Simplify IoT Device Installation with FDO: The Ultimate Guide

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• The Technical Side of FDO
• The Concept of Zero-Touch Operation
• The Fighter Device Onboarding Protocol
• Authentication and Key Exchange
• FDO Service Info Modules (FSIMs)
• The Process of Onboarding
• The Role of Ownership Vouchers
• FDO in the Supply Chain
• Summary

Introduction

Hey everyone, I'm Jeff Cooper, a principal engineer at Intel Corporation and also a proud member of the Fido IoT working group. Today, I want to dive into the technical side of FDO (Fighter Device Onboarding) and provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how it works. FDO is all about simplifying the installation process of IoT devices by enabling zero-touch operation. In this article, I'll explain the principles behind FDO, walk you through the various protocols involved, and shed light on the role of ownership vouchers in the onboarding process. So, let's get started! 💡

The Technical Side of FDO

FDO was conceived with one primary goal in mind: to eliminate the hassle of installing IoT devices. Imagine a Scenario where a device is drop-shipped to an installation location, and you want it to power up and connect to the network seamlessly, without any manual intervention. This is exactly what FDO aims to achieve - transforming a traditionally laborious installation process into a zero-touch operation. With FDO, all the heavy lifting is removed, and the device can Instantly connect to its designated owner without any login authentication. So, how do we make this vision a reality? Let's dive into the technical details. 🔧

The Fighter Device Onboarding Protocol

At the core of FDO lies the Fighter Device Onboarding (FDO) protocol. This protocol allows a device to automatically onboard itself to its designated owner's server, establishing a secure and authenticated communication Channel. The onboarding process involves the device acquiring the owner's credentials, enabling secure communication between the device and the owner. This includes the device receiving necessary data and credentials for programming peripherals, collecting information from the internet, and performing other tasks as required by the owner. The ultimate goal of onboarding is to ensure that the device is ready to connect directly to the user's web application. 🚀

Authentication and Key Exchange

To achieve a secure onboarding process, authentication is crucial. FDO employs digital signatures to authenticate both the device and the owner. The device possesses a unique device key, while the owner holds a device certificate and a private key. These keys are used to verify the authenticity of the Ownership Voucher, a crucial component in the onboarding process. Mutual authentication is established by signing a random number generated by the owner and verified by the device. This authentication process paves the way for a secure key exchange, enabling the creation of an encrypted and authenticated tunnel between the device and the owner. This tunnel forms the foundation for the subsequent onboarding process. 🔒

FDO Service Info Modules (FSIMs)

To abstract the onboarding process and provide flexibility, FDO introduces the concept of FDO Service Info Modules (FSIMs). FSIMs serve as a protocol that runs over the encrypted tunnel, enabling device management operations. Some predefined FSIMs, such as downloading or uploading files, running commands on the device, and configuring keys, are readily available. Additionally, manufacturers can define their own FSIMs tailored to the specific hardware and software requirements of their devices. This customization empowers device manufacturers to optimize the onboarding process for their unique devices. It also enables standardized onboarding for devices with common functionalities. 💡

The Process of Onboarding

The FDO onboarding process involves multiple steps, starting from the device's initialization during manufacturing to its final deployment. An Ownership Voucher is created and extended throughout the supply chain, ensuring the device's secure transfer to the intended owner. The device's Interaction with Rendezvous servers allows it to discover and connect to its prospective owner's server securely. Once connected, the device undergoes authentication, mutual verification, and creation of an encrypted tunnel. The FSIMs then enable interaction between the device and the owner's server, ensuring a seamless onboarding experience. This comprehensive process ensures that the device is properly authenticated, authorized, and configured for service. 🔄

The Role of Ownership Vouchers

Ownership Vouchers play a pivotal role in FDO's onboarding process. These vouchers are signatures chained together to establish trust in the device's authenticity and ownership. During the manufacturing phase, the manufacturer signs the base Ownership Voucher, while subsequent stakeholders, such as distributors or resellers, sign over the Ownership Voucher, linking it to the next entity in the supply chain. These signatures ensure that the device reaches the intended owner securely and establishes trust along the supply chain. The device receives the final Ownership Voucher, which is used for authentication and key exchange with the owner. This multi-step verification process creates a robust mechanism for secure onboarding. 🔐

