Device Shadow

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Definition

Cloud-based virtual representation of an IoT device that stores its last known state and desired future state, enabling applications to interact with devices even when they're offline. Like leaving a note for someone who's away, so they know what to do when they return.

Real-World Example

A smart home app updates a thermostat's device shadow to set temperature to 72°F. When the device comes online after a network outage, it reads the shadow and applies the setting.

Cloud Provider Equivalencies

AWS, Azure, and GCP offer similar services that allow IoT devices to maintain a virtual representation in the cloud, facilitating offline interaction. OCI does not have a direct equivalent.

AWS
AWS IoT Device Shadow
AZ
Azure IoT Hub Device Twins
GCP
Google Cloud IoT Core Device State

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