====== 1. Initial Steps ======

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Once you are logged in the IOT Platform Web App, the first steps are to activate a Communication Channel, in order to receive data (payloads) from your devices.

== 1. Activate a communication channel (devices) ==

The activation procedure depends on the chosen communication channel (LORAWAN, M2M, SIGFOX, NB-IOT, Web Service, MQTT…). This activation is done in:
  Account Manager > Settings 
  
 In the Settings module, go to Device Communication Channels an choose the right option:
  * Connect to a LORAWAN Network Server
  * Create an access to our MQTT Broker
  * Use our Web Services
  * Connect to the SigFox Backend
  * Create an Access for your COAP devices

More info: [[..teammanager:settings|Settings Module]].

== 2. Make sure that your device is sending data... ==

Once your device sends data, it will automatically be created on the IOT Platform. Go to
  Devices Manager > Devices
  
 You should see your device. If you don't see it, check your device or the communication settings in [[..teammanager:settings|Settings Module]]

At this stage, device payloads are not decoded. 

There are 2 options:

1. Either your device is known by the IOT Software Platform. 

2. Your device type is not known. 
== 3a. Known Device Type ==

In the [[..advancedconfiguration:devices|Device Module]], edit the Device, click on the device **Type** and choose the right decoder in the list.  Then press //save//. 

Decoding will occur from the next received payload.

== 3b. Unknown Device Type ==

You must then create a decoder. Go to

  Devices Manager > Custom Decoders

More info: [[..advancedconfiguration/devicetypes|Custom Decoders]]

Once the decoder is finalized,  go back to the Device Module, select our device, edit it, click on the device **Type** and choose your new type. Press //save//.

Decoding will occur from the next payload.

== 4. Your device is ready. ==

You can view the decoded payloads in the [[..advancedconfiguration:devices|Device Module]].
  * The **Data** tab shows you all received measurements (decoded payloads)
  * The **Analytics** tab brings you basic charts

You may now start building a Dashboard and create a Rule for Alerting.