Websocket vs ThingWorx Always On Protocol

[ranjank]

Could somebody let me explain both protocols and also the most apt difference between these two?

[anarwal · Accepted solution]

Hi @ranjank ,

• ​AlwaysOn™ is a protocol for the message packets themselves
• The difference between this and the WebSocket protocol is that the AlwaysOn™ protocol determines the format of the bytes within the messages, while the WebSocket protocol directs how the messages gets sent across networks
• The benefit to using a WebSocket is the persistent secure connection kept open via the many benefits of the AlwaysOn™ protocol:
  • Low latency
  • Bi-directional communications
  • Configuration options for custom tuning to reduce power consumption and bandwidth usage
  • Allows for efficient transmissions of ThingWorx property, service, and event requests
• Types of AlwaysOn™ messages:
  • AUTH (mentioned below) - required call to login when EMS is started
  • BIND - called when auto-bind options are defined in the config.json file or the LSR is connected and configured properly
  • API REQUEST - message type used to send property, service, and event updates
• Tunnels do not use the AlwaysOn™ protocol, but rather each new tunnel creates its own WebSocket connection
  • Transfers bytes in no particular format as no specific protocol is used here
  • Sends raw tunneled bytes over the socket
• Anything done with service invocations (e.g. file transfers or remote service calls) uses the AlwaysOn™ protocol
• For further reading on the AlwaysOn™ protocol, and a complete overview of the EMS, see the Edge Help Center
• Additional note about custom usage: the ThingWorx development team reserves the right to modify the AlwaysOn™ protocol whenever desired.

Regards
Ankur

[anarwal]

@ranjank ,If my response has answered your question, please mark as Accepted Solution, for the benefit of others who may have the same question.