Support centralized config management and OTA updates

[dthaler]

Dataplicity allows remote access but does not do config management or support OTA updates.

• Within each hydrophone location's data acquisition and streaming computer we have been using Dataplicity for remote monitoring and access. We have been thinking about tranisitioning to Balena.io...

Originally posted by @scottveirs in #88

Here's what copilot provided:

📊 IoT Platforms for 10–20 Devices

Platform	Remote Access	OTA Updates	Config Management	Developer API Access	Cost (10–20 devices)	Best Fit
Dataplicity	✅ Easy remote shell & web tunneling	❌ No fleet OTA	❌ Minimal	✅ Yes (REST API)	~$30–$60/month (per-device pricing ~$3–$4)	Hobbyists, small projects needing quick remote Pi access
Balena	✅ SSH via balenaCloud	✅ Container-based OTA	✅ Fleet-wide config/env vars	✅ Yes (balenaCloud REST API, SDKs)	Free up to 10 devices; ~Prototype plan $159/mo if you expand	Best turnkey solution for small fleets with growth potential
Nerves (NervesHub)	⚠️ Remote access not built-in	✅ Firmware OTA	⚠️ Developer-driven	✅ Yes (NervesHub API, Elixir libraries)	Free if self-hosted; managed pricing varies	Best for Elixir developers building custom firmware
SocketXP (Lite/Eco)	✅ Secure tunneling	❌ No OTA	✅ Config push	❌ No API access	$20–$39/month for up to 40 devices	Lightweight, affordable alternative to Dataplicity
SocketXP (Pro)	✅ Secure tunneling	✅ 500 OTA updates	✅ Config push, monitoring	✅ Yes (REST API, device monitoring)	$79/month for up to 40 devices	Small fleets needing OTA updates + API
Golioth	✅ Secure connectivity	✅ OTA updates	✅ Fleet config	✅ Yes (REST API, SDKs)	Free individual tier (unlimited devices); Teams $299/mo	Modern SaaS option, developer-friendly
ThingsBoard	⚠️ Remote access requires setup	✅ OTA updates	✅ Config dashboards	✅ Yes (REST API, MQTT, integrations)	~$10–$149/month depending on tier	Open-source flexibility with hosted options
Tailscale	✅ Secure mesh VPN (WireGuard-based)	❌ None natively	⚠️ Manual layering via scripts or other tools	✅ Yes (REST API, OAuth clients, API tokens)	Free tier up to 20 devices; paid plans from ~$5/user/month	Secure networking layer for fleets; pair with Balena/Golioth for OTA + config

🎯 Key Insights for 10–20 Devices

• Cheapest & simplest: Dataplicity or SocketXP (low monthly cost, easy setup).
• Best free tier: Balena (up to 10 devices free, perfect for your scale).
• Developer-centric: NervesHub (if you want to build firmware yourself).
• Modern SaaS: Golioth (free tier covers your scale, but more dev effort).

👉 For 10–20 devices, the most practical choices are:

• Balena → if you want a polished, scalable platform with free entry.
• SocketXP → if you want low-cost remote access + OTA without heavy infrastructure.
• Dataplicity → if you only care about remote access and don’t mind scripting updates yourself.

[dthaler]

I will start looking into https://www.socketxp.com/ based on the above analysis...