FDO in the Supply Chain

FDO aligns perfectly with the dynamics of supply chains. The Ownership Voucher enables seamless device transfer between various entities within the supply chain. Distributors and resellers can select specific devices to send to different customers while maintaining the integrity of the onboarding process. Additionally, by extending Ownership Vouchers to specific clouds or servers, manufacturers can customize device onboarding based on their target markets or clients. The flexibility of FDO ensures that the onboarding process adapts to the unique requirements and logistics of the supply chain. ⛓️

Summary

In this article, we delved into the technical side of FDO, providing a comprehensive understanding of its principles and protocols. FDO revolutionizes the onboarding process of IoT devices by enabling zero-touch operations, eliminating manual interventions, and streamlining device installation. With the Fighter Device Onboarding protocol, mutual authentication, and FDO Service Info Modules, FDO provides a flexible and secure framework for onboarding devices of varying complexities. By leveraging Ownership Vouchers and aligning with the dynamics of supply chains, FDO ensures seamless device transfer and establishes trust at every stage. FDO is at the forefront of simplifying IoT device management and paves the way for widespread adoption of IoT technologies. 🌐

Click here to explore more about FDO and its implementation details.

Highlights

• FDO (Fighter Device Onboarding) simplifies the installation process of IoT devices by enabling zero-touch operations.
• The FDO protocol allows a device to automatically onboard itself to its designated owner's server, establishing a secure and authenticated communication channel.
• Authentication and key exchange play a crucial role in establishing trust between the device and the owner.
• FDO Service Info Modules (FSIMs) provide a flexible way to customize the onboarding process for devices with unique hardware and software requirements.
• Ownership Vouchers ensure the secure transfer of the device along the supply chain and establish trust between stakeholders.
• FDO aligns perfectly with the dynamics of supply chains, allowing for seamless device transfer between different entities.
• FDO sets the stage for streamlined IoT device management and widespread adoption of IoT technologies.

Have more questions about FDO? Check out our FAQs below for more insights.

FAQs

Q: Can FDO be used for both local networks and cloud-based deployments? A: Yes, FDO is designed to work seamlessly in both local network and cloud-based scenarios. It offers the flexibility to establish secure connections and enable zero-touch operations regardless of the network environment.

Q: How can manufacturers define their own FDO Service Info Modules (FSIMs)? A: Manufacturers can define their own FSIMs by working closely with the FDO community and leveraging the extensibility framework provided by FDO. This allows them to tailor the onboarding process to the specific hardware and software requirements of their devices, ensuring optimal performance and functionality.

Q: Can FDO be used for large-Scale device deployments? A: Absolutely! FDO is designed to scale efficiently, making it ideal for large-scale device deployments. By enabling parallel installation and removing the need for manual intervention, FDO allows for rapid onboarding of thousands of devices in a cost-effective and streamlined manner.

Q: How does FDO handle device security? A: FDO incorporates robust security measures throughout the onboarding process. From authentication and mutual verification to encrypted tunnels and encrypted communication, FDO ensures that device connections and data exchanges are protected against unauthorized access and tampering.

Q: Is FDO compatible with devices that don't have a shell or file system? A: Yes, FDO offers flexibility and accommodates devices with varying capabilities. While some predefined FSIMs are based on file transfers and shell commands, FDO can also support devices without a shell or file system by defining custom FSIMs tailored to their specific requirements.

Q: What happens to the FDO credentials once the onboarding process is complete? A: After the onboarding process is complete, FDO credentials are replaced with operational credentials specific to the application and management protocols running on the device. These operational credentials ensure that the device is ready to perform its intended functions securely. The FDO credentials are not needed for subsequent device management operations.

Q: Can FDO be used for devices that require frequent software updates or configuration changes? A: Yes, FDO provides mechanisms for downloading files, uploading files, and running commands on the device, making it suitable for devices that require frequent software updates or configuration changes. With FDO, device management operations can be performed seamlessly and securely, ensuring that devices are always up to date and configured correctly.