Using XTreme Hubs

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

This section contains the following topics:

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 that is responsible for relaying those files to devices. This drastically reduces the number of file transfers the deployment server must perform for each device over a slow network and the load on the deployment server because another device now handles file transfers. On the device side, the deployment server regularly sends each device a list of the packages and files it needs to download from the XTreme Hub.

XTreme Hubs are Windows or Linux desktop computers enrolled with a special 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: XTreme Hub support for Linux is only available for SOTI MobiControl version 15.6.2 and higher.

Note: XTreme Hub devices retain the same management capabilities as normal devices. However, when you make changes to an XTreme Hub device, always consider how those changes may affect its connected devices. If you perform device actions such as Disable and Unenroll on an 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 Hub supports two types of file delivery: packages via profiles and files generated by file sync policies. 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 Hub checks the deployment server for new or changed packages and files according to the update schedule. Update schedules are 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, SOTI MobiControl supports XTreme Hub file transfers only 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 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 XTreme Hub devices or reroute file transfers through XTreme Hubs to Android Plus and Windows Mobile/CE devices.

Your existing XTreme Hub devices will lose their file transfer functionality 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 ended. However, you can continue to manage them with all the same features as a standard desktop device.

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

An XTreme Hub card is also available on the Device Details tab for XTreme Hub devices.