Esper Foundation Updates

If your devices use Esper Foundation, use Esper Software Updates to update your devices to the latest builds. 

Requirements: 

• Esper Foundation 
• Admin privileges or Custom Role access 
• Esper Agent Version 7.17 or higher to deploy in Pipelines

In this article: 

• Understanding Release Names
• Using Esper Foundation
  • Downloading a Build
  • Deploying a Build
• Using Auto-Updates
  • Getting Your Devices Ready for Auto-Update
  • Approving Builds
  • Setting Auto-Update
  • Editing or Canceling the Auto-Update
• Foundation Event Feed
• User Roles and Scopes

Understanding Release Names

Esper Foundation is available for certain devices and use cases. If you think your organization’s workflow will benefit from Foundation, learn more or contact us. 

To see the latest Foundation builds, navigate to Esper Software Updates and select the Esper Foundation tab. 

The release information contains the following: 

• The device
• The version number 
• The release date 
• Any release notes for that version 

The version number is the Android version, Major Foundation version, Minor Foundation version, and build version, respectively. In the example of a release with a version number of 7.10.21.02: 

• 7 represents the Android version 
• 10 represents the Major Foundation version 
• 21 represents the Minor Foundation version 
• 02 represents the Build Version

Using Esper Foundation 

Navigate to Esper Software Updates and select the Esper Foundation tab.

Select the device model to view its available builds. By default, Auto-Updates are disabled but can be enabled after approving builds. 

The latest available build is marked with a Latest label. Approved builds are marked with an Approved label. 

Esper offers a few ways to install builds on devices. Your installation method may vary depending on your use case. 

• Downloading a Build: Download a build to your computer and use a USB drive to install it on the device. This option is generally intended for devices that can’t be updated over the internet. Learn more about downloading a Foundation build. 
• Deploying a Build: Use Esper’s Pipelines feature to install the build in batches. Test the build out on a small group of devices before deploying it to your larger fleet. This option offers users a selective approach to build updates. 
• Approving a Build and Setting Auto-Updates: Set auto-update for approved builds. Devices update over a 24 hour period once the new build is approved. This option is an automatic alternative to downloading and deploying. 

Downloading a Build

To download a build, select Actions > Download. The build will be downloaded to your computer. Consult the information provided to you by Esper, or Contact Esper to install the image on the device.  

Deploying a Build

Deploy builds using Esper’s Pipelines feature by selecting Actions > Deploy in Pipeline. 

 

 

Then, optionally provide a name and description. 

 

Next, set up your pipeline targets (devices or groups) and stages. See Managing a Pipeline for more information about pipeline deployments. 

 

 

Once you’ve completed the targets and stages, press Create and Run. 

 

Using Auto-Updates

Getting Your Devices Ready for Auto-Update 

Before setting auto-updates, you’ll need to get your devices ready to receive the updates.

On Your Device 

Ensure Automatic Updates are enabled in the device's system settings. Consult your device manual or manufacturer for more information. 

 

Blueprints

In a blueprint, go to System Updates and  select one of the following: 

• Update automatically to update devices automatically. 
• Windowed installation to update devices over a scheduled time. 
• Postpone installation to postpone the update for 30 days. 

Templates

In a template, go to Compliance Policy > System Updates and select Update automatically. 

If your devices are already on a template, you can use a compliance policy to change your system update preferences. 

 

Under System Updates, select Update automatically. Then apply the policy to your devices.

Ensure your devices are also set to receive system updates automatically. Consult your device manual or manufacturer for more information. 

Approving Builds

Auto-update allows devices to receive the latest updates once they’re available and approved. To enable auto-updates, approve a build. Once enabled, auto-updates push updates to devices until it is disabled. 

Note: The selected device models will update over a 24 hour period. Each device may receive the update at a different time. Devices that aren’t communicating with Esper will receive the update when they communicate again. 

 

First, select a build and choose Actions > Approve Build. 

 

Optionally, enter a comment. 

Then press Approve. 

Setting Auto-Update

After approval, Enable Automatic Update by enabling the toggle.

Then choose a version from the dropdown menu. 

The Latest Approved automatically updates once you approve the next latest version.

Then confirm the changes.

The auto-update version will be installed on devices. 

Editing or Canceling the Auto-Update 

To edit or cancel auto-update, click on Edit Settings.

Then, change the version to edit the auto-update version. Or disable the toggle to cancel auto-update.

Devices will only receive auto-updates of the latest version. For example, if v11.5.0.1357 is chosen, only those devices on v11.5.0.1344 or earlier will receive the update. Devices on 11.5.0.1357 or later will remain on their respective versions. 

Foundation Event Feed

To see a list of approved, unapproved, auto-update actions and more, go to the Foundation Event Feed tab. 

User Roles and Scopes 

Enterprise Admin will be able to view and modify Esper Foundation Updates. A custom role can also be created to view and modify Foundation Updates.