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Eclipse Kapua

Eclipse Kapua is an open-source modular platform (IoT device management / Internet of Things (IoT) application enablement) for managing and integrating connected IoT devices and data in enterprise environments.

  • Modular cloud platform for IoT device and data management (IoT platform)
  • Lifecycle management for connected devices, including configuration and remote operations (IoT device management)
  • Data collection, storage, and access services for telemetry and events from IoT endpoints (data ingestion and persistence)
  • Integration with messaging protocols such as Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) for device connectivity (messaging / connectivity)
  • Extensible architecture with APIs and services for building custom IoT applications (application enablement)

More About Eclipse Kapua

Eclipse Kapua is an open-source modular platform (IoT platform) that provides core building blocks for managing connected devices and processing IoT data at scale. It targets scenarios in which enterprises need to provision, monitor, and update large fleets of embedded devices or gateways while routing their telemetry to back-end applications and analytics systems.

The platform focuses on end-to-end IoT lifecycle management (IoT device management). Kapua provides capabilities for device onboarding, registration, grouping, and remote management operations. This includes functions such as remote configuration and control, software and firmware update workflows, and status monitoring, which are necessary for operating distributed IoT deployments in production environments.

On the data plane, Kapua offers services for collecting, storing, and accessing device telemetry and events (data ingestion and persistence). It uses a cloud-based architecture in which devices and gateways connect through standardized messaging protocols, with explicit support for MQTT (messaging / connectivity). Kapua manages the routing of messages, supports topic-based communication, and exposes APIs for downstream services to access device data for visualization, rule processing, or integration with external analytics platforms.

From an architectural perspective, Kapua is designed as a modular set of services (microservices / modular architecture). Core services cover device management, data management, account and tenant administration, authentication and authorization (identity and access management), and integration interfaces. The platform exposes Representational State Transfer (REST) APIs and other service endpoints to enable custom application development, dashboard implementations, and integration with enterprise systems such as Emergency Response Plan (ERP), Manufacturing Execution System (MES), or asset management tools.

In enterprise and institutional environments, Kapua is typically deployed as the central IoT management layer (IoT operations platform). It can operate in private cloud, public cloud, or on-premises (on-prem) infrastructure, depending on organizational requirements. Multi-tenant account management allows separation of customers, business units, or solution domains, which is relevant for service providers and organizations running multiple IoT solutions on a shared platform.

Extensibility is a core aspect of Kapua’s design (platform extensibility). The modular service model and defined extension points allow developers to plug in custom device types, data processing components, and integration adapters. Combined with its use of open protocols and standards common in IoT, this positions Kapua within the category of open, interoperable IoT management platforms that enterprises can adapt to domain-specific use cases such as industrial equipment monitoring, smart building management, or connected products.