In this article, you'll find out about Tended device memory and how to monitor system use to ensure geofences (safe zones) are created within the limits, and that devices do not exceed their memory capacity.
Please note: currently Tended devices have limited memory, and therefore, will not be able to download site information that exceeds 21 kilobytes.
About device memory
What is device memory and why is it important?
The Tended device has limited memory. This memory is used to store geofence data for all active sites in your project. When the memory capacity is exceeded, new sites cannot be started, and some functionality may be restricted.
What impacts device memory?
Very large geofences with a large number of nodes (white dots along the safe zone boundary)
Complex geofences with many nodes
Starting multiple sites at once can potentially exceed the device’s capacity
How can I resolve this issue?
Simplify geofences: Reduce the complexity of your geofences by simplifying their boundaries.
Stop other sites: If memory is exceeded, consider stopping one or more active sites that are no longer needed.
Monitor usage: Keep an eye on the device memory usage bar to avoid exceeding capacity, more below 👇
Device behaviour: if the device has run out of memory
Three long consecutive beeps will sound every 10 seconds, and the battery LED (far left) and connectivity LED (far right) will flash, leading to a red flashing battery LED.
How to monitor safe zone size during the planning stage
Why is safe zone size important?
When planning your site, it’s important to keep the device’s memory capacity in mind. Safe zones with complicated geofences or too many nodes may exceed the device’s storage, preventing successful operation.
When you're creating safe zones in the Dashboard, you'll be warned when the safe zone is too large for device memory.
Moderately high warning
Too high warning
💡 Tended tips
Simplify your safe zones: Avoid drawing overly complex shapes or adding unnecessary nodes. You can adjust and edit your geofence at any time.
Create multiple sites: If you need to design a large or complex safe zone, consider splitting it into multiple smaller sites. This allows you to start and stop sections of your project independently as needed instead of attempting to send one overly complex safe zone to the device(s).
How to monitor device memory usage from within the Dashboard
When devices are being deployed and sites are getting started, you need to keep an eye on the amount of memory the devices are using to operate so this does not exceed the limit.
From within your project, click on the "Start/stop sites" button at the top of the screen
This will bring up a usage visual
Hover over the site you want to start, and the usage bar will show you how much device memory the site will use
Once your live sites reach device memory capacity, you'll be notified
Any questions or issues?
We're here to help! Simply pop us an email at support@tended.co.uk, WhatsApp us on +44 (0) 7713682625 or chat with us via the help button at the corner of this page or within the Dashboard 😊