Overview
Android devices have two existing methods for providing immediate feedback for functionality across the VMware Workspace ONE UEM suite of products, Google Cloud Messaging (GCM) and AirWatch Cloud Messaging (AWCM). Google has announced that they are deprecating GCM effective April 11th, 2019 in favor of a new cloud-messaging platform they released called Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM). VMware is working diligently to ensure compatibility with the new Google standard of FCM.
Find out more on Google’s developer page.
All customers are strongly encouraged to upgrade their VMware Workspace ONE UEM Console, Workspace ONE Intelligent Hub application, and Workspace ONE application to the versions that contain support for Firebase Cloud Messaging. FCM compatible versions of Workspace ONE UEM and the Intelligent Hub are available as of February 2019 and a compatible version of the Workspace ONE App has been made available as of April 2019. The table below displays the Workspace ONE UEM versions that support FCM.
Note: Once the Workspace ONE Console has been upgraded to a version that supports FCM, it will be used automatically and there will be no way to revert to using GCM again to protect against the deprecation of the endpoints from Google.
|
Workspace ONE UEM Version |
Patch Link |
|
1811 |
|
|
1810 |
|
|
9.7 |
|
|
9.6 |
|
|
9.5 |
|
|
9.4 |
|
|
9.3 |
Customer Impact
Once GCM has been deprecated, customers enrolling new devices into GCM enabled environments, will begin experiencing extended delays in communication between the Workspace ONE Console and Android devices. The impact on functionality includes commands such as Syncing, Device Wipe, and Enterprise wipe, as well as deploying profiles. Devices enrolled prior to the deprecation on GCM enabled environments will continue to work normally until their GCM token expires at re-enrollment. It is strongly suggested to upgrade your environment to an FCM compatible version of Workspace ONE UEM, Intelligent Hub, and Workspace ONE App.
Note: Environments using AWCM for communication with Android devices will continue to operate as expected with no changes required.
Workspace ONE Administrators may prepare for the deprecation of GCM by upgrading to FCM compatible versions of the Workspace ONE UEM Console, Workspace ONE Intelligent Hub, and Workspace ONE App prior to April 11th.
Effects on VMware Workspace ONE Intelligent Hub and Workspace ONE app, if the apps are not updated
Messages generated from the UEM Console by administrators as near-real time push notifications will no longer be received by the Workspace ONE app. The Workspace ONE app still has a heartbeat interval to check in with the UEM Console (default set at 30 minutes) this means commands may be delayed up to 30 minutes if GCM is unavailable (the default heartbeat is not changed)
Impacted functionality includes, device sync, enterprise wipe, and device wipe commands, as well as pushing new or updated profiles, SDK profiles, and apps.
Additional Information
Depending on whether the environment is hosted or on premises, some changes including changes to network settings may be required in order to use FCM as a replacement for GCM. Please refer to the information below for migration steps. compatibility
Shared SaaS Environments
- Ensure that devices can reach fcm.googleapis.com and fcm-xmpp.googleapis.com over ports TCP/443,5228-5230
- Ensure that Android devices are running VMware Workspace ONE Intelligent Hub 9.0.2+
Dedicated SaaS Environments
- Ensure that devices can reach fcm.googleapis.com and fcm-xmpp.googleapis.com over ports TCP/443,5228-5230
- Dedicated SaaS environments will be updated by VMware teams during corresponding regional off-hours depending on where the environment is hosted, as the patches are released. Dedicated SaaS customers can submit a support ticket to request a specific maintenance window (The Workspace ONE Team will try to meet these requests as best possible).
- Ensure that Android devices are running VMware Workspace ONE Intelligent Hub 9.0.2+
On-Premises Environments
- Ensure your EMM Console and devices can reach fcm.googleapis.com and fcm-xmpp.googleapis.com over TCP/443,5228-5230
- Apply the correct patch for your environment based on your Workspace ONE UEM Console version
- Ensure that Android devices are running VMware Workspace ONE Intelligent Hub 9.0.2+
Support Contact Information
To receive support, either submit a ticket via the My Workspace ONE portal or call your local support line.
Best Regards,
The VMware Workspace ONE Team
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