is a module within the MSS device server that provides a "C" programming language environment for developing your applications. Simply write standard C code (within some limitations) and the MSS device server executes that code via an interpreter. The C code can read, write or manipulate data from the serial port, make network connections and execute decisions based upon serial or network data to name just a few of the possible functions. Once completed this code can be saved in the device server's Flash ROM, effectively becoming the new operating system code that runs everytime the unit is powered on.
Do you need a special MSS Device Server to use the SDK?
The SDK is resident in versions 3.6/3 and above of the operating system firmware that runs on the Lantronix MSS100 and MSS4 device servers. For customers with older firmware revisions of the MSS100 product, a simple upgrade to the version 3.6/4 will allow those units to support the SDK. For licensed SDK developers, Lantronix will provide a free upgrade of one MSSLite unit to the hardware revision A for development purposes.
As a VAR, is there a way to ensure that my "private" code version can't be copied by other developers or end users?
For VAR and reseller customers, Lantronix can provide a kit which allows you to generate an unreadable version of your private code to run in the targeted Lantronix product. You can then decide if you want:
- Lantronix to build custom units for you at the Lantronix factory or
- to purchase "generic" versions of the Lantronix device server product which you can re-label for resale as a private version of the product (note: there will be some labeling requirements for this type of product to meet Lantronix's licensing agreement for the SDK).