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The Azure Sphere 21.02 release includes the following components:



  • Updated Azure Sphere OS

  • Updated Azure Sphere SDK for Windows and for Linux


If your devices are connected to the internet, they will receive the updated OS from the cloud. We encourage you to install the latest SDK, but the existing 21.01 SDK will continue to work with the updated OS. To install the latest SDK, see the installation Quickstart for Windows or Linux:



 


New and changed features in the 21.02 release


The 21.02 release includes the promotion of the CLI v2 from Beta to release, and a new tutorial about memory management. The 21.02 OS update includes bug fixes and performance enhancements. The following sections provide details about these changes.


 


Azure Sphere CLI


The 21.02 Azure Sphere SDK release includes a new version of the Azure Sphere CLI that is easier to use in your shell and in your scripts. The new CLI is available in any shell such as PowerShell, Windows command prompt, or Linux command shell. It is installed alongside the deprecated Azure Sphere classic CLI on both Windows and Linux, so you have access to either interface.



  • Azure Sphere CLI v2 now referred to as “Azure Sphere CLI”.

  • Earlier Azure Sphere CLI versions (CLI v1 and lower) are now referred to as “Azure Sphere classic CLI”.

  • The dedicated Azure Sphere Developer Command Prompt (available from Start > Azure Sphere or a shortcut) will be marked as deprecated and can be used only with the deprecated classic CLI.


The main new features of the new Azure Sphere CLI are summarized below and explained in detail here. The input and output for the new Azure Sphere CLI also have some differences compared to the Azure Sphere classic CLI. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with these differences and plan to migrate your processes and scripts that use the CLI. Although both versions of the CLI can be installed and used side-by-side, the classic CLI is no longer updated or maintained and will be retired in the coming months.


 


Tab completion


Tab completion is like autocomplete for the command-line interface. Type a few characters of a command and then press TAB to select the desired completion text. If multiple items begin with the text that you initially typed, then continue pressing TAB until the item you want appears.


 


In Linux, Azure Sphere CLI supports the tab completion feature for commands under the Bash shell.


 


Additionally, autocompletion helps you discover commands, parameters, and parameter values that are available to use. This is available by using CTRL+Space in Windows PowerShell or press TAB twice in the Linux Bash shell.


 


For example, type azsphere product update and use autocompletion to see a list of available parameters.


 


auto-complete-parameter-21.02.png


 


 


Similarly, type azsphere product update –product  and use autocompletion to see a list of available products in your tenant.


 


auto-complete-parameter-value-21.02.png


 


Interactive mode (preview)


Interactive mode automatically displays information and makes it easier to select commands and sub-commands. Enter the interactive mode with the azsphere interactive command. The command prompt changes to azsphere>> to indicate that you are now running commands in the interactive shell.


 


interactive-cli-21.02.png


 


Flexible output (preview)


You can more easily automate CLI commands by writing scripts that consume JSON or YAML output. You can separate this “stdout” output from “stderr” related error and informational messages. You can redirect it or paginate it with your favorite tools. And you can filter, modify, and sort it using the new –query option. Only some commands currently support these new output options; let us know via azsphere feedback if we’re missing a command that you need to script.


 


New and updated samples for 21.02


The 21.02 release includes the following new and updated sample hardware designs and applications:



  • New tutorial on memory usage  to demonstrate how to detect and fix memory usage problems, such as a memory leak, in your application.

  • Updated Readme files include commands for both the new Azure Sphere CLI and deprecated Azure Sphere classic CLI.


 


Fixed bugs and common vulnerabilities in the 21.02 OS release


The 21.02 OS release includes various bug fixes, a Linux kernel update, and mitigations against the following CVEs:



  • CVE-2021-3336

  • CVE-2020-8285

  • CVE-2020-8286

  • CVE-2020-8284

  • CVE-2020-8231


 


For more information on Azure Sphere OS feeds and setting up an evaluation device group, see Azure Sphere OS feeds and Set up devices for OS evaluation.


 


For self-help technical inquiries, please visit Microsoft Q&A or Stack Overflow. If you require technical support and have a support plan, please submit a support ticket in Microsoft Azure Support or work with your Microsoft Technical Account Manager. If you would like to purchase a support plan, please explore the Azure support plans.

Brought to you by Dr. Ware, Microsoft Office 365 Silver Partner, Charleston SC.