Edge Scheduler

• Scheduler Overview
• Configuring the Scheduler Feature
• Scheduled Irrigation Management Using ThingsBoard Edge (Use Case)
  • Configuration Details
    • Scheduler
    • Rule Chains
    • Visualisation
  • Benefits of the Scheduler
• Next steps

Scheduler Overview

The scheduler feature is supported only in the Professional Edition.

The ThingsBoard Scheduler is a feature that allows users to automate periodic tasks, such as telemetry and attribute updates, RPC commands, and rule chain triggers.

The Scheduler feature for Edge is designed similarly to that of the Platform. For a comprehensive understanding, please refer to the ThingsBoard Platform Scheduler documentation.

Scheduler events cannot be created or modified directly from ThingsBoard Edge, all scheduling must be configured in ThingsBoard Platform and then assigned to the Edge instance. These scheduled tasks are executed directly on the Edge instance, ensuring real-time automation even without a cloud connection.

Configuring the Scheduler Feature

To create a scheduler event:

• Log in to the ThingsBoard Platform and go to the Advanced features > Scheduler section.
• Click the "+" button, and fill in the fields in the pop-up window. For detailed instructions on how to configure a Scheduler event, see the Scheduler Event dialog documentation.
• Once the event is configured, go to the Edge management > Instances section and click the "Manage edge scheduler events" button.
• On the Edge Scheduler Events page, click the "+" button and assign the event(s) to the Edge instance in the pop-up window.
• To confirm that the scheduler event has been successfully assigned, log in to the ThingsBoard Edge and go the Advanced features > Scheduler section.

Scheduled Irrigation Management Using ThingsBoard Edge (Use Case)

To illustrate the Scheduler feature’s role in automation and management efficiency, let’s look at the Smart Irrigation solution template.

This solution enables automated irrigation based on soil moisture sensor readings and predefined schedules. The goal is to sustain optimal soil moisture levels while minimizing water consumption.

Since irrigation systems are often deployed in remote agricultural fields, the ThingsBoard Edge instance will run locally to ensure uninterrupted operation, even in cases of network disruptions.

The Smart Irrigation solution template offers a solution to:

• Ensure fields are irrigated twice a day at predefined times.
• Monitor critical parameters in real-time, such as:
  • Soil moisture levels.
  • Daily water consumption.
  • Irrigation duration.
• Operate locally on ThingsBoard Edge to avoid reliance on constant internet connectivity.

To install the solution template, log in to the ThingsBoard Platform and go to the Solution templates section. Scroll down to the Smart Irrigation block and click the “Install” button.

Configuration Details

Let’s take a look at the configuration details. Since rule chains and scheduler events cannot be created directly on the Edge, all configurations are first completed on the ThingsBoard Platform and then synchronized with the Edge instance.

The Smart Irrigation solution template automatically creates Edge instance and assigns all required configurations.

• Go to the Edge management > Instances section. Click the corresponding buttons to view the settings assigned to the Edge instance.

Scheduler

• To view the assigned scheduler events, click the "Manage edge scheduler events" button.
• To view the scheduler event configuration, click the corresponding button.
• The "Configuration" tab displays general event parameters, such as event type, message type and body.
• The "Message body" field is used to set the executing parameters.
• The "Schedule" tab displays event schedule configuration.
• To confirm that scheduler events are assigned, log in to the ThingsBoard Edge and go to the Advanced features > Scheduler section.

Rule Chains

• To view the assigned Rule Chain configurations, click the "Manage edge rule chains" button.
• The list of assigned rule chain configurations is displayed on the Remote Farm R1: Rule chains page

Visualisation

• The dashboard displays all required data.

Benefits of the Scheduler

The scheduler feature configured in the Smart Irrigation solution template:

• Ensures autonomous irrigation in remote locations, independent of cloud dependency.
• Optimizes water usage by running irrigation based on a fixed schedule.
• Improves operational efficiency by reducing manual intervention.
• Enhances monitoring with real-time soil moisture telemetry updates.

Next steps

• Getting started guide - Provide quick overview of main ThingsBoard Edge features. Designed to be completed in 15-30 minutes:

• Installation guides - Learn how to setup ThingsBoard Edge on various available operating systems and connect to ThingsBoard Server.

• Edge Rule Engine:

  • Rule Chain Templates - Learn how to use ThingsBoard Edge Rule Chain Templates.

  • Provision Rule Chains from cloud to edge - Learn how to provision edge rule chains from cloud to edge.

• Security:
  • gRPC over SSL/TLS - Learn how to configure gRPC over SSL/TLS for communication between edge and cloud.

• Features:

  • Edge Status - Learn about Edge Status page on ThingsBoard Edge.

  • Cloud Events - Learn about Cloud Events page on ThingsBoard Edge.

• Use cases:

  • Manage alarms and RPC requests on edge devices - This guide will show how to generate local alarms on the edge and send RPC requests to devices connected to edge:

  • Data filtering and traffic reduce - This guide will show how to send to cloud from edge only filterd amount of device data:

• Roadmap - ThingsBoard Edge roadmap.