11.4.8 Internet of Things

Learn what IoT devices are and how they're being implemented in modern networks.

IoT device are extremely common. They can be found everywhere, and we use them to monitor and manage many aspects of life. Some of those aspects include:

• home monitoring and management
  • thermostats
  • lighting systems
  • security systems
• public healthcare systems
  • pacemakers
  • surgical equipment
  • telemedicine
• city management
  • water distribution
  • electrical distribution
  • traffic management
• farming
  • monitor the health of cattle & other farm animals
  • monitor the composition and humidity of soil
• industry (IIOT)
  • production boosting devices
  • quality control managers
• transportation
  • smart devices for vehicle to vehicle/roadside/pedestrian communication
• advertisement & commerce
  • those big TV screens that display ads? yeah, that's IoT

IoT Systems

IoT technology can be categorized into four main systems:

• the devices themselves
• gateway systems
• data storage systems
• remote control systems

Almost all IoT devices have some sort of data that they're capturing and uploading into the cloud. They do this using sensors installed on the device, whether it's a thermometer, GPS, heartrates, or anything else. The devices must then communicate with the cloud through a gateway. Once the data reaches the cloud, it's automatically processed and the results are relayed to the end user. In the example of a security system, this is when the end user would receive a notification that someone's at their front door.

IoT devices are also able to receive commands from the end user remotely. In the previous example, this is when the end user would speak through the camera's speakers, telling the unexpected visitor to wait a couple minutes for them to return. However, not every IoT device is the same. Each device has their own capabilities, function, and features.

IoT Architecture

There are five IoT layers. These layers define how each IoT device is integrated into network systems.

• Edge-Technology
• Access-Gateway
• Internet
• Middleware
• Application

IoT Communication Protocols

• 802.11 Wireless (Wi-Fi)
• Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
• Zigbee
• Z-Wave

#XI

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