IoT has revolutionized modern technology with its seamless connectivity of devices under one umbrella. In this internet-driven world, which one is not an element of IoT? Our Smartwatches, mobile applications, laptops, iPads, Tablets, or electronic devices such as refrigerators, ACs, Digital locks, etc., are sending data to these IoT networks. These IoT systems are built upon various elements, features, layers, and their respective function. And at this post, we will take an in-depth look at the different perspectives of IoT layers in the IT infrastructure.
Curious to know how IoT works? Before further understanding the IoT layers, let’s start with a simple definition of IoT working.
In this article, we’ll explore:
To understand how IoT works, you must know what it is. Internet of Things (IoT) is an interconnected system of physical devices embedded with software and sensors to streamline information across the network via the internet. These IoT networks have shown exceptional data collection, analysis, reporting, and prediction behavior for integration into future planning.
Though IoT is a trending technology with unlimited future potential yet, there are no single or particular set of rules for the components of IoT. Various organizations have adopted features of IoT in their premises as several benefits have emerged from their integrations.
There are many technological aspects, layers, applications, and Components of IoT networks. But most of these IoT architectures are built upon core fundamentals.
These Elements of IoT define the fundamentals of almost every IoT system on the globe. Still, they are divided into multiple architecture layers to further refine the overall IoT network.
These IoT layers are :
With continuous changes in the IT environment, many organizations have added three additional layers to their infrastructure. Here is an IoT Block diagram showing the various stages of IoT architecture layers.
These IoT layers form the components of the internet physical design of IoT, acting as a medium between the digital and real world. In the IoT architecture layers, this perception layer has the main function of transforming analog signals into digital form and vice versa. These come in a different multitude of shapes and sizes with:
In IoT architecture, there is no limitation of location or distance between two or more devices that can be spread across the globe.
Here in the second Connectivity layer, communication takes center stage between the physical layer of devices and IoT architecture. This communication takes place via two methods;
First directly by either TCP or UDP/IP stack;
Second, gateways act as a link between Local Area Network (LAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN), thus providing a path for information to pass through multiple protocols.
So, which element is not IoT? Several network technologies are integrated across IoT systems that include:
There are also messaging protocols present in the IoT system that allows seamless data sharing. Here is a list of top protocols present in the IoT architecture layers as of now.
In the early stages, with IoT networks gaining size and numbers, latency becomes one of the major hurdles. And when multiple devices tried connecting with the main center, it clogged the system delaying the procedure. Here edge computing offered a unique solution that accelerated the growth of IoT Systems overall.
Now with the edge IoT layers, systems can process and analyze the information close to the source as much as possible. Edge has now become the standard for the 5th Generation of mobile networks (5G), offering systems to connect with more devices at a lower latency than the prevailing 4G standards. All the procedures for the IoT networks take place at the edge. Thus saving time, and resources and further resulting in real-time reactions and improved performance.
IoT systems are designed to capture, store, and process data for further requirements in this layer. In the processing layer, there are two main stages.
Every device sends millions of data streams across the IoT network. Here data comes in various forms, speeds, and sizes. Separating the essential data from these large streams is a primary concern that professionals must prioritize in this layer. Unstructured data in raw forms, such as photos and video streams, can be quite enormous and must be done efficiently to gather intelligence factors for the business. Professionals must thoroughly understand the business procedures to pinpoint data requirements precisely and help procure future benefits.
Once the data accumulation stage is finished, selected data is taken out from the large data for application to optimize their business procedures. Here the data abstraction follows the path as:
Interoperability among devices and architecture plays a crucial role in the processing layer. Once data accumulation and abstraction are complete, it is easy for data analysts to use business acumen in fetching intelligence factors. Â
In this layer, Data is further processed and analyzed to gather business intelligence. Here, IoT systems connect with middleware or software that can understand data more precisely.
Some examples of the Application layer include:
Each IoT system is built with its particular goals and objectives to match business specifications. At present, most IoT Applications are working at varying complexity and operate a multitude of technology stacks performing specific tasks for businesses.
Once IoT data is procured, it is valuable only if it applies to business planning and strategy. Every business has specific goals and objectives that it wants to accomplish by gathering intelligence from data. Business owners and stakeholders use data from past and present data to plan precisely for the future.
Today Data analysis has become the new oil for industries to enhance their productivity. Businesses compete to get more data into their business for analysis and decision-making. Here software, CRM, and business intelligence programs have gained a lot of popularity in industries for superior performance.
With modern challenges, security has become one of the primary necessities of IT architecture. Data breaches, tracking malicious software, and hacking are the main challenges with Security Layer in integrating IoT systems. Â
The first point of security in the IoT layers starts with the devices themselves. Most manufacturers follow security guidelines to install both firmware and hardware for IoT integration. Some of the essential measures are:
Now Clouds are taking over the traditional server for data storage and communication. Their data security is of paramount importance, especially for IoT systems. Mechanisms include multiple authorization factors and encryptions to avoid any data breach. Here the process of verifying any new device is an essential crux that must have strict regulations for
device identity management.
While transferring data across the network must be encrypted from an end-to-end point across the IoT system. Here messaging protocols such as DDS, AMQP, and MQTT are integrated to secure sensitive information from any breach. The use of the TSL cryptographic protocol is recommended industry standard across IoT architecture for data communication.
We define the six layers of IoT architecture as described below. Note that in some cases, layers are made up of sublayers. This is a common characteristic in complex architectures, such as that of IoT.Â
IoT is one of the emerging technologies in the global IT industry, as more businesses are shifting towards these futuristic solutions. Though elements of IoT form the core fundamentals for a comprehensive IT system, the IoT Layers lay down the path for the overall network’s success. Each layer has a specific scope and role that caters to solving the IoT complexity across the network.
The Perception layer is responsible for converting signals from analog to digital and vice-versa, the Connectivity layer for easing data transformation, and Edge for lowering system latency. While the Processing layer refines the data, the Application layer analyses the data, the Business layer delivers intelligence solutions, and the Security layer makes sure to protect the data at any cost.
Working with IoT layers of systems can be quite challenging for a small business. But, most of the top global organizations, such as AWS, CISCO, IBM, Microsoft, etc., offer end-to-end solutions for businesses to integrate features of IoT in their premises. They offer comprehensive device control and management, data encryption measures, and seamless transformation to future IoT systems. IoT is applicable and finds application everywhere. Check out here 12 Major Applications of IoT to understand the wide usage of this emerging technology
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