The Internet is evolving with the human – human participation increasing. Right now the Machine-Machine interactions are limited, but in the future, it’s possible for both the human-machine and machine-machine (M2M) to participate in a symbiotic manner. This is where the Internet of Things (IoT) and Cloud Computing comes into picture.
Basic Premise of IoT and Cloud Computing
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a fusion of the physical and digital world. It allows devices to connect and communicate with each other over the Internet. In an IoT environment, millions of “things” or “devices” will be interconnected and uniquely identified on the Internet.
The IoT devices will communicate with each other producing large amounts of data which will have to be stored, processed, accessed and analyzed; and also contribute to global data traffic.
The idea is to move beyond just collecting data and monitoring the devices. It enables analytical and sensing services to use this vast amount of data and provide crucial information about the functioning and how they are working. Based on this information, corrective actions can take place.
As more number of devices are connected, the data generated by them will grow exponentially. The traditional IT infrastructure will be unable to handle this tremendous pressure on its resources.
Cloud Computing is the solution for this data influx problem of IoT. It provides the virtual infrastructure for storage, network and computing power. This enables businesses and users to integrate applications; monitor devices; use storage devices and analytics tools; visualization platforms; and reduce client delivery time. Applications are available on anytime, anyplace and anywhere.
Characteristics of IoT Cloud Computing
- On-Demand Self Service: This service is available at any time and any user can use this without requiring any special permissions.
- Broad Network Access: Devices can make use of the Cloud Computing resources from an network, as long as they are connected to the internet using network access.
- Resource Pooling: In IoT environment, every device is allocated a unique IP address, which can be easily identified. Resource sharing in Cloud environment, lets users know which resource is free and available for use. It allows them to access what they want and when they want it easily.
- Rapid Elasticity: Cloud Computing allows you freedom to expand or remove any software feature or resources as and when required. This elastic nature of the Cloud, increase your computing, networking or storage power.
- Measured Service: In the IoT context, you Pay-As-Use (PPU) for the service that is utilized in the Cloud. Any communication between the connected devices in the Cloud, will need to pay for the service.
- Deployment methods: The Internet of Things Cloud Computing can be deployed in any of the four models: Private cloud, Public cloud, Community cloud or the Hybrid cloud. Depending on your unique business needs, requirements, applications and usage opt for a suitable deployment method for your applications.
The growing Internet of Things (IoT) will change the way in which Cloud Computing will affect our lives. The cloud and the “things” are tightly coupled in the Internet of things.