Digital transformation affects business, industry, and daily lives.
Digital transformation enables innovation.
Networks provide the platform for Digital Business and society.
Today, there are more smart devices than people.
Many people are connected to the Internet 24 hours a day.
By 2020, each consumer will have 6.58 smart devices.
Modern digital networks make all of this possible.
Digital transformation is the application of digital technology to provide the stage for business and industry to innovate.
Smart devices can evaluate data and modify processes or settings on the fly if programmed appropriately.
With sufficient data, smart devices can "learn" and modify their own code based on new parameters.
Smart Cities use sensors to control infrastructure systems like traffic flow, parking, water utilization, and hydro.
Self-driving cars are equipped with ultrasound sensors, cameras, precision GPSs, and computers.
Globally Connected Through Networks
Fifty billion things provide trillions of gigabytes of data.
Networks provide the foundation for the Internet and the digitized world.
Networks can range from simple networks consisting of two computers to networks connecting millions of devices.
Networks can provide products and services to customers through their connection to the Internet.
The Internet is the largest network in existence and effectively provides the “electronic skin” that surrounds the planet.
Network Types:
Personal Area Network (PAN) - Connecting your smartphone to your car using Bluetooth is an example of a PAN.
Local Area Network (LAN) - Networks in a small geographic area, such as a home or small business.
Wide Area Networks (WANs) - A collection of LANs that provides inter-LAN and Internet connectivity.
Internet - A multi-layer global network system that connects hundreds of millions of computers.
Wireless Networks - Use electromagnetic waves to carry signals over the network.
The Cloud - Data centers or groups of connected servers used to store and analyze data, provide access to on-line applications, and provide backup services.
The Edge - The physical “edge” of a corporate network.
Fog Computing - The data from IoT devices can be pre-processed for immediate use in the fog located at the edge of the network.
1.2 Devices that Connect to the IoT
The Internet of Things (IoT) is the connection of millions of smart devices and sensors connected to the Internet.
Previously inanimate objects such as doorknobs or light bulbs can now be equipped with an intelligent sensor that can collect and transfer data to a network.
An estimated 3 million new devices are connected to the Internet each month.
In the next four years, there are going to be over 50 billion connected devices worldwide.
Two-thirds will be "things": sensors, actuators, and newly invented intelligent devices that monitor, control, analyze, and optimize our world.
A sensor needs to be connected to a network so that the gathered data can be stored and shared.
Controllers are responsible for collecting data from sensors and providing network or Internet connectivity.
Controllers may have the ability to make immediate decisions, or they may send data to a more powerful computer for analysis.
Sensors often work together with a device called an actuator.
Actuators take electrical input and transform the input into physical action.
The Home Gateway device acts as a local connection to your IoT smart devices:
It is designed to provide Internet access, wireless connectivity, and local logic for smart devices.
It provides an IoT registration service that is always turned on and an auto discovery service for Things in the local Ethernet and wireless network.
The user can control and monitor the smart devices that are connected to the Home Gateway from their smartphone, tablet, or PC.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Devices have the ability to “think” on their own.
Intent-Based Networking (IBN) – Providing software with rules, guidelines, or intent so that data could modify the network, infrastructure features, or security features within a network.
Example - A business defines that a contract employee is given access to only a specific set of data and applications. This is the intent. In an IBN system all the network devices will be automatically configured to fulfil this requirement across the network, no matter where the employee is connected.
Chapter Summary
As digital networks continue to grow around the world, we are seeing a Digital Transformation - the application of digital technology to provide the stage for business and industry to innovate.
Sensors are now everywhere in the home, on traffic lights, in farm fields, and on our bodies. The analyzed data from sensors is used by governments, cities, businesses, and individuals to effect changes.
Networks form the foundation of the digitized world.
Types of Networks:
PAN: Bluetooth
LAN
WAN: Internet, the cloud, fog computing
Wireless: WiFi, Cellular
The Internet of Things is the connection of millions of smart devices and sensors connected to the Internet.
A sensor typically connects to a controller using a wireless connection. Controllers collect data from sensors and send the data for storage or analysis. Controllers may work together with a device called an actuator. Actuators take electrical input and transform the input into physical action.
The future of networking will revolve around artificial intelligence (AI) and intent-based networking (IBN).