# Connect Devices via RESTful

## About RESTful

Using RESTful, you can send HTTP requests (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) to query *resources*. A *resource* can be anything that contains information, e.g., documents, images, or services.

Every resource has its own URL. Clients (e.g., BuildingPro Suites) send HTTP requests to this URL. In response, clients receive status codes and representations of the requested data from the server, usually as .json or .xml.

In most cases, RESTful is used to integrate external devices or services into BuildingPro Suites via a GET request through their API.

## What is the difference between RESTful and Webhook?

The most significant difference is the direction of communication.

* With RESTful, a client sends requests to a server. The server responds with a status code and (if possible) the requested data. For communication via RESTful, the exact address of the server, as well as the individual endpoints, must be known.
* With Webhook, the communication originates from the server. The server actively sends data to the client in real time. The client does not have to send requests. For communication via webhooks, the server must know the address of the client.

## Procedure

The procedure for integrating devices via RESTful can be divided into the following steps:

1. First, a *connection* is created and configured. This connection contains the base URL to an API.
2. In this connection, individual *requests* are created. The individual parameters that are to be queried are entered into these requests.

<figure><img src="https://3489494878-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9GvUpaatBiReR43XFSMg%2Fuploads%2FERsOA5LMqF3orziqLlXf%2FDocs_Verbindungen%20-%20Verbindungen%20RESTful%20BaseURL.png?alt=media&#x26;token=83d24c66-cac3-40de-9434-27806c273170" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Overview

<div data-full-width="true"><figure><img src="https://3489494878-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9GvUpaatBiReR43XFSMg%2Fuploads%2F6M1i9eaCNK76VgadCvxB%2FDocs_Verbindungen%20-%20Verbindungen%20RESTful.png?alt=media&#x26;token=759098b9-973f-46fb-99f1-873502bed257" alt=""><figcaption><p>Fig. 1 – Connections RESTful</p></figcaption></figure></div>

<div data-full-width="true"><figure><img src="https://3489494878-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9GvUpaatBiReR43XFSMg%2Fuploads%2FhTvEnXI800tRZGzBQfCb%2FDocs_Verbindungen%20-%20Verbindungen%20RESTful%20Verbindung%20Details.png?alt=media&#x26;token=8c724db6-aee3-4c2f-8b11-b16f8b0ad1f8" alt=""><figcaption><p>Fig. 2 – Connections RESTful (Details)</p></figcaption></figure></div>

<table data-full-width="true"><thead><tr><th width="69.53334554036456">Symbol</th><th width="205.20001220703125">Description</th><th>Details</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>[A]</strong></td><td>Menu "Connections"</td><td>Click to open the "Connections" menu</td></tr><tr><td><strong>[B]</strong></td><td>Tab</td><td>Access to the respective interfaces</td></tr><tr><td><strong>[C]</strong></td><td>Workspace</td><td>Shows a list of the existing connections (if any)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>[D]</strong></td><td>Connection</td><td>An existing connection</td></tr><tr><td><strong>[E]</strong></td><td>Show/hide requests</td><td>Click to show or hide requests assigned to this connection</td></tr><tr><td><strong>[F]</strong></td><td>Requests</td><td>Individual requests</td></tr><tr><td><strong>[G]</strong></td><td>Pause/resume connection</td><td>Click to pause or resume a connection</td></tr><tr><td><strong>[H]</strong></td><td>Connection status</td><td>Shows the current status of the connection</td></tr><tr><td><strong>[I]</strong></td><td>Name</td><td>Name of the connection</td></tr><tr><td><strong>[J]</strong></td><td>URL</td><td>The base URL of the respective connection</td></tr><tr><td><strong>[K]</strong></td><td>Requests</td><td>Shows how many requests are assigned to this connection</td></tr><tr><td><strong>[L]</strong></td><td>Add request</td><td>Click to add a request to the respective connection</td></tr><tr><td><strong>[M]</strong></td><td>New connection</td><td>Click to create a new connection</td></tr><tr><td><strong>[N]</strong></td><td>Connection details</td><td>Click to open the details of the respective connection. Opens the ↗Connection Details</td></tr><tr><td><strong>[O]</strong></td><td>Delete connection</td><td>Deletes the respective connection. ⚠ Caution: If the connection is also used in other tenants, it will also be deleted there.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>[P]</strong></td><td>Request details</td><td>Click to edit the details of the respective request.</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Create New Connection

1. In the sidebar, click on **Connection \[A]**

   ▷ The "Connections" window opens
2. Select the **RESTful \[B]** tab
3. In the workspace **\[C]**, a list of the already existing connections **\[D]** is displayed

   ◈ If you do not see any entries, no connections exist yet

   ◈ Connections that have been configured in other tenants are also displayed
4. Click on **\[M]** to establish a new connection

   ▷ The [↗ "Configure RESTful Connection"](https://docs.buildings.ability.abb/collection/mandatory-base/platform-core/connect-hub/connectivity-as-a-service/connect-devices-via-restful/configure-restful-connection) window opens

Continue in chapter [↗ "Configure RESTful Connection"](https://docs.buildings.ability.abb/collection/mandatory-base/platform-core/connect-hub/connectivity-as-a-service/...with-kafka/configure-connection)

## Edit Existing Connection

1. In the sidebar, click on **Connection \[A]**

   ▷ The "Connections" window opens
2. Select the **RESTful \[B]** tab
3. In the workspace **\[C]**, a list of the already existing connections **\[D]** is displayed

   ◈ If you do not see any entries, no connections exist yet

   ◈ Connections that have been configured in other tenants are also displayed
4. Click on **\[M]** to establish a new connection

   ▷ The [↗ "Configure RESTful Connection"](https://docs.buildings.ability.abb/collection/mandatory-base/platform-core/connect-hub/connectivity-as-a-service/connect-devices-via-restful/configure-restful-connection) window opens

Continue in chapter [↗ "Configure RESTful Connection"](https://docs.buildings.ability.abb/collection/mandatory-base/platform-core/connect-hub/connectivity-as-a-service/connect-devices-via-restful/configure-restful-connection)