This tutorial describes how to use Microsoft IoT Edge to connect a Revolution Pi system to Azure IoT Hub. The process involves configuring Azure IoT Hub, registering your IoT device, and setting up the IoT Edge runtime on your RevPi.
Prerequisites #
✓ A valid Azure account
✓ RevPi device (at least 8 GB storage)
✓ PC with internet access
✓ Basic familiarity with Linux command line
✓ SSH access to your RevPi
Hardware #
✓ RevPi base module with minimum 8 GB storage
✓ Power supply
✓ Network connecion
✓ PC with internet access
Software #
✓ Latest version of Raspberry Pi OS
✓ At least 600 MB of available memory
✓ SSH client (e.g., PuTTY)
▷ Create an Azure account at azure.microsoft.com/free.
▷ Log in to the Azure Portal.
▷ Set up SSH access to your RevPi device.
▷ Update your RevPi to the latest version of Raspberry Pi OS.
▷ Ensure you have 600 MB of free memory available.
Step 1: Setting up Azure #
Creating the IoT Hub #
▷ Log in to the Azure Portal at portal.azure.com.
▷ Choose Create a resource and search for IoT Hub.
▷ Choose Create.
▷ Select your subscription and resource group or create a new one.
▷ Choose the region closest to you.
NOTE: Not all Azure services are available in all regions.
▷ Select the pricing tier that matches your needs under Management.
▷ Choose Review + Create.
▷ Choose Create to deploy your IoT Hub.
Creating the Edge Device #
▷ Navigate to your newly created IoT Hub.
▷ Select IoT Edge under Device management in the sidebar.
▷ Choose Add IoT Edge Device.
▷ Enter a Device ID for your RevPi.
▷ Accept the default settings.
▷ Choose Save.
▷ Choose Refresh.
▷ Select your newly created device.
▷ Copy the Primary Connection String - you’ll need this later.
Step 2: Setting up the RevPi Device #
Installing Required Packages #
▷ First, add the Microsoft package repository and GPG key:
curl https://packages.microsoft.com/config/debian/stretch/multiarch/packages-microsoft-prod.deb > ./packages-microsoft-prod.deb
sudo apt install ./packages-microsoft-prod.deb
curl https://packages.microsoft.com/config/debian/stretch/multiarch/prod.list > ./microsoft-prod.list
sudo cp ./microsoft-prod.list /etc/apt/sources.list.d/
curl https://packages.microsoft.com/keys/microsoft.asc | gpg --dearmor > microsoft.gpg
sudo cp ./microsoft.gpg /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/
sudo apt-get updateInstalling IoT Edge Runtime #
▷ Install the Moby container engine and IoT Edge:
sudo apt-get install moby-engine -y
sudo apt-get install iotedge -yConfiguring IoT Edge #
▷ Open the configuration file:
sudo nano /etc/iotedge/config.yaml▷ Find the Manual provisioning configuration section and update the device_connection_string with your Primary Connection String:
provisioning:
source: "manual"
device_connection_string: "HostName=XXX.azure-devices.net;DeviceId=rpi-1;SharedAccessKey=XXXXc="Starting and Verifying IoT Edge #
▷ Restart the IoT Edge service:
sudo systemctl restart iotedge▷ Check the status:
sudo systemctl status iotedge
sudo iotedge check▷ Run iotedge check twice.
NOTE: One remaining error about Production readiness: Edge hub’s storage directory is still displayed.
Troubleshooting #
If you encounter issues:
▷ Check the RevPi forum at revolutionpi.de/forum/.
▷ Review Azure IoT Edge logs: journalctl -u iotedge.
▷ Verify network connectivity.
▷ Ensure all required ports are open.
▷ Check system resources.