Using XTreme Hubs

Speed up distribution of files and packages to your Android Plus and Windows Mobile/CE devices with XTreme Hubs.

In traditional SOTI MobiControl systems, SOTI MobiControl deployment servers distribute files and packages directly to devices. However, performance can be impacted when many devices contact the server simultaneously or connect over slow networks. The XTreme Hubs file transfer service significantly improves performance by migrating some file distribution tasks from the deployment server to other devices so the deployment server can focus on other responsibilities.

The deployment server sends all packages and files managed by file sync rules in a SOTI MobiControl instance to an XTreme Hub device which becomes responsible for relaying those files to devices, drastically reducing both the number of file transfers that the deployment server must perform for each device over a slow network and the load on the deployment server as file transfers are now handled by another device. On the device side, the deployment server regularly sends each device a list of the packages and files that it needs to download from the XTreme Hub.

XTreme Hubs are Windows desktop computers that were enrolled with a special Windows Desktop Classic agent. They're easy to set up and SOTI MobiControl supports multiple XTreme Hubs so it's easy to load balance file distribution across multiple XTreme Hub devices.

Note: Windows XTreme Hub devices retain the same management capabilities as a normal Windows Desktop Classic device. However, when you make changes to a Windows XTreme Hub device, always consider how those changes may affect its connected devices. If you perform device actions such as Disable and Unenroll on a Windows XTreme Hub device, devices that previously used that XTreme Hub will request files from another XTreme Hub or the deployment server, depending on your arrangement.

XTreme Hubs supports two types of file delivery: packages via profiles and files generated by file sync rules. However, file transfers only go one-way; files uploaded from devices to the deployment server bypass the XTreme Hub device and go directly from the device to the deployment server.

Devices check the XTreme Hub for new or changed packages and files at each device check in. XTreme Hubs check the deployment server for new or changed packages and files according to the update schedules configured on the device group branch where they are located, when a file sync rule is triggered, or when a profile with a package is deployed to devices.

Currently, XTreme Hubs file transfer is only supported on Android Plus devices (with a device agent of 14.1.7 or later) and Windows Mobile/CE devices (with SOTI MobiControl 15.2.2 or later). Other device types in the same device group will continue to receive files directly from the deployment server.

Learn how to best arrange XTreme Hubs at Arranging XTreme Hubs.

Note: The XTreme Hub file transfer feature is only available to customers with Premium Plus Service or Enterprise Plus Service support. Customers with Standard support cannot enroll devices as Windows XTreme Hub devices or reroute file transfers through XTreme Hubs to Android Plus and Windows Mobile/CE devices.

If you set up XTreme Hubs while you had Premium or Enterprise level support or were using a trial version of SOTI MobiControl and your support contract or trial has since ended, your existing Windows XTreme Hub devices will lose their file transfer functionality. However, you can continue to manage them with all the same features as a Windows Desktop Classic device.

Tip: You can view log messages for the status and progress of file transfers from XTreme Hub to device in a device's Device Information panel.

Additionally, an XTreme Hub card is available on the Device Details tab for Windows XTreme Hub devices.