IoT is an umbrella term that includes multiple different categories. The result is that no single architecture will suit all these areas and the requirements each area brings. However, a modular scalable architecture that supports adding or subtracting capabilities, as well as supporting many requirements across a wide variety of these use cases is inherently useful and valuable. It provides a starting point for architects looking to create IoT solutions as well as a strong basis for further development.
This paper proposes such a reference architecture. The reference architecture must cover multiple aspects including the cloud or server-side architecture that allows us to monitor, manage, interact with and process the data from the IoT devices; the networking model to communicate with the devices; and the agents and code on the devices themselves, as well as the requirements on what sort of device can support this reference architecture.
The paper includes the following:
- An overview of IoT
- Challenges unique to IoT
- Requirements for an IoT reference architecture
- The reference architecture
- Mapping of the reference architecture to the WSO2 platform
- Conclusions and areas for future work
