Now that you understand how the tutorial features work lets begin by generating some data in graph form using the IoT@School Exploratory.
There are 2 steps involved in generating your data in graph form;
- Selecting a device(s) and sensors
- Selecting your time series (Start and end times) and data point interval
To begin you will need to open the exploratory by selecting exploratory from the menu.
![Select Exploratory](https://www.exploratory.sciencescope.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Select-Exploratory.png)
The Exploratory
The IoT@School exploratory is the state of art big data tool used for storing all IoT@School device data from around the world as well as having the capability to generate graphs, live data and offer multiple data analytical tools.
Selecting a Device(s) and Sensors
Device Options
![Selct Type of Device](https://www.exploratory.sciencescope.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Selct-Type-of-Device-1.png)
There are 3 options available for selecting one or multiple devices;
- Live Devices
- Recent Devices
- Historic Devices
These device lists can be selected within the build graphs function. See image to the left.
Live Devices
These devices have a most recent data upload within the last 30 minutes.
Recent Devices
A device is labelled ‘recent’ if the latest data upload occurred between 30 minutes and 24 hours.
Historic Devices
If a device has not uploaded a data point within the last 24 hours it becomes a ‘historic’ device.
*For the purpose of this tutorial we will show how to generate data from live and historic devices but not archived devices.
Choosing a Device
- Select live data devices button from the build graph menu as shown in the previous image
- You will see a list of devices that are currently live similar to what is shown in the image to the right.
- Note that the list of live devices/data will be changing regularly so your list will most likely be different to that shown in the image.
- Choose one or multiple devices by checking the box next to the device name.
- This will then show the available sensors for that device. There is a pre-select of sensors that the system automatically selects depending on the device type but you can check or un-check as many sensors as you wish.
![Device Select](https://www.exploratory.sciencescope.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Device-Select-1.png)
Selecting a Time Series and Data Interval
![Time Series and interval select](https://www.exploratory.sciencescope.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Time-Series-and-interval-select-1.png)
![Generate Graphs](https://www.exploratory.sciencescope.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Generate-Graphs.png)
- Select the “Get Selected Data” tab from the build graphs menu.
- You will notice that there are two sections; “Time series range” and “Data point interval”. The first step is to choose the time series range of data you wish to view from your selected device(s).
- Begin by selecting the start and end date of the time series. You can do this by selecting the date boxes which will make a calendar appear.
- The exploratory automatically sets the time series range to the last 24 hours of data.
- If you wish you can also change the start and end time again by selecting the boxes and choosing your desired time.
- Next you must choose your data point interval. This is the time between each point of data on your graph. There is a limit on the maximum number of data points that can be generated in a graph. These are outlined next to the interval box.
- Finally select the “Generate Graphs” button at the bottom of the page and your graph will begin to load.