SandStorm IT

Power On

  • Services
    • Managed IT Services
    • Servers & Networks
    • Business Computers & Support
    • Cloud Services & Data Backup
    • Custom Software Development
    • VoIP Telephone Solutions
    • Custom Web Design
    • Disaster Recovery Solutions
    • Security & Compliance
    • IT Consulting
  • Technologies
  • Pricing
  • Work
  • About
    • Our History
    • Our Team
    • Careers
    • Press
  • Blog
  • Contact
    • (901) 475-0275
  • Help Me

What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?

September 8, 2020 By Jacob Ellis

Welcome to SandStorm IT’s 6-part series about the Internet of Things. In this series, we’ll shed some light on the basics of IoT.

Part 1 – What is the Internet of Things (IoT)? (You are here)
Part 2 – Why do I care about IoT?
Part 3 – What are some real-world applications of IoT?
Part 4 – What are the security concerns of IoT?
Part 5 – What devices do I have that connects to IoT?
Part 6 – What is the future of IoT?


The Internet of Things is a collection of physical devices embedded with software and electronics that enable them to exchange messages over the Internet. In many cases, this happens without real-time human interaction. For example, a device that measures the weather around it may store the data that it gathers locally, and then periodically send its data to a server on the Internet for reporting on a larger scale. Once this server receives enough data from many different locations (across, say, a region or nation), it can aggregate the data and report on it. One of the most remarkable attributes of the Internet of Things is its ability to improve human efficiency. Previously, people would have to collect data from devices manually and upload them to a centralized location. This aggregation of data can now be automated by having the devices themselves connected to the Internet rather than connecting people through the devices.

 

What Else Can Be Done with the Internet of Things?

Mass data collection and aggregation is by no means the only ability the Internet of Things brings to the table. Home automation products allow users to configure their homes with the tap of a button on their smartphones. All you need to adjust your blinds, turn on your lights, or even lock your doors is simply access to the Internet from a compatible device. Similarly, agricultural automation allows farmers to combine data aggregation and mechanical automation to optimize their yields as well as predict their future ones.

 

How Many Devices Are on the Internet of Things?

As of 2017, the number of devices connected to the Internet of Things was around 20 billion, and that number is expected to grow quite considerably (by a few billion or so every year). You may wonder how all these devices communicate with each other when their brands and functionalities are so diverse. This issue is known as platform fragmentation, and it is one of the largest issues with the Internet of Things. Many technologies have trouble communicating with lower versions of themselves (this is known as backward incompatibility, which may or may not be intentional), due to improvements in the architecture, security, or speed taking priority over backward compatibility. Knowing this, it is easy to see how dozens of products (each with many versions!) from thousands of vendors may have trouble communicating with one another.

 

What about security?

Our next blog post in this multi-part series, “What are the security concerns of IoT?” will address some of the privacy/security concerns with these types of devices. It will be coming soon, so be sure to check out the blog for the latest content and join the mailing list to receive updates from SandStorm IT.

 

Overall, the Internet of Things will continue to be one of the most exciting yet challenging technologies of the future. If you have any questions about IoT or any other question regarding technology, feel free to call the experts at SandStorm IT at 901-475-0275.

Related Posts

  • What is the future of IoT?
  • What are the security concerns of IoT?
  • What devices do I have that connect to IoT?
  • What are some real-world applications of IoT?
  • Why do I care about IoT?

Categories: Internet of Things (IoT), Networking

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Check your inbox or spam folder now to confirm your subscription.

SANDSTORM IT BLOG

Featured
News
Press Releases
SandStorm News
Security Alerts & Vulnerabilities
Managed Services
Managed Anti-Virus/Anti-Malware
Managed Backups & Monitoring
Updates/Patches
Passwords
Cybersecurity
Spyware/Malware/Viruses
Social Engineering/Phishing
Ransomware
Data Breaches/Leaks
Other
Servers
Server & Server Hardware
Cloud/Serverless Computing
Server Operating Systems
Networking
Wired Networking
Wireless/Wi-Fi
Internet of Things (IoT)
5G & Mobile Networking
Business
General Business
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Voice & Telephony
Backups & Business Continuity
On-Site Backups
Cloud Backups
DR/BCM Planning & Consulting
Personal Computing
Tips/Tricks/Shortcuts
Troubleshooting
Hardware & Peripherals
Desktop Operating Systems
Software & Applications
Office Applications
Desktop Software
Email Software and Applications

Authors

Authors
Doyle Sanders
Jake Sanders
Jordan Sanders
Justin Oliver
Matt Ballard
Robert Cleveland
Cristian Colón
Jacob Ellis
Jeff Fowler
Miker Irick
Curtis Mayo
Josh Restuccio
Lindsey Sanders
Matthew Stafford
Josh Yarbrough

Give Us a Call

(901) 475-0275
61 Atoka-McLaughlin Dr.
Atoka, TN 38004

About SandStorm IT

SandStorm IT is a team of committed professionals who are dedicated and excited to solve your technology needs.  We accomplish this through understanding your business and then applying the appropriate technology solutions to meet the needs.

Our breadth of experience with information technology covers a range of diverse skill sets such as server setup and configuration, network and firewall solutions, VoIP telephone systems, web and database hosting, custom web application programming, mobile development, and IT security practices and policies.

SandStorm IT has the desire, expertise, and commitment to bring your vision to life.

  • Services
  • Technologies
  • Pricing
  • Work
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Help Me
Authorized Solution Provider